Safeguarding at Alma Park
Alma Park Primary School is fully committed to promoting the health, safety and wellbeing of all children who attend this school. Our school will work closely with other schools, Child Protection Services, Manchester City Council and the Department for Education to protect and promote children’s health and safety.
Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Our school recognises that as school staff are in regular and frequent contact with pupils, they are particularly well-placed to observe signs of abuse or neglect.
Our school is aware of the responsibilities which all staff have with regard to the protection of pupils from abuse and from inappropriate and inadequate care. Therefore, our school is committed in reacting in accordance Manchester City Council’s agreed procedures in all cases where there is concern.
What is safeguarding?
Schools have a statutory responsibility to keep children safe from harm. The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) defines safeguarding as:
- Protecting children from abuse and maltreatment
- Preventing harm to children’s health or development
- Ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care
- Taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes
What does safeguarding look like in our school?
- We have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all our children
- If we have concerns about the welfare of a child we have a responsibility to take action and will always act in the best interest of the child
- We also have a legal duty to work alongside other agencies with any child protection inquiries
- We protect information about your child and only share it appropriately
- We respond appropriately to an unplanned absence, or to a pattern of poor attendance
- We track concerns about children confidentially
- We teach pupils about safeguarding issues, including how to respond to concerns, in lessons on personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education
- We supervise pupils as they enter and leave the school building at the start and end of the day
Any child that reports a concern will be listened to with respect and their concerns will supported and our safeguarding procedures will be followed
Key terms
Abuse
Abuse is a form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm or by failing to act to prevent harm.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
A certificate of checks carried out on those working with children and vulnerable people. Those who work regularly with children require a more in-depth DBS check.
Safer Recruitment
Recruiting staff using thorough checks on their suitability to work with children, including the right to work in the UK, and mental and physical fitness to carry out their responsibilities.
If you are worried about the safety of a child then, in the first instance, you should phone the Manchester Contact Centre on 0161 234 5001 and speak to a Contact Officer. Please also see our section on how to report a concern.
Meet the Safeguarding Team
Richard Williams
Headteacher & Designated Safguarding Lead (DSL)
Contact Number: 0161 224 8789
Email: head@almapark.manchester.sch.uk
Kathy Hughes
Deputy Headteacher and Deputy Safeguarding Lead
Contact Number: 0161 224 8789
Email: k.hughes@almapark.manchester.sch.uk
Jo Young
Assistant SENDco and Pastoral Lead
Email: j.young@almapark.manchester.sch.uk
The Role of Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
The role of the Designated Safeguarding Person was specified in the Children Act 2004 and was to ensure that every organisation had a “named person” for safeguarding children and young people. Prior to that, the role had frequently been known as the Child Protection Officer.
The Designated Safeguarding Person has a responsibility at both a strategic level within the organisation and on a day to day basis.
Key Aspects of the Designated Person role includes:
- Making sure all staff are aware how to raise safeguarding concerns
- Ensuring all staff understand the symptoms of child abuse and neglect
- Referring any concerns to social care
- Monitoring children who are the subject of child protection plans
- Maintaining accurate and secure child protection records
Role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead