Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the health, safety and welfare of all our students and expect all staff, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment. All staff are regularly trained and operate within the statutory expectations laid out for Education Staff in Keeping Children Safe in Education as well as fulfilling our responsibilities under Section 11 of the Children’s Act 2004 to safeguard and promote our students’ welfare; this responsibility complements Section 175 of the Education Act 2002. We listen to our students and take seriously what they tell us.

What do we do to make this happen?

• We train and support the whole staff team to ensure a deep awareness of how young people will be protected and safeguarded whilst part of our school community.
• We train and then check to be certain that all staff are fully aware of how to report any concerns over their protection, safeguarding and welfare. 
• We have a clear statement of responsibility in relation to safeguarding as laid out in school policies. 
• We evidence this responsibility in our day to day actions and through clear lines of accountability for reporting and recording concerns. 
• We provide opportunities for all students to express their views, feelings and opinions.
• We have recruitment procedures that support the safeguarding of young people, as laid out in our Recruitment policy and DBS Clearance procedure developing in line with a range of statutory national guidance. 
• We work closely with other Agencies and Parents/Carers to support and safeguard the welfare of all young people in our community.
• We ensure that every visitor is correctly signed onto our site and supervised as required.
• We supply and enforce the wearing of relevant identification for all members of our community, visitors, contractors and challenge those not displaying correct identification.

What do we do if there is a concern relating to students’ safety, welfare or health?

• Detailed statements and information are taken from anyone reporting a concern.
• Students are asked to identify a member of staff they feel comfortable talking with.
• Statements are taken from students, if appropriate.
• Information is assessed, and if necessary, a referral made to internal or external agencies for further actions.
• All incidents reports are logged centrally using CPOMS and paper reporting if appropriate.
• On rare occasions, our concern about a student may mean that we will consult other agencies, even before contacting Parents or Carers.
• Our procedures have been outlined by the Devon Children and Families Partnership and we have adopted Safeguarding Policy and Practice in line with this.
• If you want to know more about our procedures or policies, please speak to the Headteacher or any member of the Safeguarding Team.

To access our Child Protection and Safeguarding policy, please click here.