If you have a concern about a child during periods of school closure, please email the secure email address detailed below and a school safeguarding leader will respond promptly. The address is only accessible to DSLs and will be frequently monitored.
Safeguarding
Minworth Junior and Infant School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This means that we have a detailed safeguarding policy and procedures in place which we frequently make reference to. Parents and carers are welcome to read the policy on request or on our website. Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with his/her parents/carers first, unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare.
Staff at Minworth Junior and Infant School have annual training with regard to safeguarding and keeping children safe, complimented by termly updates. All newly appointed staff, Governors and volunteers are also thoroughly and appropriately vetted in line with national safer recruitment guidance and regulations. As part of their induction, they are also given sufficient safeguarding training.
Our procedures:
- If staff have a safeguarding concern, they report this immediately to a designated safeguarding lead. (DSL)
- The DSL will then decide on the correct course of action, following our safeguarding policy. In most cases, parents will be informed if we have a concern about a child. However, sometimes we do not gain consent before discussing a case with other agencies as we believe that this could put a child at risk of significant harm. For further information, please read our safeguarding policy on the policies section of the website.
- If staff have a safeguarding concern about a member of staff, they should discuss with the Headteacher.
- If staff have a concern about the Headteacher, they should report this to the Chair of Governors, via the school office. The Chair of Governors will report this directly to the local authority designated officer. (LADO)
Whistleblowing
If staff are unhappy with how a safeguarding concern has been handled, they are expected to follow it up with the DSL and if still not satisfied, can call the NSPCC Whistleblowing hotline (0800 028 0285) for further advice and follow the Birmingham LA Whistleblowing policy available on the policies' page.
Staff are also reminded that although it wouldn't ordinarily be the procedure to do so, any individual can make a safeguarding referral where concerns arise with regard to a child's safety and/or well-being therefore if they remain dissatisfied with the action taken or response of a DSL, this should be the next course of action.
The persons responsible for safeguarding in the school are as follows:
Miss K Jordan - Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy Head teacher
Mrs T. Miller - Deputy DSL and learning mentor
Mrs K. Lickley - Deputy DSL and Headteacher
Mrs B. Bishop- Deputy DSL and School Business Manager
The document below is statutory guidance that schools must have regard to when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.