Safeguarding

Safeguarding Policy

Definition of Safeguarding

The definition used in the Children Act 2004 and in ‘Working together to safeguard children’. This can be summarised as:

• protecting children from maltreatment
• preventing impairment of children’s health or development
• ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
• taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

Safeguarding is not just about protecting children from deliberate harm. It relates to aspects of school life including:

• pupils’ health and safety
• the use of reasonable force
• meeting the needs of pupils with medical conditions
• providing first aid
• educational visits
• intimate care
• internet or e-safety
• appropriate arrangements to ensure school security, taking into account the local context.

Safeguarding can involve a range of potential issues such as:

• bullying, including cyber bullying (by text message, on social networking sites, and so on) and prejudice-based bullying
• racist, disability, and homophobic or transphobic abuse
• radicalisation and extremist behaviour
• child sexual exploitation
• sexting
• substance misuse
• issues that may be specific to a local area or population, for example gang activity and youth violence
• particular issues affecting children including domestic violence, sexual exploitation, female genital mutilation and forced marriage

Safeguarding at St Teresa’s Catholic School

Safeguarding Children in school is the responsibility of all staff who work within the school. We ensure all staff are aware of their responsibilities.

You can find a copy of our Child Protection incorporating Safeguarding Policy in our policies section.

One of the most important documents used in school is the Keeping Children Safe in Education. This document is produced by the Government and sets out the responsibilities of all schools for keeping the children in their care safe. This can be downloaded below.

If you have any worries or concerns about any of the children connected to our school, please do not hesitate to contact one of the nominated people below

Safeguarding Team

All other staff and governors have been trained in safeguarding and child protection.

All staff have been trained in Prevent, CSE, FGM and E Safety

Mrs Bruton is trained in Safer Recruitment

What to do if you have a concern

Firstly, speak to school staff or if you are worried about your own child or another child you can contact the Hartlepool and Stockton on Tees Safeguarding Children’s Partnership who will provide you with advice and support. 

The Children’s Hub – Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees | Stockton Information Directory

In addition parents/carers can access the Tees Safeguarding Partnership for support and advice.

Stockton – Tees Safeguarding Children Partnerships’ Procedures (teescpp.org.uk)

If a concern is raised regarding a child by a member of staff a ‘Note Of Concern’ is completed on the school CPOMS system

• If a concern is raised regarding a child by a visitor or volunteer a ‘Note of Concern’ is completed and passed onto a Safeguarding Lead.
• If a concern is raised regarding a member of staff this must be given to the Headteacher
• If a concern is raised regarding the Headteacher this must be given to the Chair of Governors or CEO of BHCET
• All of these concerns are taken very seriously and correct procedures are followed as stated in our Safeguarding Keeping Children Safe policy which can be found on our policies page

Visitors to St Teresa’s School

• All visitors are expected to sign in the visitors’ book and will be given a badge to identify them as a visitor
• Visitors are asked to read the visitors’ guide to safeguarding
• Regular visitors are provided with an induction booklet to ensure they follow school protocol

Further information

If you would like further information on Safeguarding please look on our policies section and use the following links: