We will ensure all policies and procedures in respect of safeguarding children are up to date and in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023. Policies and procedures are reviewed and revised by our Board of Trustees on a regular basis. Please find below our policies on Safeguarding.

Disclosure & Barring Checks

Westcountry Schools Trust meets statutory requirements in relation to Disclosure & Barring Service – all staff and volunteers who work with WeST who meet the ‘regulated activity test’ (Freedoms Act 2012) are required to undergo an enhanced DBS check prior to employment. 

Training

All eligible staff and volunteers are required to undertake relevant safeguarding training. A training database for all staff and volunteers is maintained, while training needs are reviewed as part of individual performance reviews. 

Safeguarding in Our Schools 

Safeguarding in each WeST school is led by a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who will be supported by one or more Deputy DSLs depending on the size of the school. All WeST DSLs and DDSLs are trained to the level set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education. WeST DSLs meet half-termly with the Director of Safeguarding to share best practice and keep their training up to date. WeST follows the two-year safeguarding curriculum curated by our partner Safeguarding Network.

The current list of WeST DSLs and links to individual school safeguarding information is shown below: