‘This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all our children and expects our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.’
For more information about how we shortlist following safer recruitment procedures, please visit our Staff Vacancies page. All volunteers we have in school are also required to undergo rigorous safeguarding checks and procedures prior to commencing a role in school.
As a school we work with the police and support Operation Encompass. This gives the police the right to share incidents of domestic violence at home where our children have been present, with our Designated safeguarding leads in school.
Safety Advice and Important Information for Parents/Carers
Online Safety
Please find the attached online safety leaflet which contains advice for parents, including online child exploitation, keeping your child safe online and help available.
Online Safety Advice for Parents (Leaflet Jan Covid 2021)Below we have uploaded two online safety leaflets which contain advice for parents/carers on the Prevent Duty. One of the risks to young people online is from those looking to radicalise and draw them into extremism. Included is information about spotting the signs of radicalisation in young people and the help and support that is available.
Online safety advice about radicalisation for parents Information for parents about radicalisationPREVENT Duty
Below we have included a link to the revised Prevent Duty Guidance: for England and Wales (April 2021).
Guidance on the Prevent Duty April 2021
County Lines
As part of our PSHE and keeping children safe education, we teach our children about potential dangers and how to keep themselves safe. We are also supporting our parents/carers with this and how to look out for signs and indicators. Please follow the link below to find out more about the potential risk of County Lines.
Keeping Your Child Safe Online
Please find a link below to the most up to date guidance on how to keep our children safe online. This has come from the Leeds Safeguarding Children’s Partnership.
We know all of our pupils have access to the internet, this is also within school too. The internet proved to be a wonderful tool during our school closure, to keep in touch with family and friends, to support our young people with their home learning and much more. However, our very first priority is that our children know how to stay safe online as well as aiding our parents/carers to support our pupils with this too. We hope you find this information useful and helpful in supporting your child/ren to stay safe online.
LSCP – Keeping your child safe onlinePlease visit our Online Safety page to view our Online Safety Newsletter.
Keeping your child safe online.
Useful Information, Important Documents & Links
Here we continue to add useful information from the Education & Early Start Safeguarding Team and National Online Safety Team which may be of use to you.
Policies and Statutory Guidance
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018
Leeds Local Authority Children Missing in Education (CME) Guidance September 2018
St Joseph’s Wetherby Safeguarding Child Protection Policy 2022-2023
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022
Guidance for Safer Working Practice February 2022
Working Restoratively to Safeguard Children and Young People
LSCP: Parent Guidance on the Recording of Meetings/Conferences
What to do if you wish to challenge professional practice in relation to safeguarding.
During the COVID 19 Outbreak, we are also using the following guidance:
GSWP COVID addendum April 2020
Should you need to speak with a designated Safeguarding lead during this time, please make contact with the school office at office@stjosephswetherby.com and a DSL will be in contact with you as soon as possible.
Important Documents & Links
Information for parents/carers: Domestic Violence & Abuse
One minute guide: Domestic Violence & Abuse
National Online Safety Team: Whatsapp Guide for Parents/Carers
An online app guide for parents/carers
Leeds Safeguarding Children’s Partnership
Information for parents/carers: Physical Chastisement
NSPCC: The underwear rule – A Guide for Parents
NSPCC: The underwear rule – Why it’s important.
RoSPA: Water Safety Information for Children & Young People
Click here for helpful information to help keep your child safe when using the Internet
Be Internet Legends: Online safety guidance
Although much of the teaching around safeguarding is through discrete lessons, our school ethos, curriculum and policies ensures that we integrate safeguarding into everything we do.
The DfE recommended site for help and advice can be found by copy and pasting the following into your web browser http;//parentinfo.org or by clicking here
NSPCC Helpline Update
On 1st April 2021, The Department for Education has commissioned the NSPCC to establish a dedicated independent helpline for people who have experienced sexual abuse in educational setting.
The helpline went live on 1 April 2021, and will provide both children and adults who have experienced sexual abuse in schools with support and advice, including onward action such as contacting the police if they wish to. The helpline will also provide support to parents and professionals. Anyone who gets in touch through this dedicated helpline will also be signposted to other relevant support services available, including Childline, which provides ongoing support and counselling to children and young people.
The dedicated and confidential NSPCC helpline – Report Abuse in Education can be reached on 0800 136 663 or by email at help@nspcc.org.uk.
What should you do if you have any concerns or queries around safeguarding?
Should you ever have any concerns or queries around safeguarding, please do not hesitate to contact one of the school’s designated safeguarding leads: Miss Milivojevic, Mrs Ward, Mrs Hodgson or Mrs Frost. Up to date information is regularly added to our school website under the safeguarding page. Please continue to visit our website regularly to ensure you receive up to date information.
For out of hours contact, please email the school office email: office@stjosephswetherby.com and mark your email FAO Designated Safeguarding Lead: Urgent.
Members of the public should call Children’s Social Work Services during office hours (9.00am – 5.00pm) on 0113 2224403.
If you think a child is immediate danger call the police on 999 out of office hours (evenings, weekends and bank holidays).