Safeguarding
At Whitehall safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
If you have any safeguarding concerns please contact us and our Safeguarding team will assist where they can.
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mr Kilkenny
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, SENCo
Mrs Mason
Parent Support Adviser
Mrs Ware
The Governor for Safeguarding at our school is Mr S. Yusaf
Safeguarding is about ensuring that everyone is safe from harm – safe from bullying, safe from people who could abuse, safe from discrimination or harassment – and that we all feel safe in our environment.
This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you are ever concerned about the safety or well‐being of someone at our school please talk to our Designated Safeguarding Lead s (DSLs) listed at the top of the page. If she isn’t available then speak to your child’s class teacher, TA or any other member of staff who will then pass it on to the DSL.
The school has a Child Protection Policy and procedures in place.
Parents and carers are welcome to read the Policy on request. (A copy is also available to view on our website under the heading Policies and Statements.)
Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with his/her parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare. If a member of staff is concerned about a child’s welfare, they will record their concern, and any observations or conversation heard, and report to one of the DSLs as soon as possible the same day.
If a member of staff has concerns which relate to the actions or behaviour of another member of staff (which could suggest that s/he is unsuitable to work with children) then this will be reported to one of the DSLs in confidence, who will refer the matter to the Headteacher (or the Chair of Governors if the concern relates to the Headteacher) who will consider what action to take.
If you suspect that a child or young person is being, or is at risk of being significantly harmed as a result of abuse or neglect, you must report this immediately to the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH):
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During office hours (Monday – Thursday, 8.45am – 5.15pm Friday, 8.45am – 4.45pm) call Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub: 0300 555 2866
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Out of office hours (evenings, weekends and bank holidays) Emergency Response Team Telephone: 0300 555 2922
https://go.walsall.gov.uk/walsall-safeguarding-partnership/Report-a-concern/For-a-child
Online Safety
At Whitehall we want to encourage our pupils to use the Internet as much as is possible whilst in school but at all times safely. Parents, pupils and staff must sign an appropriate usage form to ensure that they understand the risks and sanctions relating to misuse of the Internet in and beyond the school.
As a parent/carer if you need any advice or help with Internet safety then please speak to any teacher or have a look on our website's Online Safety page in the Parent section. Online Safety
Staff know of any misuse, either by a teacher, staff member, volunteer or child, the issue must be reported to the Headteacher without delay.
The Headteacher has overall responsibility for Internet safety and will work with our IT provider and Walsall online safeguarding team if the need arises.
The school will ensure that:
- All Internet use is monitored by the local authority using 'Smoothwall' to alert us of any person accessing inappropriate sites or information.
- The school uses Southwest Grid for Learning to ensure that our filtering and monitoring systems are working. The DSL runs regular checks on different computers within school. A record of this is placed within our Single Central Record.
- Pupils will be encouraged to discuss openly their use of technology and anything which makes them feel uncomfortable. If this results in child protection concerns, then staff will inform the DSL and enter it on our My Concerns system.
- Every effort is made to encourage pupils not to give out their personal details, phone numbers, school, home addresses, computer passwords etc.
- Pupils adhere to the school’s acceptable user agreement when in school
- Pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe, in school and when using the Internet
- Training is provided to all teaching and class based support staff on online safety
- The DSL and the Computing Lead regularly attend training updates delivered by the Local Authority.