The purpose of this safeguarding policy is to provide a secure framework for the workforce in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of those students who attend our academy. The policy aims to ensure that:

• All our students are safe and protected from harm.
• Other elements of provision and policies are in place to enable students to feel safe and adopt safe practices; staff, students, visitors, volunteers, and parents/carers are aware of expected behaviours and the academy's legal responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our students.
• BPA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the physical, mental, and emotional welfare of every child, both inside and outside each Trust setting, irrespective of race, age, ability, gender, language, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or culture. We implement a Trust-wide preventative approach to managing safeguarding concerns, ensuring that the wellbeing of pupils is at the forefront of all action taken.

This policy sets out a clear and consistent framework for delivering this promise at BPA Academy, in line with statutory safeguarding legislation and guidance (including Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026). It will be achieved by:

• Ensuring that the staff of BPA understand their responsibilities under safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance, are alert to the signs of child abuse and harm, and know to refer concerns to their Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
• Teaching pupils how to keep safe (including online) and recognise behaviour that is unacceptable.
• Identifying and making provision for any child who has been subject to, or is at risk of, abuse, neglect, exploitation, or radicalisation.
• Creating a culture of safer recruitment by adopting procedures that help deter, reject, or identify people who might pose a risk to children.
• Ensuring that any BPA employees, contractors, or volunteers are only appointed once all appropriate safer recruitment checks (including enhanced DBS checks and online checks) have been satisfactorily completed.

BPA follows the procedures established by the Buckinghamshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (BSCP); a guide to procedure and practice for all agencies in Buckinghamshire working with children and their families: buckssafeguarding.org.uk/childrenpartnership

Improving outcomes for all children and young people underpins all development and work within this academy. Safeguarding is considered everyone’s responsibility and, as such, our academy aims to create the safest environment within which every student has the opportunity to achieve. Our academy recognises the contribution it can make in ensuring that all registered students, or those who use our academy, feel listened to and that appropriate action will be taken.

We will do this by working in partnership with other agencies and seeking to establish effective working relationships with parents, carers, and colleagues to develop and provide activities and opportunities throughout our curriculum that equip our children and young people with essential life skills and protective behaviours.

If a child makes an allegation or disclosure of abuse against an adult or another child/young person, staff will:

• Stay calm, listen carefully, and reassure the child that they have done the right thing in telling you.
• Not investigate or ask leading questions; explain gently to the child that the information must be shared with the DSL.
• Never promise absolute confidentiality or to keep secrets.
• Inform the DSL as soon as possible and make a detailed, objective written record of the allegation or disclosure, which will be signed, dated, and logged using the academy's safeguarding system (e.g. CPOMS).

Responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

BPA DSLs have an overarching duty to:

• Take lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection within the Academy, including online safety, filtering, and monitoring systems.
• Coordinate the school's approach to community-based early help and targeted family help.
• Report regularly to the Board of Trustees via agreed governance and reporting routes.
• Refer cases:
  • To Children's Social Care Services (CSCS) where abuse or neglect is suspected.
  • To the Channel programme where radicalisation concerns arise.
  • To the DBS where a person is dismissed or has left due to harm, or risk of harm, to a child.
  • To the Police where a crime may have been committed, in line with NPCC guidance.
• Ensure every member of staff at BPA has access to and understands trust-wide and academy-specific safeguarding policies during induction.
• Work with the local governing board to ensure policy reviews occur annually and procedures remain up to date.
• Facilitate effective information sharing within the Trust, with partner schools, external agencies, and local safeguarding partners.
• Maintain detailed, accurate, and secure written records of safeguarding concerns, decisions made, and rationale, complying with data protection legislation (UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, and Data (Use and Access) Act 2025).

Responsibilities of all teaching staff

All teachers within the Trust and at BPA must:

• Safeguard pupils’ wellbeing and maintain public trust in the teaching profession, as set out in the national Teachers’ Standards.
• Fulfil the mandatory statutory duty to report any known cases of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in under-18s directly to the police.
• Recognise that children may not feel ready, know how, or recognise the need to disclose abuse, exploitation, or neglect.

