Safeguarding at SPC
We take safeguarding very seriously in the school and work under the assumption that anything can happen here and we need to foster a culture of vigilance.
We will always act on concerns and all staff are specifically trained to record and give to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) any information they feel could indicate a concern, however small it may be. We train all staff to follow up after something has been raised and to challenge the DSL if they do not feel enough action has been taken.
We respond to any allegations made and will always seek advice from the LADO or CSC Bexley if we are unsure of the next action to take. We will always work with agencies to secure the best outcomes for children but will challenge them if we do not agree with their advice or actions. Further details of how we do this are set out below.
If anyone is concerned a child may be at risk of harm you should contact the police (111 or 999) or children social care (020 8303 7777) directly. If you are a parent or a carer and need to make a disclosure you can call the school office (0208 302 6029) and ask to speak to the designated teacher to discuss.
Safeguarding Responsibilites
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mr A Davies
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs C Griffin, Mrs A Molloy, Mrs G Edwards
Safeguarding Governor: Mrs P Slonecki
Designated Health and Safety Lead- Mrs A Davies
Deputy Health and Safety Lead- Mr Simpson
Designated person for LAC- Mrs A Molloy
Operation Encompass
At SPC we are working in partnership with the Metropolitan Police and Children’s Services to identify and provide appropriate support to pupils who have experienced domestic violence in their household; this scheme is called Operation Encompass.
The purpose of Operation Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in or witness to a domestic abuse incident. Domestic abuse impacts on children in a number of ways. Children are at increased risk of physical injury during an incident, either by accident or because they attempt to intervene. Even when not directly injured, children are greatly distressed by witnessing the physical and emotional suffering of a parent.
Encompass has been created to highlight this situation. It is the implementation of key partnership working between the police and schools. The aim of sharing information with local schools is to allow ‘Key Adults’ the opportunity of engaging with the child and to provide access to support that allows them to remain in a safe but secure familiar environment.
In order to achieve this, the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub will share police information of all domestic incidents where one of our pupils has been present, with the Designated Safeguarding Lead(s) (DSL). On receipt of any information, the DSL will decide on the appropriate support the child requires, this should be covert dependent on the needs and wishes of the child. All information sharing and resulting actions will be undertaken in accordance with the Metropolitan Police and MASH Encompass Protocol Data Sharing Agreement. We will record this information and store this information in accordance with the record keeping procedures outlined in this policy.
The purpose and procedures in Operation Encompass have been shared with all parents and governors, is detailed as part of the school’s Safeguarding Policy and published on our school website.
At SPC our Key Adult is Mr Davies, the Designated Safeguarding Leader.
Useful Information for Parents
The following links will support you with ensuring your children are safe online.
https://nationalonlinesafety.com/resources/platform-guides/