Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi-Academy Trust (OLoL CMAT) ensure the approach is child-centred. This means that OLoL CMAT consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi-Academy Trust recognise that no single practitioner can have a full picture of a child’s needs and circumstances. If children and families are to receive the right help at the right time, everyone who comes into contact with them has a role to play in identifying concerns, sharing information and taking prompt action.
The purpose of safeguarding children is to:
- Protect them from abuse, maltreatment and exploitation.
- Prevent anything from harming their health or development.
- Ensure they can grow up under safe and effective care.
- Take action to ensure they have the best outcomes in life. (Keeping Children Safe in Education 2019)