Safeguarding
Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy 2026-2027
Keeping our children safe
At the heart of our federation is our guiding principle of Unity. Our vision, “Together We Are ACE,” reflects our belief that children thrive when the adults around them work together, care for one another and share responsibility for creating a safe and supportive community.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility.
We are committed to providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment in which every child can learn, grow and flourish. We want children to feel secure, valued and listened to, and to know that there are trusted adults who will take their concerns seriously.
Our safeguarding practice is rooted in a child-centred approach. We consider what is in the best interests of each child and act promptly when we have a concern about their safety or wellbeing.
A culture of safeguarding
Safeguarding is not simply a set of procedures. It is part of the culture of our federation and underpins everything we do.
We work hard to create an environment where:
- children feel safe, respected and valued;
- children know who they can talk to if they are worried or need help;
- adults feel confident to recognise and report concerns;
- concerns are listened to and acted upon appropriately;
- safeguarding is considered in our everyday decisions and practice;
- children are taught how to keep themselves and others safe;
- online safety is given the same importance as safety in the physical world; and
- children and families can access support when difficulties arise.
We recognise that some children may be more vulnerable to harm than others and that safeguarding concerns can arise in many different contexts, including within the home, in the community, in school and online. We therefore remain alert to changes in children's behaviour, presentation, attendance, relationships and circumstances.
Our approach is one of early identification, appropriate support and decisive action where necessary.
Everyone has a part to play
Our safeguarding team has specific responsibilities, but safeguarding does not belong to one person or one team.
All members of staff receive safeguarding training and are expected to understand their responsibility to act when they have a concern. Our safeguarding arrangements also apply to volunteers, supply staff, contractors, governors and others who work within our school communities.
We encourage everyone to speak up if something does not feel right.
This includes concerns about a child, concerns about the behaviour of an adult towards children, and concerns about unsafe practice. We have clear procedures for reporting concerns and expect all concerns to be taken seriously and dealt with appropriately.
Our safeguarding team
Our federation has a designated safeguarding team who provide leadership, oversight and support for safeguarding across both schools.
Designated Strategic Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Diane Turner – Executive Headteacher
Designated Safeguarding Leads
Jayne Squirrell – Head of School, Bramford
Alastair Becker – Head of School, Somersham
Tean Cater – SENDCO
Abbie Cook – Family Support Worker
Named Safeguarding Governor
Rev. Eric Falla
Our safeguarding team works closely with staff, families and relevant external agencies where this is necessary to promote children's safety and welfare.
Safer recruitment
Keeping children safe starts before an adult joins our federation.
We are committed to robust safer recruitment practices and take care to ensure that appropriate checks are undertaken before anyone is appointed to work with our children.
Our recruitment processes are designed to help us establish that applicants are suitable to work with children. This includes appropriate scrutiny of applications and employment histories, checking references and qualifications, verifying identity and completing the required safeguarding and criminal record checks.
We maintain our Single Central Record to demonstrate that the appropriate recruitment and safeguarding checks have been completed for staff and other adults working in our schools.
Safer recruitment does not stop when someone is appointed. All staff receive appropriate safeguarding induction and training, and we maintain a culture in which adults understand the professional standards expected of them and feel able to raise concerns about unsafe or inappropriate practice.
We also apply appropriate safeguarding arrangements to volunteers, supply staff, contractors and organisations providing services within our schools.
Teaching children to keep themselves safe
Safeguarding is also about empowering children with the knowledge, confidence and language they need to recognise risk and seek help.
Through our curriculum, assemblies, relationships and health education, online safety teaching and everyday interactions, we help children understand how to keep themselves and others safe.
We want our children to know:
“I have a voice. I can ask for help. Someone will listen.”
We encourage children to talk to a trusted adult whenever something worries them, whether the concern is happening in school, at home, in the community or online.
Safeguarding and our ACE values
Our safeguarding commitment is closely connected to Together We Are ACE.
Achievement – children are best able to learn and achieve when they feel safe, secure and supported.
Responsibility and Respect – we teach children to respect themselves and others, recognise unsafe behaviour and understand their responsibility to seek help when needed.
Try and Try Again – we help children develop resilience and the confidence to keep seeking support when something is difficult or worrying.
Independent Learner – we equip children with the knowledge and skills to make safe choices and recognise when they need help from others.
Live, Learn and Laugh – children deserve to experience school as a place where they feel safe, happy, included and able to be themselves.
Everyone Working Together – safeguarding depends on children, families, staff, governors and wider agencies working together.
Sharing and Caring – we want our federation to be a community where people notice when someone needs help, listen with compassion and take action to support them.
Unity means looking out for one another
Our guiding principle of Unity is particularly important to our safeguarding work.
We believe that keeping children safe is something we do together. It requires open communication, professional curiosity, strong relationships and a willingness to speak up when something does not feel right.
We will always seek to work positively with families and recognise that asking for help is a strength. Where concerns require further action, we will work with appropriate external agencies to ensure that children receive the protection and support they need.
Every child has the right to feel safe. Every child has the right to be heard. Every child has the right to be cared for.
Together We Are ACE.
