Safeguarding is everybody's business. The Hawksmoor Learning Trust is committed to ensuring that all our children are safe and feel safe. The right to be safe for any member of the THLT community is non-negotiable and paramount. Safeguarding and child protection is crucial, and we are fully committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all our children and staff. THLT and all the schools within the Trust must fully adhere to all safeguarding and child protection legislation, policy, and procedures at all times and under any circumstances.
Any concerns at a Trust level will be referred to Mr Chris Lofts, Designated Safeguarding Trustee, or Andrea Curtis (CEO) and to the relevant designated safeguarding officers within each school for concerns pertinent to children within the school. THLT fully adheres to all Safeguarding and child protection legislation and Northamptonshire Safeguarding Board requirements, including the West Northamptonshire Whistleblowing Policy and procedures.
Below you will find information and useful documents. If you have any queries, please use the Contact us page.
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Across THLT we all follow the trust-wide Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy - the current version can be found on our policies page and each school also has its own Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy specific to its contextual safeguarding information and to directly meet the needs of their community and Local Authority. School-specific policies can be found on each school website.
In line with legislation and requirements, all THLT staff trust-wide, including all core and executive team staff, school staff, governors/trustees and volunteers are required to read and understand the importance of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) - part one and annex A - document as a minimum requirement.
All staff receive regular training which includes KCSIE updates and must sign the THLT signing agreement form to confirm they have received and read this document.
This includes PTA if registered as a charity.
The Keeping Children Safe in Education updated September 2023 full document and part one and annex A documents can be downloaded here
Working Together to Safeguard Children
Whilst it is parents and carers who have primary care for their children, local authorities, working with partner organisations and agencies, have specific duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children in their area. The Children Act 1989 1 sets out specific duties to provide services to children in their area if they are in need and to undertake enquiries if they believe a child has suffered or is likely to suffer significant harm. The Children Act 2004 placed a duty on the local authority to promote co-operation with partners and other agencies in order to improve the wellbeing of children in their area. It also placed duties on a range of organisations and individuals to ensure they too give sufficient regard to children in need of help and safeguarding.
Highlights that “all practitioners working in these organisations and agencies who are working with children and their families are subject to the same safeguarding responsibilities, whether paid or volunteer”.
The guidance also highlights that: ”charity trustees are responsible for ensuring that those benefiting from, or working with, their charity, are not harmed in any way through contact with it”. This includes PTA if registered as a charity.
Working Together to Safeguard Children
Please click on the links below for more information:
THLT Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
What staff have a duty to refer
Effective Culture of Safeguarding
Northamptonshire Useful External Contacts
Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) - 0300 126 7000, option (1)
Local Authority Designated Office for concerns about adults are:
Designated Officer Andy Smith – 07850 854309
Voicemail - 01604 362993
LADOConsultations@nctust.co.uk
Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, Report a Concern
NSPCC Whistleblowing 0800 028 0285
Education Support Helpline 0800 056 2561
Useful External Contacts
Police: 999
Police non-urgent: 101
When should I use 101?
You should call 101 to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response. For example, if:
- Your car has been stolen
- Your property has been damaged
- You suspect drug use or dealing in your neighbourhood
Or to:
- Give the police information about crime in your area
- Speak to the police about a general enquiry
You should always call 999 when it is an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, someone suspected of a crime is nearby, when there is danger to life or when violence is being used or threatened.
Child Exploitation and Online Protection - https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/