Bridgepoint Learning CIC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every child and young person who accesses our hub, activities, services and developing Alternative Provision.

We believe every child has the right to feel safe, respected, listened to and supported.

Many of the children and young people we support have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), communication differences or have experienced difficulties accessing education. We recognise that these factors can create additional safeguarding vulnerabilities.

Our safeguarding approach is therefore child-centred, SEND-informed and responsive to each young person's individual communication and support needs.

Bridgepoint is committed to:

• Creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment
• Promoting the welfare and safety of every child
• Listening to children and taking concerns seriously
• Recognising the additional safeguarding vulnerabilities that may affect children with SEND
• Responding promptly and appropriately to safeguarding concerns
• Maintaining appropriate safer recruitment and vetting procedures
• Working collaboratively with families, schools, local authorities and safeguarding professionals
• Sharing safeguarding information appropriately where this is necessary to protect a child
• Maintaining a culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility
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Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Charlotte Ujvari
Founder & Director — Bridgepoint Learning CIC

The Designated Safeguarding Lead is responsible for overseeing safeguarding and child protection within Bridgepoint, responding to concerns, maintaining safeguarding procedures and ensuring appropriate action is taken where necessary.

Safeguarding knowledge and training is kept under review and updated as Bridgepoint's services and Alternative Provision develop.

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Daniel Shave

Daniel brings more than 20 years' experience working with children and families across early years and childcare settings. His previous roles include safeguarding leadership and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead responsibilities, alongside extensive experience in SEND, behaviour support, assessment, planning and team leadership.

Our safeguarding team is responsible for overseeing safeguarding and child protection across Bridgepoint, responding to concerns, maintaining appropriate safeguarding procedures and working with families, commissioners and statutory services where required.

Bridgepoint is currently developing a SEND-focused Alternative Provision.

As part of this development, we are expanding our safeguarding framework to reflect the responsibilities associated with supporting children through commissioned educational placements.

This includes procedures covering:

• Child protection and responding to concerns
• Safer recruitment and appropriate DBS checks
• Staff conduct and professional boundaries
• Allegations and concerns regarding adults working with children
• Child-on-child abuse
• Attendance, absence and missing children
• Online safety
• Prevent and radicalisation
• Information sharing and safeguarding records
• Whistleblowing
• Individual risk assessment
• Health, safety and medical needs
• SEND and communication-related safeguarding vulnerabilities

Our Alternative Provision safeguarding arrangements are being developed with regard to current national safeguarding guidance and the Department for Education's standards for non-school Alternative Provision.

Any concern regarding a child's welfare will be taken seriously.

Concerns will be recorded appropriately and considered by the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Where necessary, Bridgepoint will share information or make referrals to children's social care, police, the child's school or commissioning organisation, health professionals or other appropriate safeguarding services.

Where we believe a child may be at immediate risk of serious harm, protecting the child will take priority.

If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

Individuals working with children through Bridgepoint are expected to:

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries
• Follow Bridgepoint safeguarding procedures
• Complete appropriate safeguarding training
• Undergo appropriate recruitment and vetting checks for their role
• Report safeguarding concerns promptly
• Maintain appropriate supervision
• Follow individual risk assessments and support arrangements
• Treat children with dignity and respect

Bridgepoint encourages staff, volunteers, professionals and anyone connected with the organisation to raise concerns about unsafe practice or the welfare of a child.

No individual will be disadvantaged for raising a genuine safeguarding concern in good faith.

Concerns about safeguarding practice should be raised with the Designated Safeguarding Lead or, where the concern relates to the DSL, through Bridgepoint's organisational safeguarding and allegations procedure.

Safeguarding children requires organisations to work together.

Bridgepoint will work appropriately with parents and carers, schools, local authorities, health professionals, social care and other agencies involved in a child's life.

Information will be shared where appropriate and necessary to protect children and support their welfare.

Bridgepoint maintains a comprehensive Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy covering our operational safeguarding arrangements.

The full policy is available to parents, carers, schools, commissioners and professionals.

DOWNLOAD OUR SAFEGUARDING & CHILD PROTECTION POLICY