Safeguarding at Civitas Academy

At Civitas Academy we strive to ensure all our students are safe in school, at home, online and in the community. Our staff are here to keep young people safe and secure and to promote their personal safety and wellbeing.

Our commitment to safeguarding encompasses ways which we ensure children and young people foster security, confidence and independence. The Academy has a duty of care and the right to take reasonable action to ensure the welfare and safety of its pupils. If a member of staff has cause to be concerned that a child may be subject to ill treatment, neglect or any other form of abuse, the Academy will follow child protection procedures and inform Children’s Services of its concern.

A clear policy on Safeguarding is available on our policy page and is reviewed by the school and REAch2 Academy Trust on an annual basis.

There are designated lead staff (Safeguarding Leads/Child Protection Officers) who monitor the effectiveness of the policy and, where necessary, liaise with the local authority when significant safeguarding concerns arise.

If you have a concern that a child is being harmed, is at risk of harm, or you receive a disclosure (intentionally or unintentionally) you must contact one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads as quickly as possible.

The Designated Safeguarding Leads are:

Safeguarding Team

Mrs Donna Heslop

Mrs Donna Heslop

Designated Safeguarding Lead
Educational, Welfare, Pastoral Lead

Miss Celia Frain

Miss Celia Frain

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
(Currently on Parental Leave)

Mrs Jo Rapley

Mrs Jo Rapley

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mr. Sean English

Mr. Sean English

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

 

Policy and Procedures

We will ensure all policies and procedures in respect of safeguarding children are up to date and in line with latest DfE legislation.

Disclosure & Barring Checks

Civitas Academy meets statutory requirements in relation to Disclosure & Barring Service – all staff and volunteers who work with Civitas Academy who meet the ‘regulated activity test’ (Freedoms Act 2012) are required to undergo an enhanced DBS check prior to employment. 

Training

All Academy staff and volunteers undertake relevant safeguarding training upon starting in the Academy and receive annual updates as appropriate.