Safeguarding at SKOLA

Safeguarding is the proactive process of protecting children and young people from harm, preventing impairment of their health or development, and ensuring they grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.

For our young learners, this means:

Protecting them from abuse, neglect, and bullying.
Preventing any risk to their health or development.
Ensuring staff are thoroughly vetted and trained to act in the children's best interests.
Maintaining a safe, supportive, and secure environment across all activities and accommodation.

Our Rules and Safeguarding

Our three rules apply to everyone, students and adults alike, and directly support a culture of safeguarding and well-being:

Ready: We ensure we are prepared and follow procedures. For both staff and students, being Ready helps minimise risk and ensures safe engagement in activities inside and outside of the school.
Safe: This rule explicitly underpins all safeguarding. Everyone is required to look out for their own and others' well-being, report anything that makes them feel uncomfortable, and follow all safety procedures.
Kind: This rule actively prevents harm by promoting respect, inclusion, and a zero-tolerance policy for bullying or discrimination, ensuring a supportive environment for everyone.

Safeguarding is the responsibility of all staff, with the oversight and leadership provided by the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

You can read the full policy here: SKOLA Safeguarding Policy
Make a report using this link: SKOLA Incident Report Form

The Role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) holds the overall responsibility for safeguarding and child protection within the summer school.

Their core duties are to:

Lead on Policy: Ensure the school's Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy is strictly followed by all staff.
Manage Referrals: Act as the first point of contact for staff concerns and manage all referrals to local authority social care and the police.
Provide Expertise: Offer advice and support to all staff on child protection matters.
Oversee Training: Ensure all staff receive the necessary, up-to-date safeguarding training.

The DSL ensures the school meets all statutory requirements to provide a safe and supportive environment for all our young learners.