Within the Safeguarding policy, Pensans School aims to ensure all of our pupils are safe and protected from harm; promote and adopt safe practices enabling pupils to feel safe at all times; ensure that all staff, pupils, governors, visitors, volunteers and parents are aware of the expected behaviours and the school’s legal responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils.
Improving outcomes for all children and young people underpins the development and work within the school. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and Pensans School aims to create the safest environment within which every pupil has the opportunity to achieve. As a school we recognise the contribution we make ensuring all pupils feel that they will be listened to and take appropriate action. We will do this by working in partnership with outside agencies, seek to establish effective working relationships with parents, carers and colleagues, develop and provide learning opportunities through the curriculum that will equip our children with the essential life skills and protective behaviours they will need.
Pensans School recognises that Safeguarding is not just about protecting children from deliberate harm. It relates to other aspects of school life including: pupil’s health and safety; providing first Aid; educational visits; internet, e-safety; the use of reasonable force; meeting the needs of medical conditions; intimate care; school security. Additionally, we recognise that Safeguarding can involve issues such as: bullying; cyber-bullying; prejudice bullying (racist, homophobic and transphobic abuse); extremist behaviour; child sexual exploitation; sexting; substance misuse; domestic and local context violence; sexual exploitation; female genital mutiation and forced marriage.
We recognise that all matters relating to Child Protection are CONFIDENTIAL. The Headteacher or DCPO will only disclose personal information to other staff members on a need to know basis. All staff are aware that they cannot promise to keep secrets that may compromise a child’s safety or wellbeing. We will always undertake to share our intention of referring a child with the parents/carers, unless to do so may put the child at a risk of harm or impede a criminal investigation. When in doubt we will consult with the MARU- Multi-Agency Referral Unit.
The Multi-Agency Referral Unit (MARU) flow chart below displays the guidance procedure for Pensans School and any member of the public to follow when having safeguarding concerns.