We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
The School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Mr Cottrell.
Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) is Ms Holloway.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility
The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is responsible for promoting a safe environment for children and young people. Mr Cottrell is the first point of contact for all staff and volunteers to go to for advice if they have a concern about a child’s welfare. The DSL and Deputy DSL (DDSLs) all have a higher level of safeguarding training and knowledge than the rest of the staff, which is updated biannually.
From time to time, we have safeguarding concerns about children in our school. We will endeavour to share any concerns we may have with parents regarding the welfare of their child, as appropriate. We have a duty to refer to social care if we suspect a child is suffering from or may be at risk of significant harm. If we make a referral to social care, we will inform the parents concerned, unless to do so could place the child at increased risk of significant harm. Our first concern will always be the welfare of the child.
We will advise the Local Authority Designated Officer for Allegations (LADO) at Wiltshire Local Authority if we have any concerns about the actions of an adult in a position of trust at Chapmanslade.
All staff and volunteers are trained regularly to ensure they are fully aware of school expectations and key policies and procedures as well as national statutory requirements. School leaders ensure that stringent, safer recruitment practices are adhered to when recruiting new staff.
For more information on safeguarding within our school, please see our Safeguarding Leaflet, which is also available in the School Office Lobby.
Our Safeguarding policy can be found by clicking here.
Out of hours
Children/Students can seek support via Childline on 0800 1111. The phone call is free and it is a confidential helpline.
Operation Encompass
Our school receives information from Wiltshire Police in the event of any of our pupils experiencing or witnessing domestic violence or abuse. This information is shared as part of Wiltshire Police’s ‘Operation Encompass’ programme, aiming to ensure schools can offer support to these pupils when needed.
Wiltshire Police aim to share this information with us before the next school day, following a domestic incident, so that we can be ready to support the pupil on their arrival to school. Wiltshire Police also confirm with school whether or not the pupil is aware of the incident, so that decisions can be made around whether or not explicit or more discreet support can be offered.
In the event of an incident taking place outside of Wiltshire, the relevant Police Force dealing with the situation will pass the information to Wiltshire Police, who will then inform school via Operation Encompass.