The Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust (OCAT) Child Protection Policy 2024 ensures that all students, staff, and the wider school community are kept safe and supported. This policy follows UK laws and the values of the Trust: equality, honesty, care, and responsibility. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility—from teachers to parents to governors.
Main Purpose of the Policy
- To protect children from harm and abuse.
- To promote safe and supportive environments in all OCAT schools.
- To train staff to identify and act on signs of abuse.
- To encourage early help before problems get worse.
- To work with families and external agencies when needed.
Who is Responsible?
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Each school has a DSL who leads all safeguarding and child protection actions.
Deputy DSLs
They support the DSL and take charge if the DSL is unavailable.
School Staff
All staff must:
- Know how to identify signs of abuse.
- Report concerns immediately.
- Understand safeguarding procedures.
Governors
- Ensure policies are followed and updated.
- Promote online safety and safer recruitment.
- Support the safeguarding team.
Types of Abuse to Look Out For
Staff are trained to identify:
- Physical abuse (hitting or harming a child).
- Emotional abuse (shaming, isolating, or hurting a child’s mental health).
- Sexual abuse (physical or online sexual contact).
- Neglect (not meeting a child’s basic needs).
Special attention is given to:
- Online safety
- Mental health concerns
- Domestic violence
- Child-on-child abuse
- Exploitation (like gangs or grooming)
- Missing children and children at risk of radicalisation or serious violence
Key Procedures
If a child is at risk:
- Staff report immediately to the DSL.
- The DSL may contact social services or police.
- Parents are usually informed unless it puts the child at risk.
- All concerns are recorded in a secure system (CPOMS).
If the DSL isn’t available, the deputy steps in. Action is not delayed.
Training
- All staff receive yearly safeguarding training.
- DSLs get advanced Level 3 training every two years.
- New staff are trained during induction.
- Governors are trained too.
Confidentiality and Information Sharing
- Staff never promise to keep secrets if a child’s safety is at risk.
- Information is shared on a need-to-know basis with relevant professionals.
- Data is handled securely, respecting privacy laws.
Safeguarding Children at Higher Risk
Extra care is taken with:
- Children with Special Educational Needs (SEN)
- Those with mental health needs
- Children in foster care or with child protection plans
Online Safety
The school teaches students how to stay safe online. Risks include:
- Harmful content (like pornography or extremist material)
- Unsafe interactions (like online grooming)
- Risky behaviour (like sharing explicit images)
- Financial scams
All staff are trained in online safety, and internet use in school is filtered and monitored.
Preventing Radicalisation
Schools follow the Prevent Duty, which means:
- Teaching students about tolerance and respect.
- Reporting concerns about extremist behaviour.
- Working with the local Channel Panel if needed.
Whistleblowing
Staff are encouraged to report unsafe practices. If they can’t report it internally, they can call the NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline: 0800 028 0285.
Missing Children Protocol
If a child goes missing:
- Staff act immediately to search and contact parents.
- If the child cannot be found quickly, the police are contacted.
- Parents and social workers are updated.
- Schools follow Thurrock Council’s Missing Child Procedures.
The OCAT Child Protection Policy 2024 makes it clear that keeping children safe is the highest priority. It explains everyone’s roles and how schools deal with concerns quickly, seriously, and respectfully. By working together—staff, students, parents, and local agencies—we ensure a safe learning environment for every child.
