Safeguarding
Information & Guidance
Safeguarding Statement of Intent
At Sporting Stars Academy, we are committed to ensuring that our students always feel safe and secure. This involves a wide range of policies, procedures and supportive arrangements. We have a strong culture of safeguarding and work tirelessly to keep students safe, secure and well cared for. It is only when students feel safe and secure that they will be able to be happy and ready to learn.
We listen to all our students and encourage them to approach staff with any concerns.
At Sporting Stars Academy, we work with local agencies to enhance students’ knowledge regarding keeping themselves safe. Through our STAR curriculum and Personal Development lessons, we educate our students about a range of potential risks they may face.
Our staff undertake regular safeguarding training and are subject to ongoing safeguarding scrutiny.
Safeguarding Concern
If you have a safeguarding concern, please contact a member of our Safeguarding Team in person or via the academy office: 01782 248248
You can learn more about reporting a concern here.
Notice of Concern (NOC)
All staff are required to report any causes for concern to the Safeguarding Team, using CPOMS (Child Protection Online Management System) and in person for immediate issues.
Parents/Carers will be contacted at the earliest point possible and updated with concerns and progress of investigations.
Safeguarding Team
Director responsible for Safeguarding
Emma Tench
DSL
Daniel Hill
Headteacher (DDSL)
Katie Jackson
DDSL
Hannah Bennett
DDSL
Ashley Miller
DDSL
Adam Anson
Safeguarding Polices
You can download copies of our latest safeguarding policies below:
Child on Child Abuse Policy - PDF
Includes Sexual Violence & Sexual Harassment
Report a Concern
Safeguarding
Reporting a Concern
We all have a duty to protect children and young people from harm. If you have any concerns about a child or young person, it is always best to share them.
If you think a child is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999.
If a child is not in immediate danger but at risk of harm, contact:
Staffordshire Children’s Advice and Support Team or Stoke on Trent Children’s advice and duty service (CHAD).
Staffordshire Children's Advice and Support Team:
Phone: 0800 1313 126
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 8:30am-5:00pm and Friday 8:30am-4:30pm
Stoke on Trent Children's Advice and Duty Service (CHAD)
Phone: 01782 235100
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6pm
Emergency Out of Hours Duty Service: The emergency duty team can be contacted on 01782 234234
What will happen next?
Social workers will follow up every report where they believe a child may be at risk of harm. They will talk to other people who know the child and may be able to provide a clearer picture. This includes teachers, health visitors and members of the child’s family.
After this, several things could happen:
- No further action will be taken
- Help and support will be offered to the family
- An investigation will take place
Staff and Adults in the Academy
Staff are advised to maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ as far as safeguarding is concerned and should always act in the best interest of the child.
We are committed to safer recruitment practices when recruiting new employees to work for the academy or when using volunteers. All adults working in the academy will have undergone a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check. DBS checks are only one element of a wider framework of safer recruitment practices the academy undertakes.
Operation Encompass
Safeguarding
Operation Encompass in Partnership with Staffordshire Police
As part of our commitment to safeguarding, we have partnered with Staffordshire Police to take part in a home office initiative called Operation Encompass; a multi-agency approach to give early introduction to academies, colleges, and nurseries that a child and young person has recently been present, witnessed or been involved in a domestic abuse (DA) Incident.
Staffordshire Police, in conjunction with the partners to this agreement, will inform the nominated “Key Adults” within these establishments, to afford them the opportunity of assessing the needs of the child or young person during the academy day and, should it be deemed appropriate to do so, to provide early support.
Looked After Children
At Sporting Stars Academy, we work closely with the multi-agency teams around our looked after children to ensure they are given the best support we can offer.
Prior to any LAC student joining our Academy, our team liaise fully with a student’s social worker, the Virtual School’s representative and carers to ensure we have all the necessary information to enable us to offer the most appropriate support. We offer transition visits if these are appropriate and needed.
Each student has a designated teacher who attends their termly PEP; champions their needs within the Academy; monitors their progress, attainment and wellbeing and offers day to day support. Our LAC students can access the full curriculum and have the opportunity to contribute fully to the wider academy through educational visits and student council. LAC students are encouraged to be involved in as much as they can during their time at Sporting Stars Academy.
The emotional wellbeing and welfare of students is paramount and with this in mind, we work closely with external agencies who offer bespoke, specialist support, including CAMHS, educational and clinical psychologists. This networking allows our staff to implement the recommended strategies and ways of working whilst also seeking expert advice and support.
The Designated Teacher for Looked After and Previously Looked After children is Daniel Hill.
Online Safety
Safeguarding
Online safety advice for students, parents and carers
Young Minds
Helpline for young people and parents offering advice and support and also peer parent to parent support.
Childline
Childline is yours- a free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything. Whatever your worry, whenever you need help, we’re here for you online, on the phone, anytime.
NSPCC
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is a charity campaigning and working in child protection in the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands.
Think U Know
Thinkuknow is the education programme from NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline. Explore one of the six Thinkuknow websites for advice about staying safe when you’re on a phone, tablet or computer.
CEOP
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.
Parent Info
Help and advice for families in a digital world.
Gaming or gambling
Parent Zone and GambleAware have partnered up to help families learn about the gambling-like risks children may face when playing online games. Includes simple practical things parents and carers can do to keep gaming fun and safer.
Screen time balance
Screen time can offer children opportunities to learn and develop new skills at a touch of a button but like anything, too much of it can have a negative effect on their wellbeing.
Additional Safeguarding Resources
- Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Board (SSCB) – Visit Website 🔗
- Staffordshire Police – Visit Website 🔗
- Prevent information and free training – Visit Website 🔗
- Child sexual exploitation information and free training (CSE) – Visit Website 🔗
- FGM information and free training (FGM) – Visit Website 🔗
- County lines (CCE) – Visit Website 🔗
- Support for mental health – Visit Website 🔗
- Action for children – Visit Website 🔗
- Shout – Visit Website 🔗
- Frank – Visit Website 🔗
- Self-Harm UK – Visit Website 🔗
- The Mix – Visit Website 🔗