Safeguarding Checks

It is Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) policy that all staff and volunteers who:-

•  work directly and regularly (once a week or more) or intensively (four or more times in a thirty day period) with children or vulnerable adults
• in roles which involve caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of pupils

will be required to obtain a DBS disclosure at the appropriate level.

The Head teacher has the authority not to accept the help of volunteers if he or she believes that it is not in the best interest of the children.

Volunteers not requiring an Enhanced Disclosure

Volunteers or parents who accompany staff and children on one-off outings (who will not have unsupervised access of children) or trips that do not involve overnight stays.

Those who help out at specific events e.g. school fete, mums in school days etc who do not have unsupervised access to children.

Confidentiality

We recognise that for staff and parents of other children to be confident about helpers in school all volunteers will need to agree to a protocol about confidentiality and conduct. Confidentiality extends to school trips where all communications regarding the trip must come via the class teacher. Volunteer helpers are not to use ‘whatsapp’ or text messages to update other parents without the teachers express permission. Volunteer helpers are asked to sign a ‘Volunteer Helpers Protocol,’ a copy of which will be kept in school.