Catherine Junior School
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Safeguarding
Catherine Junior School is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all pupils and staff. In order to do this, we ensure that all safeguarding and child protection procedures are in place.
At our school, the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Mrs Lee (Deputy Headteacher). The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are Mrs Badge (Headteacher), Mr Khunti (Assistant Headteacher) and Mr Banham (Senior Leadership Team). All DSLs are regularly trained in all relevant areas of child protection procedures.
As parents/carers you need to know that the Children’s Act (2020), Keeping Children Safe in Education (2022) and Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018), requires all staff to pass on information which raises concerns that a child may be at risk of significant harm. Significant harm can be categorised into 4 areas: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. Please click here to read Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) in different languages.
These procedures and policies are intended to protect children and schools are encouraged to take the attitude that where there are grounds for concern it is better to be over cautious than risk a child’s safety. We therefore have an unavoidable duty to contact Social Services in some circumstances.
Occasionally, this duty on the Designated Safeguarding Lead means we risk upsetting some parents and carers by reporting a concern which, on investigation, proves to be unfounded. In these circumstances, it is hoped that parents/carers will appreciate how difficult it is for schools to carry out this delicate responsibility, and accept that the Designated Safeguarding Lead was acting in good faith and had to take steps in the best interest of the child/children.
All staff receive regular training in child protection and are aware of how to report concerns regarding children or staff. In the event of an allegation about the Headteacher, our whistleblowing procedures are followed and the Chair of Governors is contacted immediately.
We have a commitment to safer recruitment. The Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, Business Manager, Chair of Governors and Safeguarding Governor have all been trained in safer recruitment.
Our Safer Recruitment policy can be found on the policies tab or by clicking here.Policies
If you have any concerns, please ask to speak to Mrs Lee or Mrs Badge.
Telephone: 0116 2625896
Below is a list of helpful safeguarding numbers that are available 24 hours a day:
