Elmlea Schools’ Trust has clear procedures for Safeguarding. Information is available from the links on this page, or from the Designated Safeguarding Leads.

Designated Safeguarding Officer: Lorraine Wright, Executive Headteacher: lorraine.wright@elmleaschoolstrust.com

Junior School Deputy Safeguarding Officer: Jo Sloper, Deputy Headteacher
jo.sloper@elmleaschoolstrust.com
Infant School Deputy Safeguarding Officer: Lee Daubney, Deputy Headteacher lee.daubney@elmleaschoolstrust.com

Safeguarding Governor: Ria Burridge ria.burridge@elmleaschoolstrust.com

If you have concerns that you want to make either school or the trust aware of, please contact the designated safeguarding lead. The designated person will then monitor any concerns and report where appropriate to social care if a child is deemed at risk of significant harm. Any information shared with us will be disclosed only to those staff who need to know for the purposes of child protection. Concerns will usually be shared with parent/child by the designated person, unless to do so may place the child/ren at increased risk of harm. If there is doubt about this, the designated person will consult with social care.

General guidance can be found in the following publications:
Keeping Children Safe in Education
Working Together to Safeguard Children

The Trust’s Safeguarding policies are available via the following links:

Useful websites and links to further information:
Childline
First Response Details
South West Child Protection Procedures
First Response Flyer

We recognise that staff and adults working with children, because of the contact with and knowledge of children in their care, are well placed to identify abuse and offer support to children in need. The trust is an agent of referral and not of investigation.
Keeping Children Safe in Education and the ‘Working Together’ guidance recognise that there are 4 categories of abuse:
• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Neglect

Safeguarding is not just about protecting children from deliberate harm and abuse. It includes other issues such as:
• Internet safety
• Health and safety
• Meeting the needs of children with medical issues
• Bullying
• Physical intervention
• Radicalisation
• Racist abuse
• Harassment and discrimination
• Child sexual exploitation, forced marriage and FGM

It may be that while you are in either school you are approached by a child who wants to talk to you about something that has or is happening to them. We have a very clear system which enables you to report to us so that we can help the child.

What should you do?
• If you are approached by a child, help them by:
• Listening positively to what they say and, if possible, ensure a degree of privacy while you are doing this;
• Taking what the child has to say seriously;
• Staying calm, however shocked you may be;
• Letting the child know that this information will have to be passed on so that they can be helped;

You should not:
• Ask leading questions – avoid ‘who, where’ what’ type questions;
• Appear shocked or angry;
• Make judgements;
• Promise to keep this information a secret;
• Confront or question an alleged abuser – it is not your job to investigate;

If you have any concerns about a child or young person please do not leave it to someone else to deal with.

What next?

If you are in school as a visitor or volunteer please speak to a member of staff about your concern and they will direct you to complete a safeguarding concern form. The form takes you through the information required and also details important information such as the name of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). It should be hand-written and completed as soon after the disclosure as you can. It allows us to make an informed decision about how to help the child if you include as much factual detail as possible.
When you have completed this it should be handed to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or one of the deputies. They will then make sure the child receives appropriate help. This could be by referring the child to an outside agency.

If you have concerns about a child’s welfare, but they have not said anything, you should record your concern on the Child Protection Concern form and, once again, pass to the Designated Safeguarding Lead for Child Protection or Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads Child Protection.

Examples include:
• Seeing unusual marks or bruises;
• The child’s personal hygiene is not as it should be;
• The child is always hungry;
• You have seen a change in their behaviour over a few weeks.

It is important that if you have concerns, however trivial, they are passed onto us. Remember that children’s details and names must remain confidential at all times. Detailing issues should be on a need-to-know basis only.

Dealing with issues of child abuse can be distressing for anyone and we appreciate your help in making sure Elmlea Schools Trust schools are a safe place for everyone.

If you are not in school, you are able to report your concerns about a child as a member of the public as follows:

If you’re concerned about the well-being of a child contact the Bristol City Council First Response Team on 0117 903 6444.  When our offices are closed call the Emergency Duty Team on 01454 615 165. 

If the child is at immediate risk call the Police on 999. 

If you’re unable to use a phone, tell us your preferred communication method

Other numbers you can call: 

  • NSPCC 24 hour Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (free from a landline) 
  • NSPCC Text helpline: 88858 (service is free and anonymous) 
  • Police: 101 (non-emergency calls) 
    Link to Bristol City Council details: Report a concern about a child – bristol.gov.uk

If you have any queries regarding this information, or require further clarification, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead.