Safeguarding and Child Protection
Abbey College fully recognises the responsibility it has under section 157/175 of the Education Act 2002 to have arrangements in place to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
Through their day-to-day contact with pupils and direct work with families all staff in school have a responsibility to:
- Identify concerns early to prevent them from escalating;
- Provide a safe environment in which children can learn;
- Identify children who may benefit from early help;
- Know what to do if a child tells them he/she is being abused or neglected;
- Follow the referral process if they have a concern
Key Personnel
The Designated Safeguarding Lead for Child Protection is: Kate Wibberley
The following members of staff have also received the Designated Safeguarding Lead training and are Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads: Sarah Noble, Claire Peattie, Lisa Gregory and Sam Moore.
The nominated governor for Safeguarding and Child Protection is: Lisa Williamson
If you would like to contact the schools safeguarding team please email or phone 01487 811762/811761.
Safeguarding and safer recruitment are key elements of our practice and as such all adults working at the school, receive the following support;
- Recruitment via a process involving a safer recruitment senior leader
- An enhanced DBS check before beginning work
- Safeguarding training at the point of employment
- Update training on safeguarding and the PREVENT duty at the start of every academic year
- regular updates on specific issues relating to safeguarding, e.g. Mental Health support, On-line safety, CSE
Statutory Guidance that inform our practice are Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024Children Safe in Education 2024 and Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Policies
The relevant Safeguarding & Child Protection Policies can be found on the Statutory Information Page
Welfare Support
Young Carers
What Is A Young Carer?
Do you help to look after someone in your family who has a mental or physical illness, disability or is dependent on drugs or alcohol?
Do you offer emotional and practical support and take on tasks that are usually done by an adult?
If so, you are a Young Carer and you are not alone. There is plenty of support out there for you.
Support available:
- Referrals for practical help
- Counselling
- Homework support
- Someone to chat to
For further information please contact Mrs Peattie Young Carers Champion:
LGBTQ+
Abbey College promotes awareness and understanding, displaying commitment to ensuring all LGBTQ+ people are rightfully granted a safe, comfortable and happy experience during their time at school and beyond.
All school staff are trained to support and advise students or parents on LGBTQ+ topics. Our Welfare Department includes specialist staff to offer more individual support. The school have an LGBTQ+ Champion, Mrs Peattie, who is part of the Welfare Team.
Abbey College staff and governors have a legal duty to ensure all forms of bullying, including homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying, are tackled under the Education and Inspections Act 2006.
Support Available:
- 1-2-1 conversations with trained staff
- Tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic behaviour and language
- Referrals to specialist organisations
Our current focus is raising the profile of LGBT and the Pride Group, supporting young people and providing information for staff, students and parents.
Pride Club
Pride Club is on every Thursday after school in IT01 to all year groups. It provides a safe, non-judgemental community for everyone to chat, have fun, access support and hear stories from other LGBTQ+ young people. We are proud to be promoting inclusivity and raising the profile of LGBTQ+ young people.
For further information please contact Mrs Peattie LGBTQA+ Champion: