Safeguarding at Longfield - Leigh Academy Longfield

If you believe that a child or young person is at IMMEDIATE risk, you should treat this as an emergency and call Leigh Academy Longfield, or call 999 to report your concerns to the police.

Leigh Academy Longfield recognises our statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everybody’s responsibility. All members of our community (staff, volunteers, governors, leaders, parents/carers, wider family networks, and students) have an important role in safeguarding children and in making our community safe.

Safeguarding Team

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):

Mrs J Hurt (Assistant Principal)

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads

Mr L Anderson (Vice Principal / Mental Health Lead)
Mr M Lowe (Assistant Principal / Online Safety Lead)
Ms A Garrad (Assistant Principal)
Ms J Rance (Assistant Principal / SENCo)
Mr J Watkins (Safeguarding Officer)

Contact Us

The Safeguarding Team can be contacted via email at safeguarding@longfield.latrust.org.uk.

Please note, this email is only monitored during office hours Monday to Friday, term time only. Outside of 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

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.
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@longfield.latrust.org.uk.
Adults (staff) can report concerns to the safeguarding team by emailing safeguarding@longfield.latrust.org.uk. 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.