At St. Teresa's we recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice.
Safeguarding our pupils is a priority at St. Teresa's and educating our children on how they can keep themselves safe is essential.
PREVENT STATEMENT
Building resilience in our young people and the promotion of fundamental British values is at the heart of preventing radicalisation.
St Teresa's Primary School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils, staff and wider community. As a school we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is no different from safeguarding against any other vulnerability.
On 1 July 2015 the Prevent duty (section 26) of The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 came into force. This duty places the responsibility on local authorities to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.
There is no place for extremist views of any kind in our school; whether from internal sources (pupils, staff, visiting adults, governors) or external sources (families, school community, external agencies or individuals).
Any prejudice, discrimination or extremist views, including derogatory language, displayed by pupils, staff, visitors or parents will always be challenged and, where appropriate, dealt with.
As part of St Teresa's School’s commitment to safeguarding and child protection we fully support the government's Prevent Strategy.
Operation Encompass
Our school participates in Operation Encompass. This is a nationwide initiative, thoroughly researched and devolved by the Home Office. From Information available in April 2018, Operation Encompass was already in place in 33 out of 43 police forces in England and Wales and has been recognised and supported as best practice by the education bodies of both police and education.
Each school will be informed of all Domestic Abuse incidents, not just those where an offence can be identified or those which are graded as high risk. The partnership recognises that all incidents of Domestic Abuse can be harmful to children and young people.
A nominated member of staff known as a Key Adult, has been trained to liaise with the police. At St. Teresa's Catholic Primary School the Key Adults are Mrs Holmes and Mrs Moon. They will be able to use information that has been shared with them, in confidence, to ensure that the school makes provision for possible difficulties experienced by the children or their families.
The Key Adult will keep this information confidential, and will only share it on a need to know basis, for instance, to teaching staff for the child or young person. It will not be shared with other school students.