Safeguarding Statement
Brunel Academies Trust (BAT) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We believe that our learner’s safety and welfare is always of paramount concern, and that all our learners have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, gender, disability, culture, language, racial origin, religious belief or sexual identity.
We ensure that this ethos is reflected and implemented effectively in the Trust’s policies and practices, and also that there are effective risk assessments in place to safeguard and promote our children and young people’s welfare. We have a duty to prepare our children and young people for life in modern Britain and to keep them safe. Children and young people who attend our provision have the right to do so in safety. We do not tolerate bullying of any kind and we will challenge derogatory language and behaviour towards others.
We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support and protection. We actively promote a culture of openness and transparency, encouraging all members of our community to report any concerns they may have regarding the welfare of a child or young person. We take all concerns seriously and follow robust procedures to investigate and address them, working closely with relevant authorities as necessary.
Everyone is expected to play their part in safeguarding our children, young people and vulnerable adults. Through a rigorous training programme, all staff know the procedures that should be followed should they have any safeguarding concerns. All staff know where to go should they require some information, help and guidance.
We are committed to working in partnership with parents, carers and external agencies to support the welfare and well-being of our learners. We believe that effective safeguarding requires a collaborative approach, and we encourage open communication and information sharing to ensure the best outcomes for children and young people.
Brunel Academies Trust promotes a strong culture of safeguarding in the following ways:
- Fully adopting guidance set out in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 and Keeping Children Safe in Education Guidance September 2024
- Undertaking regular safeguarding quality assurance reviews and local authority audits on an annual basis
- Ensuring each provision adheres to their safeguarding policy and other safeguarding related policies and procedures that details specific advice and designated safeguarding lead details
- Ensuring each provision has a safeguarding link governor on Local Governing Committees
- Having Trustees with special responsibility for safeguarding, who liaises with Brunel Trust Safeguarding Lead
- Ensuring all staff receive regular training on safeguarding procedures, including Prevent and Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.
Reporting Concerns about a Child or Vulnerable Adult
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child at any of our provisions contact the relevant Designated Safeguarding Lead in each provision. Details can be found on each provision’s website.
Reporting Concerns about an Adult Working or Volunteering in Our Academies
If you are concerned about an adult working or volunteering in any of our provisions contact the Headteacher/Principal or if it is a concern against the Headteacher / Principal then the relevant Director of Education for the Trust must be informed.
To report any safeguarding concerns you may have, please email safeguarding@brunel.org.uk
Education Provisions hold their Safeguarding policies on their websites
Brunel Safer Recruitment Policy
The purpose of the Brunel Safer Recruitment policy is to ensure the recruitment of both permanent and temporary (including voluntary) staff is conducted in a fair, effective and economic manner. To achieve this purpose, those that are responsible for each stage of the recruitment process must demonstrate a professional approach by dealing honestly, efficiently and fairly with all internal and external applicants.
In line with DfE guidance the paragraph below should be included in all advertisements, recruitment websites, candidate information packs, person specifications, job descriptions, competency frameworks, induction training materials:- ‘Brunel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS Check with a check of the DBS Barred List’
The following principles are encompassed in the Brunel Safeguarding policy:
- Ensure that the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people occurs at each stage of the recruitment process.
- All applicants receive fair treatment and a high quality service.
- The job description and person specification are essential tools which will be used throughout the recruitment process.
- Applicants will be recruited on the knowledge, experience and skills needed for the job.
- At least one member of the panel must have undertaken the Safer Recruitment Training as is the statutory requirement.
- Selection should be based on a minimum of a completed application form, shortlisting and interview.
- Regular monitoring and evaluation of the recruitment process should be carried out to assess its effectiveness and the impact on recruitment and retention, equality and diversity.
Brunel Safer Recruitment Policy
Brunel Safer Recruitment Policy
Important Documents
Keeping Children Safe in Education September 2024
Keeping Children Safe in Education - Part One September 2024