Safeguarding
Under the Education Act 2002 (Sections 175 and 157), schools have a statutory duty to make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
At Beacon Primary Academy, we are committed to providing a safe, secure and welcoming environment where every child is respected, valued and supported to achieve their full potential. Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do, and we actively promote a culture of vigilance, transparency and professional curiosity to ensure that all children remain safe from harm.
The academy is alert to the signs and indicators of abuse, neglect and exploitation and will act promptly when concerns arise. We follow the procedures and guidance of the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) and work closely with partner agencies to ensure that children receive the support, protection and intervention they need at the earliest opportunity.
Parents and carers should be aware that all academy staff have a legal and professional responsibility to share information where there are concerns about a child's welfare. This may include concerns relating to neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, child-on-child abuse, exploitation or other safeguarding risks. Wherever possible, concerns will be discussed with parents/carers before a referral is made to Children's Services. However, this will not take place where such discussions could place a child at greater risk of harm or compromise an investigation.
In accordance with information sharing legislation and local multi-agency protocols, the academy ensures that information is shared securely, appropriately and proportionately. Information will only be shared with relevant professionals and agencies when it is necessary to safeguard children, promote their welfare, or ensure they receive the right support at the right time.
The site-specific Safeguarding and Child Protection Arrangements document, available below, outlines the procedures and systems in place at Beacon Primary Academy. This document should be read alongside the Greenwood Academies Trust (GAT) Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
The academy's safeguarding arrangements are informed by current statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and Working Together to Safeguard Children. Our policies and procedures are regularly reviewed to ensure compliance with the latest statutory requirements and best practice guidance.
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, and at Beacon Primary Academy we are committed to working in partnership with children, families, staff and external agencies to ensure that every child is safe, heard, supported and able to thrive.
Definition
Safeguarding is the overarching term used to describe everything that is done to protect children and young people from harm, support their wellbeing and promote their welfare. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and requires all adults to work together in the best interests of children.
Working Together to Safeguard Children defines safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children as:
- Providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge.
- Protecting children from maltreatment, whether that occurs within or outside the home, including online.
- Preventing the impairment of children's mental and physical health or development.
- Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.
- Promoting the upbringing of children by their parents or wider family network whenever it is safe and in the child's best interests.
- Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.
The welfare of the child is paramount (Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004).
At Beacon Primary Academy, we believe that every child has the right to be safe, protected, listened to and supported. We are committed to ensuring that all children, regardless of their:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Race, ethnicity or cultural background
- Religion or belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
- Language
- Family circumstances or socio-economic background
have an equal right to protection from abuse, neglect, exploitation and harm, and to have their needs recognised and met.
We are committed to creating a culture where children feel safe, valued and empowered to speak out, knowing that they will be listened to and supported.
Teaching our pupils about safeguarding
At Beacon Primary Academy, we promote a culture where children feel safe, valued and confident to speak out if they have concerns about their own welfare or the welfare of others. We encourage children to seek support whenever they need it and ensure that they know who they can talk to within school.
All children are provided with opportunities to develop trusted relationships with adults. In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), children are assigned a named key worker. Across the academy, children are encouraged to identify trusted adults, known as Listening Ears, who they can approach if they need advice, support or someone to talk to. Children can request to speak to their Listening Ear at any time, and where appropriate, regular check-ins may be arranged to provide ongoing support.
Safeguarding education is embedded throughout our curriculum. Our approach is informed by an understanding of the contextual safeguarding risks that may affect children locally and nationally. Through our values-based curriculum, pupils are taught how to recognise risks, keep themselves safe, build healthy relationships and seek help when needed.
Our Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) curriculum is delivered through Kapow Primary, ensuring progression in knowledge and skills from EYFS through to Year 6 while meeting all statutory requirements.
