Safeguarding
Safeguarding concerns?
Contact us:
t: 01237 437569
e: smalyn@northamfederation.devon.sch.uk
Or, contact MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) on 0345 1551071.
St. Margaret's is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect our staff, governors and volunteers to share this commitment to safeguarding our pupils:
SAFEGUARDING IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY
Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy 2024-2025
The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mr Sam Malyn (Headteacher). Our other trained Level 3 Safeguarding staff are Mr Dan Ovey, Miss Harley Bowskill (SENDCo), Mrs Denise Boyne and Mrs Adele Fulford (Lead Administrator). Our Safeguarding Governor is Sheila Bloomfield.
We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy which can be found in the policies section of our website.
All staff listen carefully to what children tell us and take what they tell us seriously. All staff are trained in child protection and are required to tell the Designated Safeguarding Lead what children tell us.
There are times when we may need to share information with other agencies when we are concerned for a child’s welfare. We always share our concerns about a child’s welfare with parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe it would not be beneficial for a child’s welfare.
The school actively supports the government’s Prevent Strategy to counter radicalisation and extremism.
The Devon Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) can be contacted on 0345 155 1071 or email mashsecure@devon.gov.uk MASH Parent Fact Sheet
We are an Operation Encompass school.
Operation Encompass runs jointly between local schools and Devon and Cornwall Police. It is a unique Police and Education early intervention safeguarding partnership which supports children and young people exposed to domestic abuse. Operation Encompass is the reporting to schools by the Police by 8am on the next school day when a child has been involved or exposed to a domestic abuse incident the previous evening.
The information is given in strict confidence to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead to enable support to be given dependent on the needs and wishes of the child.
E-Safety
Online Safety
St. Margaret's recognises that new technologies have become integral to the lives of children and young people in today’s society, both within school and in their lives at home.
The internet and other digital and information technologies are powerful tools, which open up new opportunities for everyone. Electronic communication helps teachers and children learn from each other. These technologies can stimulate discussion, promote creativity and increase awareness of context to promote effective learning. Children and young people should have an entitlement to safe internet access at all times.
Parents / Carers play a crucial role in ensuring that their children understand the need to use the internet/ mobile devices in an appropriate way. Research shows that many parents and carers do not fully understand the issues and are less experienced in the use of ICT than their children. Through a variety of workshops, the school will therefore take every opportunity to help parents understand these issues.
As well as our e-Safety & User Agreement Policy, the following are useful guidance for parents:
Internetmatters.Org - Information, Advice and Support to Keep Children Safe Online
Safeguarding: our Duty of Care
All safeguarding concerns can be reported to the school - 01237 473569. For out of hours/out of term time concerns please email - both email accounts are always checked daily:
Mr Sam Malyn - Safeguarding Lead - sam.malyn@vetrus.org.uk , or,
Mrs Adele Fulford - Safeguarding Deputy - adele.fulford@ventrus.org.uk