At Manor Farm Academy, our whole school community take an active role in the pastoral care of our children; it is very important to us and we ensure that we provide a high level of duty of care, welfare and safety for all children.
At Manor Farm Academy we endeavor to support all pupils including those who may be experiencing barriers to learning which could be related to social, emotional, health or personal reasons. We deal sensitively and effectively with our children’s needs and concerns.
All our staff contribute towards ensuring our pupils have the opportunity to achieve by helping to remove any obstacles that barrier successful learning. We work together as a team to equip our pupils with the confidence and skills to be effective learners and positive members of the community. Building strong relationships with both parents and outside agencies, ensures that we are able to support the mentoring of our children.
Our aim is to:
Provide an environment which will support the emotional health and well-being of all the pupils.
Support targeted children in developing social, emotional and behavioural skills within the school setting.
Support and empower families who may be experiencing difficulties.
Supporting Children
Manor Farm Academy has a climate of trust, respect and confidence, and our pupils can seek support from teachers, support staff and each other whenever the need may arise.
In addition to this, children are able to access pastoral support at any time via Mrs Speed our designated Pastoral TA.
If the need arises, and with the consent of parents, children can be signposted to the support of relevant outside agencies.
The Safeguarding Team & Reporting Concerns
We have 5 Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) at Manor Farm Academy. These are: Andrea Collins, Charlotte Cosgrove, Lisa Sellers, Gillian Boast and Claire Speed. This team work closely alongside Rebecca Hyder from the central team at LEAD Academy Trust. Our Safeguarding Governor is Nat Train.
We have a robust system for recording incidents called ‘My Concern’. This online portal enables any issue raised to be recorded, at any time, by any member of staff. It provides the DSL team and Academy Governing Body with comprehensive reports, enabling challenge, which ensures staff are held to account.
Every term, our safeguarding team work alongside the Trust and Director of Schools to complete a ‘Safeguarding Audit’ which is used to ensure safeguarding practices are exemplary across the academy. Pupil and parent voice is regularly captured to ensure that pupils feel safe in our school.
Planning always ensures at least one DSL is on site at any given time, however all staff are aware that any concerns can be called through to customer services social care team on: 01522 782111.
Important Safeguarding Information
We are committed to safeguarding and meeting the needs of all our pupils. The information below provides some useful advice and information when working with our pupils.
What are your responsibilities as a visitor to our Academy?
All those who come into contact with pupils have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children.
Supply teachers/students will be briefed on arrival to site before they begin work. They will be aware of possible signs and indicators of abuse and must bring any concerns immediately to a DSL.
DBS Checks
Manor Farm Academy requires all adults who work in a regulated activity to be checked through the Disclosure and Barring Service. If you are volunteering we will ask you to complete various forms including references, and provide photo I.D. not only to verify your identity, but to provide contact details. You are required to inform the headteacher immediately if you become subject to any criminal investigation. You must also declare if you are living with someone who has committed an offence against children. Debarring by Association. Everyone in our Academy is asked to make this declaration as they come into contact with under 8’s.
What you should do if you are worried about a child?
Whilst working with a child, if you become worried about:
- Comments made by a child
- Marks or bruising on a child
- Changes in a child’s behaviour or demeaner
- Disclosures of any nature that may indicate risk of harm to a child
- You must report these concerns to a Designated Safeguarding Lead and log the concern on My Concern
If a child makes a disclosure to you
- Listen, allow the child to talk freely.
- Reassure but DON’T promise anything.
- DO NOT promise confidentiality.
- DO NOT interrogate, do not ask them to write it down.
- Reassure them that it was right to talk.
What if a child expresses concern about a staff member?
If a child is to do this, it must be reported to the headteacher, if it is about the headteacher it must be reported to the Chair of Governors.
Appropriate Behaviour
- As a visitor or volunteer you may well work closely with pupils. We need to have mutual trust and respect.
- You should not engage in physical contact with the children if they instigate this it should be reported to class teacher.
- Do not photograph/record the pupils and do not have you mobile phone or camera out whilst on site. Do not exchange numbers or engage on social media with any pupils.
Confidentiality
It is expected of everybody in school not to discuss anything they hear or see on site with anybody else.
Do you have a safeguarding concern?
As a parent, or member of the public, we all have a duty of care to ensure that we support the safeguarding of all young people and those who are deemed vulnerable. If you have a safeguarding concern and wish to speak to a safeguarding lead at the academy, please call 01522 681892 and ask to speak to a DSL to raise a safeguarding concern. If your concern is beyond the school day, at a weekend or during the school holidays, any member of the public can call the customer services social care team on: 01522 782111. You will be able to share your concern with them, you can remain anonymous, however, it is helpful if you are able to share who you are, which will remain confidential. This allows them to be able to filter out malicious calls.