Safeguarding Children
Bradford Forster Academy takes its role in safeguarding extremely seriously and our staff will do everything they can to protect students and children from harm.
We understand that there are an increasing amount of students that are anxious for various reasons. While we will continue to support them in various ways within school and work alongside parents, please use the link below to help understand ways in which parents can support students outside school. As always if you are concerned and would like to speak to a member of the safeguarding team, please call school to arrange a meeting or email the safeguarding team – safeguarding@bfa.bdat-academies.org
Some useful websites:
Some useful information:
- Self-Harm – Information & Support
- Guardian’s Guide | TikTok
- Treacle – Helping you through those sticky times
Mental Health Support:
We acknowledge that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and all of our staff are trained to be vigilant and aware of the signs and indicators of abuse.
The students’ voices are of paramount importance to our Academy, and we will always listen to their wishes, thoughts and feelings, as well as identify and support their needs. We will work alongside students to develop trusting, consistent and professional relationships.
We use the ‘early help process’ and, where possible, we will identify any difficulties or concerns early in order to act preventatively. We will always provide support and advice for families and parents/carers, whilst acting in the best interests of the student at all times. Safeguarding also includes ensuring we follow safe working practices and provide a secure learning environment for our students and staff.
Bradford Forster Academy safeguards students by:
- Maintaining a secure site and ensuring that all visitors to the academy are recorded and monitored.
- Ensuring that safer recruitment practices are followed to prevent those who pose a risk to children gaining access to our students.
- Ensuring that all students understand the importance of e-safety, both at the academy and at home.
- Filtering and monitoring all internet traffic into the academy to ensure that students cannot be exposed to harmful material and communication.
- Ensuring that all staff employed by the academy have received Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance which is recorded in the Single Central Record.
- Providing regular training and briefings for all staff in child protection and ensuring that all staff, students and visitors know who our designated child protection officers and designated senior leads are.
- Ensuring that admission and attendance procedures are robust to protect students, ensure that they are safe and prevent students from going missing from education.
- Empowering young people to identify risks both within the academy and in their community; ensuring that they have the skills and confidence to protect themselves and others.
- Making sure that all students understand the importance of disclosing concerns about themselves and peers, and giving them the confidence to discuss sensitive issues.
- Providing pastoral support to ensure that all students have access to guidance and advice, and when needed referrals for additional agency support to meet their needs.
- Sharing information with other agencies and services to ensure that students, children and their families have support to meet their needs and prevent children and students from harm.
- Taking immediate action and contacting the appropriate agencies when we believe that a student or child is in danger or is at risk of harm.
Select the links below to find out more information.