Safeguarding
Safeguarding
The safety of our students is paramount. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and at Chances we take our duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children extremely seriously.
We follow all statutory guidelines as well as our own policies and procedures. Our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy can be viewed here and we would be happy to provide a paper copy on request.
We will always act to protect a child where there is a disclosure or concern about child abuse. Child abuse can take a range of different forms. It is any action by another person (adult or child) that causes harm to a child. It can be defined as physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse or neglect.
More information about child protection and safeguarding can be found on the Devon Children and Families Partnership (DCFP) website.
Safeguarding Team
Steve Evans - Designated Safeguarding Lead steve.evans@spacepsm.org
Gary Hayes - Head Teacher and Designated Teacher for Children in Care gary.hayes@spacepsm.org
Deputy Safeguarding Leads
Matt Buck - matt.buck@spacepsm.org
Safeguarding Governor
Jo Chappell Jo.CHAPPELL@coombesheadacademy.org.uk
Reporting a Concern
If you have a concern which involves the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person, please contact Miss Lisa Money during school hours on either:
Phone: 01626 864412
Email: steve.evans@spacepsm.org
If the concern is serious and outside of school hours, please contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) for your area
DEVON:
0345 155 1071
Out of Hours Emergency Duty Team 0345 6000 388
TORBAY:
01803 208100
Out of Hours Emergency Duty Team 0300 456 4876
PLYMOUTH:
01752 668000
Out of Hours Emergency Duty Team 01752 346984
Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub
MASH is a partnership between a Local Authority and children’s social care, education and youth services; NHS health services; Police; and the Probation Service working together to safeguard children and young people.
When a professional, family member or member of the public is concerned about a child or young person’s safety, they can contact MASH. They deal with all enquiries/referrals where there is a child protection concern. You can find out more about what the organisation does and how to contact them in the MASH Information sheet below.
If you have serious concerns about a child or young person, or if you need help parenting your child, you can call one of the numbers above, or email: mashsecure@devon.gcsx.gov.uk
mash@torbay.gov.uk
gateway@plymouth.gov.uk
This MASH Parent Fact Sheet refers to Devon MASH, but the process is the same across all local authorities
Managing Allegations Against Adults Working With Children or Young People
Local Area Designated Officers (LADO) provide advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations that have concerns about a person working or volunteering with children and young people who may have behaved inappropriately or if information has been received that may constitute an allegation.
If you consider a LADO referral is needed:
Gather the relevant information: the name, date of birth and home address of the ADULT connected to the allegation/incident; the child/children’s details (LADO procedures cannot begin without this information)
It is advisable that you initially discuss the details with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (Lisa Money – lisa.money@spacepsm.org) and record/log the details in your relevant records
They will also need your name, your organisation’s address and the role you have in your organisation
Once you have this information, call Exeter (01392) 384964
For more information please visit the Local Area Designated Officers website.
Operation Encompass
Chances is proud to be an Operation Encompass school.
Operation Encompass is a police and education early information safeguarding partnership enabling schools to offer immediate support to children experiencing domestic abuse.
Where a child has experienced a domestic abuse incident, we will be contacted by the relevant police force prior to the school day so that we can be ready to provide support to that child.
You can learn more about Operation Encompass here.
Safeguarding Advice and Support
Further information can be found by clicking on the appropriate link: