Safeguarding
At Soundwell Academy, we recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all our pupils. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice. In order to tackle the threat of extremism and prejudice, we promote tolerance and respect and celebrate diversity.
Key Facts about child abuse
Abuse and neglect can happen to any child, boy or girl, of any race, culture, ethnicity or sexuality.
Disabled children and those with SEN are particularly vulnerable.
Many children are unable to disclose what is happening to them and rely on us to interpret their behaviour and spot signs of abuse.
If you have concerns for a child's health, welfare or safety in any way you must speak to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), or if this is not possible to a member of staff who will act on the concerns in line with our safeguarding policy and procedures.
Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL):
Andrew Welsh, Assistant Head Teacher
Deputy DSL:
Craig Abbs, Head Teacher
Catherine Roberts, Deputy Head Teacher
Martha Green, Assistant Headteacher
Fiona Carter, SENDCo
Contact information can be found using the Contact Us link at the top of the screen.
Safeguarding Governor:
Alison Cade
MAT Safeguarding:
Safeguarding Trustee
If you have concerns regarding the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher contact
Sophie Addison
If you are concerned about a professional working with children?
Jon Goddard, LADO South Glos 01454 868508, lado@southglos.gov.uk
Where can I find additional support as a parent?
For more information on Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) check out the Parents Against Child Exploitation website or download Avon & Somerset Police's information leaflet shown in the documents below.
Off the Record is a longstanding and well-regarded provider of group or 1:1 counselling and resilience-building sessions and parents and students can refer themselves. Their parent support sessions are excellent and a number of students and parents have found their service to be very useful.
The link below will provide you with their information for the Bristol hub:
Kooth is an online counselling provider for young people.
XenZone is a provider of online mental health services for children, young people and adults. Kooth, from XenZone, is an online counselling and emotional well-being platform for children and young people, accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop and free at the point of use.
For more information about XenZone, please visit XENZONE.COM.
If you’re a parent looking for more information about Kooth, please email PARENTS@XENZONE.COM
Online Safety
For the most updated-to-date, Online Safety tools please visit - https://swgfl.org.uk/
10 top tips for staying safe online - https://swgfl.org.uk/online-safety/10-online-safety-tips/
Children Safe search tools - https://swiggle.org.uk/