Pupil Safety
Cirencester Deer Park School functions with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare, both physical and emotional, of every pupil. This is achieved by creating a culture of safe recruitment by adopting procedures that help deter, reject or identify people who might pose a risk to children, educating pupils on how to keep safe and to recognise behaviour that is unacceptable, identifying and making provision for any child that has been subject to abuse, ensuring that members of the governing body, the Headteacher and staff members understand their responsibility, under safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance, to be alert to the signs of child abuse and to refer concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead and ensuring that the Headteacher and any new staff members and volunteers are only appointed when all the appropriate checks have been satisfactorily completed.
The school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead is Helen Charlesworth, Assistant Head. In the absence of the Designated Safeguarding Lead, safeguarding matters will be dealt with by Louise Stubbs, Pastoral Manager. Our Safeguarding and ICT policies can be found on our Policies and Reports page.
The school raises awareness of issues such as eating disorders, self-harm, E-safety, FGM, CSE, radicalisation and relationships through curriculum lessons and assemblies, including a short play called Chelsea’s Choice for all pupils in Year 8.
Early Help
Early Help Offer at Cirencester Deer Park School
Early Help is about children, young people and families getting the right help at the right time, before issues get worse. Pupils who could need Early Help are:
- pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities;
- disabled and have specific additional needs;
- young carers;
- those that misuse drugs or alcohol;
- those that frequently go missing from care or home;
- privately fostered;
- those who show signs of being drawn into anti-social or criminal behaviour, including gang involvement and association with organised crime groups;
- at risk of modern slavery, trafficking or exploitation;
- a pupils that has returned home from care;
- at risk of being radicalised or exploited;
- in a family circumstance presenting challenges for the child, such as drug and alcohol misuse, adult mental health problems and domestic abuse.
From 31 October 2016 Gloucestershire moved to a graduated approach for Early Help in line with the graduated approach for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). It is hoped that this single pathway of Early Help will meet the needs of all children and their families with additional needs. There are six Early Help Partnerships across Gloucestershire and each has a fortnightly Allocations Group.
An early help assessment should be undertaken by a lead professional who should provide support to the child and family, act as an advocate on their behalf and coordinate the delivery of support services. Any frontline practitioner from any agency working with children, young people and families, including the voluntary and community sector, can undertake an early help assessment.
Members of staff have a particularly important role to play with regards to safeguarding as they are in a unique position to identify concerns early. Safeguarding procedures are more effective when potential risks of abuse are identified early. The Designated Safeguarding Lead has received multi-agency training and attend local safeguarding forums run by GSCB. Updates to practice and awareness of safeguarding issues are shared by the Designated Safeguarding Lead with all staff.
Cirencester Deer Park School works with the local MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub). The MASH is a partnership between Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucestershire Constabulary, Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service, Gloucestershire Schools and Gloucestershire Health Services.
The school takes an active role in TAC (Team Around the Child) and TAF (Team Around the Family) meetings and Case Conferences and ensures accurate records are kept relating to a child. The CSE and Neglect screening tool is used by the school and referrals are made to Social Care and CYPS when appropriate. The school also provides a counsellor for pupils with specific identified needs and makes use of the school nursing service.
The school raises awareness of issues such as eating disorders, self-harm, E-safety, FGM, CSE, radicalisation and relationships through curriculum lessons and assemblies including ‘Chelsea’s Choice’ (a short play) for all pupils in Year 8.
Useful Links:Local Agencies
At Cirencester Deer Park School we work with a variety of local agencies to support our pupils and families.
Useful Links:
Safety Online
Whilst the majority of use of online and mobile technologies (for education, entertainment, communication, expression... the limits are boundless) encourages and develops the growth and engagement of young people, there is the potential for risk and misuse.
Within the curriculum, issues around online safety are addressed with a view to ensuring pupils understand a range of ways to use technology safely, respectfully, responsibly and securely, including protecting their online identity and privacy, recognising inappropriate content, contact and conduct, and knowing how to report concerns.
Useful Links:
Road Safety
See our School Transport page for useful road safety links.