In such circumstances our Headteacher, or Chair of Governors (if the allegation is against the Headteacher) will: Contact the LADO for advice As part of our safeguarding duties, the LADO Service has a statutory responsibility to manage and oversee allegations made against professionals and volunteers who work with children. All allegations and concerns should be referred to the LADO within 24 hours where advice and guidance can be provided in respect of balancing the responsibility to safeguard with the need to support staff in difficult situations. The following issues need to be considered What are the safeguarding arrangements of the child or young person to ensure they are not in contact with the alleged abuser?; contact the parents or carers of the child/young person if advised to do so by the LADO; consider the rights of the staff member for a fair and equal process of investigation; ensure that the appropriate disciplinary procedure is followed, including whether suspending a member of staff from work until the outcome of any investigation is deemed necessary; act on any decision made in any strategy meeting; and advise the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and any other appropriate regulatory or professional body where a member of staff has been disciplined or dismissed as a result of the allegations founded, or would have been if they have resigned. Contact details LADO: 01872 326536 If a referral needs to be made then this must go through MARU who will then pass it on to the LADO team. The referral form can be found at:- 10. Whistleblowing: Please adhere to the schools whistle blowing policy. Revised in September 2017 Whistleblowing Governor: Ross Dyter In the that you do not feel able to follow the schools whistle blowing policy but remain concerned you must discuss your concerns with an appropriate independent body. In this situation you could contact: NSPCC Whistleblowing helpline: 0800 028 0285 Further contact details are contained within the revised Whistle blowing policy (September 2107) 11. Key Safeguarding Roles and Responsibilities: (see Appendix D) 11.1 Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
There is a legal obligation under the Education Act 2002 S175/157 for all schools to have a designated safeguarding lead. Harrowbarrow School follows the guidance in Annex B of KCSIE (revised September 2016) which outlines the key responsibilities of the DSL. 11.2 Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) As we follow the guidance in Annex B of KCSIE (revised September 2016) which outlines the key responsibilities of the DSL and DDSL. 11.3 Governing Body including the role of the Safeguarding Governor The and responsibilities of the governing body are outlined in Part 2 of KCSIE (revised September 2016). In addition we have outlined these responsibilities in Appendix D. 12. Safer Recruitment Our school operates safer recruitment procedures including making sure that: statutory duties to undertake required checks on staff who work with children are complied with in line with the Disclosure and Barring Service requirements for Regulated Activity; Teachers’ Prohibition Orders; the Child Care Act 2006 and Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations 2009 statutory guidance relating to volunteers is followed at one member of the recruitment panel members have undertaken safe recruitment training through an accredited training programme. We hold a Single Central Record (SCR) which demonstrates we have carried out the range of checks required by law on our staff. Our school complies with the requirements of September 2016 Part 3 Our school complies with the requirements of the Childcare Act 2006 and the Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations 2009. 13. Attendance at Child Protection Conference: If a child or young person becomes the subject in a Child Protection Conference as a school we may be asked to share information about the child or young person and his/her family. Usually this will be in the form of a written report, the contents of which will be shared with parents/carers prior to the meeting. protection conferences will be attended by the DSL or DDSL. In exceptional circumstances another member of staff may attend with them. The reason this responsibility is not delegated is because the DSL has the overall training and accountability to act on behalf of the school including agreeing their role in any child protection plan as well as the possible allocation of resources. Occasionally, there may be information which is confidential and which will be shared in a closed meeting prior to the conference. If this is necessary, the chair of the conference will discuss the matter with parents/carers beforehand.