Staff & Supply
Our Staff Team
Our team of staff undergo annual and regular Safeguarding training and as a school we are always reviewing our practice to provide the most robust and supportive approach to Safeguarding. Please visit our policies page to understand more around the depth of knowledge our team require to effectively safeguard the children and the whole school community.
Supply & Organisations covering classes or groups
All supply, agency or external organisations have to follow and provide evidence of training in line with 'Keeping Children Safe in Education'. Alongside this, the school checks and ensures that all appropriate vetting procedures have taken place.
To support our external staff who periodically or regularly come to our school, the following information is provided.
Our Current External Providers
As a school we always seek to find the best possible temporary solution to staffing shortages. We also actively review and evaluate the providers we have in school that support the children's learning. The links below are external organisations that the school currently work with:
This is not an exhaustive list and we will always aim to keep it up-to-date within an academic year.
What are your responsibilities?
All staff including teaching and non teaching staff, temporary and supply staff, clerical, catering and cleaning staff, volunteers and staff working on site employed by other services and agencies and those working with children and families in the community have a statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
Copies of our Child Protection Policy, Safeguarding Policy, Behaviour Policy and Low-Level concern policy and DfE Guidance documents are all located in the school office or the policy section of our website. All supply staff are expected to adhere to the DfE and school’s procedures and guidance at all times and in accepting work at Weeke Primary School you are agreeing to this.
What should you do if you are worried about a child?
You may become aware whilst working with a child that there are problems at home, school or elsewhere that give you cause for concern. Even in the short period of time for which a supply teacher is in school, children can show a change in their behaviour and demeanour. You may notice unexplained marks or bruising, or sometimes a child can display aggressive behaviour, become withdrawn, uncommunicative or unable to concentrate.
If you are worried about the safety of any young person in this school, you must report this to a Designated (or Deputy) Safeguarding Lead in the school. Our Designated Safeguarding Leads are: Mrs Goodchild, Mrs Jakes, Mrs Watson and Mr Kirkham. If you need support locating them please ask the school office.
What should you do if a child makes a disclosure or you have a concern?
- Listen to the child without displaying shock, disbelief or making judgements.
- Take what the child tells you seriously, as children rarely lie about such matters.
- Reassure the child, but only so far as is honest and reliable.
- Don’t interrogate the child, ask leading questions, or criticise the alleged perpetrator.
- Never guarantee confidentiality - explain that you must pass the information on to a Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- Make some notes immediately, e.g. record the date, time, place, facts, your observations and the child's verbatim speech.
- Do not interpret what is seen or heard; simply record the facts. Write these up on a CPOMs before the end of the school day.
- Follow the school’s Child Protection Policy and procedures. Report your concerns and give any written copies to the Designated Safeguarding Lead
REMEMBER: Complete confidentiality is essential. Share your knowledge only with appropriate professional colleagues. Ask for some support for yourself if you need it.
What should you do if the alleged is a member of the school staff?
Follow the school’s Whistleblowing Policy and report such allegations to the Headteacher. If the allegation is about the Headteacher contact the Chair of Governors. The contact for the Chair of Governors can be obtained from the school office.
How do you ensure that your behaviour is always appropriate and professional?
- Adhere to the DfE and school’s procedures and guidance at all times.
- Read the DfE Guidance for Safer Working Practice for Adults working with Children and Young People in Education settings located in the staffroom.
- Avoid physical contact and over familiarity with children, as this can be misinterpreted by others.
- Avoid being alone with a child in confined and secluded areas.
- Always ensure that doors are left open or that you can be visible to others.
- Never make arrangements to meet a child on their own outside school hours.
- Do not photograph pupils, exchange e-mails or text messages,
What if a temporary, supply, agency or
sub-contracted individual has an allegation made against them?
In the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff who is not directly employed by Weeke Primary School, depending on the nature and circumstances surrounding the allegation, we would firstly coordinate with the contractor. A course of action would be agreed and if appropriate a designated investigator would be allocated in school. The welfare and well-being of the individual would be managed by the contractor.
We take the responsibility and welfare of any individual working directly or indirectly for the school very seriously and any reasonable decisions and adjustments made are in the best interests of the school, it's community and the individual involved.
Our school invests in external support for employees and this extends to those working temporarily in school. Please use the link if you wish to talk to someone - Health Assured
Documents and Resources which support our Safeguarding Approach.