Safeguarding 

Safeguarding is a priority at St Christopher’s. Every member of staff has a responsibility for the safety of our children.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children, their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding them and promoting their welfare. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professionals should make sure their approach is child-centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.

Security

Our school gates are locked once the children are in, until the end of the school day.

Visitors to the school day can only enter via the school office. Visitors are usually people we know well, or an appointment has been made. All visitors to school are asked to  show ID, they sign in and out at the office and wear a visitors badge for the duration of their visit.

If you have any concerns re: Safeguarding, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Leads:

Mrs Waters – Headteacher

Mrs Eccles – Deputy Headteacher

We always strive to provide a safe environment for our children.

Operation Encompass

Our school has been given the opportunity take part in a new project that will run in partnership with Manchester Safeguarding Board and Greater Manchester Police.

The project, Operation Encompass, has been designed to provide early reporting to schools of any domestic abuse incidents that occur outside of school but which might have an impact on a child attending school the following day. This information will be shared on school days during the school term. When incidents occur on a Friday, Saturday or a Sunday, the police will contact the relevant school the following Monday.

A nominated member of school staff, known as a Key Adult, will be trained to liaise with the police. At St Christopher’s our Key Adult is myself, Maria Waters, with Mrs Eccles as Deputy in this area. We will be able to use information that has been shared, in confidence, to ensure that the school is able to support children and their families. Information will be shared where it is identified that a child or young person was present, witnessed or was involved in a domestic abuse incident.

We always endeavour to offer the best support possible to our pupils and believe that Operation Encompass is going to be beneficial and supportive for all concerned children and families.