Safeguarding

What is Safeguarding? 

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play. 

In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all at St Patrick’s ensure the approach is child-centred. This means that St Patrick’s consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.

St Patrick’s recognise that no single practitioner can have a full picture of a child’s needs and circumstances. If children and families are to receive the right help at the right time, everyone who comes into contact with them has a role to play in identifying concerns, sharing information and taking prompt action.

The purpose of safeguarding children is to:

  • Protect them from abuse, maltreatment and exploitation.
  • Prevent anything from harming their health or development.
  • Ensure they can grow up under safe and effective care.
  • Take action to ensure they have the best outcomes in life.

As part of our Safeguarding offer, St Patrick’s and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi Academy Trust (OLoL CAMT) have a team of people who lead on safeguarding our students, they are our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs). 

All staff have undergone basic safeguarding training and the following staff members hold specific roles and responsibilities for child protection in school.

St Patrick’s DSLs are also the people who will support with any concerns raised around children’s health, wellbeing and safety, as described above. If you have a concern regarding the wellbeing, health, development, relationships or safety of a child, please use the contact details below.

Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) contact details:

Mrs Jane Smedley (Lead DSL) – Headteacher 

Tel: 01623 478090

Email – head7@st-patricksrc.notts.sch.uk

Mrs Clare Pyatt (DSL) Deputy Headteacher 

Tel: 01623 478090

Email: clarepyatt@st-patricksrc.notts.sch.uk

Mrs Louisa Stimpson (DSL) SENCO 

Tel: 01623 478090

Email: senco@st-patricksrc.notts.sch.uk

Mrs Clare Brizzolara (DSL) Child & Family Support Worker –

Tel: 01623 478090

Email: cbrizzolara@st-patricksrc.notts.sch.uk

Mrs Natalia Lowe (DSL) EYFS Lead 

Tel: 01623 478090

Email: nlowe@st-patricksrc.notts.sch.uk

Mrs Hayley Pugh (DSL) Year 1 class teacher 

Tel: 01623 478090

Email: hpugh@st-patricksrc.notts.sch.uk

Mr Matt Kitchinson (DSL) Year 4 Class teacher 

Tel: 01623 478090

Email: mkitchinson@st-patricksrc.notts.sch.uk

 

Governor Safeguarding Lead: Mrs Kelly McGranaghan

Tel: 01623 478090

Email: kmcgranaghan@st-patricksrc.notts.sch.uk

Looked After Child Lead: Mrs Lousia Stimpson

Managing Allegations: Mrs Jane Smedley

Managing Allegations against the Headteacher: Mr James McGeachie

Anti-bullying Governor: Mrs Kelly McGranaghan

Anti-bullying Lead: Mrs Natalia Lowe

E-Safety Lead: Mr Matthew Kitchinson

Named First Aider: Mrs Hannah Williams

Paediatric Named First Aiders: Mrs Jane Bointon, Mrs Natalia Lowe, Miss Kaitlin Robinson, Mrs Rebecca Carr, Mrs Sarah Freeman,

Health and Safety Lead: Mrs Jane Smedley

Health and Safety Representatives: Mr Mark Holmes

Safeguarding hotline number for OLoL: 01158550557
This will be diverted to our safeguarding team between 9am-3pm weekdays, and will send a voicemail to the safeguarding team outside of these times.

Moira Dales (Trust Safeguarding Lead)
Tel:07852133114
Email: m.dales@ololcatholicmat.co.uk

Contextual Safeguarding

 

In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), the school recognises that safeguarding incidents and behaviours can be associated with factors outside the school and/or can occur between children outside of these environments. All staff consider the context in which such incidents occur and understand that children may be at risk of abuse or exploitation in the community, within peer groups, and online. The school adopts a contextual safeguarding approach, working to understand and respond to risks beyond the home environment.

 

Online Safety

The school recognises that technology presents a significant safeguarding risk, and that children can be vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and harmful influences online. This includes exposure to inappropriate content, online bullying, and contact from individuals seeking to groom or exploit children. In accordance with KCSIE, the school ensures that online safety is a fundamental part of safeguarding practice. Pupils are taught about online safety through a broad and balanced curriculum, including RSHE and computing, enabling them to recognise risks and respond appropriately. The school maintains effective filtering and monitoring systems and ensures that staff receive regular training to identify and respond to online safeguarding concerns. The school also works in partnership with parents and carers to promote consistent online safety approaches. The school also works alongside local PCSO’s who provide workshops for pupils and support to school. In addition, when needed school seeks support from the Education Safeguarding, Health & Wellbeing Hub (ESHAWH) at Nottinghamshire county council.

 

Anti-social Behaviour

The school recognises that exposure to anti-social behaviour and community-based risks can impact pupils’ safety, wellbeing, and development. These factors may increase children’s vulnerability to harm, including exploitation or involvement in unsafe peer groups. In response, the school provides a safe, supportive, and structured environment, promoting high standards of behaviour, mutual respect, and positive relationships. Through the curriculum and wider school ethos, pupils are supported to develop resilience, confidence, and the ability to make safe and responsible choices. Staff remain vigilant to the wider environmental factors that may influence behaviour and wellbeing and respond appropriately in line with safeguarding procedures. The school also works alongside local PCSO’s who provide workshops for pupils and support to school. In addition, when needed school seeks support from the Education Safeguarding, Health & Wellbeing Hub (ESHAWH) at Nottinghamshire county council. In Y6, pupils take part in a DAaRT programme delivered by life skills education charity which supports pupils in resisting pressures outside of the home.

 

Domestic Abuse

While domestic abuse is not a contextual safeguarding issue as it occurs within the home, the school recognises it as a significant safeguarding concern that can have a profound impact on children’s emotional wellbeing, behaviour, and vulnerability. In line with KCSIE, all staff are aware that safeguarding incidents can be multi-faceted and may overlap across different contexts. The school ensures that staff are trained to identify possible indicators of domestic abuse and understand their responsibility to report concerns in accordance with the school’s safeguarding procedures. The school works in partnership with external agencies to provide appropriate support and early intervention, ensuring that all pupils are safeguarded and able to access a safe and nurturing learning environment. The school works with outside agencies such at NSPCC and women’s aid.