Safeguarding Policy
How BRS Online School protects the welfare of every child in our care, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education and the Children Act 1989.
Safeguarding the welfare of children and young people is our highest priority. This policy sets out how we keep students safe across everything we do. Use the menu to jump to a section.
Introduction
BRS Online School ("we", "our" or "us") is committed to providing a safe and supportive online learning environment for all our students. Safeguarding the welfare of children and young people is our highest priority. This Safeguarding Policy outlines the measures we take to protect students from harm, abuse or neglect, in accordance with the UK’s statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education and the Children Act 1989.
Our Commitment
We are dedicated to:
Roles and Responsibilities
We have appointed a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who is responsible for overseeing all safeguarding matters. The DSL is trained to manage concerns, report issues to relevant authorities and provide guidance to staff on safeguarding protocols.
All BRS Online School staff members, including teachers and support staff, have a duty to promote the welfare of students. They are trained to recognise signs of abuse and are required to report any concerns to the DSL without delay.
Parents and guardians play a crucial role in safeguarding. We encourage open communication with parents to ensure they are aware of their child’s activities and can support our safeguarding efforts.
Safer Recruitment
BRS Online School follows a strict safer recruitment process to ensure that all staff members are suitable to work with children and young people. This process includes:
Online Safety
As an online school, we place a strong emphasis on online safety. Our measures include:
Responding to Concerns
If a staff member has any concerns about a student’s welfare, they must report it to the DSL immediately. The DSL will assess the situation and take appropriate action, which may include contacting social services or other relevant authorities.
We handle all safeguarding concerns with the utmost confidentiality. Information is shared on a need-to-know basis and in accordance with the law. We respect the privacy of all parties involved, while prioritising the safety of the student.
We are committed to supporting students who have been affected by abuse or neglect. This may involve working with external agencies to provide counselling or other necessary support.
Safeguarding Training
All BRS Online School staff members receive regular safeguarding training to ensure they are up to date with the latest practices and legislation. This training includes:
Safeguarding Reviews
BRS Online School regularly reviews its safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure they remain effective and in line with current legislation. We seek feedback from staff, students and parents to continuously improve our safeguarding practices.
Reporting a Concern
If you have a safeguarding concern about a child, please contact us as soon as possible and ask to speak with our Designated Safeguarding Lead. If a child is in immediate danger, always call the emergency services on 999 first.