Safeguarding
Our Designated Safeguarding Team
Christopher Palmer – Deputy Headteacher
Sarah Hirst – Assistant Headteacher
Thomas Thatcher – Assistant Headteacher
Donna Millward – Assistant Headteacher
Safeguarding Matters
Safeguarding the interests, health and safety of every young person in our care is our priority and responsibility. We also take extremely seriously our responsibility to safeguard the interests, health and safety of every person who works at and visits St Hugh’s.
At St Hugh’s we do not tolerate:
- verbal, physical or emotional bullying
- racial, sexual or disability harassment or abuse
- internet abuse
- physical or emotional abuse or neglect
Allegation of harassment/ abuse
Our staff maintain an attitude of “it could happen here” where safeguarding is concerned. When we are concerned about the welfare of a student, we will always act in the best interests of the student.
When a member of staff suspects that any student may have been subject to abuse, or a student has disclosed that abuse has taken place, either to themselves or another student, the allegation must be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or the Deputy DSL, if the DSL is off site – unless it relates to these people. The DSL (or Deputy DSL if the DSL is off site) will ensure the allegation is acted on immediately, in accordance with the locally agreed Children’s MARS procedures. If required a risk assessment will be carried out to determine the timescales and escalation of the allegation.
Safeguarding Reports – Issues & Concerns
To report a safeguarding issue or concern, please bring it to the immediate attention of one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads.
Report of sexual violence or sexual harassment
It is essential that all victims are reassured that they are being taken seriously, regardless of how long it has taken them to come forward and that they will be supported and kept safe. Abuse that occurs online or outside of the school should not be downplayed and should be treated equally seriously. A victim will never be given the impression that they are creating a problem by reporting sexual violence or sexual harassment. Nor made to feel ashamed for making a report or their experience minimised.
When there has been a report of sexual violence, the DSL (or DDSL) will make an immediate risk and needs assessment. Where there has been a report of sexual harassment, the need for a risk assessment should be considered on a case-by-case basis.
National Online Safety
The online world is posing an ever-increasing risk to children and it is important that schools, parents and carers work together to take an active role in teaching children about online dangers and how to act safely when using the
internet.
We are therefore delighted to show our commitment to protecting our pupils online and, working with National Online Safety can deliver an interactive online workshop for all our parents & carers.
The course can be taken at your own convenience and covers:
• Information about online dangers and the newest platforms
• What online risks to look out for and how to protect your child
Please click on the below link. You will need to complete your details and
select “I am a: Parent/Carer” from the dropdown:
Once you have registered, you will be able to access the “Online Safety for Parents and Carers’ course and National
Online Safety’s Resources (which includes 50+ online platform guides on the latest social media channels and
games). This aims to help empower parents with the knowledge to protect their children from the dangers of the
internet.
If you have any questions, or trouble accessing the course please contact support@nationalonlinesafety.com
Operation Encompass
Operation Encompass ensures there is a simple phone call or notification, to a trained member of school staff, before a child arrives in school. The call or notification is triggered by police recently attending the child’s home or being involved in a domestic abuse incident, that the child has experienced.
Operation Encompass is a police and education early information sharing partnership enabling schools to offer immediate support for children and young people experiencing domestic abuse. Information is shared by the police with a school’s trained Key Adult (DSL) prior to the start of the next school day after officers have attended a domestic abuse incident thus enabling appropriate support to be given, dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.
Children experiencing domestic abuse are negatively impacted by this exposure; domestic abuse has been identified as an Adverse Childhood Experience and can lead to emotional, physical and psychological harm. Operation Encompass aims to mitigate this harm by enabling immediate support, making a child’s day better and giving them a better tomorrow.
Operation Encompass directly connects the police with schools to secure better outcomes for children who are subject or witness to police-attended incidents of domestic abuse. Rapid provision of support within the school environment means children are better safeguarded against the short-, medium- and long-term effects of domestic abuse.
It is our aim to ensure that Operation Encompass is in every Force, in every school, for every child.
The Operation Encompass website is designed to:
- Provide training for Key Adults and a register of Key Adults.
- Provide a register of Police Forces taking part in Operation Encompass.
- Provide resources so that a school can participate successfully in Operation Encompass.
- Allow schools and police forces to actively share good practice.
Visit the Operation Encompass site by clicking on the below link:-
Childhood Bereavement Support
North Lincolnshire Council have produced a useful leaflet with advice and links to organisations providing support for children and young people in need of bereavement support.