The Pope Francis Multi-Academy Company is committed to ensuring that all children and young people in its schools are safe and protected from harm.  

Each school within the PFMAC has its own Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. This statement outlines the requirements for schools and for the Trust Central Team. It also outlines the role of the Local Authority and the Local Safeguarding Children Board. 

It is a requirement that all schools have their own Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. A model policy is drawn up by the Local Authority and the Local Safeguarding Children Board. This model policy must be adopted by schools and reviewed annually. 

All PFMAC school staff working in regulated activity with children and young people receive level 2 training approved by OSCB every 3 years as well as refresher training every year. All staff also complete approved PREVENT training which is refreshed every 3 years. There is an ongoing programme of training throughout the year to make sure that safeguarding is at the forefront of people’s minds. 

All vetting procedures are in place and recorded on the school’s single central records before adults are allowed to work with children and young people. 

Members of the PFMAC Support Team follow the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy for the school in which they are working and are aware of the differences in implementation of the individual school policies. 

The PFMAC Safeguarding Lead, who is Level 3 safeguarding trained, works with individual schools to make sure that they are compliant in all areas related to safeguarding.  This work is supported by the PFMAC Deputy Safeguarding Lead and the PFMAC Safeguarding Team.. 

In addition, all members of the Support Team have attended a safeguarding in schools briefing so that they can play a part in ensuring that children and young people are safe. This is supported by briefing slides throughout the year. 

All members of the Support Team who lead on interviews have received safer recruitment training in order to ensure that all employees and volunteers are safe to work with children and young people. 

Schools are still accountable to the Local authority and the Local Safeguarding Children Board who update the model safeguarding and child protection policy every September.  This is  used as the basis for each school’s policy. 

A current list of Designated Safeguarding Leads in each school  is held by the PFMAC support Team. If these roles change, it is the responsibility of the Headteacher at each Trust School to inform the person responsible for the statement so that the list may remain up-to-date. The DSLs meet regularly to share good practice and attend training events. 

Please refer to school policies which state who and how to contact key individuals in the schools concerning safeguarding and child protection matters.  Should you wish to contact the PFMAC directly about a safeguarding or child protection matter please contact the safeguarding lead, Jane Hemery, at Blessed George Napier Catholic School, Banbury. 

PFMAC Safeguarding email

Telephone number: 01295 264216 

If you have concerns about a child or want to find out more about how your child’s school carries out their safeguarding procedures, please contact the headteacher or visit the school’s website. 

You can also contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) 

Oxfordshire LADO 

01865 810603 

Lado.safeguardingchildren@oxfordshire.gov.uk 

Or the Oxfordshire Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) 

0345 050 7666