- We ensure that full discussion of the Academy’s Child Protection Policy is included in the induction of all new members of staff and volunteers to ensure that there is common understanding and to maintain a safe culture at the forefront of staff consciousness.
- We have five fully trained Designated Safeguarding Leads. These staff are the Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, Transfer & Inclusion Coordinator, Safeguarding & Partnership Officer, and Year 7 Leader.
- Members of the Senior Leadership Team have also completed the DCSF accredited Safer Recruitment Training.
- All staff at Lawn Manor Academy have read and signed the ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education – 2016’ document.
- All staff receive Child Protection training every three years; Designated Safeguarding Leads receive higher level training every two years.
- Our school policy encourages all staff to raise any concerns they may have about pupils; the interests of the young person are paramount and take priority over professional loyalties.
- Supply agency staff are made aware of the school’s safeguarding procedures and are provided with a written leaflet outlining this; visitors to the school are also provided with written procedures upon arrival at reception.
- Our staff selection and interview process will rigorously assess all candidates’ suitability and their commitment to safeguarding children.
- We are all expected to share any concerns we have about staff conduct around children with the Headteacher. As in all schools, if there are concerns about the conduct of the Headteacher, then these should be shared with the Chair of Governors. The staff ‘Whistleblowing Policy’ has been discussed and adopted and all staff have access to this document.
- In addition to their I LEARN Tutors, pupils have pastoral support from their Year Leaders and Head of Student Support. Pupils can also access the support of a School Health Nurse.
- Please Note: There may be occasions when our concern about a child means that we have to consult other agencies before we contact parents.
- We also follow the South West Child Protection Procedures and the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (www.swindonlscb.org.uk) local guidance and have systems in place to share concerns regarding children’s welfare with our Designated Safeguarding Leads, with parents and with relevant external agencies. Part of our legal duty to safeguard our children, may also include us needing to consult specifically with and take advice from, the Police or Children’s Social Care, should the need arise.
- By working closely together as a staff and with our partner agencies, we firmly believe that we will continue to offer a safe learning environment for all our children.
- Internet/Electronic Safety –Parents may find this website useful in gaining more information about e-safety. www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/parentsguide
- Child Sexual Exploitation – Parents and pupils may find the Swindon Borough Council Website useful for more information about CSE: www.swindon.gov.uk/cse
- Child Protection Policy– this can be found in the Policy area of the school website.
Please take the time to read our policies and do not hesitate to contact the school should you have any questions.
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Russell Langdown
rlangdown@lawnmanor.org
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Hannah Wolfe
hwolfe@lawnmanor.org
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Sandra Muir
Assistant Safeguarding Lead
Becci Benson
bbenson@lawnmanor.org
Assistant Safeguarding Lead
Fiona Harper
fharper@lawnmanor.org
The NCA’s CEOP Command (formerly the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) works with child protection partners across the UK and overseas to identify the main threats to children and coordinates activity against these threats to bring offenders to account. They protect children from harm online and offline, directly through NCA led operations and in partnership with local and international agencies.
KOOTH – free, safe and anonymous online support for young people
Swindon Borough Council promote this online service, to give children and young people access to professional mental health counsellors through its online Kooth service.
The Kooth service is a key part of Swindon’s drive to improve accessibility, promote resilience and better support young people’s emotional wellbeing and mental health. The online service is an effective early help for emerging mental health problems and can reduce the stigma sometimes associated with seeking help for mental ill-health.
Kooth will give children and young people – from age 11 until 18 unlimited access to professional online counsellors, moderated forums, self-help materials and a mood journal, where they can record their thoughts and feelings. Young people are encouraged to identify their own goals and monitor progress with their counsellor, charting movement as progress is achieved. The Kooth site is accessible at any time, via any connected device, helping to eliminate the stigma often associated with asking for help.
The online counselling team is available on Kooth between mid-day and 10pm on week days and from 6pm until 10pm at weekends. Kooth offers moderated peer to peer support, as well as giving young people access to downloadable self-help resources, forums and discussion groups. They can also read and contribute to the Kooth online magazine.
