At SJR, the safeguarding team plays a vital role in protecting our children and fostering a safe, inclusive school community. Led by the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and supported by trained staff, the team works to ensure every pupil feels safe, supported, and listened to.
The team are responsible for identifying and responding to concerns, working with families and external agencies, and following key guidance such as Keeping Children Safe in Education. Through vigilance, care, and a strong culture of openness, the safeguarding team helps ensure that every child can learn and thrive in a safe, happy, secure environment.
Safeguarding is not about working against families, but about working alongside them—offering support, guidance, and care to help every child flourish.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead
DSL: Mrs M McGettigan (Headteacher) DDSLs: Mrs H Ball (SENDCO/LAC) and Mrs M McLoughlin (Inclusion & Family Support)
The role of the Designated Safeguarding Person (DSL) was specified in the Children Act 2004 and ensured that every organisation had a “named person” for safeguarding children and young people. They have a responsibility at both a strategic level within the organisation and on a day-to-day basis.
The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs) support the DSL in carrying out these duties. They help respond to concerns, provide guidance to staff, and ensure safeguarding support is always available, particularly when the DSL is not on site. Together, they ensure a consistent, effective approach to keeping all pupils safe.
Key Aspects of the DSL/DDSL role include:
- Making sure all staff are aware how to raise safeguarding concerns
- Ensuring all staff understand the symptoms of child abuse and neglect
- Referring any concerns to Children's Services/Social Care
- Monitoring children who are the subject of child protection plans
- Maintaining accurate and secure child protection records
The Safeguarding Governor
Safeguarding Governor: Mrs I Bond ibond@gov.olicatschools.org
The safeguarding governor is a member of the governing body who oversees safeguarding and child protection across the school. They do not deal with individual cases but ensure effective systems are in place and that safeguarding remains a leadership priority.
They meet regularly with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), review policies and procedures, and check compliance with statutory guidance such as Keeping Children Safe in Education. They also help ensure staff training is up-to-date and report back to the governing body, providing assurance that the school safeguarding arrangements are effective and pupils are kept safe.
Safeguarding Officers At SJR we also have safeguarding officers who lead on specific key areas, developing specialist knowledge to support staff with guidance and training and help ensure policies and procedures are followed effectively. They work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and deputies to escalate concerns and contribute to a coordinated safeguarding response. In doing so, they strengthen the school’s ability to respond to specific risks by providing focused expertise within a whole-school safeguarding system.
Miss L Guard: Safeguarding Officer for Online Safety & Prevent Duty Mrs S Parks: Safeguarding Officer for Child Exploitation Miss C Ward: Safeguarding Officer for Child-on-Child Abuse & Attendance
If you have a concern, or wish to speak with a member of the safeguarding team, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Telephone: 01234 401900 Email: safeguarding@sjr.beds.olicatschools.org
St John Rigby has adopted the OLICAT Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, for the safety of all. The policy can be found using the link below.
Safeguarding Concerns when the School Office is Closed: If the office is closed, and you have safeguarding concerns, or you are worried about a child's or family's welfare, please contact the Integrated Front Door - The IFD acts as the first point of contact for receiving all early help assessments and safeguarding concerns or enquiries.
They can be contacted either on the link or by phone:
- Bedford Borough Local Offer: Integrated Front Door
- 01234 718700 during office hours
- 0300 300 8123 out of hours
IF THE CONCERN IS URGENT OR YOU, OR A CHILD, ARE IN DANGER - PLEASE CONTACT THE POLICE ON 999