Academy Support

At Oasis Academy Blakenhale, we strive to make sure all our students are safe in the Academy, at home, online and in the community. Our staff are here to keep our students safe and secure and to promote their personal safety and well-being.

Our approach to safeguarding ensures that pupils consistently feel safe, are confident in seeking support, and develop the independence they need to thrive. The Academy has a duty of care and the right to take reasonable action to ensure the welfare and safety of its students. If a member of staff has cause to be concerned that a child may be subject to ill treatment, neglect or any other form of abuse, the Academy will follow child protection procedures and inform Children’s Services of its concern. Wherever possible we will discuss concerns with families and work with them to support the child.

Who is looking after you?

The Board of Trustees for Oasis Charitable Trust has ultimate responsibility for Safeguarding issues. Operationally, this responsibility is delegated to the Group Chief Executive, who leads on policy issues in relation to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk across the Oasis Group. Within our Academies there are Safeguarding Leads who lead on Safeguarding issues within their locality. They are clear about their role and have sufficient time and receive relevant support, and training, which includes close contact with outside agencies including Children’s Services, the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board and relevant health care organisations.

At Oasis Academy Blakenhale Infants our Safeguarding leads are:

Mrs L Young - Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mrs G Mardenborough - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Miss N Hussey - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
 

If you have a concern that a child is being harmed, is at risk of harm, or you receive a disclosure (intentionally or unintentionally) you must contact one of the designated safeguarding leads as quickly as possible. 

The Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy at Oasis Academy Blakenhale reflects our strong commitment to providing a secure environment in which pupils feel safe, are kept safe, and are confident in the support available to them. In adhering to this policy, and the procedures therein, staff and visitors will promote a climate where pupils and adults will feel confident about sharing any concerns that they may have about their own safety or the well-being of others and will contribute to our delivery of the Every Child Matters ‘five outcomes’. This Child Protection Policy is one element in our whole academy arrangements to Safeguard and Promote the Welfare of Pupils in line with our statutory duties set out at s175 of the Education Act 2002.

All staff, including temporary staff and volunteers are subject to stringent background checks including clearance with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to ensure their suitability for working with children. Whilst the prime focus of Oasis Academy Blakenhale is to secure the best educational provision for the child, the Academy recognises that the safety, welfare and care of children is paramount.

We are therefore committed to the highest standards in protecting and safeguarding the children entrusted into our care at all times.

We ensure that arrangements are in place for:

• all reasonable measures to be taken to minimise the risks of harm to children’s welfare

• all appropriate actions to be taken to address concerns about the welfare of a child, or children, working to agreed local policies and procedures in full partnership with other local agencies

• all persons working at this academy to be made aware of this policy

We recognise that some children may be the victims of neglect, physical, sexual or emotional abuse. Staff of the academy will often, by virtue of their day to day contact and knowledge of the children, be well placed to identify such abuse and offer support to children in need.

In order to protect our children, we aim to:

• Create an atmosphere where all our children can feel secure, valued and listened to

• Recognise signs and symptoms of abuse

• Respond quickly and effectively to cases of suspected abuse

• Monitor and support children at risk

• Use the curriculum to raise children’s awareness, build confidence and skills

• Work closely with parent/carers and support external agencies

• Ensure that all adults working in our school who have access to children undergo rigorous suitability checks, in full accordance with Oasis procedures and statutory safeguarding requirements.

Oasis Academy Blakenhale will support all children by:

• Encouraging self-esteem and appropriate self-assertiveness whilst not condoning aggression or bullying

• Promoting a caring, safe and positive environment within the academy.

• Liaising and working together with all other support services and those agencies involved in the safeguarding of children

• Notifying Social Care Services via the approved mechanisms as soon as there is a significant concern.

• Providing continuing support to a child about whom there have been concerns who leaves the school by ensuring that appropriate information is forwarded under confidential cover to the child’s new school.

If we feel informing parents may put the child at significant risk, then we will contact children's services without consent.

Please be aware that the Police can interview your child without your consent, if it is believed to be a child protection issue.