Safeguarding at Longfield Academy

At Longfield Academy, your safety and wellbeing at school, at home and online is our priority. We uphold high standards of safeguarding for our students, staff and community.

Safeguarding Team

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Joy Liasu
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) & Senior Mental Health Lead: Luke Anderson
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)/SENCO: Alastair Williams
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL): Jodie Hurt
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) & Online Safety Coordinator: Matt Lowe

Contact Us

Our team is dedicated to supporting you and can be reached during normal working hours (term time).

Telephone: 01474700700
Email: safeguarding@longfieldacademy.org

Outside of normal working hours or term time please visit the KCC Social Care Website or dial 999 for emergency services.

Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy Keeping Children safe in education Working together to safeguard children

ChildLine

24/7 support and counselling for children and young people

Think U Know

Mental Health support and resources for suicidal thoughts

Kooth

Online Mental Wellbeing community for children and young adults

Mind

Mental Health support and resources for suicidal thoughts

What does Safeguarding look like at Longfield Academy?

All staff receive safeguarding training on induction as well as ongoing updates and personal development e.g. Online Safety, Prevent, County Lines.
Allegations and concerns are reported proactively and taken seriously by all. Appropriate action is taken by the safeguarding team including rationale.
We track and review the needs of our most vulnerable students regularly and involve outside agencies where required, beneficial or appropriate.
We work with the Local Authority, Police and Support Services to ensure our students and families receive the support they need.
We complete and review risk assessments to ensure that all potential dangers in activities have been identified.
We teach our students how to identify dangers and keep themselves safe (including online) during weekly PSHE lessons, assemblies and tutor time.
We understand that mental health and special education needs can have unique safeguarding requirements and regularly review these.
Our students and staff are well trained to evacuate the building safely in case of fire or other emergencies.
We have 3 experienced DSLs and 1 in training . Level 3 DSL Training is updated once every two years for all DSLs, SLT and Office Manager.
Our safeguarding governor works closely with the school to ensure safeguarding practices are robust and upheld.
All staff are DBS checked and can be identified easily via their ID badge which must be worn at all times. This is scanned upon entry into the school building.
Our students have options and easy access to support from our student support mentors, wellbeing staff, safeguarding team and college leadership teams.

What happens when a concern is raised?

By a child/student

Any adult you speak to in the school will listen to what you have to say with an open mind.
Adults will not ask leading questions so that you have to reveal more details.
If they are worried about your safety, they might invite another professional to talk to you.
They will explain that they have a responsibility to report what has been said to the safeguarding team if they are worried about your safety.
Adults will never stop us from freely talking or sharing about significant events.
Adults will make careful notes of discussions and ensure that all concerns are recorded accurately and promptly.
Adults will not keep or promise to keep secrets.
All adults will immediately report to the Safeguarding team if they are worried about your safety.

By an adult

Adults (non staff) can report concerns to the safeguarding team by emailing safeguarding@longfieldacademy.org.
Adults (staff) can report concerns to the safeguarding team by emailing safeguarding@longfieldacademy.org. Adults will be required to log this concerns promptly via BromCom.
The safeguarding team will review all referrals and take appropriate action. Non Staff will be contacted via email to acknowledge or phone call if additional information exchange is required.
Referrals made to the safeguarding team may be reported to the Police, Local Authority or Support Agencies who may also be in touch with you if required.