The purpose of this statement is:

• to protect children and young people, who receive Fleetdown Primary Academy’s services, from harm. This includes the children of adults who use our services
• to provide staff and volunteers, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.

This policy safeguarding statement applies to anyone working on behalf of Fleetdown Primary Academy, including senior leaders and the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff and students.

Legal framework

This policy Safeguarding Statement has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from

Child protection system in the UK | NSPCC Learning

Supporting documents

This policy Safeguarding Statement should be read alongside our organisational policies, procedures, guidance and other related documents:

• Safeguarding Policy
• Acceptable Use Policy
• Complaints Policy
• Whistleblowing Policy and Procedures
• Social (Behaviour) PolicyBehaviour Policy
• Attendance Policy
• Equality and Community Cohesion Policy
• Health and Safety Policy
• Parent Code of Conduct Policy
• Pupil Wellbeing Policy
• Child-Friendly Safeguarding Policy
• Safer Recruitment Policy
• Search and Confiscation Policy
• Staff Discipline and Code of Conduct Policy
• Dealing with Racial Incidents Policy
• Data Protection Policy
• Data Retention Policy
• Freedom of Information Policy

We believe that:

• children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind
• we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

We recognise that:

• the welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take
• working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare
• all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse
• some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues
• extra safeguards may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse.

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

• valuing, listening to and respecting them
• appointing a nominated child protection lead for children and young people, a deputy and a lead trustee/board member for safeguarding
• adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers
• developing and implementing an effective online safetyacceptable use policy and related procedures (Content 6 of the Safeguarding Policy)
• providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures so that all staff and volunteers know about and follow our policies, procedures and behaviour codes confidently and competently
• recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made (Content 8 of the Safeguarding Policy)
• recording and storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance [more information about this is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office: ico.org.uk/fororganisations
• sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their families via leaflets, posters, group work and one-to-one discussions
• making sure that children, young people and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern
• using our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately
• using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately
• creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise
• ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place
• ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance
• building a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, children, young people and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns.

Contact details

Designated Child Protection Lead

Toniann Braniff
toniann.braniff@golden-thread.org

Deputy Child Protection Leads

Alice Harrington
alice.harrington@golden-thread.org

Sophie Dalton (Trust Online Safety)
sophie.dalton@golden-thread.org

Nicola King
nicola.king@golden-thread.org

Jemma Hassett jemma.hassett@golden-thread.org

Rajinder Hothi
rajinder.hothi@golden-thread.org

Fleetdown Primary Academy Office
01322 226891

Worried About A Child?

If you believe that a child or young person is at IMMEDIATE risk, you should treat this as an emergency and call the academy, or call 999 to report your concerns to the Police.

Most children enjoy generally happy childhood experiences within their own family. Unfortunately for some this is not the case. During difficult family times, everyone who knows the child must do the best they can to protect them from future harm.

Most children enjoy generally happy childhood experiences within their own family. Unfortunately for some this is not the case. During difficult family times, everyone who knows the child must do the best they can to protect them from future harm.

Spot Abuse

You may be concerned about a child or young person. You may or may not know them, or even their name. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Abuse can take many different forms, such as neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse and even emotional abuse.

Take Responsibility

Don’t assume that someone else will take responsibility and make that phone call. You could help to save a child’s life. If you are worried, report it.

Tell someone!

Please contact Specialist Children’s Services or the Police immediately:

Kent Central Duty Team

Telephone: 03000 411111
Fax: 03000 412345

Emergency Out of Hours

Telephone: 03000 419191
E-mail: social.services@kent.gov.uk

Kent Police Child Abuse Investigation Unit

Telephone: 01622 690 690

If you need to advise us of a child or young person moving into Kent from another area, please contact the Safeguarding Unit on 01622 694157.

NEW: Dedicated NSPCC Helpline

Telephone: 0800 136 663

The new helpline will provide both children and adults who are potential victims of sexual abuse in schools with the appropriate support and advice. This includes how to contact the police and report crimes if they wish. The helpline will also provide support to parents and professionals too.