Child Protection and Safeguarding
As a school we take issues around Child Protection and Safeguarding very seriously.
Mrs Walsh (Headteacher) is the designated Safeguarding Lead for school and is responsible for all matters in relation to safeguarding children and dealing with any child protection concerns.
Mrs Walsh is supported by other staff in school who have also completed a high level of training including Intermediate Multi-agency training. These staff include Teachers, Teaching Assistants and the Squirrel Club Staff.
Children are constantly reminded about keeping safe including keeping safe online. Each year the school focuses on e-safety through Safer Internet Day which is held in February.
There are several links available to support parents by clicking on the Kids Zone and looking at the many weblinks available.
School also hosts parental awareness evenings on e-safety and the latest information can be downloaded by accessing ThinkUKnow
School also has robust and clear policies and procedures on all aspects from child protection to code of conduct for staff and whistle blowing. Relevant policies that parents might like to read can be found and downloaded by clicking on the Policies section of the website
If you have a concern regarding the welfare of a child then this can be reported to Mrs Walsh or alternatively contact Cheshire East Consultation Service on 0300 123 5012 or 0300 123 5022 for their out of hours service.
Operation Encompass
Our school is part of a project, which is run between Cheshire East Council, schools and Cheshire Police. The project called Operation Encompass, has been designed to provide early reporting of any domestic violence incidents that occur outside school, which might have an impact on a child in school. This is done through a phone call to school following an incident.
The project ensures that at least one member of the school staff, known as the Key Adult, is trained to liaise with the police and to use the information that has been shared, in confidence.
In this way, we aim to support each child who has been involved in, or witnessed, a domestic abuse incident. The Key Adult at Alderley Edge CP School is Mrs Walsh (Headteacher). If she receives an Encompass call she will make sure that a person the child trusts is available to help - if the child needs this. Most of the time this support is silent; keeping a careful eye on him or her and make sure the child has a calm school day. The confidential information is ordinarily not shared with all staff, just an agreement on how to help, if needed.
All schools have a duty to share any information with other organisations if they feel a child is at risk of being hurt. The Key Adult may contact other organisations. This is described in our child protection policy.
The sharing of information from the Police allows the school to be ready to help your child straight away, and it means that parents are aware that the Key Adult knows that something has happened. Parents can come and talk to our Key Adult. The Key Adult can point you towards other people that can help. Our aim is to support children and their families.
You can find our more by visiting www.operationencompass.org or by contacting our Key Adult.