Safeguarding
Safeguarding
Please refer to our Safeguarding Policy for the full procedural framework on our duties. Staff at our school receive regular training in safeguarding and are given the latest updates as they emerge by the Designated Safeguarding Lead. As a school we recognise that safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility.
Child Protection
Please refer to our Child Protection Policy for the full procedural framework on our Child Protection duties. Staff at our school are alerted to the fact that, whilst some concerns are broadly safeguarding issues, there may be some instances where a child or children may be at immediate risk of harm or neglect. For example; this could be due to a child displaying risky behaviours in terms of the activities they are involved in or the groups they are associated with or staff may be aware of information about a child’s family that may equally place a child at risk of harm. (These examples are for illustration and are not definitive or exhaustive) Therefore all adults working at our school (including visiting staff, volunteers, contractors, and students on placement) are required to report instances where they believe a child may be at immediate risk of harm or neglect to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Principal.
Training
Whole school in-service training on Safeguarding and Child Protection is organised for all teaching and non-teaching staff and governors and will comply with the prevailing arrangements of the LEA Safeguarding Children Board. The Designated Safeguarding Lead will attend training courses as necessary and the appropriate multi-agency training organised by LEA Safeguarding Children Board at least every two years.
Safeguarding Procedures
On occasion, our safeguarding lead may also seek the advice of the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) regarding allegations that may be brought to our attention. This information will be dealt with as confidentially as possible.
Parents and those with parental responsibility do need to be aware that there are legal responsibilities laid upon a school to report allegations to Social Services or the Police and we have to follow safeguarding procedures if such information is passed to us.
All staff receive safeguarding training on a regular basis and in line with the latest guidance. The lead staff receive more frequent training.
Tower College 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 a member of our staff, (Designated Safeguarding Lead) known as a Key Adult, has been trained in the Operation Encompass procedures allowing us to then use the information that has been shared, in confidence, to support the children 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.
TOWER COLLEGE IS NOW A NATIONAL COLLEGE CERTIFIED SCHOOL
Tower College is recognised for its commitment to helping pupils stay safe online.
Tower College has successfully completed a comprehensive online safety training programme demonstrating its commitment to keeping children and young people safe online.
The school has received a National Online Safety Certified School Accreditation for its whole school community approach to protecting children in the online world.
National Online Safety is a multi-award-winning digital training provider with extensive resources in online safety, developed in line with the Department of Education’s statutory requirements.
Its CPD-accredited courses and educational resources support UK schools in educating the whole school community about online safety– including all senior leaders, teachers, school staff and parents – on how to make the internet safer for children.
James Southworth, the co-founder of National Online Safety, said: “Congratulations to everyone at Tower College on becoming a National Online Safety Certified School. By completing our training programme, the school has shown its strong commitment to implementing an effective whole-school approach to online safety.”
“It can be increasingly difficult for schools and parents to stay ahead of online threats and ensure both children and staff are safeguarded from potentially harmful and inappropriate online material. We arm schools with the knowledge they need to understand online dangers and react in the best way possible to any problems.”
