InMat

Safeguarding

InMAT inspire multi-academy trust is fully is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of all our pupils. We expect everyone associated with InMAT, all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

We are fully committed to ensuring that consistent, effective safeguarding policies, procedures and practices are in place to support pupils, families and staff in all our schools. 

All our schools follow the guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education (2022), Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018), the Governance Handbook. All staff and volunteers will adhere to the InMAT safeguarding policy, whistleblowing policy and staff code of conduct.  

Our CEO is the trust Designated Safeguarding Lead. Our trust Inclusion Lead supports our schools to make sure their processes and procedures are robust and fit for purpose. Each school in our trust has a Designated Safeguarding Lead and a safeguarding governor.  We are committed to ensuring that our safeguarding leaders and all staff and volunteers receive the appropriate training to prepare them for their roles.

All our schools will work closely with families for the benefit of the pupils. Staff will make referrals and seek advice and guidance from external agencies such as Social Care if it is deemed necessary. There may be exceptional circumstances when the school will discuss concerns with Social Care and/or the Police without parental knowledge. Our leaders will always aim to maintain a positive relationship with all parents and carers. 

If you have a concern about a pupil or a member of staff at FHIS, please use the contact details below for the designated safeguarding leader. 

If your concern is about a senior leader at FHIS, please contact Helen Williams, the InMAT designated safeguarding leader- email:- safeguarding@inmat.org.uk

InMat Designated Safeguarding Leader

InMAT Trust - Helen Williams 01604 434600

FHIS Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Team

If you have an urgent concern about a child you can contact the Police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.

You can also contact the Northamptonshire Multi-agency safeguarding hub directly on 0300 126 7000

Or by using the link:

Report a concern - Help and protection for children (nctrust.co.uk)

 

Child abuse means:

  • Physical abuse
  • Emotional abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Neglect, of a child and young person under 18

Signs of abuse may be:

  • An injury
  • A child tells that they have been ill treated
  • A child is showing concern about the way an adult is behaving towards them
  • A child telling about another child who is being mistreated, an adult tells that they are    concerned about the abuse of a child

Part of a picture over a longer period, such as:

 

  • A child who is regularly dirty, unsuitably clothed or hungry
  • A child who is showing unusual behaviour for their age
  • Deterioration in work or lack of interest
  • A child who is isolated, distressed or angry

 

Child Sexual Exploitation 

Child sexual exploitation is a form of sexual abuse.  Victims are manipulated or forced into taking part in a sexual act, either as part of a seemingly consensual relationship, or in return for attention, gifts, money, alcohol, drugs or somewhere to stay. The young person may think that the abuser is their friend, or even their boyfriend or girlfriend.  But they will put them into dangerous situations, making or forcing them to do things that they don’t want to or can’t say no to.   The abuser will create some form of dependency between the young person and them and may physically or verbally threaten the young person or be violent towards them.  They will try and isolate them from friends and family so that they can control and manipulate them.

What are the signs?

  • Having mood swings or being emotionally upset
  • Changes in physical appearance
  • Changes in eating patterns
  • Misusing alcohol or drugs
  • Chatting online to people you have never met
  • Appearing with unexplained gifts or new possessions
  • Being in a relationship with or associating with an older person
  • Increased or secretive mobile phone and computer use or in possession of multiple phones
  • Showing inappropriate sexualized behaviour
  • Suffering from sexually transmitted infections
  • Associating with other young people involved in exploitation
  • Regularly missing school or not taking part in education
  • Regularly going missing for periods of time or returning home late

What can Parent/Carers do?

Counter-Terrorism

Schools are placed under a duty by the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism” and “challenge extremist ideas” that support or are shared by terrorist groups.

Our school follows the Home Office guidance for schools which identifies best practice and ways in which schools can comply with their duty. We also work in partnership with the local authority Safeguarding team and Prevent Co-ordinator. Our staff have awareness training in radicalisation and are trained to recognise vulnerability to being drawn into terrorism. We ensure that fundamental British Values are reflected in our activities and general conduct of the school. For more information see our British Values page which sets out how this is included in our curriculum.

All adults working with children at Falconer’s Hill Infant School are aware of relevant policies and procedures for safeguarding children. 

Designated Safeguarding Lead:

  • Miss Phoebe Giles (Deputy Head)

Telephone: 01327 702878 

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads:

Wellbeing and Family Support

Sherri Birch is always on hand to provide you with a listening ear and a cup of tea. You will regularly see her on the playground at the beginning and end of the school day. Please feel free to approach her with any concerns or problems you would like to share. You can also contact her via the main office. A problem shared, is a problem halved!