The Wellington Academy - Safeguarding

Safeguarding is about protecting children from harm and ensuring they grow up in a safe and supportive environment.

Our staff are trained to recognise and respond to a wide range of safeguarding concerns. Some of the areas we are experienced in supporting are:

Abuse
This can include physical, emotional, or sexual harm. It may happen in person or online.

Neglect
When a child’s basic needs, such as food, clothing, supervision, or medical care, are not being met.

Online Safety
Including exposure to inappropriate content, online bullying, or contact with unknown individuals.

Child Sexual Exploitation
Where a child is manipulated or pressured into sexual activity in exchange for something, such as attention, gifts (e.g. vapes, clothes, alcohol, drugs, etc), or money.

Child Criminal Exploitation
Where a child may be coerced into criminal activity, such as carrying drugs or money.

Domestic Abuse
Exposure to harmful behaviour within the home can have a significant impact on a child’s wellbeing.

Parental Challenges
Children may experience anxiety, low mood, or other emotional challenges that impact their safety and development.

Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing
Children may experience anxiety, low mood, or other emotional challenges that impact their safety and development.

Bullying (including cyberbullying)
Repeated behaviour that intentionally hurts or harms another child, both in person or online.

Radicalisation and Extremism
Where a child may be vulnerable to being influenced by extreme views or ideologies.

Peer-on-Peer Abuse
Harmful behaviour between children, including physical, emotional, or sexual harm.

Harmful Sexual Behaviour
Age-inappropriate or concerning sexual behaviours displayed by children.

This section covers how to report a safeguarding concern to school. Please let us know if you are a student or a parent, guardian, carer, or member of the general public.

Please note, we understand it is sometimes easier for parents/carers/guardians/members of the general public to wish to discuss concerns in person at The Wellington Academy.

We ask that if you would prefer to discuss your concerns in person that you call/email ahead and request to speak to a member of the Safeguarding Team before turning up to the school.

Turning up to the school reception without an appointment will not guarantee that we are able to see you.

I am a:

Student

Parent/Carer/Guardian

Member of the general public

For Students

If something is worrying you, you can speak with any adult in school. We will always listen and help you.

You can speak with a member of the Safeguarding Team directly; you can find our office on the ground floor in the atrium (0-39).

Alternatively, you can speak with any member of staff in school. The member of staff will contact the Safeguarding Team and we will speak with you privately. You can bring a trusted member of staff or friend with you.

What happens after I speak to an adult?

When you tell an adult at school something important:

• You will be listened to carefully and taken seriously
• You will be treated with care and respect
• We may need to write down what you say so we do not forget anything important
• We may need to inform the Safeguarding Team
• The Safeguarding Team will decide how to best help you

This might mean:

• Supporting you in school
• Speaking to your parent or carer
• Getting help from other professionals whose job it is to keep children safe

You will not be in trouble for speaking to an adult.

You have done the right thing.

You are not alone, and you will be supported.

Will I get in trouble?

No. You will not get into trouble for telling us something that is worrying you. Speaking up is the right thing to do.

Will you tell my parents?

Sometimes we may need to speak to your parents or carers to help keep you safe. If we need to do this, we will explain this to you first.

In some situations, we may need to speak to other professionals to make sure you are safe.

We will always explain what we are going to do next.

For Parents/Carers

If you or a child is at risk of immediate harm, please contact 999 immediately.

For other concerns, there are several ways you can contact us.
You can email us at TWA-safeguarding@twa.ascendlearningtrust.org.uk. Please note, this inbox is monitored 8am-4pm Monday through Friday, including over school holidays and half-term. If you decide to get in contact, a member of our team will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

Alternatively, you may call the Safeguarding Office on 01264 793994. If we miss your call, we will get back to you as soon as we can. Opening hours are 8am-4pm Monday through Friday.

Where possible, please leave your name, telephone number, and a brief explanation of your concern. We will get back to you as soon as we can.

What happens if I raise a safeguarding concern?

We understand that raising or being informed of a safeguarding concern can feel worrying. Our approach is to work openly and supportively with families wherever possible.

All concerns are taken seriously. When a concern is shared with us:

• We will listen carefully
• We will create a written record and ensure it is securely stored
• We will assess the information and decide on the next steps
• We will consider the most appropriate way to support the child

Depending on the nature of the concern, this may include:

• Providing support within school
• Monitoring the situation
• Contacting parents or carers
• Seeking advice or support from external agencies

Our priority is always to ensure the safety and well-being of the child. In most cases, we will involve parents/carers in these discussions. However, there may be exceptional circumstances where information must be shared without prior consent to ensure a child’s safety.

