Safeguarding statement 

At CODA safeguarding our students and our community is at the heart of everything we do. We work closely with partner agencies to ensure we are fulfilling the duty we have to all of our learners, and where required we work with them to provide a comprehensive package of support for families that need it.  

The Safeguarding Team at CoDA

What to do if you are concerned about a child 

If you have any concerns about a child you can call Derbyshire Police on either 999 or 101, Derby Social Care (Initial Response Team) on 01332 641172, Derbyshire Social Care starting point on 01629 533190. Alternatively, you may speak to any member of staff, or one of the adults named above. All information will be treated confidentially, and we will not reveal your name to any other parent. Staff are trained to pass information on to the DSLs mentioned above, and there are clear procedures within school for doing this. The safeguarding team will then discuss the issue and decide on what course of action to take, which may include a referral to e.g. social care. Unless we think that this will result in immediate danger to the child in question, we would also at this point liaise with and inform the parents of the child, although any referral to us will remain anonymous. 

SDAT 

The City of Derby Academy is engaged in the key local development of Stopping Domestic Abuse Together, which is effective multi-agency work to support and protect children living in households where there is domestic abuse. 

This is a police based early notification system to our academy about domestic abuse incidences which have occurred in households were there are statutory school aged children. This early notification will enable us to effectively support and respond to the child’s needs and work with multi-agencies to safeguard children affected by domestic abuse. We will usually be notified within 24 hours of an incident occurring. The police will also inform Children’s Social Care who will screen every case on a daily basis and, where necessary, make an assessment and take appropriate action. 

Online safety 

Students at CoDA use ICT regularly as part of their learning. Due to the advent of modern technology, particularly internet-ready smart phones, it is recognised that lines between use of the Internet at home and school are becoming increasingly blurred. Content that the school considers inappropriate is blocked in school, but this does not prevent students accessing it from mobile devices at home or on their way to and from school. 

Because of the wide range of devices that can be used to access it, banning the Internet is not practical. We try and give our students the tools and understanding with which to keep safe. 

Online Safety Tips: 

• Ensure privacy settings are turned on so that only friends and family can see your personal information. 

• Never give out personal information, such as date of birth, real name, address, telephone number, online. 

• Only ‘friend’ people online that you know in the real world. 

• Use a nickname rather than your real name when registering online. 

• Do not post videos/images of your school, work place or home that could be used to identify your location. 

• Never arrange to meet anyone in person that you only know online. 

• When registering on web sites, give the minimum amount of information required. 

• Ensure you have anti-virus software installed and updated. 

Exploitation 

CRE is a growing concern across the city, county and country and has a significant impact on children. If you have concerns that any child who attends our school is being exploited please inform us immediately.  

Prevent duty 

Mental health & wellbeing 

The NSPCC helpline has been expanded. Parents or any adult will be able to call if they want someone to talk to, and they should get in touch if they are worried about a child or young person. Anyone with concerns should call 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk. 

The Anna Freud website has a wealth of information, including advice for families with CYP who don’t want to leave the house and for whom school can be very difficult. https://www.annafreud.org/

• NSPCC – https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
• Childline – https://www.childline.org.uk/
• Karma Nirvana – https://karmanirvana.org.uk/
• UK Safer Internet – https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) – https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
• KOOTH – https://www.kooth.com/

Child on child abuse 

Child on child abuse is when a person or group deliberately intends to cause someone else to feel hurt, distressed, threatened or humiliated. 

Bullying is not acceptable 

• We want everyone at the Academy to feel safe and secure. 

• We believe no one should be bullied in any way. 

• Verbal abuse of another pupil is bullying. 

• A physical attack on a pupil is bullying. 

• We must all make sure bullies never win. 

If you, or someone you know, is being bullied: 

TAKE ACTION 

• Watching and doing nothing supports the bully. 

• Tell a member of staff or a member of your family immediately. 

You cannot deal with a bully by yourself 

• Talk to a teacher, your tutor, your Head of Year, your parents or one of the Safeguarding Team. 

• Do not give in to demands for money, sweets or anything else. 

• Do not try to buy the bully off with sweets or other presents. 

TOGETHER, WE CAN AND WILL STOP BULLYING 

Staff training 

All staff receive safeguarding training annually to ensure they are up to date with both KCSIE and Working Together to Safeguard Children. In addition to this, a programme of training documents is delivered weekly throughout the year. This programme of weekly training is backed up with a termly quiz for staff to complete to ensure their safeguarding knowledge is both current and comprehensive. Our safeguarding team have all received level 4 training in safeguarding children, and access regular CPD to ensure they are appropriately skilled to support our students. Our pastoral team also access training opportunities so that they can support the students they work with.