Safeguarding

Overview

At St James’s Church of England High School, safeguarding is at the heart of our ethos of Caring for Others. We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students and believe that safeguarding is a shared responsibility. A key part of our approach is to educate young people on how to protect themselves and others. We foster a culture where trust, strong relationships, and mutual respect between staff and students create a secure and nurturing community.

As part of the Bishop Fraser Trust, we are guided by the words of John 10:10—"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." We believe that every student should have the opportunity to thrive, reach their full potential, and enjoy life while maintaining their own safety and well-being.

Our highly trained staff, including specialist pastoral and teaching teams, play a vital role in ensuring student welfare. They provide guidance, support, and early intervention where needed, helping students to overcome challenges both inside and outside of school..

We work in partnership with parents, carers, and external agencies to safeguard our students and support their overall well-being. We also understand that factors outside of school, including childhood trauma, can impact students, and we value open communication with families to provide the best possible support.

When concerns arise, we may need to consult with external safeguarding agencies. We follow the Department for Education’s safeguarding guidance and best practice, ensuring that our policies are regularly reviewed and updated in line with the latest requirements. Further details can be found in the safeguarding documents below.

The welfare of children and young people is our highest priority. By working together, we create an environment where students feel safe, supported, and empowered to live life to the full.

Mr. Mike Bowden
Deputy Headteacher – Pastoral Care & Designated Safeguarding Lead

All staff will:  Safeguarding and protecting children – Bolton Council

Safeguarding Team

Headteacher: Catherine Anderson

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Michael Bowden

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL): Richard Hogg

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL): Mark Pearce

Child Protection Officer: Claire Croft

Designated Teacher for CLA: Michelle Dickinson (SENDCO)

Safeguarding Governor: Kate Nuttall

 

Operation Encompass

The purpose of  Operation Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in or witness to a domestic abuse incident.  Domestic abuse impacts on children in a number of ways.  Children are at increased risk of physical injury during an incident, either by accident or because they attempt to intervene.  Even when not directly injured, children are greatly distressed by witnessing the physical and emotional suffering of a parent.  Operation Encompass has been created to address this situation.  It is the implementation of key partnership working between the police and schools.  The aim of sharing information with local schools is to allow 'Key Adults' the opportunity of engaging with the child and to provide access to support that allows them to remain in a safe but secure familiar environment.  Following the report of an incident of domestic abuse, by 9.00am on the next school day the schools Key Adult will be informed that the child or young person has been involved in a domestic incident.  This knowledge given to schools through Operation Encompass, allows the provision of immediate early intervention through silent or overt support dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.  

Useful Links

1. Our safeguarding policy - Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
2. The staff code of conduct - TBFT Code of Conduct Policy
3. Where to get help to support my child -  Thrive Framework
4. Useful links for mental health and wellbeing support - MIND and MHEWB support
5. How to support my child online - NSPCC 
6. Worried about online sexual abuse -  CEOP
7. Bolton Safeguarding Partnership -  Worried about a child? - Bolton Council

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the school's safeguarding policy include?

The school's safeguarding policy encompasses a wide range of measures designed to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. This includes procedures for identifying and responding to concerns about abuse and neglect, ensuring staff are adequately trained, vetting visitors, implementing safe online practices, and working with external agencies. The policy also outlines the responsibilities of staff and the steps for reporting and managing safeguarding issues.

How are staff trained in safeguarding?

All staff members receive comprehensive safeguarding training upon joining the school, which is regularly updated. This training covers recognising signs of abuse and neglect, understanding legal responsibilities, and knowing how to report concerns. Additionally, the school provides ongoing updates and refresher courses to ensure staff remain aware of the latest safeguarding practices and guidance.

What happens if a child discloses abuse?

If a child discloses abuse, the school follows a strict protocol to ensure the child's safety and well-being. This involves listening carefully and empathetically, not promising confidentiality, ensuring the child's immediate safety, and reporting the disclosure to the designated safeguarding lead (DSL). The DSL will then assess the situation and act appropriately, including contacting children's services or the police.

How does the school monitor and record concerns about child welfare?

The school uses a secure information system to monitor and record child welfare concerns. This system allows designated staff to access and update records as necessary, ensuring a comprehensive and coordinated approach to safeguarding. Regular reviews of these records help identify patterns or ongoing issues, facilitating timely and appropriate interventions.

How does the school collaborate with parents and external agencies in safeguarding matters?

Effective safeguarding requires collaboration between the school, parents, and external agencies. The school communicates regularly with parents about safeguarding policies and issues, ensuring transparency and partnership. When safeguarding concerns arise, the school may contact external agencies, such as child protective services, healthcare providers, or law enforcement, depending on the nature of the concern. The school works closely with these agencies to share information, participate in planning and support the child and family as needed.

Recent changes or additions to safeguarding policies

All the school policies and procedures have been updated to meet the requirements in the Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024: Statutory guidance for schools and colleges document - please click on the link below: Keeping children safe in education 2024 (publishing.service.gov.uk)

 

Early Help Assessment (EHA) Offer

At St James's, we are committed to ensuring parents have the support they need to safeguard their children and access early help services.

We offer 8-10 weekly EHA review meetings, guiding parents through the process and explaining the support available to them and their children.

Our intervention package includes comprehensive services, such as CGS and Bosco interventions, tailored to meet each child's needs. Additionally, we connect parents with a range of external support services, including Aspire  Behaviour Support Service, Kooth, I Thrive, Bolton Parents/Carers Forum, MHST, and Talking Therapy, offering diverse resources to address various challenges.

The Early Help System