Safeguarding and Child
Protection Policy

Family Version

This family-friendly version summarises how Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams safeguards students, what families can expect when a concern is raised, and how to contact us if you are worried about a child.

Our approach to safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. Our role is to provide help as soon as problems emerge, protect children from maltreatment and exploitation, protect their health and development, and take action so that they can achieve the best possible outcomes.

At Florence, safeguarding includes:

• safer recruitment and appropriate pre-employment checks for staff;
• regular safeguarding training and updates for staff and volunteers;
• a secure site, clear visitor procedures and appropriate supervision;
• robust attendance procedures and early action where absence may indicate a safeguarding concern;
• online filtering and monitoring, alongside education about online safety;
• pastoral and inclusion support, and work with external agencies where additional help is needed.

When a safeguarding concern is raised

• The concern will be taken seriously and passed promptly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or a Deputy DSL where appropriate.
• Safeguarding concerns, discussions, decisions and the reasons for those decisions are recorded securely on CPOMS.
• The academy may speak with the child, relevant staff and parents/carers to understand what support is needed.
• Where there is an immediate child protection concern, the academy will not investigate as a single agency. We will follow Stoke-on-Trent multi-agency procedures and seek support from children's services and/or the police.
• Parents/carers will usually be informed and involved. We may need to act without informing a parent first where doing so could place a child at greater risk or undermine a criminal investigation.
• Information is shared on a need-to-know basis. Data protection law does not prevent appropriate information sharing where this is necessary to safeguard a child.

Working with families

We want families to raise concerns early. A concern does not have to be an allegation of abuse: changes in a child's behaviour, attendance, wellbeing, friendships or online activity can all be reasons to ask for help. Early support can prevent problems from becoming more serious.

Things families may notice

No single sign proves that a child is being harmed, but changes should be taken seriously, particularly where several occur together. Examples may include:

• unexplained injuries or a significant change in mood, behaviour or confidence;
• withdrawal, anxiety, self-harm, suicidal thoughts or other changes in mental health;
• persistent or unexplained absence, going missing, regularly returning home late or a sudden change in routine;
• unexplained gifts, money or possessions, or new relationships with people linked to exploitation or criminal activity;
• a sudden decline in engagement or performance at the academy;
• changes in online behaviour, secrecy around devices, harmful contact, pressure to share images or AI/deepfake-related abuse;
• sexualised behaviour, bullying, harassment, coercion or fear of a particular person, place or group.

How families can help

• Keep the academy informed of changes in your child's circumstances that may affect their safety or wellbeing.
• Provide at least two up-to-date emergency contacts and tell us promptly if contact details change.
• Talk openly with your child about relationships, online safety, consent and who they can speak to if they are worried.
• Support regular attendance and let us know promptly where absence is connected to a welfare or safeguarding concern.
• Contact us early if something does not feel right. You do not need to wait until you have proof before raising a concern.

Who to contact

Information sharing and confidentiality

Staff cannot promise confidentiality where a child may be at risk. Information will be handled professionally, recorded accurately and shared only where there is a legitimate safeguarding need. Wherever possible, we will work openly with families while keeping the child's safety and best interests at the centre of decisions.

This document is a family-friendly summary. The full Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy 2026-27 remains the academy's formal policy and is available on the Florence website or from the academy office.