Safeguarding

Safeguarding Statement of Intent

At Leigh Trust, we are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all members of our school community. This safeguarding statement of intent outlines our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in our care, and how we ensure that this commitment is fulfilled.

Our ethos, as reflected by our website www.leightrust.co.uk, serves as the foundation of our approach to safeguarding. We believe that every child and young person has the right to grow and develop in an environment that is free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We strive to create an inclusive, nurturing, and respectful culture that celebrates diversity and values the well-being of all individuals.

To fulfil our commitment to safeguarding, we have implemented the following measures and practices across our Trust:

1. Rigorous Recruitment Procedures: We adhere to robust recruitment and selection processes, including comprehensive background checks, to ensure that all staff members, volunteers, and contractors working with children and young people are suitable and safe to be in their roles.
2. Staff Training and Development: We provide regular safeguarding training and professional development opportunities for all staff members to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify signs of abuse or neglect, understand the reporting procedures, and know how to respond appropriately to concerns.
3. Clear Policies and Procedures: We have established and regularly review a comprehensive set of safeguarding policies and procedures that are easily accessible to all staff, students, parents, and stakeholders. These policies cover areas such as child protection, online safety, anti-bullying, and whistleblowing, among others.
4. Designated Safeguarding Leads: Each school within Leigh Trust has a designated safeguarding lead who is responsible for coordinating safeguarding efforts, supporting staff, and liaising with external agencies. These designated individuals receive specialised training to fulfil their role effectively. Our collaborative approach includes a network for our Designated Safeguarding Leads to share best practice and grow to enhance our safeguarding procedures across the Trust.

5. Effective Communication and Partnership: We actively promote open and transparent communication between staff, students, parents, and external agencies. We encourage the reporting of any concerns or incidents promptly, and we are committed to listening, supporting, and taking appropriate action.

6. Curriculum and Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE): We deliver a well-rounded curriculum that includes age-appropriate safeguarding education, covering topics such as personal safety, healthy relationships, online safety, and resilience. Our PSHE programs provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to stay safe and make informed decisions. Our EPIC Curriculum looks at the aspects we want our pupils to be secure in when they go to the next stage of their education. Power and Community are two aspects which are promoted throughout our pupils' time at our schools.
7. Continuous Monitoring and Review: We regularly monitor and review our safeguarding practices to ensure they remain effective and in line with statutory requirements and best practices. We actively seek feedback from all stakeholders and utilise external audits and inspections to assess our safeguarding provision.

We are committed to working in partnership with parents, carers, students, staff, and external agencies to create a culture of vigilance and collective responsibility for safeguarding. Together, we strive to create an environment where all children and young people can thrive, feel safe, and reach their full potential.

This safeguarding statement of intent is a living document that will be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect any changes in legislation, guidance, or best practice. We are dedicated to maintaining a proactive and responsive approach to safeguarding and ensuring the well-being of all members of our school community

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy