Safeguarding Statement
GLF Schools recognises its moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
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.
Child protection forms part of our safeguarding responsibilities. This means that in line with government requirements, we have a Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy which includes details about our responsibilities and procedures. This can be viewed on the GLF Schools website in the ‘policies & statements’ section.
Every school has their own version of our policy which is adapted to be relevant to the context and procedures of their local authority. All staff (including supply staff, volunteers and SSB members) must ensure that they are aware and understand these local procedures.
Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our children are discussed with his/her parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare.
Each GLF School has a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), contact details are published on each school website. The school DSL is the person responsible for all safeguarding within that school.
GLF Schools' Safeguarding Team
Gaby O’Meara is the Trustee responsible for Safeguarding
Email: go'meara1@glfschools.org
Fiona Jarman is the MAT Designated Safeguarding Lead (MDSL) for GLF Schools
Email: f.jarman@glfschools.org
At GLF Schools we have a strategic Safeguarding team who:
- Support each individual school’s safeguarding team
- Audit and monitor the consistent delivery of statutory safeguarding responsibilities and the GLF Safeguarding and Child Protection policy
- Provide training, advice and updates to ensure effective practice
- Ensure the Trustees and schools receive relevant and up to date safeguarding guidance
Fiona Jarman: Multi Academy Trust DSL
Georgina Watson: Deputy Multi Academy Trust DSL
Angela Rodda: Teaching School Hub DSL
Zoe Turnes: People Team Director
Ben Wakefield: Chief Information Officer
Nick Murza: Estates Director
Scott Maclean: Executive Headteacher
If you are concerned about a child’s welfare, please record your concern, and any observations or conversations heard, and report to one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) at the relevant school as soon as possible, preferably the same day. Do NOT conduct your own investigation.
If your concerns relate to the actions or behaviour of a member of staff (which could suggest that s/he is unsuitable to work with children) then you should report this to the Headteacher who will consider what action to take. If the concern relates to the Headteacher or Executive Headteacher, Gaby O’Meara, the Trustee responsible for Safeguarding and Zoe Turnes the People Team Director should be informed.
If your concern is regarding a member of the GLF Schools' central team you should report your concerns to Zoe Turnes.
