Safeguarding at Doubletrees - Who's Who?

As a school, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils. We recognise that everyone who comes into contact with children has a duty to safeguard and promote children’s welfare.

We ensure that all appropriate measures are applied in relation to everyone who works in the school who is likely to be perceived by the children as a safe and trustworthy adult, including governors and volunteers. All members of staff therefore, whether paid or voluntary, are required to have an enhanced DBS check.

The school shares a purpose with parents to educate, keep children safe from harm and have their welfare promoted. We are committed to working with parents positively, openly and honestly. We always encourage parents to discuss any concerns they may have with the school as soon as possible.

The school employs a number of strategies in order to maximise learning opportunities and reduce risks associated with the Internet (e-safety). The Trust has developed an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP); the aim of this policy is to ensure that pupils/students benefit from learning opportunities offered by the school’s Internet and Computing resources in a safe and effective manner.  We ask parents/carers of the school to sign this policy which outlines ways they can encourage their child to use the Internet in a safe way when they are at home. 

The school has identified the Head Teacher as the Designated Safeguarding Lead with responsibility for child protection. The school has additionally identified other members of the Senior Leadership Team as Deputy Safeguarding Leads; this is to ensure the safety and welfare of our learners remains paramount over the school's split site.  All members of the Senior Leadership Team have undertaken specific child protection training which includes how to fulfil their role. Refresher training by the Senior Leadership Team is undertaken at two yearly intervals.

All other school staff, including non-teaching staff, volunteers and governors undertake appropriate in house training to equip them to carry out their responsibilities for child protection effectively. This is kept up to date by annual refresher training. There are robust arrangements which ensure all staff know how to raise any concern in relation to the welfare of our pupils.

Doubletrees School has a designated Safeguarding and Whistleblowing governor; additionally two of our governors have undertaken ‘safer recruitment training’ alongside the head teacher, both assistant head teachers and our office manager. This training is updated every two years to keep the school in line with all statutory guidance. Safeguarding is an established agenda item at each full governor meeting and each staff meeting.

The school has established a health, safety and well-being group which meets on a termly basis and reports back to the Local Governing Body & Trustees.

During our Ofsted inspection held in July 2023, the inspectors recognised that ‘The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff are aware of the importance of safeguarding pupils. Leaders ensure that this is a priority and that staff have the necessary knowledge to fulfil this. Training ensures staff keep up to date with current challenges. Staff remain vigilant to concerns about pupils. They identify and report concerns at the earliest opportunity. Leaders are persistent in their work with external agencies to secure the help that pupils and their families need. Pupils feel safe. They can identify trusted adults who they are confident will help.  Pupils recall their learning about risks and how to keep themselves safe’.

Please refer to our Child Protection / Safeguarding Policy in the policy section of this site.

Child Protection/Safeguarding Information

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child at Doubletrees School please contact Heidi Hoskin (Designated Safeguarding Lead), Lou Doyle or Jo Hobbs (Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads) on 01726 812757.

For information from the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Safeguarding Children Partnership, please click on the following link:

https://ciossafeguarding.org.uk/scp

If you are worried about any child you can also contact the following:

• Multi-agency Referral Unit: 0300 123 1116
• Out of Hours Service: 01208 251300
• Police 101

If you have concerns about a professional or volunteer working with a child you need to contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly on 01872 326536

Domestic Abuse Help

National Domestic Abuse Helpline Refuge runs the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, which can be called free of charge and in confidence, 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247. Its website provides guidance and support for potential victims, as well as those who are worried about friends and loved ones. It also has a form through which a safe time from the team for a call can be booked.  

      

Please click the images above for more information regarding our involvement with Operation Encompass

Support Services / Information

• ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) video
• Child Berevement UK
• Childline
• DfE - Reporting Child Abuse
• Educate Against Hate
• Keeping Children Safe in Education
• National Missing Persons Helpline
• NSPCC Safeguarding & Child Protection in Schools
• NSPCC Keeping Children Safe in Sport and Physical Activity
• Safeguarding Teaching Resources
• Safeguarding Resource Hub

Trust Position Statement: Pupil Mobile Phones on the School Site

The Trust is committed to maintaining a safe, calm and focused learning environment across all its schools. To support this, pupils are not permitted to access or use their mobile phones during the school day.  All pupils must hand in their phone on arrival each day and will have it returned to them at the end of the school day. 

We recognise that for a small number of pupils, mobile phones may be used to support communication, regulation or wellbeing. In such cases, the Trust is committed to ensuring that the pupil’s needs continue to be met without reliance on a mobile device. Schools will work with pupils, families and relevant professionals to implement appropriate and effective adjustments, so that necessary support remains in place.

Pupils and families are reassured that parents and carers can contact the school at any time should an urgent need arise. If a pupil needs to receive a message during the school day, the school will ensure this is communicated promptly and sensitively. This reassurance is particularly important for pupils with SEMH-related anxieties, who may need to know that contact can be made if necessary.

Where reasonable adjustments are required to support a pupil’s emotional needs or anxiety around handing in their phone, schools will work collaboratively with the pupil and family to design a personalised and practical process that ensures the phone is safely handed in while still supporting the pupil’s wellbeing.

For some pupils who are accessing work placement, or independent travel training , as well as young people who stay residentially, it may be deemed appropriate to support safe use of a mobile phone in full agreement with parents.  This would form part of their preparation for independent life beyond school.

Each school within the Trust operates its own local procedures for the collection, storage and return of mobile phones. These procedures all sit under the principles outlined in this Trust Position Statement and are applied consistently and respectfully.