Safeguarding
Within school there are five Designated Safeguarding Leads: Mr Evans, Ms Wallace, Mrs Compton, Mrs Rigg and Mrs Hodgson. Their role is to lead and co-ordinate safeguarding practices within school so that it complies with legislation, but more importantly, to ensure that children and families are supported to be safe.
The role requires specific training which enables the individual to develop effective systems in schools which will help identify concerns and react when concerns are raised from staff, volunteers, visitors, families and agencies.
If a parent/carer has a concern about the safety of others – children or adults – it is important that this is shared with school and, when possible, one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads.
In terms of safeguarding, you cannot be criticised for intervening but you can be at fault for doing nothing.
Safeguarding Leaflet for Visitors-Volunteers 2024
Ms N. Wallace - Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mr B. Evans - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Support for Families
At different times, in the complex lives of families, there can be ups and downs. As a school, we have a key role in supporting parents/carers to provide the best opportunities for children. As a result, there may be times when parents/carers are having difficulties at home, where we can provide support.
This support can come directly from our staff or by identifying an appropriate agency who can give specialist support. These agencies can work with children directly or the wider family, depending on where the need is. Such agencies include:
- School Nurses
- Early Help Team
- Domestic Abuse Team
- Children’s Services
- Barnados
The aim is to work quickly, where there is an identified need, so that early intervention prevents a situation which becomes unmanageable for the family.
Domestic Abuse
Statistics show that 1 in every 4 women and 1 in every 6 men have experienced some form of domestic abuse in their lifetime. As a result, we are an Operation Encompass school.
Operation Encompass was set up to support children who are affected by Domestic Abuse. Witnessing domestic abuse is really distressing for a young person, who can often see the abuse, hear it from another room, see a parent’s injuries or distress afterwards or be physically hurt trying to stop the abuse.
As a result, following any domestic abuse incident being reported into Northumbria Police, specialist Police Officers will make contact with the school and communicate relevant and necessary information to nominated school staff. This ensures that the school is made aware at the earliest possible opportunity and can subsequently provide support in a way that means the child feels safe.
Each school has a member of staff who has been fully trained to liaise with the Police, when required, and will ensure that necessary support is made available to the child following the disclosure of a domestic abuse incident. At Wardley, the key adult is Ms Wallace.
We believe that this project demonstrates the schools commitment to working in partnership, to safeguard and protect children, and to providing the best possible care and support for our pupils.
In the meantime, if you would like to speak to someone further or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact the key adult within school or contact the Domestic Abuse Team on 01914333333 or by email Domesticabuseteam@Gateshead.gcsx.Gov.Uk . You can also find out more information through accessing the following website: http://www.operationencompass.org
