Safeguarding and Child Protection

At Thornton Dale CE School we recognise that we all have a responsibility to keep children safe. The welfare and safety of children is paramount and we will report in writing any safeguarding concerns to the Designated Senior Lead.  We will challenge adults’ behaviour towards children if they do not follow the Staff Code of Conduct. We will demonstrate British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith.

We will not be complacent with regard to safeguarding and have the mind-set of ‘it could happen here.’

Thornton Dale CE School is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all children in school. All North Yorkshire schools, including Thornton Dale CE School, follow the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Board procedures. The school will, in most circumstances, endeavour to discuss all concerns with parents about their child/ren. However, there may be exceptional circumstances when the school will discuss concerns with Social Care and/or the Police without parental knowledge (in accordance with Child Protection procedures). The school will, of course, always aim to maintain a positive relationship with all parents. The school’s child protection policy is available publicly.

Safeguarding Statement

Elevate Multi Academy Trust (Elevate) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children within its family of Academies. It expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Elevate and its Academies believe that the child’s welfare is always of paramount concern, and that all children have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, gender, disability, culture, language, racial origin, religious belief or sexual identity. All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately in accordance with Elevate’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.

Elevate and its Academies recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all its children by protecting them from emotional, sexual or physical harm and from neglect or bullying. They acknowledge that child abuse can be a very emotive and difficult subject. It is important to understand the feelings involved but not to allow them to interfere with judgement about the action to be taken.

Every adult is expected to play their part in safeguarding our children. Each Academy supports this through safeguarding and child protection awareness training. All staff in all of our Academies know the procedures that should be followed should they have any concerns about a child. All staff know where to go should they require some information, help and guidance.

Elevate supports each Academy in the following ways:

• Fully adopting the Keeping Children Safe in Education Guidance September 2021 and section 3 of the Early Years Framework March 2021;
• Undertaking safeguarding external/internal reviews and Local Authority audits on an annual basis;
•  Ensuring each Academy adheres to Elevate’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and other safeguarding policies and procedures that details Academy specific advice and designated safeguarding officer details;

• Ensuring each Academy has a governor on its Local Governing Body with special responsibility for safeguarding;
• Having a Trustee with special responsibility for safeguarding, who liaises with Elevate’s School Improvement lead for Safeguarding and the Safeguarding link governors;
• All staff receive regular training on child protection procedures, including Prevent and Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.

Reporting Concerns about a Child

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child at any of our Academies contact the relevant Designated Safeguarding Officer in each Academy. Details can be found on each Academy website.

Reporting Concerns about an Adult Working or Volunteering in Our Academies

If you are concerned about an adult working or volunteering in any of our Academies contact the Head teacher or if it is a concern against the Head teacher then the next most senior member of staff must be informed and the Chair of Governors.

Safer Recruitment

All applicants for employment at Elevate and its Academies will be fully vetted in accordance with DfE Guidelines Safeguarding Children: Safer Recruitment and Selection in Education Settings.