Child Protection and Safeguarding

As part of our framework to support students each student belongs to a registration group under the care of a designated Group Tutor, meeting each morning. Group Tutors monitor attendance, punctuality, and pupil conduct. They have the primary responsibility for monitoring the pastoral and academic progress of their students and they play a key role in fostering positive links between parents and the college, liaising closely to address any worries or concerns.

The Pastoral Programme, delivered through assemblies, lessons and guest speakers, is comprehensive and aims to nurture the social, academic, and personal growth of each student.

Child Protection

We liaise closely with external agencies to ensure the well-being of each student is at the heart of our college.

We aim to provide a safe, learning environment for all students. Our Safeguarding Team have received specific/bespoke Child Protection Training and we are an Operation Encompass College.

We in Glastry undertake to provide a caring, supportive and safe environment in which our young people can develop to their full potential.

Through our Pastoral Care Programme we seek to protect our pupils by helping them to learn about the risks of possible abuse, helping them to recognise unwelcome behaviour in others and acquire the confidence and skills they need to keep themselves safe.

Glastry College actively seeks the support of parents in all aspects of pupil welfare. All the staff of Glastry College have been subject to appropriate background checks. Each has been given clear guidance on the action which is required where abuse or neglect of a child is suspected.

Pastoral Policies

The college has a range of safeguarding policies, which are reviewed regularly to ensure a safe and secure environment for learning. Copies of Pastoral Care Polices are available from our website and on request from the College Office. These include Child Protection and Safeguarding, Anti-Bullying, Drugs, Mobile Phone and Attendance Policies.

Student Support

We work with professional, qualified external agencies who have the skills and expertise to offer guidance and advice to those students facing a range of issues such as difficult home circumstances, stress, personal trauma, friendship issues or bereavement. Counselling sessions are offered on a weekly basis with all information treated confidentially.

Safe-Guarding – Raising a Concern

Outlined below are the procedures you should follow if you have a concern about your or a child’s safety.

I have a concern about my / a child’s safety / welfare

I can talk to the Group Tutor or Year Head

If I am still concerned, I can talk to one of the designated teachers for Child Protection (Mrs K Harris and Mr J Viner)

If I am still concerned, I can talk to the Principal

If I am still concerned, I can talk / write to the Chairman of the Board of Governors

At any time I can talk to a Duty Social Worker (028 9181 8518), Childline (0800 1111) or the PSNI Child Protection & Sexual Offences Unit (028 9065 0222)

 Note: The full Child Protection Policy is available on request from the College.

Bullying

Bullying is a highly distressing and damaging form of abuse and is not tolerated in our college.  All staff are vigilant at all times to the possibility of bullying occurring, and will take immediate steps to stop it happening, to protect and reassure the victim and to discipline the bully.  Parents of both victim and bully will be personally contacted immediately bullying behaviour is identified.  (Refer to College Bullying Policy.)

Further detailed guidance on these issues may be obtained from Department of Education Circular 1999/10 – Pastoral Care in Schools see the Department of Education web site.

If you have any queries concerning the implementation of this policy please contact the Principal or Designated Teacher(s).