Safeguarding : The Bromfords School

Safeguarding

The link below is for information about the NSPCC dedicated helpline to support children and young people who have experienced abuse at school and for worried adults and professionals that need support and guidance.

Please remember that this service is in addition to the Safeguarding policies and procedures that have always been available at The Bromfords School

NSPCC dedicated helpline

Safeguarding is about ensuring that everyone is safe from harm, safe from bullying, safe from people who could abuse, safe from discrimination or harassment and safe from radicalisation.

The Bromfords School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its students. We recognise that all adults, including temporary staff, volunteers and governors, have a full and active part to play in protecting our students from harm, and that the child or young person’s welfare is our paramount concern.

As we enter a period where students are making journeys to and from school in the dark, please remind your child to be particularly vigilant on their way to and from school.

Students should ideally avoid being on their own but where this is unavoidable ensure they do not talk to strangers and if approached by unknown adults they should seek help from the nearest safe source and always tell their parents/carers.

We would always advise that should you have concerns relating to this type of incident that you contact the police.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children has an important role to play. School staff are particularly important as they are in a position to identify concerns early, provide help for children, promote children’s welfare and prevent concerns from escalating. It is important all staff (including those who do not work directly with children) recognise the important role they play in protecting children. – Keeping Children Safe in Education September 2022

We have a team of Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) that can be seen on posters around school.

Mrs Lorraine Briffaut
BriffautL@bromfords.essex.sch.uk
Mr Daniel Osei-Poku
OseiPokuD@bromfords.essex.sch.uk
Mrs Rebecca Clout
CloutR@bromfords.essex.sch.uk
Mrs El McCue
McCueE@bromfords.essex.sch.uk
Mr Aaron Rowswell
RowswellA@bromfords.essex.sch.uk
Miss Emma Huet
HuetE@bromfords.essex.sch.uk

Safeguarding legislation and government guidance says that safeguarding means:

Protecting children from maltreatment
Preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development
Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
Taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcome

Safeguarding includes child protection, health care plans, health and safety, site security, safety on school trips, anti-bullying work, prevent duty and so much more.

The school adheres to the following three DFE safeguarding documents:

All staff receive regular Child Protection and Safeguarding update training and are aware of the procedures for passing on concerns within school.

Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child or young person’s welfare.

We will ensure that our concerns about our students are discussed with his/her parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child or young person’s welfare.

If any members of the school or local community have concerns about the welfare of a child in the school, please pass them on to the School’s designated safeguarding leads.

There will be occasions when we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns over a child or young person’s welfare.

Click here for the School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and Welfare Check – Flowchart.

The SET (Southend, Essex and Thurrock) Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures have been updated to reflect current practice and changes in legislation.

Child on Child abuse

The Bromfords School is committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our students, so they can learn in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Peer on peer abuse of any kind is unacceptable at our school. If peer on peer abuse does occur, all students can talk to someone, secure in the knowledge that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. Incidents of peer on peer abuse will be managed in the same way as any other child protection concern and will follow the same procedures. We will seek advice and support from other agencies as appropriate.

Click here for the School’s Child on Child Abuse Policy

Children and young people at risk of becoming involved in gangs

Independent charity Crimestoppers is highlighting that children and young people across Essex are at risk of becoming involved with gangs and the violence and abuse that often follows. Please read their press release below for more details, especially if you are concerned about your children.

Supporting student mental health and wellbeing

For more information on how we support the mental health and wellbeing of students, click here.

Useful links:

Childline: 0800 1111

Essex online guidance and resources

Vaping Information

National Online Safety – What parents need to know about music streaming apps & Sites Free Resource

TikTok – What Parents need to know