Enhance Academy Trust Safeguarding Policy Statement
This policy statement should be read in conjunction with the local Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy of each individual Enhance Academy Trust school. The responsibility for implementation of the local Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy in each school lies with the Headteacher as set out within the Trust’s the Scheme of Delegation. The Local Academy Board and Trust Board have an oversight of this and ensure effective implementation. School policies are based on the model policies provided by Wakefield and Kirklees Local Authorities.
Enhance Academy Trust is committed to ensuring the actions we take, keep children safe and protect them from harm in all aspects of their school life. The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our pupils. The actions that we take to prevent harm, to promote well-being, to create safe environments, to respond to specific issues and vulnerabilities all form part of the safeguarding responsibilities of the Trust. We recognise our moral and statutory responsibility and make every effort to provide a safe environment underpinned by a culture of openness where both children and adults feel secure, able to talk and believe they are being listened to.
The key principles of this statement are as follows:
- Individual school policies, available on individual school websites, have been developed to ensure compliance with Section 175 of the Education Act 2002, Section 11 of the Children Act 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 (as amended) and Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026.
- All schools follow the safeguarding procedures and guidance contained within Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023, and the procedures of their local Safeguarding Children Partnership.
- All schools follow their local Safeguarding Children Partnership inter-agency policies and procedures and Information Sharing Agreements and work collaboratively with safeguarding partners and other relevant agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
- All schools complete their local Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Safeguarding Audit, which is shared with the Local Authority, Local Academy Board and the Trust as required.
- Each Local Academy Board is responsible for ensuring the implementation and effectiveness of the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy within the school. Safeguarding is a standing item within the Headteacher’s report to the Local Academy Board.
- Each Local Academy Board has a Designated Safeguarding Governor who provides oversight, challenge and support and reports regularly to the Local Academy Board. All governors complete safeguarding training and receive regular safeguarding updates in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026.
- The Designated Safeguarding Governor meets regularly with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to provide appropriate oversight and assurance regarding safeguarding arrangements and statutory compliance.
- The Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads undertake training and updates in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026, ensuring knowledge and skills remain current and effective.
- Schools will robustly follow their Local Authority Resolution and Escalation Procedures where concerns arise regarding the management of a case by Children’s Social Care or other partner agencies. This policy works in conjunction with other Trust and school policies that safeguard the interests and welfare of children, including Safer Recruitment, Online Safety, Behaviour, Anti-Bullying, Attendance, SEND, Health and Safety, Staff Code of Conduct and Whistleblowing. All policies are reviewed regularly and updated in response to changes in statutory guidance.
- Schools will maintain effective online safety arrangements, including appropriate filtering and monitoring systems, staff awareness and pupil education, in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 and relevant Department for Education guidance.
- Schools will ensure that concerns, allegations and low-level concerns relating to adults working in or on behalf of the school are managed in accordance with statutory guidance and local procedures.
- The Trust Board retains ultimate responsibility for safeguarding across the Trust and receives regular assurance regarding safeguarding compliance, training, audits, monitoring activity and safeguarding outcomes.
- In order to implement this policy successfully, every employee, volunteer, governor and trustee must take an active role in supporting this Policy Statement and co-operate fully with Enhance Academy Trust in its commitment to keep children safe and promote their welfare.
The effectiveness of this Policy Statement and arrangements will be reviewed annually by the Board of Trustees.