At Bridge House, we strive to provide children with a safe, nurturing and welcoming place in which to learn. The health, safety and well-being of every child are our top priorities and, as such, Safeguarding and Child Protection remain at the heart of all we do. We maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned.

All staff are expected to share this commitment to safeguarding our pupils and understand that Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All staff receive regular training in Child Protection and know how to spot signs of physical/emotional harm or neglect. They are aware of the pathways for reporting concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) and know that they are expected to ensure that they always act promptly, and in the interests of the child when they have concerns about a child’s welfare. 

Children are frequently and regularly taught about safeguarding, including online safety, through teaching and learning opportunities which form part of our broad and balanced curriculum. They are regularly reminded that there are adults in the school whom they can approach if they are worried, and they know where to find them.

We recognise that some children may be especially vulnerable to abuse. When we identify children and young people who are suffering or likely to suffer significant harm, we are swift to take appropriate action with the aim of making sure they are kept safe both at home and in our school. In meeting their needs, we often work in partnership with other agencies, through the Early Help protocol, and have an important role in inter-agency safeguarding arrangements as set in the Working Together to Safeguard Children and Keeping Children Safe in Education documents.