Bartley Green School Safeguarding Statement

Safeguarding is protecting vulnerable children from abuse or neglect. At our school safeguarding of children is taken very seriously. We are committed to ensuring a safer and conducive learning environment for every child. We believe that students have a right to learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment which includes the right to protection from all types of abuse; where staff are vigilant for signs of any student in distress and are confident about applying the processes to avert and alleviate any such problems.

Safeguarding legislation and government guidance says that safeguarding means:

• Protecting children from maltreatment

• Preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development

• Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care

• Taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes

Safeguarding includes child protection, health care plans, health and safety, site security, safety on school trips, anti-bullying work and so much more.

The school adheres to the following three DFE safeguarding documents:

• Keeping Children Safe in Education September 

• The Prevent Duty 2015 + Prevent Guidance

• Birmingham City Council’s Right Help Right time Framework

All staff receive annual Child Protection and Safeguarding training and attend refresher sessions throughout the year. As a staff body, we are fully aware of the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of neglect or abuse (physical, emotional, sexual) and understand the procedures for referring concerns to relevant external agencies.

Our Safeguarding team is always available to talk to you if you have any concerns regarding the safety or well-being of your child. Please contact any of the team listed below:

• Mr B Ward (Designated Safeguarding Lead)

• Mr L Egerton (Deputy Safeguarding Lead)

If your child is ever concerned about their own safety or well-being or about a friend, they should speak directly to one of the Safeguarding Team or contact us by emailing safeguarding@bartleygreen.org.uk

If we have any safeguarding concerns about a student we will discuss these concerns with parents/carers before approaching other agencies (ie – Children’s Social Care) and will seek their consent before making a referral if we feel this is necessary. However there may be occasions when the school will contact an agency before informing parents/carers because it considers that contacting them may increase the risk of significant harm to the child.