Safeguarding

The safety of our students is paramount. At Holyrood Academy we take our duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children extremely seriously.  

We follow all statutory guidelines as well as our own policies and procedures.  Our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy can be viewed here (or on our Policies page of the website) and we would be happy to provide a paper copy on request.    

We will always act to protect a child where there is a disclosure or concern about child abuse.  Child abuse can take a range of different forms.  It is any action by another person (adult or child) that causes harm to a child. It can be defined as physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse or neglect.

More information about child protection and safeguarding can be found on the 
Somerset Safeguarding and Child Protection website.

Safeguarding Team

Safeguarding Overview

Keeping students safe is our main priority at Holyrood, and we have a team of staff dedicated to this role. The DSL and Team Leader are supported by four Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads, allowing us to have a responsive and robust approach to any safeguarding concerns.

Our Safeguarding Team lead on supporting young people with concerns such as HSB, (harmful sexual behaviour), substance abuse, criminal and sexual exploitation and healthy relationships.

Our Parent and Family Support Advisor provides 121 support for families that request help in managing problems such as challenging behaviour at home or emotional based school avoidance, as well as running the Tuning in to Teens programme, for any parents in need of strategies and support in managing their child’s emotional intelligence.

We also have strong links with external agencies, such as the Beat Team, who visit school regularly. Where we can not meet the needs of a student within Holyrood, we will refer to agencies such as Somerset Drug and Alcohol Service (SDAS), Somerset Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (SIDAS), the Family Intervention Service (FIS) and Children’s Social Care.

Reporting A Concern

If you have a concern which involves the safety or wellbeing of a young person during school hours, please contact:

Jon Scott - Designated Safeguarding Lead
Phone: 01460 260100
Email: Jscott@holyrood.bep.ac

Or

Lucy Roberts - Student Safeguarding and Mental Health Team Leader
Phone: 01460 260119
Email: lroberts@holyrood.bep.ac

If the concern is serious and outside of school hours please contact the following:


If a child is in immediate risk of harm, please contact Children's Social Care:

Phone: 0300 123 2224
Email: childrens@somerset.gov.uk

If a crime is been committed, please contact the police on 999 or
report a crime that has already taken place on 101.

if you would like to speak to a social worker outside of office hours contact the Emergency Duty Team (EDT) on 0300 123 23 27.

Looked After Children

 

We recognise that Looked After Children need additional care and support in school to help them achieve the very best. We work closely with the Local Authority to monitor the progress of any Looked After Child. Our Designated Teacher for Looked After Children is Mrs Katie Wilson (Assistant Headteacher – SENDCo and Inclusion). The Somerset Virtual School supports Holyrood in striving for the very best education for Looked After Children. Their Headteacher is Emily Walters – further information about the Virtual School can be found on their website.

Safeguarding Documents and Advice

 

ChildLine support and advice for children.
NSPCCC children's charity which helps to prevent abuse and helps those affected to recover.
Prevent safeguarding and supporting those vulnerable to radicalisation.
Holyrood Academy Guide to e-safety

Managing Allegations Against Adults Working With Children or Young People

 

Local Area Designated Officers (LADO) provide advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations that have concerns about a person working or volunteering with children and young people who may have behaved inappropriately or if information has been received that may constitute an allegation.

If you consider a LADO referral is needed:

  • Gather the relevant information: the name, date of birth and home address of the ADULT connected to the allegation/incident; the child/children’s details (LADO procedures cannot begin without this information)

  • It is advisable that you initially discuss the details with the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Jon Scott, jscott@holyrood.bep.ac and record/log the details in your relevant records

  • They will also need your name, your organisation’s address and the role you have in your organisation

  • Once you have this information, call 0300 1232224

For more information regarding management of allegation, please visit this website.

Safeguarding Advice and Support

 

Further general safeguarding information is available through the Uffculme Academy Trust’s Safeguarding website that you can access here.

We also have dedicated information pages on our own website for each of the following areas, just click on the appropriate link: