Safeguarding & CHILD PROTECTION
Safeguarding & Child Protection
At High Bickington Academy, safeguarding the welfare and well-being of our children is our highest priority. We are committed to creating a safe, secure, and supportive environment where all children feel valued. Our staff and volunteers follow all statutory guidelines and procedures to ensure the safety of every child in our care, both inside and outside of school.
We cover a range of safeguarding topics, including child protection, online safety, mental health, and preventing radicalisation. Please explore the tabs to the right or click on the sections below to learn more.
Key Safeguarding Contacts
- Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Ian Thomas (CEO)
- Deputy Safeguarding Leads: Rob Norton (Head of School), Dan Polak (Director of Education)
- Trustee with Responsibility for Safeguarding: Caoimhe O'Doherty
If you have concerns about a child's safety or well-being, please contact one of the above staff members at 01769 560324
Child Protection & Reporting Abuse
We have a legal duty to act if we believe a child may be at risk of harm. This includes reporting concerns of neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, or sexual abuse to the appropriate authorities. In some cases, we may do this without parental consent if it is in the child's best interest.
To learn more about Child Protection and Reporting Abuse please click on the tab to the right.
Safeguarding Beyond Child Protection
Safeguarding at High Bickington Academy goes beyond protecting children from abuse. We integrate safeguarding into all areas of school life, including mental health, physical safety, and online safety. Our goal is to provide children with the skills they need to make safe and informed decisions.
We also work closely with the Devon Safeguarding Children Board to offer Early Help services, ensuring that families receive the support they need before concerns escalate.
Learn More About Early Help by clicking on the tab on the right.
Online Safety & CEOP
With the growing importance of digital safety, we are committed to protecting children from online risks. CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) helps children who are being pressured, tricked, or forced into sexual activity online or in person. If you are concerned about online safety, you can report it through the CEOP Safety Centre.
For advice on online safety or help with issues like cyberbullying, you can also contact Childline at any time on 0800 1111 or at www.childline.org.uk.
Read More About CEOP & Online Safety by clicking on the tab on the right.
Preventing Radicalisation
As part of our safeguarding duty, we also help protect children from the risk of radicalisation. The UK government’s Prevent strategy aims to stop individuals from being drawn into terrorism. We teach tolerance and respect for others, promoting a culture of inclusion and awareness.
If you have concerns about radicalisation, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Learn More About the Prevent Strategy by clicking on the tab on the right.
NSPCC 'Speak Out. Stay Safe.' Programme
We work closely with the NSPCC to teach children the importance of speaking up if they feel unsafe. The 'Speak Out. Stay Safe.' programme encourages children to express their feelings and ask for help when needed. You can find more resources on keeping children safe on the NSPCC website.
Policies & Further Information
Our safeguarding policies, including our Child Protection Policy, Online Safety Policy, and Prevent Strategy, are available online. You can also request hard copies from the school office.
For more detailed information, please click on the tabs to the right of this page. If you have any concerns or questions, we are here to help.