We do this together with other safeguarding partners to ensure effective arrangement within our school to identify, assess and support children who are suffering from harm. Our work is directed by Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) and Working Together to Safeguard Children WTSC.
The school will, in most circumstances, endeavour to discuss all concerns with parents/carers about their children. However, there may be exceptional circumstances when the school will discuss concerns with Social Care and/or the Police without parental knowledge (in accordance with Child Protection procedures). The school will, of course, always aim to maintain a positive relationship with all parents/carers. The school’s child protection policy is available to view at the bottom of this page.
We may suggest an Early Help Assessment (EHA) to provide support to prevent escalation and to help coordinate support across agencies for families and children, who need extra help.
All Somerset schools, including Brymore Academy, follow the Somerset Safeguarding Children’s Partnership procedures. SSCP.
We endeavour to be child-centred, keeping the child’s needs and voice central to decisions. Students are encouraged to talk to a trusted adult if they are worried about anything.
Mrs Harriet Featherstone - Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Ms Georgia Solman - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Mr Graham Bloxham - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead in Boarding (DDSL)
Mr Oliver Walby - Designated Teacher for Children Looked After (DT)
Our Governor with Safeguarding responsibilities:
Mrs Charlotte Wade
If you are worried about your welfare or someone else's please let us know the details using the form here so we can support all those involved.
Only members of staff from the Brymore Safeguarding Team will have access to your report.
If you have a concern which involves the safety or wellbeing of a child during school hours, please contact the school on 01278 652369 and ask to speak to the DSL or DDSL, or email safeguarding@brymoreacademy.co.uk
During school holidays this email address is checked Monday - Friday before 10.00am.
If the concern is outside of school hours and is serious, please contact the following:
If the child is at immediate risk of harm, please contact Somerset Children’s Social care on 0300 123 2224 or childrens@somerset.gov.uk.
If a crime has been committed, please contact the police on 999.
To report a crime that has already taken place call 101.
If you would like to speak to a Children’s Social Care outside of office hours contact the Emergency Duty Team (EDT) on 0300 123 2327.
All staff begin the academic year with a safeguarding refresher training to ensure that updates are disseminated from statutory and local guidance. In addition, staff are required to read and sign annual updates to Keeping Children Safe in Education, along with school and trust safeguarding policies.
Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Safeguarding Leads in school have followed SSCP training protocol and have completed Advanced Child Protection training. All safeguarding team receive further training on specific safeguarding and child protection matters.
Every shortlisting and interview panel includes at least one member who is trained in Safer Recruitment.
Our school is part of Operation Encompass which is a national scheme that operates jointly between schools and police forces. Operation Encompass is the reporting to schools, prior to the start of the school day, when a child has experienced or witnessed domestic abuse.
This allows us to offer immediate and tailored support to children in a safe and nurturing environment. Our involvement in Operation Encompass reflects our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every child.
If you would like more information, please visit www.operationencompass.org or speak to a member of our safeguarding team - Harriet Featherstone is the Designated Safeguarding Officer and trained Operation Encompass member of staff.
Radicalisation is when someone starts to believe or support extreme views, and in some cases, then participates in extremist acts (including threats and intimidation, or violence). It can be motivated by a range of factors, including political beliefs and prejudices against particular groups of people, or religious beliefs or ideologies.
Anyone can be radicalised, but factors such as being easily influenced and impressionable make children and young people particularly vulnerable. Children who are at risk of radicalisation will often have low self-esteem or be victims of bullying or discrimination.
For more information see Let's Talk about it Prevent
Radicalisation of children and young people is child abuse and should be treated as a child protection issue.
Safeguarding is the primary objective of the Prevent Duty in Somerset.
If you have any concerns that someone in your community is vulnerable or susceptible to radicalisation by extremists, please contact the Police Prevent Referral team on 01179 455 536 or email PreventSW@avonandsomerset.police.uk
All staff complete Prevent Awareness training on an annual basis.
Childline - https://www.childline.org.uk/
NSPCC - https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/reporting-abuse/nspcc-helpline/
Family Lives - https://www.familylives.org.uk/
Kooth - https://www.kooth.com/
Safer Schools - https://oursaferschools.co.uk/home-learning-hub/online-safety/
Safeguarding Policies and Procedures