Safeguarding and Child
Protection Policy

Student Version

This is the student-friendly version of our full Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. It explains what safeguarding means at Florence, what you can expect from us and what to do if you are worried about yourself or somebody else.

What safeguarding means

Safeguarding means keeping you safe from harm, getting help to you as soon as problems emerge, protecting your health and development, and taking action so that you can achieve the best possible outcomes.

Every adult at Florence has a responsibility to safeguard you. You have the right to feel safe, to be listened to, to receive help from a trusted adult and to learn how to keep yourself safe - including online.

What should I tell an adult about?

Tell an adult whenever something does not feel safe or right. You do not need to be certain that something is a safeguarding concern before speaking up. This might include:

• Someone hurting, threatening or controlling you, at home, in the community, at the academy or online.
• Bullying or abuse by another student, including sexual harassment, sexual violence or pressure to do something you do not want to do.
• Online harm, including abusive messages, being asked to share images, fake or AI-generated intimate images, deepfakes, scams or contact from someone who makes you uncomfortable.
• Worries about your mental health, including self-harm, suicidal thoughts or feeling that you cannot cope.
• Exploitation or unsafe situations, including gangs, county lines, drugs, unexplained gifts, being pressured to carry or do things for other people, or going missing.
• A concern about somebody else, even if they have asked you not to tell anyone.

If you tell us something

• We will listen carefully and take what you tell us seriously.
• You will not be made to feel ashamed or as though you have caused a problem by speaking up.
• The adult may need to pass the concern to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or a Deputy DSL so that the right help can be put in place.
• Safeguarding information is recorded securely and is only shared with people who need it to help keep you or somebody else safe.
• Sometimes we need to work with your family or other services, such as children's services or the police. We will explain what is happening wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Who can I speak to?

You can speak to any member of staff you trust - for example your chosen Trusted Adult, your Homeroom Tutor, Head of Year, a teacher, pastoral member of staff or a member of the safeguarding team.

Staying safe online

Online safety is part of safeguarding. Technology can be useful, but it can also be used to harm, pressure or exploit people. Florence uses filtering and monitoring on academy systems and teaches you how to recognise unsafe online behaviour.

• Do not share intimate images of yourself or anybody else. If an image has already been shared, tell an adult - you will still be supported.
• Never record, livestream or broadcast staff, students, lessons or academy activities without permission.
• If somebody online pressures, threatens or scares you, save the evidence if it is safe to do so, block/report the account and tell a trusted adult.

Your rights

• To feel safe and be treated with dignity and respect.
• To be listened to and have your wishes and feelings considered.
• To receive support from a trusted adult.
• To have safeguarding concerns taken seriously, wherever they happen - including online or outside the academy.

If you need help urgently