Our aim is always to act in the best interests of the child whilst treating families with care and respect.

Will I be told if there is a safeguarding concern about my child?

In almost every case, yes. We believe in working in partnership with parents and carers and will almost always discuss any concerns with you.

However, in rare and exceptional circumstances, if we believe that doing so may place a child at increased risk, we may seek advice from external agencies before contacting you.

What happens next?

A member of our team will contact you as soon as possible in whichever way you feel most comfortable with to discuss your concern. We are a team of experts trained to deal with safeguarding concerns and we are here to help and support parents.

Safeguarding concerns can be difficult to discuss and it can be tricky to know what to do next. Our team will guide you through the process and offer what support we can. Please be assured, we are a highly specialised team and have dealt with a wide array of safeguarding concerns.

We will listen carefully, record the concern, and take appropriate action. This may include speaking to parents, offering support, or working with external agencies.

Where we can, we will always explain what we are going to do next.

For members of the general public

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

If you or a child is at risk of immediate harm, please contact 999 immediately.

If you are a member of the public and have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child who attends our school, we encourage you to share this with us.

You can email us at TWA-safeguarding@twa.ascendlearningtrust.org.uk. Please provide as much information and details as you can, including:

• The child’s name (if known)
• A description of your concern
• Any relevant dates, times, or observations

Please note, this inbox is monitored 8am-4pm Monday through Friday, including over school holidays and half-term. If you decide to get in contact, a member of our team will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

Alternatively, you may call the Safeguarding Office on 01264 793994. Opening hours are 8am-4pm Monday through Friday.

Where possible, please leave your name, telephone number, and a brief explanation of your concern. We will get back to you as soon as we can.

What happens next?

We understand that raising or being informed of a safeguarding concern can feel worrying. Our approach is to work openly and supportively with families wherever possible.

All concerns are taken seriously. When a concern is shared with us:

• We will listen carefully
• We will create a written record and ensure it is securely stored
• We will assess the information and decide on the next steps
• We will consider the most appropriate way to support the child

Depending on the nature of the concern, this may include:

• Providing support within school
• Monitoring the situation
• Contacting parents or carers
• Seeking advice or support from external agencies

We understand that raising a concern can feel difficult.

Information will be handled sensitively and shared only with those who need to know in order to keep children safe.

You can raise a concern even if you are unsure; your information could help us build a clearer picture.

It is always better to share a concern. You do not need to be certain. If something does not feel right, report it.

If you or a child is at risk of immediate harm, please contact 999 immediately.

If you think a child or young person is at risk of significant harm, or is injured, contact:

0300 456 0108 – Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), standard working hours:

• Monday to Thursday from 8.45am to 5pm
• Friday from 8.45am to 4pm.

0300 456 0100 – Out of hours service:

• Monday to Thursday 5pm to midnight, Friday 4pm to midnight
• Weekends and Bank Holidays from 9am to midnight
• Phones are diverted to the Social Work Standby Service from midnight to 9am (7 days a week).

Here at The Wellington Academy, we are partnered with the Wiltshire Safeguarding Partnership. This means we are partnered other organisations in the Wiltshire area, including social care, health services, and the police.

The Integrated Front Door service

The Integrated Front Door service provides a 24-hour response to concerns for children 7 days a week, 365 days a year and all staff in the team have training and experience in the support and safeguarding of children.

The service consists of the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), the Early Support Hub (ESH) and the Out of Hours Service (EDS) and is based in one hub in County Hall, Trowbridge. The service has been judged Outstanding by Ofsted, December 2023.

MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub)

MASH is the front door for all referrals in relation to children and young people in Wiltshire. The team is co-located with police and health colleagues to ensure timely decision-making occurs in response to safeguarding referrals.

Contact MASH on 0300 456 0108 or email Integratedfrontdoor@wiltshire.gov.uk

Policy links

We are committed to safer recruitment practices. All staff and volunteers are subject to appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS clearance, references, and safeguarding training.

All staff receive regular safeguarding training to ensure they understand their responsibilities and can identify and respond to concerns.

Our Designated Safeguarding Leads receive advanced training and provide ongoing advice and support to staff.