Safeguarding - Manor Farm Academy

The Safeguarding Team and Reporting Concerns

We have six Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) at Manor Farm Academy. These are: Andrea Collins, Charlotte Cosgrove (currently on maternity leave), Laura-Jayne Lill, Lisa Sellers, Gillian Boast and Claire Speed. This team work closely alongside Rebecca Hyder from the central team at L.E.A.D. Academy Trust. Our Safeguarding Governor is Nat Train.

We have a robust system for recording incidents called ‘My Concern’. This online portal enables any issue raised to be recorded, at any time, by any member of staff. It provides the DSL team and Academy Governing Body with comprehensive reports, enabling challenge, which ensures staff are held to account.

Every term, our safeguarding team work alongside the Trust and Director of Schools to complete a ‘Safeguarding Audit’ which is used to ensure safeguarding practices are exemplary across the academy. Pupil and parent voice is regularly captured to ensure that pupils feel safe in our school.

Planning always ensures at least one DSL is on site at any given time, however all staff are aware that any concerns can be called through to customer services social care team on: 01522 782111.

Important Safeguarding Information

We are committed to safeguarding and meeting the needs of all our pupils. The information below provides some useful advice and information when working with our pupils.

What are your responsibilities as a visitor to our Academy?

All those who come into contact with pupils have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children.

Supply teachers/students will be briefed on arrival to site before they begin work. They will be aware of possible signs and indicators of abuse and must bring any concerns immediately to a DSL.

DBS Checks

Manor Farm Academy requires all adults who work in a regulated activity to be checked through the Disclosure and Barring Service. If you are volunteering we will ask you to complete various forms including references, and provide photo I.D. not only to verify your identity, but to provide contact details. You are required to inform the headteacher immediately if you become subject to any criminal investigation. You must also declare if you are living with someone who has committed an offence against children. Debarring by Association. Everyone in our Academy is asked to make this declaration as they come into contact with under 8’s.

What you should do if you are worried about a child

Whilst working with a child, if you become worried about:

Comments made by a child
Marks or bruising on a child
Changes in a child’s behaviour or demeaner
Disclosures of any nature that may indicate risk of harm to a child

You must report these concerns to a Designated Safeguarding Lead and log the concern on My Concern.

If a child makes a disclosure to you

Listen, allow the child to talk freely.
Reassure but DON’T promise anything.
DO NOT promise confidentiality.
DO NOT interrogate, do not ask them to write it down.
Reassure them that it was right to talk.

What if a child expresses concern about a staff member?

If a child is to do this, it must be reported to the headteacher, if it is about the headteacher it must be reported to the Chair of Governors.

Appropriate Behaviour

As a visitor or volunteer you may well work closely with pupils. We need to have mutual trust and respect.
You should not engage in physical contact with the children if they instigate this it should be reported to class teacher.
Do not photograph/record the pupils and do not have you mobile phone or camera out whilst on site. Do not exchange numbers or engage on social media with any pupils.

Confidentiality

It is expected of everybody in school not to discuss anything they hear or see on site with anybody else.

Do you have a safeguarding concern?

As a parent, or member of the public, we all have a duty of care to ensure that we support the safeguarding of all young people and those who are deemed vulnerable. If you have a safeguarding concern and wish to speak to a safeguarding lead at the academy, please call 01522 681892 and ask to speak to a DSL to raise a safeguarding concern. If your concern is beyond the school day, at a weekend or during the school holidays, any member of the public can call the customer services social care team on: 01522 782111. You will be able to share your concern with them, you can remain anonymous, however, it is helpful if you are able to share who you are, which will remain confidential. This allows them to be able to filter out malicious calls.