SAFEGUARDING
DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEADS
Ciara Yeoman
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Maria Duncan
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Clare Allen
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
The Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) provide guidance and support to staff in fulfilling their safeguarding responsibilities and liaise with external agencies and services when necessary. The school invests in Clennell Education Solutions, which offers specialist support and advice relating to behaviour and safety.
Every member of staff, volunteer, and regular visitor is expected to work in a way that safeguards and promotes the welfare of all pupils. This includes a shared responsibility to provide a safe, secure, and nurturing environment in which children can learn and thrive.
All staff receive annual safeguarding and child protection training and are fully aware of the procedures to follow should they have concerns about a child’s welfare. In addition, a comprehensive safeguarding induction is in place for all new staff and volunteers.
The school recognises its responsibility to closely monitor the progress, achievement, and emotional well-being of Looked After Children. Clear policies and procedures are also in place to support children who are missing, or at risk of becoming missing, from education.
OPERATION ENCOMPASS
Who we are...
Operation Encompass is a charitable organisation set up in 2011, which has since enabled effective interventions to many thousands of children who've experienced domestic abuse. Our volunteers, trustees, and patrons are working tirelessly to ensure that police and schools throughout the country are able to address victims of domestic abuse consistently and coherently.
What we deliver...
Operation Encompass directly connects the police with schools to secure better outcomes for children who are subject to or experience police-attended incidents of domestic abuse. Rapid provision of support within the school environment means children are better safeguarded against the short-, medium- and long-term effects of domestic abuse.
What we do...
Operation Encompass provides an efficient, confidential channel of communication between police forces and Key Adults within schools. This enables the immediate and discrete recognition of the child's situation by the Key Adult, ensuring a secure and sympathetic environment is provided and the broader effects of abuse are addressed.
E-SAFETY
E-safety is a vital part of safeguarding at St Albans, ensuring that all pupils are able to use digital technologies safely, responsibly, and confidently. Through effective E-safety education, children learn how to protect their personal information, recognise potential online risks, and understand appropriate online behaviour. This supports pupils in making informed choices when using the internet and digital devices, helping to create a safe and respectful online environment both within school and beyond. Internet safety is embedded throughout our curriculum at an age-appropriate level. Children learn about reliable information, online personas and social media. Children later on in school learn about AI and its uses (as well as risks) to support them in our ever-changing technological world. Every year St. Alban’s host their E-safety awareness competition and we select E-safety champions that share our online safety message to their peers.
Children are aware of SMART rules and typically focus on one of these elements during their online safety lessons:
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S - SAFE: Don't give out your own information.
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M - MEET: Don't meet up with people you have met online.
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A - ACCEPTING: Only open messages from people you trust.
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R - RELIABLE: Only talk to real world friends and family when online.
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T - TELL: Tell a trusted adult if something you see online makes you feel uncomfortable.