Safeguarding

The proprietors and staff fully recognise their responsibilities for safeguarding children in all circumstances whether on or off-site.

They familiarise themselves with the current safeguarding legislation and child protection procedures. Our procedures comply with DfE guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023 (KCSIE) and are in line with our local safeguarding children board (West Sussex LSCB).

/docs/Part_1_KCSIE_2023.pdf

/docs/Full_document_KCSIE_2023.pdf

Safeguarding Updates and Support Links

Please see below for new safeguarding updates and support links. Check back here often for the latest information – the latest items are at the top.

West Sussex Local Offer (local-offer.org)

Making a Referral – (westsussexscp.org.uk)

National Online Safety | Keeping Children Safe Online in Education

Qwell (from XenZone) – an online counselling and emotional well-being platform for parents and carers of our Surrey students

Childline/NSPCC/Young Minds

NSPCC:Tel: 0800 800 5000
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/

Childline:Tel: 0800 1111
https://www.childline.org.uk/

Young Minds:
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/

E-Safety

Internet Matters Online Safety Guide

Net Aware: Your guide to social networks, apps and games (net-aware.org.uk)

https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/

Childnet’s KidSMART website – where kids do the talking – Childnet

UK Safer Internet Centre – Online Safety Tips, Advice and Resources | Safer Internet Centre

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

Aims

To practise safe recruitment in checking the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with children
To raise awareness of child protection issues and equip children with the skills needed to keep them safe
To establish a safe environment in which children can learn and develop
To develop and implement procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse
To support children who have been abused in accordance with his/her agreed child protection plan
To ensure that children on the school register, of compulsory school age, do not miss out on parts of their education through continuous absenteeism

We recognise that teachers are well placed to observe the outward signs of abuse. The school will create a positive ethos amongst the staff so that we can:

Establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk and are listened to
Ensure children know that there are adults in the school whom they can approach if they are worried
Include opportunities in the PSHCE curriculum for children to develop the skills they need to recognise and stay safe from abuse.

We will follow the procedures set out by the West Sussex LSCB and take into account the guidance ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ (2018) in order to:

ensure that we have a designated teacher for child protection who has received appropriate training and support for the role
ensure that every member of staff and volunteer knows the name of the designated teacher and their role
ensure that every member of staff and volunteer understand their responsibilities in being
alert to signs of abuse and responsibility for referring any concerns to the designated teacher
develop links with relevant agencies and co-operate as required with their enquiries regarding child protection matters including attendance at case conferences
keep written records of concerns about children, even where there is no need to refer the matter immediately
ensure all written records are kept securely, separate from the main pupil file, and in a locked location
develop and follow procedures where an allegation is made against a member of staff or volunteer
ensure safe recruitment practices are always followed
ensure that parents have an understanding of the responsibility placed on the school and staff for child protection
ensure that pupils who have been abused are supported in line with the child protection plan
ensure that the child welfare office of the appropriate Local Authority is informed of any
unexplained absence of two days for pupils with a CP plan and ten consecutive days for others
ensure that information is passed to relevant bodies, especially when a pupil moves school
ensure that we shall report any school leavers to the LA (see Children Missing Education guidance and policy).

Children Looked After

The most common reason for children becoming looked after is as a result of abuse and/or neglect. The school’s governing body should ensure that staff have the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to keep looked after children safe.

This will be done by ensuring that the following information is available for a looked after child placed at the school:

the child’s looked after legal status (whether they are looked after under voluntary arrangements with consent of parents or on an interim or full care order) and
contact arrangements with birth parents or those with parental responsibility.
the child’s care arrangements and the levels of authority delegated to the carer by the authority looking after him/her.
the details of the child’s social worker and the name of the virtual school head in the local authority that looks after the child.

Designated Children Looked After Teacher: This roles is currently under-review for appointment

The Childs Wishes

Where there is a safeguarding concern the Governing Body and school leaders will ensure that the child’s wishes and feelings are taken into account when determining what action to take and what services to provide. Systems will be in place for children to express their views and give feedback.

The Governing Body will ensure that staff members do not agree confidentiality and always act in the best interests of the child

Roles and Responsibilities

Proprietor: Treehouse Educare Limited

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Rachel Branigan

Rachel.Branigan@treehouseeducare.co.uk

Deputy Safeguarding Leads

Key Stage 4/5:

Laura Constantine

laura.constantine@treehouseeducare.co.uk

Key Stage 2/3:

Hayley Donavan

hayley.donovan@treehouseeducare.co.uk

Safeguarding Coordinator:

Tanya Jane Watson

tj.watson@treehouseeducare.co.uk

Director responsible for Safeguarding: Declan McCarthy

Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence

At New Barn School we define Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence as:

Any bullying behaviour, whether physical or non-physical, that is based on a person’s sexuality or gender. It is when sexuality or gender is used as a weapon by boys or girls. It can be carried out to a person’s face, behind their back, or by the use of technology. Some examples of sexual harassment and sexual violence include:

Using words that refer to someone’s sexuality as a general put-down (like calling something ‘gay’ to mean that it is isn’t very good)
Using sexual words to put someone down (like calling them a slut)
Making threats or jokes about serious and frightening subjects like rape
Gossiping and spreading rumours about someone’s sexuality and sex life – including the use of graffiti
Touching someone in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable
Touching parts of someone’s body that they don’t want you to touch
Forcing someone to act in a sexual way

The response to the reporting of such acts will be believed, taken seriously and treated sensitively in line with the schools Safeguarding Policy and procedures. Perpetrators of such incidents, will be dealt with in accordance with the positive behavior policy. All pupils will be provided with a systematic age appropriate SRE and PSHCE programme alongside a school community with a zero tolerance of acts of sexual harassment and sexual violence.

Local Authority Contact Details

The LADO:

Designated Officers: Jenny Coker, Miriam Williams, Donna Tomlinson

Tel: 01403 229900 Email: LADO@westsussex.gov.uk

The Assistant LADO:

Claire Coles, Sally Arbuckle

Tel: 01403 229900 Email: LADO@westsussex.gov.uk

Local Authority MASH team services contact details

West Sussex

Telephone: 01403 229900

The out of office hours (5pm – 8am weekdays) and 24-hour emergency number on weekends and bank holidays is 0330 222 6664 or email MASH@westsussex.gov.uk ensuring that you put in the subject box: ALERT FOR EDT:

Help and Support

Childline/NSPCC/Young Minds

NSPCC: Tel: 0800 800 5000
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/

Childline: Tel: 0800 1111
https://www.childline.org.uk/

Young Minds:
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/

See our latest Safeguarding Policy on our Policies Page by clicking here

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