Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding children.

School staff and volunteers are particularly important as they are in a position to identify concerns early and provide help for children, to prevent concerns from escalating.

Schools and their staff form part of the wider safeguarding system for children working with social care, the police and health services both to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.

At Grange Academy we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our pupils. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where all of our children are respected and valued.

Every school is required to have a designated safeguarding lead or (DSL). 

At Grange Academy, this role is undertaken by Mrs Thomas – Designated Safeguarding Lead and Mrs Morris-Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL). 

The DSL has a duty and responsibility to follow the law as outlined in the school’s ‘Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy’. 

At times the DSL and DDSL have to undertake difficult conversations and would be negligent in their role if they did not follow up on any potential safeguarding concerns identified.

The responsibilities of our Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead are:

• Making sure all staff are aware of how to raise safeguarding concerns and of school procedures
• Ensuring staff receive regular Safeguarding training and updates
• Ensuring all staff understand and can recognise the symptoms of potential child abuse and neglect
• Referring any concerns to Children’s Social Care (Formerly Children’s Social Services) or other external agencies
• Monitoring children who are the subject of Child Protection plans (CP), Child in Need plans (CIN) and Team Around the Family plans (TAF)
• Maintaining accurate and secure child protection records
• Working closely with external agencies to support children and their families