Keeping Young People Safe

Why is this important and how does it link to our values?

Keeping Young People Safe at OSCA

Outstanding learning and progress can only happen if our students are happy and feel safe and respected. We strive to provide a caring, positive, safe and stimulating environment that reflects our core values and promotes the social, physical and moral development of our students. Through our rigorous safeguarding procedures, and the wide-ranging pastoral support here at OSCA we have a place where we can transform lives and shape the dreams and aspirations of our students.

We recognise that high self-esteem, confidence, supportive friends and clear lines of communication with a trusted adult helps to prevent abuse. We acknowledge the importance of enabling children to talk openly about anything that worries them and to feel confident that they will be listened to. We believe in a child-centred approach - one where there is a clear understanding of the needs and views of young people. We ensure that pupils are taught about safeguarding, including online safety, through various teaching and learning opportunities, as part of providing a broad and balanced curriculum. We work closely with parents to ensure the welfare of all children. We believe that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility: all staff, governors and volunteers should play their full part in keeping children safe.

How does it work? Key information/structure

Maintaining Children’s Safety

Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy takes seriously its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of the children and young people in its care.

All staff members are aware of the policies and systems within the Academy which support safeguarding and receive regular safeguarding updates and training. They will respond with clear boundaries about what is safe and acceptable when talking to students and seek to understand the triggers for children’s behaviour.

In order to support the safeguarding work that is undertaken here at the academy, we have a dedicated Safeguarding Team:

Mrs G. Garner - Designated Safeguarding Lead Gaynor.Garner@ormistonsandwell.org.uk 

Mr A. Morgan - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead Andrew.Morgan1@ormistonsandwell.org.uk

Ms R. Maiden - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead becky.maiden@ormistonsandwell.org.uk  

Ms K.Clair - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead Kerry.Clair@ormistonsandwell.org.uk 

The wider Safeguarding Team also includes Mr M. Sorby (Assistant Principal) Mrs S. Dickens SENDCo and all Heads of House and Assistant Heads of House.

All students know who to speak to when they need support.

"Our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies are reviewed regularly and can be found below:

Government guidance and strategies regarding child protection and safeguarding can be found here:

Working Together to Safeguard Children 

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2020