Safeguarding – Key Staff
Archbishop Blanch is committed to safeguarding children and promoting children’s welfare and expects all staff, governors, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment and maintain a vigilant and safe environment. It is our willingness to work in a safe manner and challenge inappropriate behaviour that underpins this commitment.
Our Child Protection Policy can be accessed through the Policies page here.
KEY SAFEGUARDING STAFF
Headteacher: Mrs C Madeloso
Deputy Headteacher &Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs K Graham
Assistant Designated Safeguarding Leads: Mrs C Carter,Mr G Joplin, Mrs L Gibson, Mrs M Harris, Mrs M Shurie, Mrs S Cavanagh
SEN Safeguarding Link: Mrs K Graham
Governors Safeguarding Link: Mr A Gillespie
The nominated governor for dealing with allegations against the Headteacher: Mrs Sian Barker (Chair of Governors)
OPERATION ENCOMPASS
We participate in a project in partnership with Merseyside Police called Operation Encompass alongside all other schools in Liverpool. The project, aims to support children who are affected by domestic abuse. Each school has a member of staff who is trained to liaise with the police, when required, whilst ensuring support is available to the child. If you would like to speak to someone further about the project or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mrs K Graham (admin@blanch.org.uk).
YOUNG CARERS
Not all children get to live a carefree life with the simple things many other children take for granted, because they are caring for someone in their family who is physically or mentally ill, disabled or struggling with alcohol or substance abuse. Young carers take on a lot of responsibilities, including washing and dressing the person they’re caring for and looking after younger siblings – plus domestic chores such as cooking, cleaning and shopping. That’s a lot to take on for a young person and many don’t realise they are doing anything special. Sometimes their additional responsibilities mean that young carers miss out on opportunities that other children have to play and learn.
What might a Young Carer do?
- Practical tasks, like cooking, housework and shopping.
- Physical care, such as helping someone out of bed.
- Emotional support, including talking to someone who is distressed.
- Personal care, such as helping someone dress.
- Managing the family budget and collecting prescriptions.
- Helping to give medicine.
- Helping someone communicate.
At Archbishop Blanch School we know that all families are different and will have a range of needs and requirements. Helping with household chores is a good way to teach our children to be independent and self-sufficient when they grow up. We just want to acknowledge that there are children in the community who are helping their parents, siblings or their extended family and without them, those jobs just wouldn’t get done. If you think your child has or is currently taking on a caring role then please let us know. All we want to do is support children and give them the help they need and deserve. This may simply be greater flexibility around homework or a listening ear but, without being told we may never know that a child needs help.
If you would like to discuss further, please get in touch with your child’s pastoral lead. The following links may provide further information.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/young-carers/
https://www.barnardos.org.uk/support-hub/young-carers
Our Online Safety Newsletters can be viewed HERE
