Safeguarding

Branwood is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children  and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The school always considers “the best interests of the child”.

There is a zero-tolerance approach to child-on-child abuse.

We follow the Greater Manchester Safeguarding Procedures which are adopted by  Salford Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP). The procedures provide a framework within which all agencies and professionals can work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people across Greater Manchester. All our staff are trained by SSCP within this framework.

http://greatermanchesterscb.proceduresonline.com

We ensure our practice adhere to ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)’, statutory guidance for schools and colleges on safeguarding children and safer recruitment.

Responding to concerns about child protection

All adults working at Branwood (including visitors, volunteers and contractors) have a responsibility to report concerns where they believe a child may be at risk of harm or neglect. All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to appropriately. This information will be dealt with as confidentially as possible and made known to only those staff who need to know.

Whilst school deal with child protection concerns sensitively and with care, we do have a legal responsibility to report concerns to Partner agencies through the integrated front door and/or the police and we follow the procedures set out by Salford Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP).

Further information can be found in our Safeguarding Policy here

Key Contacts

The Bridge Partnership for child protection referrals – tel: 0161 603 4500 or e mail worriedaboutachild@salford.gov.uk

GMP Public Protection Investigation Unit (PPIU) – for referrals/consultation about crime-related safeguarding concerns – tel: 0161 856 5171 or e mail parklane.ppiu@gmp.police.uk

Managing allegations against an employee (or volunteer) – Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) tel: 0161 603 4350 / 4445

Managing allegations against adults who work with children | Salford Safeguarding Children Partnership

Worried About a Child?

All reports or enquiries concerning the welfare or safety of a child must go straight to The Bridge Partnership on 0161 603 4500 as the first port of call. This applies to reports from council staff, the public, partners and outside agencies.  All referrals and request for support concerning the welfare or safety of a child must go through the Bridge Partnership via the online Salford City Council’s portal and information hub for services to Children, Young people and families athttps://childrensportalehm.salford.gov.uk/web/portal/pages/home

If a child is in immediate danger of being harmed, or if a child is home alone, the police should be called on 999.

Operation Encompass

The purpose of Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in or witness to a domestic abuse incident. Domestic abuse impacts on children in a number of ways. Children are at increased risk of physical injury during an incident, either by accident or because they attempt to intervene. Even when not directly injured, children are greatly distressed by witnessing the physical and emotional suffering of a parent.

Encompass has been created to address this situation. It is the implementation of key partnership working between the police and schools. The aim of sharing information with local schools is to allow ‘Key Adults’ the opportunity of engaging with the child and to provide access to support that allows them to remain in a safe but secure familiar environment.

Following the report of an incident of domestic abuse the school’s Key Adult will be informed immediately that the child or young person has been involved in a domestic incident. This knowledge, given to schools through Operation Encompass, allows the provision of immediate early intervention through silent or overt support dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child. For further details please Click Here.