Child Safety and Safeguarding

Libra is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is broader than ‘child protection’ as it also includes prevention and Libra always puts the best interests of children first.

We believe that all children have the right to be safe in our society. Therefore, we recognise that we have a duty to ensure arrangements are in place for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children placed with us by creating a positive atmosphere through our teaching and learning, pastoral support and residential care for both children and school adults, training for school adults and with working with parents and Local Authorities. We teach all our children about safeguarding.

Safeguarding Contacts	Contact Numbers
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Brigitte Dane	01598 740044 state ‘urgent, safeguarding matter’

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Abi Morgan	01598 740044 state ‘urgent, safeguarding matter’
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Alice Dorman	01598 740044 state ‘urgent, safeguarding matter’
Nominated Director for Safeguarding:  Joan Wilkes	01598 740044 state ‘urgent, safeguarding matter’
Designated Lead for LAC Pupils: Alice Dorman	01598 740044
NSPCC Whistle-blowing Helpline	0800 028 0285
Childline	0800 1111
Devon Children: Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub	0345 155 1071
Devon LADO (Devon Children and Families Partnership)	01392 384964
Somerset LADO (Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership)	0300 123 2224
Early Help	01823 355803

It is the policy of Libra to provide a safe and secure environment in which children and young people can thrive and develop and where all aspects of their welfare will be protected by:

Providing a safe environment and taking all reasonable measures to minimise risks of harm.
Providing arrangements to take all appropriate action to address concerns relating to the welfare of a child.

Any kind of dangerous weaponry is prohibited in any of Libra’s sites, such as (but not limited to) the School, Farm School and Forest School.

Within this environment we work hard to build children’s resilience to radicalisation and extremism by promoting fundamental British values and for everyone to understand the risks associated with terrorism. We want children to develop their knowledge and skills in order to challenge extremist views.

We are committed in establishing and maintaining an ethos where children and parents feel secure in being able to talk confidently to school personnel about any concerns or fears they may have knowing that they will be taken seriously. We believe that ‘everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding children’.

Our full Safeguarding Policy and other associated policies are available in PDF from our office, please ring: 01598 740044 for a copy.