Runnymede St Edward's Catholic Primary
Part of the Edmund Rice family of schools ‘Inspire, Challenge and Support through Faith’
Safeguarding
Our Safeguarding Team
In school, we have several members of senior staff, who are responsible for ensuring that our Safeguarding policies, practices and procedures are implemented and maintained; known as the Safeguarding Team. If you have any concerns or worries about any children, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the school’s Safeguarding Team.
If you have any concerns regarding the safety of children in our school, please contact either:
Mr. Jamie Long – Deputy Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead
Miss Patricia Minogue - Assistant Headteacher and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Miss Kate Peaston– Headteacher and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mrs Pauline O'Donnell - Pastoral / Attendance Lead and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mrs Chantelle Carey – Governor responsible for Safeguarding
‘Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, every day’.
The safety of our children is of paramount importance to all staff, governors and community members in our school. The attached information provides our policies on how we ensure the safety of our children across all aspects of children’s school and their wider lives.
The school also has a statutory responsibility to share any concerns it might have about a child in need of protection with other agencies and in particular police, health and children’s services. Schools are not able to investigate child protection concerns but have a legal duty to refer them.
In most instances the school will be able to inform the parents/carer of its need to make a referral. However, sometimes the school is advised by children’s services or police that the parent/carer cannot be informed whilst they investigate the matter or make enquiries.
We understand the anxiety parents/carers understandably feel when they are not told about any concerns from the outset. The school follows legislation that aims to act in the interests of the child.
Runnymede St. Edward's Catholic Primary School will always seek to work in partnership with parents and other agencies to ensure the best possible outcomes for the child and family.
Our school is committed to safeguarding children and promoting children’s welfare and expects all staff, governors, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment and maintain a vigilant and safe environment.
Everyone has a responsibility to act without delay to protect children by reporting anything that might suggest a child is being abused or neglected.
By signing in to our site, you are agreeing to follow the school’s safeguarding advice to visitors and, where appropriate, the code of conduct for staff and volunteers.
Anything you notice can help a child at risk.
We all have a role to play in protecting children and young people from child abuse and neglect.
Many people do not act because they’re worried about being wrong.
You don’t have to be absolutely certain; if you’re concerned a child is being abused or their safety is at risk, speak to someone.
Following these simple steps and reporting your concerns to your local council or school safeguarding team could provide the missing piece of information that is needed to keep a child safe.
Child abuse.
If you think it, report it.
Operation Encompass
Our school is part of Operation Encompass which is a national scheme that operates jointly between schools and police forces. Operation Encompass is the reporting to schools, prior to the start of the next school day, when a child or young person has experienced domestic abuse.
As a school we have ensured that all members of our safeguarding team, known as a Key Adults, have been trained in the Operation Encompass procedures allowing us to then use the information that has been shared, in confidence, to support the child/ren in our care.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 identifies children who experience domestic abuse as victims of domestic abuse in their own right. We are keen to offer the best support possible to all our pupils and we believe this will be extremely beneficial for all those involved.