Safeguarding

Earley Springs and all those directly connected (staff, executive board, parents, families, and pupils) have a crucial role in ensuring its safety and security.

Earley Springs Designated Safeguarding Lead is Harriet Carter.

Earley Springs recognises its moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children. We strive to cultivate an ethos and environment that fosters a sense of safety, security, and respect among our students, encouraging open communication and the confidence to be heard. We are vigilant in identifying signs of abuse and neglect, adhering to established procedures to ensure children receive effective support, protection, and justice.

To gain a comprehensive understanding of our students’ well-being, Earley Springs conducts regular information-sharing meetings with colleagues from other agencies, such as the NHS and Social Services.

Our core safeguarding principles at Earley Springs are:

Whole-school Responsibility: Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is the paramount concern for the entire school community.
Equal Rights: All children enrolled at Earley Springs, regardless of age, gender, ability, culture, race, language, religion, or sexual identity, possess equal rights to protection.
Child’s Voice: All children have the right to be heard and have their wishes and feelings considered.
Safe Professional Practice: All staff understand and adhere to safe professional practices, our code of conduct, and other relevant policies.
Recognising Vulnerability: All staff are responsible for recognising vulnerabilities in children and acting upon any concerns in accordance with established guidance.

Prevent Duty:

On 1st July 2015, the Prevent duty (section 26) of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 came into force. This duty mandates that local authorities and schools give due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.

Earley Springs is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils. We recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is equally important as safeguarding against other vulnerabilities.

All staff are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. We believe that children should have the opportunity to explore diversity and understand Britain as a multi-cultural society where everyone is treated with respect, regardless of their race, gender, sexuality, religious belief, special needs, or disability.

As part of our commitment to safeguarding and child protection, we fully support the government’s Prevent Strategy. Staff have completed the DfE’s Channel General Awareness training. Channel is a programme that focuses on providing early support to individuals identified as being vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism.