Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone's responsibility. We take a child centred approach and we always act in the best interests of the child.

All children have equal rights to protection, and we maintain a culture of vigilance at all times.

Admissions

If you're worried about a child

If you have a concern about a child, please contact the DSL or Deputy DSL as soon as possible.

If you believe a child is at immediate risk of serious harm, you should contact Children's Social Care and or the Police immediately. Anybody can make a referral. Please also inform the DSL as soon as possible.

During term time, the DSL or a deputy is always available during school hours. Support is also available at least by telephone during out of hours school activities.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):

katie@sparkvaleacademy.co.uk

0116 296 6569

Deputy DSL: Emmy Lusted

emmy@sparkvaleacademy.co.uk

0116 296 6569

Term-Time

During term time, the DSL or a deputy is always available during school hours. Support is also available at least by telephone during out of hours school activities.

School holidays

During school holidays, safeguarding emails are checked once a week. If you have an urgent concern, or you believe a child is at immediate risk of serious harm, contact Children's Social Care and or the Police immediately and do not wait for a response by email.

How we keep pupils safe

We keep pupils safe through a whole school approach. All staff have a responsibility to act on any suspicion or disclosure and to follow the reporting process.

We also teach pupils about safeguarding and how to keep themselves safe, including online, as part of a broad and balanced curriculum.

We know some children may find it difficult to recognise risk or to share worries. Staff are trained to be alert, to build trusted relationships, and to speak to the DSL if they have concerns.

View Our Policies

Online Safety

We publish our Online Safety Policy on the school website and we share guidance with parents and carers.

If we publish pupil work, images or videos, we protect pupils' identities. Pupils' full names are not used alongside photographs. Written permission from parents or carers is obtained before photographs are taken for use in school or published on the school website or social media.

Whistleblowing & Allegations

We want staff to feel able to raise concerns about poor or unsafe practice, and we handle concerns sensitively and in line with whistleblowing procedures.

If an allegation is made about an adult working in school, it must be reported straight away. A case manager is identified quickly. This is normally the Headteacher. If the allegation is about the Headteacher, the case manager is the Proprietor.