Safeguarding
The Buckingham School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All staff at our school understand that safeguarding children is everyone’s responsibility. Any member of staff, volunteer or visitor to the school who receives a disclosure of abuse, an allegation or suspects that abuse may have occurred should report it immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or, in their absence, to one of the Additional Designated Safeguarding Leads (see DSL contacts listed below) and to use the systems and processes our school has designed for this purpose. Every volunteer and visitor is given a Safeguarding Leaflet when they arrive at our school. The information leaflet outlines the procedures should a volunteer or visitor have a concern. In the absence of an DSL, the matter should be brought to the attention of the most senior member of staff.
The School has a Safeguarding (Child Protection) and Anti-Radicalisation Policy; all staff (including supply staff, volunteers and governors) must ensure that they are aware of the Policy.
All staff, including governors, are required to attend, annually, a Safeguarding Awareness Course. The training is delivered by a qualified train the trainer instructor (Level 3 Award in principles of safeguarding and protecting children and young people). As part of safeguarding awareness, it is also a requirement for all staff to be familiar with the Government's current Keeping Children Safe in Education Guidance (see Policies listed below).
Parents and carers are welcome to read the school’s Safeguarding Policy and Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance document, which can be found below with other related policies.
Safeguarding Children and Young People
There are occasions that our concern about a child may mean that we have to consult other agencies. For instance, cases may be referred to partner agencies such as Buckinghamshire County Council's Children's Social Care, Special Educational Needs or Children Missing in Education teams. Whilst we would always aim to work in partnership with parents/carers there may be exceptions to this when concerns are raised for the protection of a child.
If a parent/carer or a member of the general public, has a concern regarding the welfare of a child then there are various organisations to contact:
Bucks First Response Team
Website BCC Child Protection
Monday to Thursday; 9am to 5:30pm, Friday; 9am to 5pm.
Telephone 01296 383962
E-mail secure-cypfirstresponse@buckscc.gcsx.gov.uk
Outside of these hours, for serious emergencies in the evening, weekends or public holidays, please call the Emergency Duty Team for advice on 0800 999 7677.
To report a child missing, telephone the Police by dialling 101 or in an emergency 999.
Other organisations:
- National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)
www.nspcc.org
Tel. 0808 800 500 - Childline
www.childline.org.uk
Tel. 0800 1111 - Care for children and families - Buckinghamshire County Council
www.buckscc.gov.uk › services
You can find out more about Buckinghamshire's commitment to safeguarding children and young people and how you can play a part in protecting children and young people by clicking on the links below.
Buckinghamshire Safeguarding Children Board
Thresholds Document - Accessing Services for Children in Buckinghamshire
Thresholds Guidance: A Continuum of Help and Support
- Young Minds - Leading UK charity fighting for children and young people's mental health
Young Minds has launched a new Parent to Parent Service, where you can sign up and chat through your worries with another parent, who has personal experience of a child with mental health problems.
Click on the link below to learn more.
https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/parents-helpline/
The Buckingham School's Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) are:-
- Mr M Wardle - Designated Safeguarding Lead (Deputy Headteacher)
- Mrs J Goodger - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Director of Safeguarding & Welfare)
- Mr A McGinnes - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Headteacher)
- Mrs E Curtis - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Assistant Headteacher, Behaviour & Attitudes)
- Mrs E Smith - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Director of Attendance)
- Mrs P Matthews - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Therapeutic Mentor)
- Mrs A Wallace - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Anti-Bullying Co-ordinator)
- Mrs R Beaumont - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Director of Sixth Form)
- Mrs N Coley - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Student Support Unit Co-ordinator)
Click here to see the Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs)
The School's Nominated Safeguarding Governor is Karen Herring.
Online Safety Advice
If you feel like someone has acted inappropriately towards you online via any form of social media you should report it. Each of the main social media applications have 'report abuse' buttons which you can use but you can also contact the Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre (CEOP) using the link below.
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre
http://ceop.police.uk/
We have an online Safety section on the website with important and useful Information to help you think about how to ensure that all students access the internet safely and responsibly. Click here.
Safeguarding Related Policies
A full list of school policies can be found here.