Safeguarding and Child Protection

If you believe a child is in immediate danger or risk of harm, call the police on 999.

For concerns about a child or where you have ongoing concerns please contact:

Children's First Response Hub via telephone or email.

PHONE: 01202 735 046

EMAIL: childrensfirstresponse@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

The First Response Hub is open:

Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 5:15pm

Friday, 8.30am to 4.45pm

Out of hours emergency

The out of hours service offer emergency support for any child who is in crisis, needs urgent help or is at serious risk of significant harm.

DUTY TEAM TEL: 01202 738256

EMAIL: ChildrensOOHS@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

Monday to Friday, from 5pm to 9am

All day Saturdays and Sundays

All bank holidays, including Christmas Day and New Year's Day

If the child resides in the Dorset area, please contact Dorset Children’s Social Care on 01202 228866.

Safeguarding Statement

At Avonbourne Academy we take the safeguarding of our students very seriously. Our aim is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students, and always prioritise the interests of our children.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone has a role to play in identifying concerns, sharing information and taking prompt action is vital in ensuring children receive the support they need.

We have a safeguarding team who you can speak to about any safeguarding concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact them on the email address below if you have a concern.

Designated Safeguarding Leads

Main email address for the safeguarding team:

safeguarding@avonbourneacademy.org.uk 

Inside the email please provide as much detail as possible about the concern e.g.

• Child’s full name
• Date of Birth for the child (if known)
• Details of the concern

Designated Safeguarding Leads:

Miss Natasha England – natasha.england@avonbourneacademy.org.uk

Mrs Lisa Gutsell – lisa.gutsell@avonbourneacademy.org.uk

Mrs Carol Dickens – carol.dickens@avonbourneacademy.org.uk

Looked after children coordinator:

Mrs Sue Crowshaw – sue.crowshaw@avonbourneacademy.org.uk

Safeguarding Policy

The Academy Safeguarding Policy takes into account the procedures and practice of BCP Local Authority and the published safeguarding arrangements set out by the Pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership.  The aim of safeguarding and child pleas protection is to ensure the safety and well-being of a student, and the student’s interests, should always be paramount.

To see our Safeguarding Policy please click here.

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) service should be contacted when there is concern raised, or an allegation made, against an individual who works or volunteers with children.

The LADO works within children’s services and gives advice and guidance to anyone who has concerns about the behaviour of an adult who works with children and young people.

Laura Baldwin and John McLaughlin

PHONE: 01202 456744 (LADO Main Telephone line)

EMAIL: LADO@BCPcouncil.gov.uk

Where there is an immediate risk or concern for a child, please contact the Police via 999 or contact Children’s Social Care on 01202 735046.

If the child resides in the Dorset area, please contact Dorset Children’s Social Care on 01202 228866.

If you have a concern regarding a member of staff at Avonbourne Academy, please contact the Principal and/or Executive Principal.

Safeguarding and Child Protection: Out of Hours

Please be aware that during half terms, school closures days such as INSET days or unplanned closures, you will need to contact the services at the top of the page if you have any concerns or require advice for your family.

A school representative will endeavour to be present at Child in Need or Child Protection during holidays. If a school representative can not attend, the school will aim to provide a written report in advance of the conference.

Useful Links

https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/ Child Exploitation

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

https://parentinfo.org/ Online Safety

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/ Online Safety

https://www.childnet.com/ Online Safety

https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/ Online Safety

https://youngminds.org.uk/ Mental Health

http://www.endthefear.co.uk/ Domestic Violence

https://www.dorset.police.uk/help-advice-crime-prevention/safety-in-your-community/ssct/ Online Safety Newsletter

Kooth - Online Support for Young People

Kooth is a web based confidential support service available to young people. Kooth provides a safe and secure means of accessing mental health and wellbeing support designed specifically for young people.

Kooth offers young people the opportunity to have a text-based conversation with a qualified counsellor. Counsellors are available from 12noon to 10pm on weekdays and 6pm to 10 pm at weekends, every day of the year on a drop-in basis. Young people can access regular booked online counselling sessions as needed. Outside counselling hours’ young people can message our team and get support by the next day.

When students register with Kooth they will have support available to them now and in the future. Support can be gained not only through counselling but articles, forums and discussion boards.  All content is age appropriate, clinically approved and fully moderated.

To find out more visit www.Kooth.com  where young people can register and others can find out more about the service.