Child Protection & Safeguarding
Child Protection & Safeguarding Statement
At The Oaks, we are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of all our children. Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility.
This statement applies to all staff, proprietors, volunteers and other adults working in, or on behalf of our school. It is an overarching message that brings together all of our safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures, including our full Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.
All school staff undertake annual safeguarding training to ensure they remain vigilant and well-informed. Children are taught about safeguarding in an age-appropriate way and are made aware of the adults they can talk to if they have any worries or concerns. We know how important it is to listen to our pupils and take seriously what they tell us.
Staff are trained to recognise signs of physical, emotional, or sexual harm, as well as neglect. They are required to report any concerns immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). In some cases, where we believe a child may be at risk, we may need to consult with other agencies. Whenever possible, we will always discuss these concerns with parents/carers beforehand, in line with our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.
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Safeguarding TeamSafeguarding Team
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Safer RecruitmentSafer Recruitment
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WhistleblowingWhistleblowing
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Information for PupilsInformation for Pupils
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Other PoliciesOther Policies
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Reporting ConcernsReporting Concerns
Our Safeguarding Team
- Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Jo Anderson (Executive Headteacher)
- Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs): Becky Daddy, Tania Beales, and Anne-
Louise Warren - Proprietor with Safeguarding Responsibility: Julie Gilson
Together, we are committed to ensuring that The Oaks provides a safe, supportive, and nurturing
environment for every child.
If you are worried about a child, please contact us through the school office on 01782 405598 or by email: exechead@theoaks.school
For further information about our Child Protection policies and procedures, please see below.
Our Child Protection Policy outlines our commitment to safeguarding, child protection, roles and responsibilities of all adults that work with children in our school and detailed practice guidance. This policy is available on the school website here. Alternatively, a hard copy can be requested through the school office.
The Oaks, like all schools in England, follows the Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance from the Department for Education when carrying out our duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. This guidance can be accessed here.
Safer Recruitment
At The Oaks, we ensure that all appropriate safeguarding measures are applied to everyone who works in our school and who is likely to be perceived by pupils as a safe and trustworthy adult. This includes all staff, volunteers and individuals employed by external contractors.
Our safer recruitment practice pays full regard to current Department for Education (DfE) guidance, including:
- Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)
- Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education
The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Deputy DSLs, School Business Manager and the Proprietor with responsibility for safeguarding have all undertaken Safer Recruitment training. This ensures that robust processes are consistently applied to protect the welfare of children throughout recruitment
and appointment procedures.
Our Safer Recruitment Policy is fully in line with the Department for Education’s statutory guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE). It sets out the robust processes we follow to ensure that all adults working with, or on behalf of, our pupils are suitable and safe to do so and is available from the school office upon request.
Whistleblowing
At The Oaks, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. If any member of staff, volunteer, or proprietor has concerns about an individual working with children in either a paid or unpaid capacity, they have a duty of care and, in many cases, a professional duty to report these concerns to the school’s management.
Concerns may be raised verbally or in writing. All issues will be managed sensitively and with an appropriate level of confidentiality to protect both the child and the individual raising the concern.
The school follows the Local Authority’s Whistleblowing Policy, which provides guidance for staff on how to raise concerns and the protections available to them. A copy of the school’s Whistleblowing Policy is available on our website (link to Whistleblowing policy when available on website) and from the school office.
Safeguarding Information for Pupils
At The Oaks, all children are made aware of the trusted adults in school whom they can talk to if they have any worries or concerns. We are committed to ensuring that pupils understand what behaviour towards them is not acceptable and how they can keep themselves safe.
All pupils know that there are three senior leaders with responsibility for safeguarding, and they are clear about who these adults are and how they can be approached. Pupils are also provided with information about additional sources of help outside school, including the NSPCC and Childline, and they know how to access this support if needed.
Through PSHE lessons, assemblies, awareness days, and day-to-day interactions with staff, children are taught strategies to keep themselves safe both in the real world and online. Safeguarding is embedded across our curriculum to empower pupils to recognise risks, build resilience, and seek help when needed.
You can view all our policies and procedures here.
Other Policies
Reporting a Concern
***If you are concerned about a child, please use the following contact details:***
If you think a child or young person is in immediate danger telephone 999
If you live in Stoke-on-Trent:
If a child or young person is at risk of significant harm contact the Safeguarding Referral Team Telephone 01782 235100 : email SRT.Referrals@stoke.gov.uk
Emergency Duty Team – 01782 234234 (After 5pm )