Safeguarding

Saint Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, the Borough, is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all children in school. All London schools follow the London Safeguarding Children Board procedures. The school will, in most circumstances, endeavour to discuss all concerns with parents about their child/ren. However, there may be exceptional circumstances when the school will discuss concerns with Social Care and/or the Police without parental knowledge (in accordance with Child Protection procedures). 

At Saint Joseph’s we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and take account of the information contained in the Department for Education documents ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ and ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education: Statutory Guidance for Schools and Colleges (DfE, updated annually)’. The safety and protection of children is of paramount importance to everyone in this school. 

All members of staff at Saint Joseph’s have regular training on safeguarding procedures and all visitors to the school are provided with key safeguarding advice and made aware of their responsibilities whilst in school. Each classroom and working area of the school displays the key safeguarding information on a yellow laminated card, along with key supporting documentation. 

If a concern is raised where it is deemed necessary, the Designated Safeguarding Lead will contact the safeguarding team at Southwark Local Authority Children’s Social Care (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub, MASH) in order for further advice or action. Although this responsibility is delegated to the DSL, anyone can make a referral to MASH in an emergency, via 020 7525 1921 or mash@southwark.gov.uk

Safeguarding Team

If you are concerned about the safety of any child, even if they are not at our school, we can give you advice and help you report it. We will gladly see you in private if you want. Come into school and speak to our office or contact us via email or phone. You can download a copy of our Safeguarding policy on our policies page.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Sarah Bergin (Deputy Headteacher)

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL): Catherine Fulton  (Headteacher)

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL): Stephanie Monerawela (Class Teacher)

Operation Encompass

Saint Joseph’s is now working as part of the Operation Encompass project – a collaboration between schools and the police to safeguard our children. Operation Encompass will report to schools the following school day if a child has been exposed to, or been involved in, any domestic incident. All information will be treated in strict confidence. Read more about the project here: https://www.operationencompass.org/ 

Child Protection/Safeguarding Policy

safeguarding policy 2023 2024.pdf