Safeguarding

Safeguarding

At Harris Academy Aspire, student welfare, safeguarding and wellbeing are our top priority. We recognise that some students may be disengaged from education, anxious about returning, or have experienced challenging circumstances. From day one, we focus on helping each student feel safe, listened to and supported so they can rebuild confidence and re-engage with learning.

We work closely with families/carers, referring schools and external partners (where appropriate) to put the right help in place quickly and reduce barriers to attendance and engagement.

We understand that students joining us may have experienced difficulties that affect their attendance, behaviour or emotional wellbeing. Our Safeguarding Team are experienced in working with vulnerable and disengaged young people and will take time to get to know each student, respond sensitively to concerns, and ensure that welfare is consistently promoted and protected.

Where a student has been out of education or is finding it difficult to attend, we create a reintegration plan in partnership with the student and family/carer. This typically includes a named key adult, regular wellbeing check-ins, agreed strategies and reasonable adjustments to support attendance, and a phased approach to returning to learning where needed. We also provide pastoral support and signposting to specialist services so students feel supported, ready, and able to succeed back in education.

The Safeguarding team organise strategy and resource to meet the Safeguarding and welfare requirements of KCSIE as defined below:

• To protect children from maltreatment, both within and outside the home, including online;  

• Providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge. 

• Preventing the impairment of children's mental and physical health or development; 

• Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; 

• Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes. 

Safeguarding is of the utmost priority in our Academy. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone's responsibility. 

Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children. 

 

 

The Academy Designated Safeguarding Lead,  the Prevent Lead and teacher responsible for supporting Looked after Children is Ms Dunne

Contact details are: 

Email: C.Dunne@harrisps6f.org.uk

Phone: 0203 370 9238

The Academy Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are Ms Webster and Ms Kidsley

The Child Protection & Safeguarding Officers at Harris Aspire are Ms Sotoodeh, Ms Hanna and Mr Frimpong

The Governor responsible for Safeguarding is Ms A Verrecchia

The Medical Lead is Ms Cater 

The Governor responsible for Medical is A Verrecchia

Croydon has a PREVENT Officer who leads on all safeguarding concerns relating to radicalisation and terrorism. The PREVENT Officer reports directly to the SO15 Anti-Terrorism unit where concerns have been raised. The PREVENT Officer can be contacted via e-mail Channel@croydon.gov.uk

The Keeping Children Safe in Education document can be found here   

Safeguarding & Child Protection Out of hours :

Croydon- Mon-Fri, 9.00-5.00pm 020 8255 2888, out of hours 0208 726 6400 

Bromley- Mon-Fri, 8:30-5.00pm 020 8461 7373 / 7379 / 7026 out of hours 0300 303 8671 

Lewisham- Mon-Fri, 9-5.00pm 020 8314 6660, and out of hours 020 8314 6000 (ask for emergency team) 

Southwark- Mon-Fri, 9-5.00pm 020 7525 1921, and out of hours 020 7525 5000 

Lambeth- Mon-Fri, 9-5.00pm 020 7926 5555 (this includes out of office hours) 

Police 999/101