Safeguarding Commitment 

The Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic Multi Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people within its family of schools. Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone: every adult who comes into contact with children and their families is expected to play their full part in ensuring their safety. 

 

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Culture of Safeguarding 

In line with our Trust vision, we cherish everyone as the embodiment of God’s love. Our approach is child-centred. We listen to children and young people and act at all times to prioritise their best interests. This is achieved through rigorous training, clear procedures, and strong support systems. Our safeguarding culture is underpinned by inclusive, positive, and secure learning environments. All staff and volunteers understand and are able to implement safeguarding procedures whenever concerns arise. 

 

Governance and Oversight 

The Trust Board fulfils its statutory and moral responsibilities by remaining well-informed about safeguarding matters and providing strategic challenge and support to schools. They ensure safeguarding policies and procedures are effective and consistently visible across all schools through the following measures: 

• Ultimate Responsibility: The Trust Board holds overall responsibility for safeguarding, delegating operational duties to the Chief Executive Officer as the Trust Safeguarding Lead. 

• Compliance: The Board ensures full compliance with all statutory legislation and local multi-agency safeguarding arrangements. 

• Board Lead: A named Director for safeguarding maintains oversight of Trust wide safeguarding and child protection. 

 

School Level Safeguarding 

While the Board have ultimate responsibility for safeguarding, each school within the Trust has its own Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy detailing local arrangements and compliant with Keeping Children Safe in Education. These policies are accessible on individual school websites and reviewed annually by the Trust Board and Local Governing Bodies. 

Key roles and responsibilities include: 

• Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs): Each school has a number of DSLs who lead on safeguarding and child protection within their relevant setting. They are supported by regular additional training including access to the Trust DSL network.  

• Local Governors: Every Local Governing Body has a named Governor for safeguarding, with safeguarding as a standing agenda item at all meetings. 

• Training: All staff, governors, and volunteers receive regular safeguarding training relevant to their local context to maintain and develop knowledge and skills. 

 

Safe Recruitment and Checks 

The Trust is committed to safer recruitment practices, ensuring rigorous checks to deter or identify individuals who may pose a risk to children. At least one member of every interview panel has completed safer recruitment in education training. All staff and volunteers undergo enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks before employment or engagement. 

 

Monitoring  

The Trust conducts regular internal audits and annual external safeguarding reviews to ensure compliance and the continuous development of best practice. Consistent systems are in place for reporting, monitoring, and reviewing safeguarding and child protection at both school and Board level 

 

If you have an immediate concern regarding the safety of a child or a risk of significant harm or danger please contact the police.