Our number one priority is the safety and wellbeing of the students.
West End MT is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all students, providing a fun and safe environment, in which students can express themselves with confidence.
The aims of this policy are:
• To support the students’ development in ways that will foster security, confidence and independence.
• To raise the awareness to our teaching staff of the need to safeguard students and of their responsibilities in identifying and reporting possible cases of abuse or risk of abuse.
• To provide and emphasise the need for good communication levels between all of our staff.
• To ensure that every member of staff who will have access to students or who have access to information, will have been checked and vetted as to their suitability via their references and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Equality Statement:
• All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity have a right to equal protection from all types of harm of abuse.
We will ensure that:
• We have a designated Safeguarding Lead – Lindsey Wise (Principal) who undertakes regular training and keeps up to date on any documentation made
• We have a deputy Designated Safeguarding Leader (Seb Singh) who will act in the designated Safeguarding Lead’s absence.
• All members of staff will know how to respond to a student who makes an allegation or appears to be vulnerable or at risk.
Staff/teacher conduct
Our staff are dbs checked through West End MT and are fully aware of their role and the importance of safeguarding at West End MT which we consider to be the most important element of the training we provide.
We acknowledge that every member of staff must take reasonable care of pupils under their supervision with the aim of ensuring safety and welfare.
Our staff follow the West End MT code of conduct which is updated yearly.
Staff must comply with West End MT policies and procedures that support the well-being and development of students.
Staff are encouraged to listen with compassion and understanding to any issues that may come up with the children and if necessary report back to the Principal.
Staff and Principal have an open and ongoing dialogue regarding the children’s progress each week and are able to address any issues that come up between them.
• We recognise that good self-esteem, confidence, supportive friends and good lines of communication with a trusted adult helps to safeguard children.
• We will establish and maintain an ethos where children feel secure and are encouraged to talk, and are listened to.
• We will ensure that they know all teachers can be approached if they are worried or in difficulty.
• Our teachers will demonstrate behaviours that promote the welfare of young people at all times.
Confidentiality
• West End MT recognises that all matters relating to child protection and safeguarding are confidential, however there is a balance between child protection and the right to privacy.
• The Safeguarding Lead will disclose any information about a pupil to other members of staff on a need-to-know basis only.
• Staff must understand that they cannot promise a child to keep secrets, which might compromise the child’s safety or wellbeing.
We will strive to keep our students safe by:
• If administering first aid that requires physical contact, a member of staff will (except in an emergency or should the student be unresponsive) ask the permission of the student before initiating any treatment.
• Where possible all first aid treatment will take place in the presence of another member of staff
• Adopting child protection practices through procedures and a code of conduct for all our staff.