Safeguarding
Safeguarding Statement
Inspire Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and expects all staff, governors and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding children and protecting them from harm is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and families has a role to play.
We listen to our learners and take seriously what they tell us. All school staff are trained in Child Protection & Safeguarding and are made aware of the adults they can talk to if they have any concerns. Staff are trained to look out for signs of physical/emotional harm, neglect and sexual abuse and are required to report these to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Child Protection Policy which can be viewed in the policies section on our website. On occasions, our concern about a child may mean that we have to consult outside agencies such as social services. We will ensure that all concerns are discussed first with parents/carers before any such referrals are made unless, of course, we believe that such action may be contrary to a child’s welfare.
We actively support the Government’s Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism, and all staff have CSE and FGM training.
Working in Partnership
Local organisations and agencies that work with children and families play a significant role when it comes to safeguarding children. To achieve the best possible outcomes, children and families should receive targeted services that meet their needs in a co-ordinated way. There is a shared responsibility between organisations and agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children in a local area.
Inspire Academy work closely with partner agencies to safeguard children, including:
- Medway Safeguarding Children Partnership (medwayscp.org.uk)
- Medway Virtual School
- Medway SEND Team
- Health services including school nurses, vaccination services, GPs, dentists, specific clinics
- NELFT
- Educational psychologist services
- Attendance Advisory Services
- Local police force, including Medway’s Child-Centred Policing Team and dedicated Academy Officer.
- Violence Reduction Unit
Staff work in the best interests of the child, working in collaboration with agencies, organisations and statutory services to provide targeted support to children and families as appropriate.
Important documentation
1. The Rivermead Inclusive Trust Safeguarding Policy - Located within the Trust Policies page
2. Keeping Children Safe in Education Guidance for Schools
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2
3. PREVENT Guidance for schools and childcare providers on preventing children and young people
4. Inspire Academy's PREVENT Risk Assessment
5. Safeguarding Leaflet for Staff
Worried about a child?
Information, help, support and advice if you are worried about a child in Medway.
If you have concerns that a child or young person living in Medway is suffering from harm please use the following contact details;
Inspire Academy Safeguarding Team - inspiresafeguarding@inspireacademy.org.uk
Medway Children’s Safeguarding Partnership - https://www.medway.gov.uk/mscb/
Medway Children's Services:
Daytime contact number: 01634 334 466
For emergencies outside of office hours: 03000 419 191
Kent Children's Services:
Daytime contact number: 03000 41 11 11 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
For emergencies outside of office hours: 03000 41 91 91
Or use the Red Button link on our Academy's website home page:
Alternative telephone numbers if you have concerns about a child.
NSPCC on 0808 800 5000
ChildLine on 0800 1111
Medway Police on 101
Other useful contact details
Non-emergency number 101
Emergency number 999
LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) - Tel: 01634 331065
https://www.rivermead.org.uk/force_download.cfm?id=2519
Links to:
NSCCP https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
NSPCC Whistleblowing helpline is 0800 028 2085 (8 am - 8 pm Monday to Friday) or via email help@nspcc.org.uk
CEOP https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
CHILDREN'S ONLINE SAFETY TEST (Virgin Media) Children’s Online Safety Test | Virgin Media O2
MEET OUR SAFEGUARDING TEAM