Safeguarding

Safeguarding

Safeguarding at Taunton Deane Partnership College

Taunton Deane Partnership College (TDPC) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We actively support the Government's Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism.

Sometimes when there are concerns about a child's welfare, we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies such as police, children’s social care, FIS or medical professionals. Where we can, we will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with parents/carers first to achieve the best outcome for the student. Sometimes circumstances exist that do not allow for that discussion and TDPC has to take independent action in order to ensure a young person is safeguarded.

What is safeguarding?

Safeguarding is:

Providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge;
Protecting children from maltreatment, whether that is within or outside the home, including online;
Preventing the impairment of children's mental and physical health or development;
Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care;
Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

(Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024)

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Nicola Anstice. The Governor with responsibility for safeguarding in our school is Nik Harwood.

How are students safeguarded at TDPC?

Some of the ways we safeguard students are as follows:

All staff are trained to recognise the signs of a child whose wellbeing is being compromised by physical or emotional abuse and/or neglect. They are also trained in how to manage disclosures from young people. Staff receive regular updates and training on safeguarding issues.
TDPC follows Safer Recruitment processes in the appointment of all staff.
TDPC have a team who are responsible for safeguarding (details below) and are all trained as Designated Safeguarding Leads.
TDPC are committed to ensuring our families receive the right support at the right time, recognising that children come to us for varying lengths of duration and that we must act promptly to ensure family needs are understood and met.
Opportunities are planned for children to receive input from local organisations around the risks of exploitation and making healthy and positive choices.

We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy which can be viewed on the website.

If you are worried about a child or need support with your child, please contact us on 01823 349338 and ask to speak to a member of the Safeguarding Team. You can also get in touch with Somerset Direct on 0300 123 2224 to speak to a representative from Children's Social Care.

During the school holidays, any non-urgent safeguarding information/concerns can be emailed to: safeguarding@tdpc.somerset.sch.uk. This email address is monitored regularly throughout the holidays by a member of the Safeguarding Team. Any urgent concerns should be reported to Somerset Direct on 0300 123 2224. If a child is at immediate risk of harm, call 999.

TDPC Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy 2024-25.pdf

The adults that have special responsibility to keep our young people safe;

Nicola Anstice - Assistant Headteacher (Designated Safeguarding Lead)

Jackie Morris-Fuge - Deputy Headteacher (Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead)

Rebecca Bailey - Pastoral Lead Secondary (Deputy DSL)

Kate Taylor - Pastoral Lead Primary (Deputy DSL)

Tanya Mugford - PFSA (Deputy DSL)

Carly de Bolla - Safeguarding Officer

Sam Walters - Designated Teacher for Children Looked After

Useful resources:

Lots of people need different support at different times. There are many services and agencies out there that can help, no matter what you are going through:

Mental Health

Live Well - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Mind -the mental health charity - help for children and young people

Young Minds

Kooth - counselling support

Young Somerset

Samaritans

Place2Be

Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol

Honest information about drugs | FRANK (talktofrank.com)

Guidance on alcohol & young people | Drinkaware

Sexual Health