Safeguarding

Sponne School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all students. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse, neglect, exploitation and radicalisation and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice. We recognise that our school is part of a wider safeguarding system and work closely with the West Northamptonshire Safeguarding Children Partnership and other agencies to promote the welfare of children. Where there are concerns, we have a duty to refer to the appropriate agency; contributing to the assessment of a child’s needs, and towards on-going action to meet those needs.

We maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ and will consider the wishes of, and at all times, what is in the best interests of each child. We understand that children can be abused by adults or by other children. We are committed to creating a culture of safety that minimises the opportunity for any form of abuse (including all forms of child on child abuse) through training, education and robust response procedures.

Welfare of the child is paramount. All students, regardless of age, gender, ability, culture, race, language, religion or sexual identity, have equal rights to protection. 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. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professionals should make sure their approach is child-centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.

+ - When and what might I be concerned about? Click to collapse

Abuse, neglect, physical, emotional harm, exploitation and radicalisation can happen to any child, boy or girl, of any race, culture, ethnicity or sexuality. Many children are unable to disclose what is happening to them and rely on us to interpret their behaviour and spot signs of abuse. You may observe physical signs, notice changes in the child’s behaviour or presentation, pick up signs of emotional distress or have a child disclose a harmful experience to you.

A student may:

have a bruise, burn or injury that seems suspicious
show signs of pain or discomfort
be unnaturally passive or withdrawn
be unpredictable and challenging
seem anxious, fearful or distressed
provide an unlikely explanation for their injury or their behaviour

Harm to a child can be caused by:

A parent/carer
A family member/friend
Another child
A stranger
A member of staff / volunteer

For further information on the different types of abuse and key indicators, please refer to our Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy:

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy Sep 24
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Preview

+ - What should I do if a child discloses that they are being harmed? Click to collapse

If you are concerned for a child’s health, welfare or safety in any way you must speak to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or one of the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads.

Do not question the student or try to secure evidence. Your responsibility is to report your concern, not to investigate.
If a student tells you something that suggests they are at risk of harm, allow them to tell you as much as they wish and let them know that you must pass the information on to the DSL.
If you become concerned about a student’s immediate safety, notify the nearest member of staff and tell them why you are concerned.

The information you have may not be enough on its own for a Child Protection referral to the MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub), however it will help the Designated Safeguarding Leads to make a decision about risk of harm to the child and how to move forward to protect and support that student.

+ - Designated Safeguarding Team Click to collapse

At Sponne School there is a team of Designated Safeguarding Leads. The school uses a secure safeguarding program to record and monitor all safeguarding concerns, which is reviewed regularly by the team. The safeguarding team meets every fortnight to review and discuss ongoing concerns and look at how we can support students. Please do not hesitate to contact us for ANY concern that you may have.

Designated Safeguarding Team - Contact Details

Ms Rebecca Chapman	RChapman@sponne.org.uk - 01327 350284	Designated Safeguarding Lead - Designated Teacher LAC
Mrs Goodall	JGoodall@sponne.org.uk	Senior Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead - Inclusion Manager
Mr Forbes	GForbes@sponne.org.uk	Headteacher - Senior Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mrs Finch	KFinch@sponne.org.uk	Safeguarding Coordinator - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

+ - Pastoral Support Team Click to collapse

Pastoral Support Team - Contact Details

Mrs Lopes	ALopes@sponne.org.uk	Parent Support Advisor
Mrs Porteous	JPorteous@sponne.org.uk	First Aid Manager
Mrs Brookbank	SBrookbank@sponne.org.uk	Pastoral Support Coordinator
Mrs Johnston	SJohnston@sponne.org.uk	Pastoral Support Coordinator
Mrs Cutler	CCutler@sponne.org.uk	SENCO
Mrs Notley	KNotley@sponne.org.uk	Assistant Headteacher
Jen Machon	JMachon@sponne.org.uk	PLL for Year 7
Jessie Hillery	JHillery@sponne.org.uk	PLL for Year 8
Helen Turton	HTurton@sponne.org.uk	PLL for Year 9
Simon Trusler	STrusler@sponne.org.uk	PLL for Year 10
Pete Deboo	PDeboo@sponne.org.uk	PLL for Year 11
Mrs Mort	HMort@sponne.org.uk	Head of Sixth Form DDSL
Mr John	OJohn@sponne.org.uk	Deputy Head of Sixth Form
Mrs Underwood	Cunderwood@sponne.org.uk	Deputy Headteacher

+ - What should I do if the alleged abuser is a member of staff or a Volunteer? (Whistle Blowing) Click to collapse

If your concern is about a staff member or volunteer, you should report this to the Headteacher immediately. The Headteacher will inform the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) according to policy. If your concern is regarding the Headteacher, you need to contact the Chair of Governors.

+ - Local Contacts Click to collapse

If a child is in immediate danger call 999. If you have a concern about a child you can visit NC Trust website. You can complete an online referral or call Mash directly:	www.nctrust.co.uk Mash 0300 126 7000 (Option 1)
To report a child who is absent or missing	Telephone Police on 101 Or 999 in an emergency
To talk to Children's Social Care out-of-hours	The Emergency Duty Team (EDT) Telephone: 01604 626 938
For children who are at risk or have been Sexually Exploited	Contact the RISE Team Telephone: 01604 888345 Email: rise@northants.pnn.police.uk
Non-emergencies: If there is no immediate danger, advice or information is needed	West Northamptonshire County Council will direct you to the right service: Telephone: 0300 126 7000 (Option 1) Email: mash@northamptonshire.gcsx.gov.uk
For information about Early Help for families and carers:	Contact the Early Help Team Website: Click Here