Safeguarding

Inspire Learning Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  We ensure that all our employment practices reflect this commitment.

Safeguarding Personnel

Each school has its own Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and at least one Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.  The school DSL is the person responsible for all safeguarding and child protection matters within that setting.

The Trust DSL is Miss Amanda Johnston. Amanda can be contacted for information regarding any strategic safeguarding matters.

All DSLs in our Trust wear a wide black lanyard displaying the Trust logo, with 'DSL' written on it in white wording.

All other Trust employees wear a white lanyard displaying the Trust logo.

The Safeguarding Trustee is Mr. Alex Scott.

Reporting a concern

Immediate Risk

If it is an emergency and you are concerned that a child maybe at immediate risk of harm, please contact the Police by calling: 999.

Registering a concern about a child

If you are concerned that a child is at risk of harm or has been harmed, please contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at the school where the child attends.

Alternatively, you can contact Children's Services directly.  Please click on the hyperlink for contact details of the respective local authority: Southampton or Hampshire.

Concerns relating to extremism

If you have concerns relating to extremism telephone: 02380 407264 or email: counter.extremism@education.gov.uk in a non-emergency situation.

Registering a concern about an adult who works with children

If you are concerned about an adult who is working or volunteering with children, please contact the Principal of the school where you have a concern.

If your concern is regarding a Principal or the Trust CEO, please contact Rob Shaw, the Chair of the Trust Board.

Alternatively, you can contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) directly.  Please click on the hyperlinks below for contact details of the LADO services at the respective local authority: Southampton or Hampshire.

If you are an adult wishing to make a non-recent allegation relating to the setting you attended as a child, you should report this directly to the police.

Statutory safeguarding guidance for schools and colleges can be found in Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Policies

All staff (including supply staff and volunteers) must ensure that they are aware and understand Trust policies and individual school safeguarding procedures. 

Key policies can be found here.

Our policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders can be found on the 'Work for Inspire' page.

Our Offer

The Trust takes its safeguarding responsibilities seriously and is clear that everyone is responsible for keeping all children safe from harm or abuse. The best interests of the child are placed firmly at the centre of all that we do. 

Our Safeguarding Guiding Principles can be viewed here.

A Trust DSL provides support, guidance and training to help schools ensure that safeguarding culture is as strong and effective as it can be. This includes annual INSET training to all Trust employees.

Half-termly DSL network meetings are supplemented with high quality professional learning for employees and those involved in governance throughout the year, alongside access to additional online training through The National College.

As part of our commitment to supporting the protection of our pupils online, we are working with National Online Safety to provide resources for all parents and carers. Please click here to create an account with National Online Safety - A resource for Parents and carers.  For information on the courses provided, please click here.

All DSLs have access to a secure Trust platform which contains a wealth of resources to support them in their role. The Trust also provides Reflective Practice opportunities (supervision) for DSLs.

All Trust schools and the Trust DSL, use CPOMS to record and monitor any concerns about children. Schools are also provided with relevant template policies and training materials to localise, where applicable.

What do our staff say?

"The best training I've had in 10 years of working in schools...The personal touches really brought it home and showed what a difference, not just caring but being open, receptive and aware of safeguarding issues, can make to children’s lives" - September 2024

"The pace, active participation and relevance of the training to my role was exceptional...this training will live long in my memory and will undoubtedly enhance my practice in keeping children safe" - September 2024

"Having supervision has changed my life - I feel challenged, supported and it has made me a better DSL. That can only be a good thing for our children" - June 2023

"You have made safeguarding more understandable and I always come away feeling clearer. Your questionnaire in the summer was useful and you have addressed many questions I had in the INSET training" - September 2023

"You held my full attention in a clever way. A really informative and enjoyable session that will impact on my day to day work" - September 2023

Feedback from safer recruitment training, "Great morning - really informative and interesting - the whole session was an excellent refresher on safer recruitment, within the context of our Trust" - February 2024

Our safer recruitment training consistently receives '5 stars' from participants!

Other Sources of advice and support