Staff Training
At Whitehill, we recognise the importance of keeping up-to-date with safeguarding matters, as we know that things can change quickly.
You can find more information about the training that we have at Whitehill below.
All staff complete basic annual Safeguarding training provided through the National College.
In addition to this, we have a cycle of training throughout the year for staff to complete updated training on the Prevent Duty, Online Safety, Low-Level Concerns, Understanding Child on Child abuse and bullying between children and Understanding Child Criminal and Sexual Exploitation.
Staff and volunteers are provided with updated copies of Keeping Children Safe In Education and our Child Protection policy on an annual basis.
Volunteers or new members of staff are provided with an initial safeguarding induction with our Pastoral Manager.
Our Pastoral Manager sends a weekly 7 minutes briefing to all staff with latest updates, guidance and best practice.
Our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs & DDSLs) complete an annual Advanced Certificate in Safeguarding for Designated Safeguarding Leads, which is delivered through the National College.
Our Headteacher and Pastoral Manager are both trained in the NSPCC Graded Care Profile to support in identifying Safeguarding/Support needs.
Our Headteacher and Pastoral Manager have also completed Stockport's Early Help Assessment Training.
All our Senior Leaders are trained in Safer Recruitment.
Our Governors share our commitment to the highest standards in Safeguarding. All Governors complete an annual Certificate in Safeguarding for Governors through the National College. This is in addition to receiving updated Keeping Children Safe in Education and Child Protection policies each year.
Our Co-Chair of Governors/Safeguarding Governor is an experienced Safeguarding Practitioner in her role at a neighbouring Local Authority. As such, she completes advanced Safeguarding Training and leads training in other establishments.
Both our Pastoral Manager and Learning Mentor are accredited ELSA practitioners. ELSA stands for Emotional Literacy Support Assistance. This programme is an evidence-informed, nationally recognised approach to supporting children and young people (from primary through to secondary) with a range social and emotional needs. This highly regarded programme will allow our Pastoral Team to:
- develop their knowledge and understanding of social and emotional needs;
- enhance their skills in being able to plan and implement a range of bespoke interventions and;
- grow their confidence in being able to support vulnerable children and young people.
Our Headteacher is currently undertaking training in Advanced Mental Health Lead in order to become an accredited National Leader in Mental Health.
He has also been a certified tutor in Team Teach, delivering Team Teach training to schools across Stockport for 6 years.
