Introduction from our Safeguarding Officer
My name is Claire Purdy and I am the Safeguarding Officer for the school. My role is to help ensure that our pupils feel happy, safe and supported in school and are ready to learn.
The main parts to my role are-
I talk with parents and carers about worries they have for their children outside of school and support them by signposting or helping to refer them to outside support.
These range from worries about behaviour at home or significant bereavements and illnesses.
I will also be the children's point of contact at school for any worries or feelings they have that they want to share with myself.
When a family is supported by another professional outside school, such as a Social Worker or Early Help worker, I will be their point of contact within the school and attend any meetings and reports.
I provide safeguarding training to staff and support them with advice and guidance around safeguarding matters within school, ensuring that their knowledge is up to date. I also work closely with a PCSO to educate our children if they are worried about criminality and the risk of exploitation.
Where the school has safeguarding worries about a child, I will meet with parents or carers to explore the worries and find ways of reducing them. Sometimes the school is required to share worries with outside professionals. This can be a worrying time for parents and carers, but I will do all I can to explain and support families if this happens.
Please feel free to contact me if I can help support you and your child. I can be contacted through my Direct number 01843 236129 or email claire.purdy@dmpa-tkat.org