Each school/setting/centre has its own Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and at least one Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead. The DSL is appointed to make sure the school adhere to safeguarding guidance and policies.
Designated Safeguarding Leads in our Trust are identifiable as they wear a pink lanyard.
The Trust Safeguarding Lead is Sally Power.
Sally can be contacted safe@btct-trust.org for information regarding any strategic safeguarding matters.
Governance of Safeguarding
Bridgwater and Taunton College Trust have an identified Safeguarding Trustee who takes leadership responsibility for the Trust’s safeguarding arrangements. The role is to provide appropriate challenge and support to the Director of Inclusion and Trust Safeguarding Lead to ensure they are satisfised the Trust is fulfilling all safeguarding duties identified in statutory guidance.
The Safeguarding Trustee is Mrs Carole Chevalley she may be contacted by email via safe@btct-trust.org
Policies
BTC Trust Safeguarding and Child Protection policy, which schools use to highlight the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders and signpost the reader towards specific safeguarding approaches.
All staff (including supply staff, governors and volunteers) must ensure they are aware and understand all safeguarding policies and procedures.
Each academy/setting/centre within the Trust has an academy-specific safeguarding and child protection policy, which is published on their individual academy website.
Our Offer
The best interests of the child are placed firmly at the centre of all that we do. The Trust Safeguarding Lead provides advice, guidance and support to schools to ensure that safeguarding culture is as strong and effective as it can be.
Termly DSL network meetings offer opportunities for our DSLs to promote good practice and consistency across the trust.
The Trust offers all DSLs and DDSLs opportunities for regular safeguarding supervision and/or clinical supervision with our Trust Counselling service providers.
The Trust uses a single system for recording and case management of safeguarding concerns My Concern.
There are clear thresholds in place for reporting of safeguarding concerns and systems to quality assure the reporting of safeguarding concerns.
Schools are also provided with relevant template policies and subscription to complete 360 Safe Online Audit. Schools use localised training material via Somerset Safeguarding Childrens Partnership
Early Help Offer
Providing help as soon as a problem emerges, at any stage of a child or young person’s life, stops that problem from escalating and is much more effective than reacting to it later.
Everyone knows that a little bit of help at the right time can make all the difference. Early help is all about providing that help to families who, for whatever reason, find that they’re struggling. It’s important that families know that it’s ok to ask for help. As part of our Family Support Team at BTC Trust we have two experienced, skilled professionals who can provide additional needs support for children and their families.
Complaints and concerns
If you have a concern about safeguarding in one of our schools/setting/centres, please report immediately to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), whose details you will find on the school website or may obtain from the main reception.
All concerns will be dealt with promptly and confidentially. Should you be dissatisfied with the school’s response, you can escalate matters via the school’s complaints procedure, details of which will be found on the school website.