St Theresa's Catholic Primary School

Information for Parents about Safeguarding

Safeguarding at St Theresa's

St Theresa’s Catholic Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We are fully committed to ensuring that consistent effective safeguarding procedures are in place to support families, children and staff at school. All concerns are passed through the members of staff who are trained as “Designated Safeguarding Leads” in school. 

Please click on the links below to read the safeguarding and child protection policy.

Educating our Children about Safeguarding

At our school, we place the highest importance on safeguarding and ensuring our children feel safe and secure. This approach helps our children develop a clear understanding of safeguarding, promoting a safe and supportive school environment for everyone. We teach our pupils to recognise trusted adults and understand the importance of reporting any concerns to a member of staff. If they have any worries or if you feel that something may be troubling them, however small, they know to tell an adult straight away.

Through our comprehensive PSHE curriculum, we educate pupils about safeguarding in an age-appropriate and supportive way. Lessons cover important topics such as staying safe online, recognising trusted adults, understanding healthy relationships, and knowing what to do if they feel worried or unsafe. We empower our pupils with the knowledge and skills they need to protect themselves and make safe choices, both in school and in the wider world. By fostering open discussions and promoting confidence, we ensure that every child understands their right to feel safe and knows how to seek help when needed.

Cause for Concern

Staff are expected to report any causes for concern to the Designated safeguarding Leads by updating CPOMS. Any concerns will be shared with parents/carers as early as possible, as often there are extremely reasonable explanations for the concern. Concerns may range from children being visibly upset to persistent lateness to children “disclosing” concerns. Concerns are reviewed by the Safeguarding team at supervision meetings. Our aim is always to ensure the safety and wellbeing of pupils.

Catholic Care

Catholic Care work with children, parents and families on a variety of different issues such as anger, behaviour in school or at home, bullying, health worries, anxiety, stress, separation and grief. 

Catholic Care provide emotional, physical, social, spiritual & mental health therapeutic support when needed. All sessions are in a safe environment and are confidential. 

Our Catholic Care worker is Amanda

Prevent Duty

As part of our commitment to safeguarding and child protection we fully support the government's Prevent Duty, and take guidance to help build resilience to extremism. Our school has a Prevent risk assessment which staff have read and understood.

What is the Prevent Duty?

The Prevent Duty is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. It:

Responds to the ideological challenge we face from terrorism and aspects of extremism, and the threat we face from those who promote these views

Provides practical help to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure they are given appropriate advice and support

works with a wide range of sectors (including education, criminal justice, faith, charities, online and health)

For more information please click the link from the DfE website The Prevent Duty

Online Safety

All staff at St Theresa’s Catholic primary School understand that using online services is an important aspect of raising educational standards, and enhancing teaching and learning although online risks remain significant. Online Safety is embedded throughout the school to ensure the safety of pupils and staff.

Keeping Children Safe in Education1 states that “Schools and colleges should consider carrying out an annual review of their approach to online safety”. This should be led by the designated safeguarding lead and online safety lead because they “take lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection (including online safety and understanding…filtering and monitoring…” (KCSIE 2024)

Please click on the links below to read our Online Safety Policy and ICT Acceptable Use Policy

Domestic Violence

Safer Leeds have updated their website to include more useful information for victims of Domestic Violence and people delivering services. Please see link below for more information.

https://www.leeds.gov.uk/antisocial-behaviour-and-crime/domestic-violence-and-abuse

ADVICE TO PARENTS

Please find some useful links below: