Safeguarding
Trinity Academy Leeds is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students in the academy. We recognise that there is no higher priority than students’ safety and wellbeing. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
As an academy, we feel it is of the utmost importance that students not only feel safe, but are safe, so they can reach their full potential. Our nurturing environment coupled with a culture of support means students can seek the help they need quickly, and the staff are expertly trained to look out for any signs that a student is subject to harm.
It is important that all members of the academy’s community see it as a safe place, and this extends to parents and carers. We know that starting secondary school can be an anxious time for parents as well as students. Parents can feel confident and secure that detailed policies and procedures are in place to ensure that all staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children within the academy.
At Trinity Academy Leeds, we have a team of experienced staff who are safeguarding trained. We also ensure all staff are kept up to date with relevant information so that student safety is at the forefront of everything we do.
Not only do we prioritise the safety of all students at the academy, but we also recognise that our role is to educate students and parents about how to keep themselves safe, whether this is online or recognising signs of abuse.
We have in place a range of policies and procedures to support our safeguarding commitment. All concerns are passed through the members of staff who are trained as ‘Designated Safeguarding People’ in school in compliance with the ‘sharing of information’ guidance. You can find links to all these policies and procedure below. If there is any additional information you require, a member of our safeguarding team is happy to discuss any concerns.
All students, staff and parents are encouraged to report any concerns about any aspect of safeguarding or child protection to the safeguarding team. Students will be taken seriously if they seek help from a member of staff and, where appropriate, we will signpost students and families to receive additional support from outside agencies if this is necessary.
Mr Richard Gouland | Safeguarding Lead
The roles and responsibilities of the designated safeguarding lead.
- All policies and procedures to safeguard staff and students are in place and are updated as appropriate.
- All staff/volunteers have read and understood the policies.
- All staff/volunteers understand and are confident with safeguarding procedures.
- All staff are aware about abuse in order to overcome barriers to students and young people reporting their concerns.
- Supporting staff/volunteers to recognise the signs and indicators that might give rise to concern.
- Providing detailed training on how to respond to concerns about the abuse of young people, as well as how to respond to young people making an allegation of abuse.
- Explaining ways in which adults can raise concerns about unacceptable behaviour by other adults.
- Addressing specific issues, such as photography and images on the Internet, supporting performers, physical contact, one-to-one coaching, journeys in cars, and conduct on school trips.
- Providing support to staff, parents and carers, and for confidential discussions about concerns.
- Co-ordinating arrangements for monitoring of students on roll who have been identified as being in need of protection.
- Working closely with other professionals with regards to referrals to social care and other external agencies.
Mrs K Winfield
Safeguarding Officer
My role as Safeguarding Officer is to promote a safe environment for our young people - in school, at home and within the community.
I work closely with our pastoral team and other external agencies to ensure a consistent, effective and responsive approach to safeguarding.
I have over 15 years experience working in safeguarding and child protection roles. I’m really excited to be part of the TAL team where our culture and core values promote positive health and wellbeing for our young people. TAL is a place where students can feel safe, valued and able to be the best version of themselves.
Safeguarding - Green Cause for Concern
Staff working directly with children across the academy, such as teachers, support staff and our first aid team, have access to CPOMS in order to log cause for concern forms. The incident alert is sent through to all members of the Safeguarding Team, who respond to any concern immediately.
Members of our catering and site team have access to paper-based cause for concern forms. These are green and found in all office spaces across the academy. If a staff member needs to log an incident, the form is completed and handed directly to a member of the Safeguarding Team, who will log the concern on CPOMS, referencing the member of staff who has completed the paper-based form.
Visitors to the academy are given safeguarding information outlining the procedures for logging a concern at TAL. Visitors can find a green cause for concern form at the main reception. This should be handed directly to one of the Receptionists. Where possible, visitors will be contacted to discuss the concern and the next steps the Safeguarding Team will take to resolve the concern.
Useful Safeguarding Links
Please find below some external websites that provide advice and guidance on a range of safety issues:
Useful Resources
Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership
LSCP is independently chaired and consists of three key agencies who collectively hold statutory responsibilities for safeguarding; the Local Authority (through Children and Families), Health (through NHS Leeds CCG Partnership) and West Yorkshire Police.
View linkKidsHealth
Helpful links for parents, kids, teens and educators that cover a range of topics from body to mind.
View linkChildline
Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through.
View linkEducate Against Hate
Practical advice for parents, carers, and staff on protecting young people from extremism and radicalism.
View linkParent/Carer Information
Carers Leeds
Carers Leeds is an independent charity that gives specialist and tailored support, advice and information to unpaid carers aged over 16.
View linkInternet safety
Thinkuknow
Thinkuknow is the education programme from NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline.
View linkMy Safety Net
Safety Net is a charity which helps children and young people feel safe and confident.
View linkCEOP Internet Safety
Are you worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with you online? Make a report to one of CEOP's Child Protection Advisors.
View linkLeeds Safeguarding Children Partnership
Online safety- Things to consider if your child has access to a mobile, tablet, laptop or games console.
View linkWest Yorkshire Police Online Safety advice for parents
Tips for safer use of the internet.
View linkE-Safety Policy
It is imperative that we ensure the safety and wellbeing of children when using the internet, social media or mobile devices. This policy contains our overarching principles that guide our approach to online safety. Please click to view our Policy page that includes our E-Safety Policy.
View linkNSPCC (Keeping children safe online)
Provides support to parents with Online safety advice making sure its safe for every child to be online.
View linkCEOP
Concerned about your child, reporting incident to CEOP or you would like information and advice on keeping your child safe online.
View linkUk Safer Internet
Tips, advice , guides and resources to help keep your child safe online.
View linkSubstance Use
Forward Leeds
Forward Leeds provides support for adults, young people and families needing help with alcohol and drug use in Leeds.
View linkSelf-Harm
National Self Harm Network
The forum provides crisis support, information and resources, advice, discussions and distractions.
View linkNHS Self harm guide
This booklet is for people who deliberately harm themselves and are unhappy about it. It is also for family and friends who may have difficulty understanding this behaviour.
View linkMental Health
MindMate
MindMate is here to help young people in Leeds find help with their mental health and wellbeing.
View linkEmotional Health and Wellbeing
Emotional Health and Wellbeing
Children experience a wide range of feelings, emotions and challenges. Mental health problems are usually a direct response of what's happening in a child's life. This website offers information on things you can do to help the child or yourself.
View linkMindMate
MindMate helps young people in Leeds find help with their mental health and wellbeing.
View linkBetter Health - Every mind matters
Find out how you can help a child have good mental health, including knowing how to talk to a child about mental health.
View linkYoung Minds
Information on understanding how you are feeling and ways to feel better as well as information on supporting someone who is struggling.
View linkEmotional Health and Wellbeing Policy
This policy defines the Trinity Multi Agency Trusts commitment to student wellbeing. Please visit our Policy page to view our Emotional Health and Wellbeing Policy
View linkBereavement
Leeds Bereavement Forum
Leeds Bereavement Forum offers a variety of training on bereavement for both individuals and groups.
View linkWinston's Wish
Winston's Wish support children and young people after the death of a parent or sibling.
View linkCruse Bereavement Support
Cruse Bereavement Support are here to support you after the death of someone close.
View link