Safeguarding Statement of Intent

Alpha Academies Trust is wholly committed to ensuring that all children and adults are cared for in a safe and secure environment.  To fulfil this commitment, a number of safeguarding arrangements are in place.

Policy and Procedures

We will ensure all policies and procedures in respect of safeguarding children are up to date and in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. The policies are accessible to all staff through the website. Policies and procedures are reviewed and revised by the Alpha Board of Trustees on a regular basis.

Board of Trustees Responsibilities

The Trust Senior Strategic Lead for Safeguarding reports to the Inclusion, Community and Engagement Committee on all Safeguarding issues. Alpha Academies Trust works with the local Safeguarding Children Board of Stoke On Trent.

Disclosure & Barring Checks

Alpha meets statutory requirements in relation to the Disclosure & Barring Service – all staff and volunteers who work with Alpha Academies Trust who meet the ‘regulated activity test’ (Freedoms Act 2012) are required to undergo an enhanced DBS check prior to employment.

Safeguarding Leads/Child Protection Officers

The Board of Trustees for Alpha Academies Trust has ultimate responsibility for Safeguarding issues.  Operationally, this responsibility is delegated to the Senior Strategic Lead, who leads on policy issues in relation to the safeguarding of children across the Trust. Within each Academy in the Trust, there are Designated Safeguarding Leads and Child Protection Officers who are responsible for Child Protection issues within their relevant location. They are clear about their role, receiving sufficient, relevant support and training to undertake their roles, which involves close contact with outside agencies including social services, the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board and relevant health care organisations.

Provision

All academies have Mental Health 1^st Aiders and Mental Health and Wellbeing provision. The Trust has a Wellbeing Entitlement for all staff and students. The Trust has a Psychotherapeutic Practitioner who operates a therapeutic model for students. All students have access to Welfare teams in each Academy. The Trust has a thorough curriculum which teaches how to keep safe throughout.

Training

All eligible staff and volunteers are required to undertake relevant safeguarding training and this is regularly reviewed by each DSL to ensure it is up to date. A training database for all staff and volunteers is maintained, while training needs are reviewed throughout the organisation by audit. Safeguarding briefings to all staff in the Trust are sent out half termly.

Audit

Alpha has robust audit checklists to ensure that safeguarding systems and processes are working. The audit includes: the monitoring of Academies Single Central Record, the monitoring of policies and procedures including, ‘Allegations against Professionals’ and the monitoring of training for all employees and volunteers, guidance and support. A further audit from all Academies in the Trust is created and sent to the Local Authority.