Safeguarding

Safeguarding students is the academy’s first objective in the education and welfare of its students. All staff are provided with safeguarding training annually. Training is also provided to new staff during their induction. Safeguarding students is the responsibility of every adult within the organisation regardless of whether they are in a paid role or work at the academy in a voluntary capacity.

Relevant checks are made against all employees and, where outside agencies are ‘lone working’ with students, proof of relevant checks are provided to the Academy and held in a single central record. Adults (e.g. contractors) who visit the Academy but do not have proof of relevant checks, are escorted at all times to avoid any potential harm to students.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are visible in the academy and provide support and guidance to staff and students regarding keeping students safe from harm. The DSL and DDSLs work with outside agencies, staff, students, parents/carers and the wider community to ensure the safety of students and the prevention of harm.

Safeguarding is understood by the academy to encompass historic harm, ongoing harm and the potential for harm to occur. The academy also understands that abuse can be revealed through a disclosure by a student or through emerging patterns of behaviour or presentation. The academy takes its responsibility to record information accurately and in a timely manner seriously. Information is stored in accordance with GDPR legislation and only shared with relevant people.

Macmillan Academy staff are aware of their duty of care towards students including, but not limited to; potential for radicalisation, extremism, forced marriage, FGM, InCel, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse and emotional abuse. Macmillan Academy are also aware of their key student demographics and the cultural norms that may pose a risk to student safety.