Safeguarding at Queensbury

Queensbury Academy is committed to ensuring all students are safe in the Academy, at home, online and in the community. Our staff are aware and trained to prioritise student safety and to promote well-being. We prioritise the importance of this work and have high expectations of all in our community with regards to this key role.

The Academy has a duty of care and the right to take reasonable action to ensure the welfare and safety of its students. If a member of staff has cause to be concerned that a child may be subject to ill treatment, neglect or any other form of abuse, the Academy will follow their child protection procedures which may include informing Childrens’ Services of the concern. Wherever possible we will discuss concerns with families and work with them to support the child.

Safeguarding Officers

The Board of Trustees for Anthem Schools Trust has ultimate responsibility for Safeguarding issues. Operationally, this responsibility is delegated to the Education Directors, supported by the Head of Safeguarding, who lead on policy issues in relation to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk across Anthem Schools. At Queensbury Academy the school Safeguarding Team takes responsibility for managing the local Safeguarding issues that affect our students. This staff members in this team are clear about their role, have sufficient time and receive relevant support and training, which includes close contact with outside agencies including Children’s Services, the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board , the Police and relevant health care organisations.

At Queensbury Academy, Rachel Mason is our Designated Safeguarding Lead and Karen Wasway deputises in her absence. 

Along with a team of designated staff, they monitor the effectiveness of the safeguarding policy and support students when safeguarding issues arise, liaising with family and the local authority when significant safeguarding concerns arise.

If you have a concern that a child is being harmed, is at risk of harm, or you receive a disclosure (intentionally or unintentionally) you can contact one of the designated safeguarding using the details below. These staff can also be contacted via the email address safeguarding@queensbury.anthemtrust.uk which is monitored during usual school hours.

If your concern falls outside of school hours (8-5pm) support can be gained from Central Bedfordshire Children’s Services on 0300 300 8585) or the NSPCC  on 0808 800 5000

Policy and Procedures

Our Safeguarding policy is available below and is reviewed by Trust and school staff.

We ensure all policies and procedures in respect of safeguarding children are up to date and in line with latest DfE legislation. Policies and procedures are also reviewed and revised by the Anthem Trustees on a regular basis.

Please click here for the Academy’s Safeguarding Policy.

Disclosure & Barring Checks

Anthem Trust meets statutory requirements in relation to Disclosure & Barring Service – all staff and volunteers who work with Anthem who meet the ‘regulated activity test’ (Freedoms Act 2012) are required to undergo an enhanced DBS check prior to employment.

Training

All Academy staff and volunteers undertake safeguarding training upon starting in the Academy and receive annual updates as appropriate. All safeguarding staff are Level 3 trained.

Medical Care

Within the Academy we have first aid trained staff who are available during the day to attend to students who become ill or have an accident.

Parents are asked to provide a daytime telephone number and an alternative emergency contact so that they can be contacted if necessary.

If medicines need to be administered to a student, parents must complete a care plan with our medical officer. Further details can be found on our ‘medical’ website page and linked policies.

Operation Encompass

The school has been given the opportunity to take part in a project that will run jointly between schools, Bedford Borough Council and Bedfordshire Police.

Operation Encompass is the reporting to schools, prior to the start of the next school day, when a child or young person has experienced or been exposed to any domestic abuse.

Operation Encompass will ensure that a member of the school staff, known as a Key Adult, is trained to allow them to liaise with the police and to use the information that has been shared, in confidence, while ensuring that the school is able to make provision for possible difficulties experienced by children, or their families, who have been experienced a domestic abuse incident.

We are keen to offer the best support possible to all our pupils and we believe this will be extremely beneficial for all those involved.

Please use the link provided for more information,

https://www.operationencompass.org