Safeguarding Support

Safeguarding Statement

We take our responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children extremely seriously. We are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all children in our care and to supporting others in doing the same.

We follow all relevant statutory guidance, alongside our own robust policies and procedures. You can view our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy on the Policies page of our website.

For further information, advice, and resources on child protection and safeguarding, please visit the following website:

https://somersetsafeguardingchildren.org.uk/

Safeguarding Personnel

All staff undertake safeguarding training and have safeguarding responsibilities.

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mr Pete Ford – who can be contacted via hello@reneweducation.uk

Reporting A Concern

If you have a concern which involves the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person connected with Renew Education, you should contact the commissioning school. However, you can also contact Pete Ford between 8.30am – 4pm on either:

Phone: 01278 552629
Email: hello@reneweducation.uk

If the concern is serious and outside of the hours above, please contact the Children Social Care on 0300 123 2224 or 0300 123 2327 on weekends and bank holidays.

Managing allegations against adults working with children or young people

We pride ourselves on our clear procedures and training of staff regarding safeguarding matters. However, for your information, Local Area Designated Officers (LADO) provide advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations that have concerns about a person working or volunteering with children and young people who may have behaved inappropriately or if information has been received that may constitute an allegation.

If you believe a referral to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) may be necessary, please follow the steps below:

Initial Discussion:

It is strongly advised that you first discuss the concern with our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Mr Pete Ford.
📧 Email: hello@reneweducation.uk
Ensure that the details are also recorded in your relevant safeguarding records.

Gather Essential Information:
If you still feel that a referral is required, you will need to gather the following details before contacting the LADO service:

Information about the adult connected to the allegation or incident
Details of the child or children involved
(Please note: LADO procedures cannot proceed without both sets of information.)

Make the Referral:
Once you have the necessary information, contact Somerset Direct:
📞 0300 123 2224
Further Information:
For full guidance on the LADO process, please visit the Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) website via the link below:
🔗 LADO information on the SSCP website LADO information

Safeguarding Advice and Support

Further general safeguarding information is available through the various links below. We also have dedicated information pages on our own website for each of the following areas:

Early Help

It is widely recognised that when children and families receive effective early help, this can make a significant difference for them. Further information on Somerset’s Early Help provision can be found at Early Help

Further information about Early Help in Somerset can be found for parents/carers in this Video

Looked After Children

We recognise that Looked After Children need additional care and support in school to help them achieve their very best and we are committed to providing this.

www.somersetvirtualschool.co.uk

Anti-bullying

Bullying is different to an isolated moment of unkindness or a disagreement between two people. Bullying is usually systematic and repeated, though one-off events can turn into bullying behaviour and done by a person who perceives themselves as more powerful than the victim This can be distressing and hurtful to the victim rather than gentle banter between friends. These sites offer guidance and practical support.

Online Safety

Below is a list of websites that provide useful information, advice and resources for parents and carers who wish to know more about e-Safety:

Information for parents about:

Netflix https://nationalcollege.com/guides/netflix

Youtube https://nationalcollege.com/guides/youtube-2022

Child Exploitation and Radicalisation

Exploitation can occur in many forms. There is guidance in how to report a child at risk below.

Further contacts, documents and resources

Below is a list of charities and organisations that provide support to children and/or their families where there are issues around safeguarding, mental health and wellbeing. Whilst this list is not exhaustive, but should provide parents with practical support and guidance in addition to what the school will provide.

2BU

If you're a young person living in Somerset, you may find that being Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender, or questioning your sexuality or gender identity can be difficult.

Website: www.2bu-somerset.co.uk

Action for Children

Action for Children provides help for vulnerable and neglected children, young people and families at no charge.

Website: www.actionforchildren.org.uk

Phone: 0300 123 2112

ChatHealth

ChatHealth is a text service for young people aged 13-19 at secondary school to reach out to the School Nurse team for confidential advice on a wide range of issues such as bullying, emotional health and wellbeing, sexual health as well as illnesses.

Website: Home Page - ChatHealth

Phone: 07520 631722

Child Bereavement UK

An organisation which attempts to help young people or families rebuild their lives when a family member has died.

Website: Child Bereavement UK

Phone: 0800 02 888 40

ChildLine

Childline is a free and confidential service. It offers children and young people a safe way to explore their worries however big or small. Support is available by phone or online any time, day or night, plus there is a lot of information and advice on their website on a wide range of issues.

