Alton School

SAFEGUARDING

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility

Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children. All professionals should ensure that their approach is child centred: this means considering at all times what is in the best interests of the child. Concerns must always be logged and staff members must raise any safeguarding concerns with the appropriate safeguarding lead without delay. Parents and carers should feel able to come and talk to any of our team, and/or the safeguarding leads named below. 

Safeguarding policies: 

We regularly update key policies in relation to safeguarding. On our policies page you can find our policies for Child Protection and Safeguarding, Online Safety, Whistleblowing and other relevant policies. Our online safety page also has information about keeping children safe online.

 

Key roles in safeguarding:

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Emma Morris.

The Designated Members of Staff (DMS) are: Linsay Thomson, Helen Gibbs, Cara Wright and Richard Brennan.

The Designated Local Governor for Safeguarding is Geoff Morris.

The Quality First Education Trust's Designated Trustee for Safeguarding is Karen Parkinson.


Child protection procedures:
If there are serious concerns about immediate risk to a child or that a child has suffered significant harm and continues to be at risk, the school will contact the local authority and/or the Wandsworth Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) immediately. If a child is in immediate danger, the police will also be contacted.

What Ofsted said about safeguarding at The Alton, at our most recent inspection:

"The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Leaders have ensured that procedures to promote pupils’ safety and well-being are robust. Staff are fully aware of their roles and responsibilities related to keeping pupils safe. They have an in-depth understanding of the different factors that represent a risk to pupils’ welfare. Consequently, staff are vigilant and report concerns immediately.
The designated safeguarding leads have a thorough knowledge of individual pupils. They work effectively with external agencies to ensure that vulnerable pupils receive appropriate support or protection. Where necessary, leaders are willing to challenge decisions made by other agencies so that pupils and families receive the right level of help and guidance."

Sexual misconduct in schools

Parents and carers may be aware of the recent national investigation into sexual misconduct within schools, partly sparked by testimonies given on the ‘Everyone’s Invited’ website.

Please visit www.q1e.co.uk/key-information/safeguarding/ to read more about the actions that we and our trust are taking, in light of this.

If you or your child is worried about anything, please do contact the school. You can speak to our designated safeguarding lead or any member of staff.

You can also contact the dedicated new NSPCC helpline for children who have experienced sexual harassment or abuse at school, and for worried adults who need guidance, on 0800 136 663.