Safeguarding

SELCAT is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment.
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The Trust aims to provide a caring, positive, safe and stimulating environment which promotes the social, physical and moral development of the individual child, and strive to make sure that every student in the Trust feels secure, well cared for, and able to reach their full potential.
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The Trust understands and is committed to the vital contribution that all Directors, Governors, staff, parents/carers and students can make to safeguarding children. Every member of staff has a collective recognition of the importance of providing an environment that helps children feel safe and respected, and a culture that encourages children to talk openly, and have the confidence they will be listened to.

Safeguarding is the proactive stance, which aims to protect children from abuse or harm, and Child Protection is the reactive stance taken to support students whom the school suspects may be in need of protection.
 
We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Safeguarding Policy.

​The aim of the policy is to ensure that our schools have effective measures in place to safeguard your children from the potential risk of harm, and that the safety and well-being of the children are of the highest priority in all aspects of our school's work.
 

Having the policy in place ensures that all members of our school community:

• Are aware of their responsibilities in relation to Safeguarding and Child Protection.
• Know the procedures that should be followed if they have a cause for concern.
• Know where to go to find additional information regarding safeguarding.
• Are aware of the key indicators relating to child abuse.
• Fully support the school's commitment to Safeguarding and Child Protection..

 
Safeguarding is not just about protecting children from deliberate harm. It presents schools with a wide range of issues that they need to be prepared for.
 
Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child's welfare.

Concerns

If you have any concerns regarding a pupil at one of our academies, please speak to the Academy's Designated Safeguarding Lead in the first instance.

If you have a safeguarding concern which you would like to raise with the Trust then please email: safeguarding@selcat.org.uk

If you have a concern about a pupil outside of school hours please contact your local authority Social Services department (details on the LA website) 

If you think a child or young person is in immediate danger, the best thing to do is call 999 for the emergency services.