Safeguarding Children

Safeguarding at Ribbon Academy

At Ribbon Academy, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment where every child feels valued, respected and protected.

We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All staff, governors, volunteers, visitors and external professionals working within our school share a collective commitment to keeping children safe and supporting their wellbeing. Our safeguarding procedures are fully aligned with current statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), Working Together to Safeguard Children, and local safeguarding partnership procedures.

We believe that effective safeguarding is built upon positive relationships with children and families. Through strong partnerships, early identification of concerns and a culture of vigilance, we work to ensure that children receive the right support at the right time.

Designated Safeguarding Team

The school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is:

Mrs Ashleigh Sheridan (Headteacher)

The DSL is supported by a team of trained Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads and members of the Inclusion Team who work together to coordinate safeguarding practice across the school.

If you have any concerns about the safety, welfare or wellbeing of a child, please contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately. All concerns are taken seriously and handled sensitively, appropriately and in accordance with safeguarding procedures.

Our Safeguarding Approach

At Ribbon Academy we take a proactive approach to safeguarding and child protection. We recognise that safeguarding extends beyond protecting children from abuse and neglect and includes:

• Physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.
• Online safety and digital citizenship.
• Peer-on-peer abuse.
• Child-on-child harmful behaviour.
• Attendance and persistent absence.
• Emotional health and wellbeing.
• Early Help and family support.
• Domestic abuse.
• Child exploitation and criminal exploitation.
• Radicalisation and extremism.
• Contextual safeguarding, including risks outside the school environment.

Recording and Responding to Concerns

All staff receive regular safeguarding training and are expected to report any concern, however small, without delay. Concerns are recorded using CPOMs and are reviewed by the Designated Safeguarding Team.

Where appropriate, concerns will be discussed with parents and carers at the earliest opportunity. However, there may be circumstances where information cannot be shared immediately if doing so could place a child at increased risk of harm or compromise safeguarding investigations.

The school works closely with families and external agencies to ensure that children receive the support and protection they need.

Attendance and Safeguarding

We recognise that good attendance is an important safeguarding indicator and is closely linked to children’s wellbeing, achievement and safety.

Attendance is monitored carefully by the school’s Attendance Team. Every absence and instance of lateness is followed up and patterns of attendance are reviewed regularly. Where concerns arise, the school works closely with families to identify barriers to attendance and provide appropriate support.

Where necessary, referrals may be made to the Local Authority Attendance Team and other support services. Persistent absence, severe absence or unexplained absences are considered safeguarding concerns and may result in further action to ensure a child’s welfare and safety.

Early Help and Family Support

We believe that early intervention can make a significant difference to outcomes for children and families. Where additional needs are identified, the school may work with families to provide Early Help support and coordinate services from a range of professionals.

Our aim is always to provide support at the earliest opportunity and to work collaboratively with families to ensure children can thrive both in school and beyond.

Online Safety

As a school, we are committed to helping children stay safe when using technology. Online safety is taught throughout the curriculum and is embedded within our wider safeguarding culture. We work with parents and carers to help children develop the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the online world safely, responsibly and respectfully.

Safeguarding Culture

At Ribbon Academy, children are encouraged to talk to trusted adults if they are worried, upset or concerned about themselves or others. We actively promote children’s voice, wellbeing and resilience, ensuring that every child knows they will be listened to and supported.

Safeguarding is central to our vision and values, and we continually review our practice to ensure the highest standards of protection, care and support for all children.

Key Documents:

Operation Encompass

Ribbon Academy participates in Operation Encompass, a national partnership between police, schools and local authorities that supports children who may have been affected by domestic abuse.

Through Operation Encompass, the police will securely share information with the school’s trained Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) before the start of the next school day when a child has been present, witnessed or been affected by a domestic abuse incident. This enables the school to provide timely, appropriate and sensitive support based on the individual needs of the child.

We recognise that exposure to domestic abuse can have a significant impact on a child’s emotional wellbeing, mental health, behaviour, attendance and ability to learn. Children affected by domestic abuse are recognised as victims in their own right and may require additional support to help them feel safe, secure and ready to learn.

The information shared through Operation Encompass is treated confidentially and is used solely to ensure that appropriate support can be provided to the child and family.

By participating in Operation Encompass, Ribbon Academy strengthens its commitment to safeguarding, early intervention and ensuring that every child receives the care and support they need to thrive.