Safeguarding
All concerns are reported to Designated Safeguarding Leads in school and we pride ourselves on our vigilant and professionally curious nature. The safeguarding of children is paramount.
You can find out more about our Safeguarding Procedures by reading our Policies.
If you have a concern, you can contact a member of our Safeguarding Team during school hours using the numbers below:
- Executive Headteacher and Lead Designated Safeguarding Lead - Catherine Hurst (01795) 423619
- Head of School and Designated Safeguarding Lead - Jenny Wynn (01795) 423619
- Designated Safeguarding Lead - Karen O'Connor (01795) 423619
- Designated Safeguarding Lead - Karen Arnold (01795) 423619
- Designated Safeguarding Lead - Elaine Shaw (01795) 423619
- The Oaks Family Liaison Officer and Designated Safeguarding Lead - Marie Smith 07731603811 or flo@oaks.kent.sch.uk
- Trust Attendance Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead - Amanda Adcock 07594 888784 or trustattendance@ocamt.org.uk
If your concern is urgent you can call Children's Social Care Services Central Duty Team on 03000 411111 or out of hours 03000 419191. If a child is in immediate danger call 999 and ask for the police.
What to do if you have a concern
Are you worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with you or your child online? Make a report to one of CEOP's Child Protection Advisors by clicking on the link below:
Report to CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection command), part of the National Crime Agency.
If you are an adult and you have concerns about a child you would like to talk through, possibly anonymously, you can contact the NSPCC by calling 0808 800 5000 (people who call can remain anonymous) or visiting the website by clicking on this link.
If you are a child and would like help then you can contact Childline by calling 0800 1111 (calls are free & will not appear on your phone bill) or visiting the website using this link.
Safer Recruitment
The Oaks Infant School has policies and procedures in place to deal effectively with Child Protection and safeguarding matters together with recording and monitoring processes.
To promote a safe environment for children, our selection and recruitment process includes all statutory checks on staff and regular volunteers including enhanced DBS (disclosure and barring service) checks. New Staff and Volunteers are also required to complete a thorough and rigorous induction with one of the Safeguarding Team on their first day and throughout a programme over 4-6 weeks.
All staff receive regular safeguarding training and updates, including a full annual training session at the beginning of each academic year. All statutory training is undertaken including ensuring all staff have read and understood the relevant sections of Keeping Children Safe in Education as a minimum. There is a comprehensive package of online training available for all staff, some of which is completed annually. This training is monitored and comprehensive records are kept.
