Safeguarding
Safeguarding at Westhoughton High School
Safeguarding is central to everything we do at Westhoughton High School. Our LEARN ethos focuses on the core values of ‘looking after each other’, ‘enjoying our school’ and showing ‘respect for ourselves, each other and our environment’ – these shape the way we approach everything we do all of the time.
At Westhoughton High School Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
We expect that all staff, volunteers and visitors share this commitment irrespective of the role they undertake in school. We recognise that we are a big and busy school and so are relentless in ensuring that we have consistent and effective safeguarding procedures in place to support children, families and staff. We work hard to promote a culture of care and every member of our team fully understands the importance of making sure that
‘No student is missed’.
Further information on our specific support and guidance for safeguarding issues can be found in the relevant sections of our website
Additionally in our support section you can find a range of resources and more details of our Early Help offer in school.
Our Safeguarding Team
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. However, if you have specific concerns about a child at Westhoughton High School you can contact a member of our safeguarding team directly. Call 01942 814122 and explain that you need to a speak to a safeguarding member of staff.
Mrs Caroline Unsworth
Deputy Headteacher/Designated Safeguarding Lead
CUnsworth@westhoughton-high.org
Mrs Debbie Arstall
Integrated Support Worker/Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
DArstall@westhoughton-high.org
Ms Lisa Uehlein
Family Liaison and Safeguarding Officer/Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
LUehlein@westhoughton-high.org
Mrs Jane Torrance
Assistant Headteacher/Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
JTorrance@westhoughton-high.org
Miss Rebecca Beattie
Behaviour Support Manager/Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
RBeattie@westhoughton-high.org
Miss Jen Taylor
SEND Support Lead/Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Additionally you can contact your child’s pastoral team if you would like to discuss any issues or request support.
Year 7
Student Support Leader – Mr L Shaw
Student Progress Leader – Miss H Hill
Y7pastoralteam@westhoughton-high.org
Year 8
Student Support Leader – Mrs L Aaron
Student Progress Leader – Mr M Hancock
Y8pastoralteam@westhoughton-high.org
Year 9
Student Support Leader – Ms H Swift
Student Progress Leader – Mrs L Wharton
Y9pastoralteam@westhoughton-high.org
Year 10
Student Support Leader – Mrs M Whittle-Darrock
Student Progress Leader – Mrs H Stocks/Mrs R Wild
Y10pastoralteam@westhoughton-high.org
Year 11
Student Support Leader – Ms N Walsh
Student Progress Leader – Mr L Barwise
Y11pastoralteam@westhoughton-high.org
Responding to concerns about child protection
All adults working at Westhoughton High School (including visitors, volunteers and contractors) have a responsibility to report concerns where they believe a child may be at risk of harm or neglect. All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to appropriately. This information will be dealt with as confidentially as possible and made known to only those staff who need to know.
Whilst school deal with child protection concerns sensitively and with care, we do have a legal responsibility to report concerns to Partner agencies through the integrated front door and/or the police and we follow the procedures set out by Bolton Safeguarding Partnership.
Further information can be found in our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
Further information on Bolton Safeguarding Procedures can be found here
Worried about a child? – Bolton Safeguarding Children
Role of the Governing Body
Safeguarding is an important feature of governance at Westhoughton High School. The Community, Safeguarding and Inclusion sub-committee has a specific remit to focus on policy and procedure in this key are however it is also made clear that safeguarding children is a collective responsibility for the whole of the Governing Body.
Mr Ronald Bell is the Chair of the CSI committee and is the designated safeguarding Governor.
Mrs Joanne Murphy is the Chair of the Governing Body.
PREVENT
On 1 July 2015 the Prevent Duty (Section 26) of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act, 2015, came in to force. This duty places the responsibility on Local Authorities and Schools to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. At Westhoughton High School we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is an important aspect of our wider approach to looking after our students. All staff are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. We believe that children should be given the opportunity to explore diversity and understand Britain as a multi- cultural society; everyone should be treated with respect whatever their race, gender, sexuality, religious belief, special need or disability. We show this commitment through our work on our #ID initiative and it forms a key part of our LEARN/PSHE and Citizenship programmes of study.
The contact member of staff for PREVENT at Westhoughton High School is Mrs C Unsworth – Deputy Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead.
The contact member of staff for our #ID (Inclusion and Diversity) strategy is Mrs J Torrance – Assistant Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead
The PREVENT lead for Bolton is Carlo Schroder – carlo.schroder@bolton.gov.uk
Further information can be found here – Lets Talk About It – Working Together To Prevent Terrorism (ltai.info)
OPERATION ENCOMPASS
The purpose of Bolton Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in or witness to a domestic abuse incident. Domestic abuse impacts on children in a number of ways. Children are at increased risk of physical injury during an incident, either by accident or because they attempt to intervene. Even when not directly injured, children are greatly distressed by witnessing the physical and emotional suffering of a parent.
Encompass has been created to address this situation. It is the implementation of key partnership working between the police and schools. The aim of sharing information with local schools is to allow ‘Key Adults’ the opportunity of engaging with the child and to provide access to support that allows them to remain in a safe but secure familiar environment.
Following the report of an incident of domestic abuse the school’s Key Adult will be informed immediately that the child or young person has been involved in a domestic incident. This knowledge, given to schools through Operation Encompass, allows the provision of immediate early intervention through silent or overt support dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.
The purpose and procedures in Operation Encompass have been shared with all parents and governors, is detailed as part of the school’s Safeguarding Policy and published on our school website.
At Westhoughton High School our Key Adults are Mrs Debbie Arstall and Mrs Caroline Unsworth
