Safeguarding

Safeguarding Statement

At Saint Aidan's Catholic Primary School, the health, safety and well-being of every child is our top priority. We expect all staff, governors and volunteers to share this commitment to safeguarding our pupils.

We listen to our pupils and take seriously what they tell us. All out children are trained in Child Protection, and children know that they can talk to staff if they have concerns. Our staff are trained to look out for the signs of physical/emotional harm or neglect and are required to report these to the Designated Safeguarding Leads(DSL's).

The procedures that we adhere to have been laid down by Manchester City council and the school has adopted a Child Protection Policy in line with this. On occasions our concerns about a child may mean that we have to consult other agencies. We will ensure that all concerns are discussed with parents or carers first, before any referrals are made, unless we believe that such a move may be contrary to a child's welfare.

Our Designated Safeguarding Leads:

Mrs Sarah Yates, Headteacher/ Designated Safeguarding Lead

Ms Catherine Brown, Safeguarding Caseworker and Pastoral Support/ Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mrs Anna Richardson, Deputy Headteacher/Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mrs Diane Walker, Deputy Headteacher/Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Worried or concerned about a child or young person?

If you are worried that a child has suffered harm, neglect or abuse or, you are worried that a child may be at risk of suffering harm should contact the schools designated safeguarding leads.

Alternatively, you can report your concerns to:

Manchester Contact Centre

Telephone: 0161 234 5001 (open 24 hours a day, seven days a week)

Email: mcsreply@manchester.gov.uk

If an adult or child is in immediate danger you should ring the emergency services or contact the police on 999

Operation Encompass

We are part of a project that will run in partnership with Manchester Safeguarding Board and Greater Manchester Police.

Operation Encompass is a Police and Education early intervention safeguarding partnership which supports children and young people exposed to domestic abuse.

Operation Encompass is the reporting to schools before the start of the next school day when a child or young person has been involved or exposed to a domestic abuse incident the previous evening.

The information is given in strict confidence to our school’s safeguarding team to enable support to be given, dependent on the needs and wishes of the child.

Operation Encompass is a Trauma Informed and Trauma Sensitive charity, acknowledging and understanding the impact of domestic abuse as an adverse childhood experience.

Operation Encompass mitigates against the damage caused by exposure to domestic abuse and other adverse childhood experiences.