John Chilton School is proud of its commitment to safeguarding and child protection; working with children who are looked after, subject to a child in need or child protection plan in partnership with Social Services and appropriate agencies.
Safeguarding is firmly embedded in the curriculum from Reception to Sixth Form; and actively promoted across the school to help pupils keep themselves safe. We regularly invite other agencies in to work with our staff, parents and pupils. Recently we have worked with:
Safeguarding concerns are logged and monitored on a system called MyConcern. Pupils at risk of extremism, child sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation; becoming an abuser and FGM are identified and additional monitoring and interventions are in place to support. Risks levels consider the susceptibility of the pupil, possibility of contact along with the protecting factors around them. This is regularly reviewed and updated.
Class staff meet weekly to discuss the pupils in the class against a safeguarding checklists; phase Leaders and DSLs monitor these checks and inform agencies where levels of concern rise to a worrying level. DSLs meet regularly to discuss the safeguarding and child protection systems in school, and half termly to discuss particular pupils and support each other with advice and encouragement.
A Safeguarding Committee of relevant staff and Governors, meet every term to ensure that all local initiatives and new Government guidance are incorporated with the implementation of any action plans being overseen.
Pupils that move in and out of the school are registered with the relevant authorities to guarantee no pupils are absent from education. The Family Worker, Headteacher and admin staff meet regularly to discuss attendance and worrying or extended absences.
A comprehensive training programme is in place for all staff, including Child Protection and Safeguarding, Child Sexual Exploitation, Prevent, Female Genital Mutilation, E- Safety and Cyber security training. Work placement students and regular supply staff also have training from a designated teacher. The robust policy is shared and signed and read by all. Governors update their training every two years and are expected to be conversant with Keep Children Safe in Education statutory guidance.
Parents’ and carers’ understanding of how to keep their child safe, especially online, is promoted through workshops and regular newsletter updates.
The Headteacher, Assistant Heads, School Business Manager and Chair of the Governing Board have all completed Safer Recruitment Training and use this knowledge for all new appointments. The Single Central Record (a record that details the qualifications and checks on all staff and others that have regular contact with the school including Governors, volunteers and contractors) is kept and is rigorously maintained.
We know that our procedures work because our pupils tell us in different ways: through videos, role plays, poster making, surveys, asking for help and telling us about their concerns
