Safeguarding

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. At BISR we believe that everyone who comes in contact with our students and their families has a role to play. “What is in the best interests of the child?” is always at the centre of any decision we make.

The BISR Child Protection Team are responsible for promoting safeguarding and the welfare of children.  BISR has a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who directs the Child Protection Officers (CPOs) responsible for Primary and Senior sections across the school. Our Child Protection Team collaborate with the school’s counsellors to maintain thorough and rigorous practices. BISR has an appointed member of the governing body to act as a Safeguarding representative.

BISR has created a culture of safe recruitment protocols and insists that all staff and volunteers have enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This comprehensive process is obvious and transparent from the outset to employment.

A scheduled programme of regular professional child protection training is in place for all staff. The Child Protection Team are responsible for promoting the welfare of children and so are trained annually in Child Protection to provide them with the knowledge and skills to carry out their role. Prior to starting work all staff and governors complete online SAFEcic training which is valid for two years. On commencement of employment at BISR it is mandatory for staff to attend bespoke BISR training to understand protocols and safeguarding issues specific to the context of BISR. All school staff are trained including non-teaching staff and if required the training is provided in accessible languages.

Confidentiality is highly valued at BISR and all concerns raised are treated seriously. The Children Protection Team at BISR use an online platform to secure and manage all information about concerns raised. Staff are trained and skilled in reporting concerns, and the CPOs have a responsibility to act on concerns raised by staff or the school community.

Throughout the school, safeguarding is incorporated in the PSHEE curriculum as well as curriculum areas that promote anti-bullying, online safety and healthy relationship education. Parents and the wider school community are also supported in updates about Safeguarding through weekly Parent Forums.