Website: Childline | Childline

Phone: 0800 1111 (Freephone)

Cruse

Cruse is another organisation which provides support to young people struggling to cope with grief.

Website: https://www.cruse.org.uk/

Phone: 0808 8081677

Department for Education

This link from the DfE offers a mixture of resources and advice for parents who may be struggling with mental health themselves or within the family.

Website: https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2021/09/03/mental-health-resources-for-children-parents-carers-and-school-staff/

Dove Self-Esteem Project: FREE Resources for Parents

The Dove Self-Esteem Project is all about boosting children and young people’s self-esteem and body confidence – and supporting parents to start important conversations at home. The free parent resources from Dove UK and Parent Zone include:

Uniquely Me Parent’s Guide – a 40-page booklet full of guidance and practical checklists for families to use together
Podcast, which dives deeper into some of the issues covered by Uniquely Me
Expert information and advice on Parent Info

Website: Parenting teens: Dove Self-Esteem Project resources

Health For Teens

This is a group who are on-hand to provide advice and guidance to young people about health concerns.

Website: Health For Teens | Everything you wanted to know about health

In Charley's Memory

In Charley's Memory is a local charity which supports children over the age of 11 who might be struggling with their emotions and mental health. Formed due to the suicide of a local youth, they offer great support.

Website: https://www.incharleysmemory.com/

Phone: 01278 557490

Kooth.com - Online Counselling Service for Young People

Young people aged 11 to 18 years have access to online advice, self-help tools and counselling through Kooth.com. This is available 365 days a year and interactive counselling is available until 10pm every night.

Website: Home - Kooth

Living Life to the Full for Young People

Free online course covering low mood, stress and resilience especially for young people. Work out why you feel as you do, how to tackle problems, build confidence, get going again, feel happier, stay calm, tackle upsetting thinking and more.

Use Code YPVC84475 or YPVC94570 to access for free

Website: LLTTF for Young People (llttfyp.com)

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)

Well known for their incredible work this organisation offers expert advice about child protection concerns.

Website: www.nspcc.org.uk

Phone: 0808 800 5000

Papyrus UK

This organisation exists to provide support for any young person who may be considering suicide as a resort.

Website: Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide (papyrus-uk.org)

Phone: 0800 068 4141

SAMApp

Free app (and advert free) for Supporting Anxiety Management. SAMapp will help you to understand what causes your anxiety, monitor your anxious thoughts and behaviour over time and manage your anxiety through self-help exercises and private reflection.

Website: Self-help App for the Mind (SAM) (mindgarden-tech.co.uk)

Teen Tips

A website which has advice and support for schools, parents/carers and children in struggling with mental health issues.

Website: https://teentips.co.uk/

Texting service

A texting service specifically for parents/carers is available. Text a Health Visitor on 07520 631 721 to get confidential information and advice

The Mix

The Mix provides safe and confidential group chat and discussion boards, plus messaging support services and telephone counselling for young people under 25. You can visit the website, call the freephone number, or if you need help immediately you can also text The Mix on their crisis messenger text service which provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK. If you’re aged 25 or under, and are experiencing any painful emotion or are in crisis, you can text THEMIX to 85258.

Website: The Mix - Essential support for under 25s

Phone: 0808 808 4994 (Freephone)

Understanding your Brain (for teenagers only)

Find out what's happening in your brain! Your brain changes as you hit adolescence. See how the changes in your brain explain some of the changes in your behaviour.

Use the code TAMAR to access the course for free!

Website: Online Learning (heiapply.com)

Young Minds Parents’ Hub and Helpline

If you are a parent needing help with your child’s emotional wellbeing you can contact the Young Minds Parent Helpline or visit their website, which has lots of excellent advice and information including topics such as ‘starting a conversation with your child’ and ’20 activities for 20 minutes’.

Website: Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child | YoungMinds

Phone: 0808 802 5544

Young Somerset

Counselling and various forms of support is offered by Young Somerset, where possible. There are waiting lists, but there is a possibility of support, as well as useful online resources which can be accessed.

To request support, the young person will need to complete their online referral form on their website.

Website: https://www.youngsomerset.org.uk/

Phone: Landline 01278 722100 / Mobile 07494284156

Email: admin@youngsomerset.org.uk

Key documents

Keeping Children Safe in Education September 2025:

Keeping children safe in education 2025

Policies

Please see policies page on www.reneweducation.uk