Safeguarding & Child Protection

Our Commitment

A Plus Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people who use our services. We recognise that the safety and protection of children is of paramount importance and take our responsibilities seriously.

We are registered with Ofsted (URN: 2611010) and comply with all relevant legislation and statutory guidance, including:

• Children Act 1989 and 2004
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)
• Keeping Children Safe in Education (2024)
• The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations

Staff Recruitment & Training

All members of staff at A Plus Academy:

• Undergo an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check before starting work
• Receive safeguarding training as part of their induction and ongoing professional development
• Are made aware of our safeguarding procedures and their individual responsibilities
• Understand how to recognise signs of abuse and neglect

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is responsible for managing all safeguarding concerns. If you have a concern about a child, please contact our DSL immediately:

Our Procedures

If we have a safeguarding concern, we will:

• Listen to the child and take their concerns seriously
• Record the concern accurately and promptly
• Report the concern to the Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Refer to the local authority children's social care or police where appropriate
• Cooperate fully with any statutory investigation

Online Safety

For online tutoring sessions, we take additional measures to ensure safety, including:

• Sessions are conducted via secure, password-protected platforms
• Parents/guardians are encouraged to be present or nearby during online sessions
• Sessions are not recorded without explicit consent
• Staff follow a code of conduct for online interactions

Photography & Images

We will not photograph or use images of children without documented written consent from a parent or legal guardian. Any images used on our website or marketing materials are either stock images or used with explicit parental consent.

Reporting a Concern

If you have a safeguarding concern about a child at A Plus Academy, please contact us immediately. You can also report concerns to:

• Stockport Local Authority: Stockport Safeguarding Children
• Manchester Local Authority: Manchester Children's Services
• NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
• Childline: 0800 1111

Policy Review

This safeguarding policy is reviewed annually or whenever there are changes to legislation or guidance. All staff are informed of updates.