Safeguarding
Keeping children safe in Education, DfE, defines safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children as:
“Protecting children from maltreatment; preventing impairment of children’s health or development; ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes. ‘Children’ includes every one under the age of 18.”
You can find a copy of the national guidelines here:
Safeguarding Leads
Reporting a Safeguarding Concern
During out of hours and school holidays, should anyone have a safeguarding concern about a child, they can contact us via email by clicking on the button below. A member of the safeguarding team will respond as appropriate as soon as possible.
sjssafeguarding@biltt.org
Children with Disabilities Team at Bedford Borough Council – 01234 267422/ cwddn@bedford.gov.uk
Integrated Front Door (previously MASH)– 01234 718700 (during office hours)/0300 300 8123 (out of hours)
IF YOU FEEL THAT A CHILD IS AT AN IMMEDIATE RISK OF HARM – PLEASE CONTACT THE POLICE
Safeguarding Responsibility
Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding children.
School staff and volunteers are particularly important as they are in a position to identify concerns early and provide help for children, to prevent concerns from escalating.
Schools and their staff form part of the wider safeguarding system for children working with social care, the police and health services both to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.
At St John’s we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our pupils. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where all of our children are respected and valued.
Every school is required to have a designated safeguarding lead or (DSL).
At St John’s, this role is undertaken by Michelle Suffling – Designated Safeguarding Lead. Shannon Poulter, Lianne Lynch and Matt Kilham are Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSL).
The DSL has a duty and responsibility to follow the law as outlined in the school’s ‘Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy’.
At times the DSL and DDSL have to undertake difficult conversations and would be negligent in their role if they did not follow up on any potential safeguarding concerns identified.
The responsibilities of our Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead are:
- Making sure all staff are aware of how to raise safeguarding concerns and of school procedures
- Ensuring staff receive regular Safeguarding training and updates
- Ensuring all staff understand and can recognise the symptoms of potential child abuse and neglect
- Referring any concerns to Children’s Social Care (Formerly Children’s Social Services) or other external agencies
- Monitoring children who are the subject of Child Protection plans (CP), Child in Need plans (CIN) and Team Around the Family plans (TAF)Maintaining accurate and secure child protection records
- Working closely with external agencies to support children and their families
Below are the school policies related to Safeguarding and Child Protection.
- DBS Policy
- Behaviour Policy and Anti Bullying Policy
- Online Safety Policy
- Whistleblowing Policy
- Code of Conduct
- Children Missing Education Statutory Guidance
- Ethical and Professional Standards Policy
- ICT Acceptable Use Policy
- Intimate Care Policy
Below are booklets with further safeguarding information
Operation Encompass
Our school is part of Operation Encompass.
This is a police and education early intervention safeguarding partnership which supports children and young people who experience Domestic Abuse. Operation Encompass means that the police will share information about Domestic Abuse incidents with our school PRIOR to the start of the next school day when they have been called to a domestic incident.
Early Help
Every family goes through challenging times at some point, and it is ok to ask for help. ‘Early Help’ means working with you and your family so that small problems don’t become big problems, and help you be the very best family you can be.
Early help is for everybody, for families with children and young people of any age. It is about helping as early as possible. It is about looking at what help you need as a family before you start to struggle. The earlier we can get the support, the better the outcome.
If you think you would like to access early help or for further advice, please contact the following number or take a look at the attached web-link. If you have any questions or worries please do not hesitate to come into school and speak with Shannon Poulter or one of the Deputy Safeguarding Leads.
Bedfordshire Early Help: 01234 718700
Photographs and Videos
Whilst lots of parents and carers really enjoy seeing photos and videos of their children’s school life, we are very mindful of our duty of care towards all our pupils. We take the issue of safeguarding very seriously and this includes the use of photographic and video images.
At St John’s, we do not permit parents, carers, friends, or relatives to take photos or videos during school events, productions, or open events. The school will take photos or videos and share them with families as appropriate, and only with the necessary consent. This policy is emphasised before concerts and events.
We understand that, in some circumstances, a parent or carer may not wish for their child to be photographed or videoed by staff during school activities. If this is the case, please inform the school and update your preferences using the school’s photo permission form.
Useful Guidance and Support
Below are a list of useful websites and links that offer support services both locally and nationally.
St John’s School is a UNICEF Bronze Rights Respecting School. Ofsted rated ‘Good Provider’ (September 2023).
Telephone: 01234 345565 – Office Email: sjs@biltt.org
St John’s School is part of Bedford Inclusive Learning and Training Trust
Company Number: 08156641