Responsibilities of all staff

All staff members must:

• Consider at all times what is in the best interests of the child.
• Maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’.
• Provide safe environments in which pupils can learn.
• Read and understand at least 'Part one' of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).
• Be prepared to identify pupils who may benefit from Early Help.
• Understand the role and identity of the DSL and DDSLs.
• Complete mandatory safeguarding and online safety training upon induction, updated regularly.
• Understand early help processes, statutory assessment frameworks under the Children Act 1989, and procedures for social care referrals.
• Immediately notify the DSL/Police if a child is at immediate risk of serious harm.
• Maintain appropriate levels of confidentiality while reassuring victims that they are taken seriously and supported.
• Be vigilant regarding extra-familial harms such as child sexual exploitation (CSE), child criminal exploitation (CCE/County Lines), child-on-child abuse, serious youth violence, missing from education, AI/digital threats, and cyberbullying.

All matters relating to child protection are confidential. The DSL will share personal information about a student with other staff on a need-to-know basis only. Staff must understand that confidentiality is not absolute when a child's safety is at risk; data protection regulations do not act as a barrier to sharing information where failure to do so would place the child at risk.

We will aim to inform parents/carers before making a referral to social care, unless doing so would put the child at increased risk of harm or impede a police investigation.

If an allegation of abuse or potential harm is made against a staff member, volunteer, or contractor:

1. The person receiving the allegation must report it immediately to the Headteacher / Senior Leader or DSL.
2. If the allegation concerns the DSL, it must be reported directly to the Headteacher or Creative Director.
3. If the allegation concerns the Headteacher / Principal, it must be reported directly to the Chair of Governors and the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).

The DSL/Headteacher will:

• Inform the DSL at TBS (Marc Brannon).
• Contact the LADO before conducting internal investigations.
• Put safeguarding arrangements in place to ensure the child is separated from the alleged abuser.
• Follow appropriate disciplinary procedures, including considering suspension where necessary.
• Report to the DBS and Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) where a staff member is disciplined, dismissed, or resigns as a result of founded allegations.

Staff are informed of the Whistleblowing Policy during induction. Staff have a duty to raise concerns about the attitude or actions of colleagues where these are inappropriate or unsuitable. If necessary, staff can speak to the delegated Whistleblowing Officer at TBS or access external services such as the NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline (0800 028 0285).

Safeguarding work can be distressing. BPA supports staff by:

• Providing clear boundaries through guidance: 'Guidance for Safer Working Practice for Adults Working with Children and Young People in Education Settings'.
• Offering debriefing opportunities and pastoral support via the Creative Director or Trust resources following stressful or traumatic safeguarding disclosures.

BPA supports students by embedding safety into the curriculum, including relationships and sex education (RSE/PSHE), online safety (including AI literacy and digital harms), and protective behaviours. We promote an inclusive environment that values diversity across religion, race, disability, gender, and sexual orientation in line with the Equality Act 2010.

When a student with child protection records leaves the academy, their confidential safeguarding file and medical records will be transferred securely to the new educational setting under confidential cover as a matter of urgency.

All staff complete safeguarding and child protection training at induction, updated regularly and whenever legislation changes. Induction covers:

• The Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy, Attendance Policy, Anti-Bullying Policy, and Staff Code of Conduct.
• Part 1 (or Annex A) of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).
• Online safety practices, including filtering and monitoring expectations.
• Identifying signs of abuse, sexual harassment, contextual safeguarding, and radicalisation (Prevent Duty).

DSLs and DDSLs undergo formal role-specific DSL training every two years alongside regular updates on Early Help, LADO procedures, trauma-informed practice, and multi-agency working.

While BPA operates as a subcontractor within Danes Educational Trust, we retain full responsibility for managing and responding to safeguarding concerns independently. BPA aligns fully with both The Beaconsfield School (TBS) and Danes Educational Trust policies to maintain consistent and robust safeguarding practices.