The curriculum covers a wide range of safeguarding themes, including:
- Personal safety and protective behaviours
- Healthy and respectful relationships
- Consent and boundaries
- Mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Online safety and digital citizenship
- Anti-bullying education
- Diversity, inclusion and equality
- Substance misuse awareness
- Water, road and sun safety
- Preventing exploitation and radicalisation
Our safeguarding provision is further enriched through partnerships with external organisations and agencies, including the NSPCC, Childline, Lincolnshire County Council, Bikeability and other specialist providers. Workshops, assemblies and targeted interventions help ensure that pupils receive age-appropriate and relevant safeguarding education throughout their time at school.
Staff receive regular safeguarding and curriculum-related training to enable them to deliver high-quality, age-appropriate learning experiences that equip children with the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to stay safe both in school and within the wider community.
Helpful Links
- NSPCC: www.nspcc.org.uk
- Childline: www.childline.org.uk
Support for Families and Children with SEND
If your child has additional needs and you would like information about support available for your child or family, the Lincolnshire SEND Local Offer provides details of services, support networks and resources from a wide range of agencies:
- Lincolnshire SEND Local Offer: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/SENDlocaloffer
Parents and carers may also wish to access support through the Lincolnshire Parent Carer Forum, an independent charity that works in partnership with local authorities and health services to represent and support families of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND):
- Lincolnshire Parent Carer Forum: www.lincspcf.org.uk
Provision is enhanced by accessing external agency support such as Childline or the NSPCC Learning Talk PANTS resources, LCC’s Max Respect workshops and Bikeability training. Staff are also provided with CPD in order to deliver age-appropriate sessions regarding sun, sea and water safety; online safety and consent.
- Click here to access the NSPCC website
- Click here to access Childline
The academy is sponsored by the Greenwood Academies Trust (GAT), which currently has 38 academies educating over 19,000 pupils across seven local authority areas including Nottingham City, Leicester City, West Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire, Peterborough and Lincolnshire.
To find out more about the Trust click here.
To find out more about the Trust click here.
​Prevent Radicalisation
As part of our safeguarding responsibilities, Beacon Primary Academy is committed to protecting children from the risk of radicalisation and extremism.
Radicalisation is the process by which a person may come to support extremist beliefs or ideologies that could lead to harmful behaviours. Children and young people can be vulnerable to these influences through direct contact, peer groups, social media, online forums and other digital platforms.
The academy has a duty under the Prevent Duty to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. Staff receive training to help them identify and respond appropriately to concerns relating to radicalisation and extremism.
We encourage parents, carers and members of the community to seek advice if they notice changes in behaviour, attitudes or online activity that give cause for concern. Early intervention and support can make a significant difference in protecting vulnerable individuals.
For further information and support:
- ACT Early: www.actearly.uk
- Prevent Duty Guidance: www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance
If you are concerned that someone may be vulnerable to radicalisation, please contact the academy's safeguarding team or seek advice through the ACT Early website.
At Beacon Primary Academy, we are committed to ensuring that all children are safe, supported and equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in an increasingly complex world.
Family Help
At Beacon Primary Academy, we recognise that children and families sometimes need additional support and that timely intervention can make a significant difference to outcomes. Family Help is a collaborative approach that brings together education, health, social care and other services to identify needs early and provide coordinated support before concerns escalate. We work closely with children, parents/carers and partner agencies to build on family strengths and address any barriers to a child's wellbeing, development or education. Where appropriate, a Team Around the Family (TAF) meeting may be established to bring together professionals and family members to develop and review a shared support plan. Through Family Help, we aim to ensure that children and families receive the right support, at the right time, from the right services, enabling them to thrive and achieve positive outcomes. Parents and carers are encouraged to speak with a member of the safeguarding team if they feel additional support may benefit their child or family.
Our Local Safeguarding Children Partnership
The Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Partnership is a statutory multi-agency partnership board. Their resources can be found using the link below.
Children missing education
Statutory guidance for local authorities and advice for other groups on helping children who are missing education get back into it.
Safeguarding Team at Beacon Primary Academy
- Designated Safeguarding Lead - Miss A Short
- Deputy Safeguarding Lead - Mrs S Sowden
- Family support Worker/Deputy Safeguarding Lead - Nicky Vincent
To contact a member of our safeguarding team please call - 01754 879211 or email enquiries@beaconprimaryacademy.org