Safeguarding

Safeguarding


At Albemarle, we are passionate about and committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.  The safety and wellbeing of every child in our care is an absolute priority. We expect all of our staff, pupils, parents, governors, contractors and visitors to share this commitment – because safeguarding and child protection is everyone’s responsibility.



Our Safeguarding Team


While everyone has a responsibility to keep children safe, Albemarle also has a dedicated safeguarding team.  The term ‘Designated Safeguarding Lead’ (DSL) is used in the DfE Keeping Children Safe in Education document and refers to the person accountable for overseeing the safety and wellbeing of the children in the care of their setting. The DSL role must be fulfilled by a member of the school’s senior leadership team, to ensure that they have appropriate authority and status to provide advice and support to others on child protection and welfare.


  • Jess Bunker, Deputy Headteacher is our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Mental Health & Wellbeing Lead. Her role includes being the Designated Teacher for Looked After Children, and the lead adult for Inclusion and Attendance.


  • Natasha Mold, Headteacher is one of our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSL). She leads on safer recruitment, and our Prevent strategy.


  • Ed Lockwood-Wells, Assistant headteacher is one of our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSL). He leads on GDPR and Online Safety.


  • Hope Walters, SENCO is one of our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSL).


  • Holly Porter, Attendance and Admissions Officer.


  • Chloe Horn, Co-opted Governor, is our Nominated Safeguarding and Child Protection Governors.


Our Offer


At Albemarle, we take our safeguarding responsibilities seriously, and we know – and ensure everyone who works with us knows - that everyone is responsible for keeping children safe from harm. We also know that prompt and effective communication and collaboration between adults/agencies is crucial.


The DSLs at Albemarle provides support, guidance and training to ensure that the safeguarding culture is as strong and effective as it can be. This includes educating the children about how to stay safe, and how to share worries and concerns, in addition to families, volunteers and professionals.


The DSL team attend high quality CPD and regular network meetings throughout the year, to ensure they have the up-to-date knowledge and expertise to do this effectively. The wider staff team also attend Safeguarding and Child Protection training, while safeguarding updates and children of concern are discussed weekly as part of staff team meetings; this ensures safeguarding is at the forefront of our minds, and staff have the knowledge and understanding to offer the best support and intervention possible to our children and families.


We use CPOMs – an online reporting system – to record and monitor concerns about children, and have systems in place for visitors to the school to share any concerns they may have too. The DSL team work transparently and proactively with families in order to assess and reduce any risks, and offer continued support to promote the safety and wellbeing of the children and families. We also work closely with Wandsworth’s Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) in addition to local police, school nursing teams, and community groups/resources to ensure swift action is taken where concerns arise, and families are supported effectively both in and out of school.

 


 Reporting Concerns


Emergency/Immediate Risk


If you are concerned that a child is at immediate risk of harm, just like in any other emergency situation, please contact the Police by calling 999.


The following document explains in more detail when to call the police: click here.

 


Registering a concern about a child


If you are concerned that a child is at risk of harm or has been harmed, please contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately – in person at school, via email on safeguarding@albemarle.wandsworth.sch.uk or by phone on 020 8788 3170.


Alternatively, you can contact Wandsworth’s Children's Services directly, through their Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) team. They will be able to listen to your concern and offer advice on next steps. Their telephone numbers and an online referral form can be found here: Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) | Wandsworth Family Information Service

 


Registering a concern about an adult who works with children


If you have a concern about an adult who is working or volunteering with children, please contact Rob Farrell, Headteacher on head@albemarle.wandsworth.sch.uk or via the school office on 020 8788 3170.


If your concern is regarding the Headteacher, please contact Shirley Newman, our Chair of Governors, on shirley.newman@albemarle.wandsworth.sch.uk


Alternatively, where there are concerns about staff, you can contact the Local Authority Designated Officer, Anita Gibbons. Further information and contact details can be found on Wandsworth’s LADO webpage: LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) | Wandsworth Family Information Service


Further information on Low Level Concerns and other safeguarding procedures can be found in our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy, which is accessible through our Policies webpage: https://www.albemarle.wandsworth.sch.uk/policies

 


Wider Safeguarding Advice and Support


  • NSPCC Child Protection Line: 0808 8005000
  • Report Abuse in Education NSPCC helpline: 0800 136 663 or help@nspcc.org.uk
  • Childline: 0800 1111
  • Samaritans: 116 123
  • Stop It Now, Sexual Abuse Helpline for adults: 0808 1000900
  • NAPAC - Supporting recovery from childhood abuse: 0808 801 0331
  • A directory of further helplines can be found here.



School Policies


All staff (including supply staff and volunteers) must ensure that they are aware and understand our school safeguarding procedures. On our Policies webpage you will find links to the following useful policies:

  • Attendance Policy
  • Behaviour Policy
  • Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy – including Whistleblowing and Low-Level Concerns
  • GDPR Data Protection Policy
  • Staff Code of Conduct



CEOP is here to keep children safe from sexual abuse and grooming online.


You can make a report directly to the CEOP Safety Centre by clicking on the Click
CEOP button if something has happened online which has made you feel unsafe,
scared or worried. This might be from someone you know in real life, or someone you
have only ever met online. CEOP take all reports seriously and we will do everything
we can to keep you safe.


As well as making a report to the CEOP Safety Centre, the CEOP Education website
has information and advice to help you if something has happened to you online.


Are you being bullied?
CEOP are unable to respond to reports about bullying but if you’re being bullied and
would like to talk to someone in confidence right now you can speak to Childline on
0800 1111 or talk to them online – no worry is too big or too small.


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