Safeguarding at PLC is of paramount importance. We ensure that all our staff are aware of, and have the skills to deal with, any child protection or safeguarding concerns. We have robust recruitment procedures and professional development programmes which ensure that all our staff uphold our strong ethos and values. All of our staff receive annual training in child protection as well as updates as required.

 

Please view our full Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.

 

Key School Contacts

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)  is Laura Spires.

The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSL) are Rhian Kempson, Dan Walton, Gareth Jones, Connie Coppin, Heather Beach, Sarah McCombe and Cassie Perryman.

The DSL team all have up to date, higher level Child Protection Training and can be contacted if you have concerns about a child.

The staff above can be reached using the main school number 01454 862630

If you are unable to contact any of these staff and your concern is urgent you can contact the South Glos Access and Response Team (ART) on 01454 866000.

Out of hours emergency duty team 01454 615165.

Staff at PLC are well placed to observe the outward signs of abuse and neglect. We recognise that within our student population there will be children who have suffered or are at risk of suffering abuse and neglect. This abuse may be physical, sexual, emotional or neglectful in nature and it is the role of all adults within the school community to protect children from such abuse.

Safeguarding is Everyone’s Responsibility.

In order to make sure we are well placed to take action to support children at risk, we place great emphasis upon the quality of relationships within the school and believe that children only develop their full potential in an atmosphere where they feel safe, valued, trusted and confident they will be listened to.  We recognise that children who are abused or witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self-worth. They may feel helplessness, humiliation and some sense of blame or shame.

The school may be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives of children at risk. When at school their behaviour may be challenging and defiant or they may be withdrawn, but we work tirelessly to support all our children and young people regardless of how challenging their behaviour may be at times. We focus on:

  • Positive relationships at the centre of all we do.
  • The content of the curriculum which addresses difficult issues in a sensitive manner.
  • The school ethos which promotes a positive, supportive and secure environment and gives students a sense of being valued.
  • The school Relationships (Behaviour) Policy is underpinned by the belief in redeemability and we work tirelessly to help CYP develop the strategies they need to regulate themselves and widen their window of tolerance.
  • The school will ensure that students know certain behaviour is unacceptable, but they are valued and not to be blamed for any abuse which has occurred.
  • We work very closely with other agencies that support students such as the Access and Response Teams, Children’s Services, Family and Young People’s Support, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Education Welfare and the Educational Psychology service.
  • Ensuring that, in the event of a student moving to another school, where there are safeguarding concerns, their information is transferred to the new school immediately and that the child’s social worker is informed.