The Nest
Safeguarding Information
We listen to all of our pupils and encourage them to approach us with any concerns. Pupils are guided to communicate using appropriate methods, suitable to them. We encourage pupils with any concerns, to identify an appropriate or trusted adult to confide in.
The Nest has a safeguarding team made up of Liam Barlow (DSL), Claire Baranowski (DDSL), Carly Rafferty-Ford (DDSL) and Simone McGee (DDSL), while all staff complete regular training sessions to ensure that safeguarding remains at the heart of everything we do.
The Nest team work with local agencies to enhance the pupils knowledge regarding keeping themselves safe. These agencies include the Youth Offending Service, PCSO's and the Violence Reduction Unit. Through our PHSE lessons we are able to inform and educate our students about a range of potential risks they may face.
Operation Encompass
Supporting children experiencing domestic abuse throughout Stoke and Staffordshire
Operation Encompass is an information sharing partnership between Staffordshire Police and Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent educational settings (from Reception through to Higher Education) which allows schools to offer immediate support for children and young people experiencing domestic abuse.
How does Operation Encompass work?
Information obtained by the police at the attendance of a domestic abuse incident is shared with a school prior to the start of the next school day which enables appropriate support to be given dependent on the needs and wishes of the child.
How do the schools receive notification by the police that a domestic incident has occurred?
When an officer attends the incident and completes the risk assessment on their handheld device, the name(s) of the children who form part of the household (whether present on not) are included. Alongside the details of the child, the officer will select the school that the child attends from the dropdown list. By completing this section of the risk assessment, the officer generates an automatic referral to the school via an email in real time.
How does the notification help to support the child?
Children experiencing domestic abuse are negatively impacted by this exposure and this can lead to emotional, physical and psychological harm. By providing the school with the knowledge that a domestic incident has taken place in the child’s home the previous day, it allows the school to put support in place for the child before they arrive at school.
Next Steps:
Staffordshire Police, and Staffordshire and Stoke Education Authorities have provided a virtual bespoke training package which will enable you to understand the impact domestic abuse can have on a child and how best to support them in school. This will be available in due course.
For further details around Operation Encompass please speak to Liam Barlow or Claire Baranowski
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Liam Barlow. Liam can be contacted on 07990 034 611 or at Liam@thenestschool.co.uk
In his absence any safeguarding concerns should be reported to our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads.
Claire Baranowski on 07586694793 or at Claire2@thenestschool.co.uk
Simone McGee on 07586694785 or at Simone@thenestschool.co.uk
Carly Rafferty-Ford on 07386667341 or at Carly@thenestschool.co.uk
