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Our Commitment to Safeguarding at James Elliman Academy
‘James Elliman Academy prides itself on being committed to maintaining a positive culture of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children. As a school, it is expected that all staff and volunteers share this commitment.’
All staff members at James Elliman Academy have annual Level 1 safeguarding training and have been fully briefed in the most recent Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory documentation.
Staff members are also trained specifically in the following:
- Online Safety
- Prevent – Safeguarding adults and children against Radicalisation and Extremism
- FGM
- Child on Child Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. The wellbeing and safety of the children remains at the heart of what we do and this means that we are vigilant of the things we see and hear from children that might indicate they or others are at a risk of significant harm or have been exposed to long term harm.
Safer Recruitment Practices and Procedures
At James Elliman we are committed to the safer recruitment practice and procedure. Safer recruitment is a set of practices to help make sure staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children and young people. It's a vital part of creating a safe and positive environment, and making a commitment to keep children safe from harm. The DSL, DDSLs and Governor for Safeguarding are all fully trained in Safer Recruitment Practices At James Elliman Academy.
For further information of our safer recruitment practices please see our child protection policy.
Safeguarding means:
- protecting children from maltreatment
- preventing the impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development
- ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
- taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.
In most instances any concern that has been ascertained will be discussed with you as the parent/carer. We understand that these can at times be difficult conversations however, we will raise matters with you to ensure that your child’s wellbeing and safety remains at the forefront. It is important to us at James Elliman Academy, that we are able to have open and honest conversations and work together to support your child.
In certain circumstances following discussions within the Designated Safeguarding Team, we will share the proposed concerns in accordance with the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board Procedures. This means that we will communicate with the Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) at Slough Children First. The MASH team supports schools by reviewing information shared and deciding on the best course of action to safeguard a child. In some instances, where children are seen to be in immediate risk or have been exposed to significant harm, we may have to contact MASH without having spoken to you first and gained your agreement.
Under Section 3 (5) of the Children Act 1989, any person who has care of a child “may….do what is reasonable in all the circumstances of the case for the purpose of safeguarding or promoting the child’s welfare”. This means that on rare occasions, a school may need to “hold” a child in school whilst Social Care and the Police investigate any concerns further.
On very rare occasions Social Care, whilst undertaking an investigation under s47 of the Children Act 1989, may want to speak to a child without parents’ knowledge. This would be a decision made in collaboration with partner agencies and would only be done in situations where a child might be at immediate risk of harm. To gain consent at this point may increase the level of risk to the child or cause evidence of a crime to be lost.
Our Safeguarding Team
While safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, James Elliman Academy has five dedicated members of The Safeguarding Team who are trained to an advanced level in child protection and safeguarding.
- Mrs Rebecca Pinkney - Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
- Mrs Jasvir Chander – Deputy DSL
- Mrs Kelly Wright – Deputy DSL and Deputy Principal
- Miss Vanda Devshi - Deputy DSL
- Mrs Tajinder Johal – Deputy DSL and Principal
At James Elliman, our Governor for Safeguarding is Mrs Sandra Hopkinson.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding a child please contact one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads, alternatively please share your concerns through your child’s class teacher who will liaise with the appropriate staff members.
Wider Safeguarding Support 
National Online Safety
At James Elliman Academy, staff, children, parents and carers have access to National Online Safety. This platform provides us with training and resources to help educate children, and their families, on how to keep safe online. If you are a parent or carer, and you have not yet signed up, then please do so using this link
https://nationalcollege.com/enrol/james-elliman-academy
You can download the app following these links:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/national-online-safety/id1530342372
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.nationaleducationgroup.nos
Alternatively, search for ‘National Online Safety’ in the App Store/Google Play Store.
Follow the #WakeUpWednesday campaign for weekly guides that increase your knowledge and understanding of the wide range of platforms available online.
Safeguarding in the curriculum
Safeguarding in planning
Our year teams build links to safeguarding into the curriculum through their unit overviews. This allows for safeguarding to be woven into the children’s learning to help them increase their own awareness on how to keep safe.
Safeguarding in assembly
Our weekly assemblies deliver a ‘Safety First’ message to the children to help develop their understanding of how to keep safe at home, in school and in the wider community.
Jigsaw
Our Relationship, Health and Education lessons are taught through the scheme called Jigsaw. Jigsaw provides many links to safeguarding throughout its scheme and supports children in how to keep safe in their everyday lives. Click here to see the document that shows how our Jigsaw curriculum links to safeguarding.
CPOMs
Information related to safeguarding is recorded using CPOMs (Child Protection Online Management System). We use CPOMs along side our other safeguarding practices and procedures. We can easily and securely share information with other schools who also have CPOMs. If you are a school who does not have CPOMs, please contact us so we can securely transfer information by alternative means.
TEAM TEACH Training
At James Elliman we ensure that children have high quality support if they are in crisis, and when the usual support strategies are not effective. We have a team of specially trained staff who can support any child in crisis through positive handling strategies. Please see the Positive Handling Policy for more information.
Useful Contacts
If you are worried a child is being abused, or is witnessing abuse, then you can access the following organisations
- NSPCC
- Childline
- Slough Children First - anyone can make a referral by calling Slough Children First on 01753 875 362; Out of hours Emergencies - 01344 351 999
- DfE Document What to do if you are worried a child is being abused
Our Policies Related to Safeguarding and Child Protection