This is a really useful Powerpoint containing all the relevant links needed.

Mel Walmsley (Deputy Headteacher) is the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

They are both fully trained in Child Protection & Safeguarding, and in Safer Recruitment.

Within STAR MAT we also have Cayte Mulhern, our Trust Safeguarding Lead for advice, support and further training.

Allyson Buckton: headteacher@bp.starmat.uk

Mel Walmsley: m.walmsley@bp.starmat.uk

Cayte Mulhern: c.mulhern@starmat.uk

j.lamb@bp.starmat.uk

The role of the Designated Safeguarding Leader was specified in the Children's Act 2004 and ensured that every organisation had a 'named person' for safeguarding children and young people. Prior to that, the role had frequently been known as the Child Protection Officer.

The Designated Safeguarding Leader has a responsibility at both a strategic level within the organisation and on a day-to-day basis.

• Ensuring all staff are trained and kept updated on key aspects of safeguarding
• Making sure all staff are aware of how to raise safeguarding concerns.
• Ensuring all staff understand the symptoms of child abuse and neglect.
• Referring any concerns to social care.
• Monitoring children who are the subject of child protection plans.
• Maintaining accurate and secure child protection records.

If you have any concerns about any adult or child in the school community, you must

1) raise your concerns with the Designated Safeguarding Leads - either by phone or face to face.

2) Login to CPOMS (school staff) and make an Incident Report.

If the safeguarding concerns involves the Headteacher, contact Jade Lamb, the Safeguarding Governor.

It could happen here. Please click on the link below to read about what can happen when there is institutional neglect:

Somerset Serious Case review

School staff & visitors should avoid any behaviour which could be misconstrued as grooming behaviour. Grooming is when a person engages in predatory conduct to prepare a child or young person for sexual activity at a later time.

Grooming can include communicating and/or attempting to befriend or establish a relationship or other emotional connection with the child or their parent/carer.

Young people are often 'groomed' before they are sexually abused. At first they may be tricked into thinking they are in a safe and normal relationship so they may not know it’s happening or may feel they have no choice but to be abused.

It may be hard to identify when someone is being groomed until after they have been sexually abused, because grooming behaviour can sometimes look like ‘normal’ caring behaviour, however this is not always the case.​

Examples of grooming behaviour may include:

• giving gifts or special attention to a child or young person, or their parent or carer, making the child or young person feel special and/or indebted to an adult
  
• making close physical contact sexual, such as inappropriate tickling and wrestling/play fighting
  
• openly or pretending to accidentally expose the victim to nudity, sexual material and sexual acts (this in itself is classified as child sexual abuse but can also be a precursor to physical sexual assault)
  
• controlling a child or young person through threats, force or use of authority making the child or young person fearful to report unwanted behaviour

Groomers may rely on mobile phones, social media and the internet to interact with children in inappropriate ways and will often ask the child to keep their relationship a secret. The grooming process may continue for months before the offender arranges a physical meeting.

More information can be found here:

Child Sexual Exploitation and Grooming

When to call the Police

If you are worried about a child, anyone can make a referral to Children's Social Care: you do not have to do it through the school. You can contact NYCC Customer Service Centre, who will take some brief information:

Referrals can also be made online through https://www.safeguardingchildren.co.uk/

Please click on the links below to read official documentation relating to the conduct of staff and Governors in school.

Starmat Staff Code of Conduct

Starmat Trustees and Governors Code of Conduct

Starmat Gifts and Hospitality Policy

Starmat Confidentiality Policy

Starmat Information Protection Policy

Starmat Whistle blowing Policy and Procedures

Starmat Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy

The websites below are shared with our community through fliers, social media and the school website.