St Gregory & St Patrick's Catholic Infant School

Staff Training

All staff in school undergo regular updated safeguarding training. Safeguarding training for staff, including online safety training, is integrated, aligned and considered as part of the whole school safeguarding approach and wider staff training and curriculum planning.

Beyond this, the designated safeguarding lead – known as the DSL- (and deputies)  undergo training to provide them with the knowledge and skills required to carry out the role. This training is updated at least every two years and provides a good understanding of the role, how to identify, understand and respond to specific needs that can increase the vulnerability of children, as well as specific harms that can put children at risk, and the processes, procedures and responsibilities of other agencies, particularly local authority children’s social care.

Safer Recruiting

Our School aims to create a culture of safe recruitment and, as part of that, adopt recruitment procedures that help deter, reject or identify people who might abuse or be a risk to the safety or welfare of children.  The Governing Body act reasonably in making decisions about the suitability of prospective employees, supply staff, volunteers and contractors based on checks and evidence including: criminal record checks (DBS checks), barred list checks, Childcare Disqualification declaration (where relevant) and, in the case of teaching staff, prohibition checks together with references and interview information.

We ensure that we have processes in place for continuous vigilance, maintaining an environment that deters and prevents abuse and challenges inappropriate behaviour so that staff feel comfortable to discuss matters both within and outside of the workplace which may have implications for the safeguarding of children.  We also ensure that staff understand the process and procedures to follow if they have a safeguarding concern about another staff member.

The Governing Body will ensure that at least one person on any appointment panel has undertaken safer recruitment training and that the training is updated as necessary.