Skip to content

    • Safeguarding

    Safeguarding: Keeping Children Safe and Supporting Families

    At Bridge Junior School, keeping children safe is our most important responsibility.

    Our ethos is Find Your Voice. We teach children that they can speak to us about anything that is worrying them. We will listen, take them seriously and act to help.

    Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. School staff, families and the wider community all have a part to play.

    Are you worried about a child?

    Please tell someone. You do not need to be certain or have proof.

    • If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

    • During the school day, call Bridge Junior School on 0116 253 6092 and ask to speak to a safeguarding lead.

    • Outside school hours, call Leicester City Council’s Duty and Advice Service on 0116 454 1004. This service is available 24 hours a day.

    • Children can speak to a trusted adult at school or contact Childline free on 0800 1111.

    Urgent concerns should always be reported by telephone. Please do not rely on email when a child may be at immediate risk.

    Our safeguarding team

    Our Designated Safeguarding Leads are trained to respond to concerns about children.

    Designated Safeguarding Lead

    • Jason Williamson – Headteacher

    Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads

    • Mina Vig

    • Cinzia Moreland

    • Celeste John

    • Elle Warren

    Safeguarding Governor

    • Marc Tench – Chair of Governors

    You can speak to any member of the safeguarding team. You can also speak to another trusted member of staff, who will pass your concern to the safeguarding team.

    What does safeguarding mean?

    Safeguarding means:

    • helping children and families as soon as a problem begins;

    • protecting children from abuse, neglect and exploitation;

    • keeping children safe at home, at school, in the community and online;

    • supporting children’s physical and mental health;

    • making sure children receive safe and effective care;

    • helping every child to achieve the best possible outcomes.

    What we do to keep children safe

    Safeguarding is part of everyday life at Bridge. We:

    • listen to children and make sure they know who they can speak to;

    • take all concerns seriously;

    • train staff to recognise when a child may need help;

    • complete appropriate checks when employing staff and volunteers;

    • manage visitors carefully;

    • monitor children’s attendance, wellbeing and changes in behaviour;

    • teach children about safe relationships, respectful behaviour and online safety;

    • use appropriate filtering and monitoring systems on school technology;

    • respond to bullying, discrimination and child-on-child abuse;

    • keep safeguarding records securely;

    • work with parents and carers wherever it is safe to do so;

    • work with health services, Family Help, children’s social care, the police and other organisations when needed.

    We recognise that children with SEND, young carers and children facing difficulties at home may need additional help to feel safe and use their voice.

    Supporting families early

    Asking for help is a positive step. You do not need to wait until a problem becomes a crisis.

    Please speak to us if your family is experiencing difficulties with:

    • food, clothing or other essential items;

    • money or housing;

    • school attendance or routines at home;

    • your child’s behaviour or emotional wellbeing;

    • parenting or family relationships;

    • domestic abuse;

    • understanding forms, appointments or other services;

    • any other issue that may affect your child.

    Our first response will be to listen and think with you about what support may help. We will not judge you.

    Our family support worker, Caroline Parker, works with Bridge Junior School one day each week. She can listen, provide practical advice and help families access other services. Please contact the school office if you would like to ask for support.

    We also work with organisations such as Lifting Children’s Hopes. Depending on a family’s needs and the support available, this may include help with essential items, school uniform, activities, experiences or emotional wellbeing.

    If you need an interpreter or help understanding safeguarding information, please tell the school office. We will help you understand the information.

    What happens when we have a concern?

    When a child tells us something or we notice a concern, we will:

    1. Listen carefully.

    2. Record the concern accurately.

    3. Share it with a safeguarding lead.

    4. Consider what help the child and family may need.

    5. Take action to keep the child safe.

    This may involve support in school, our family support worker, Family Help or another professional service.

    If we believe that a child may be at risk of harm, we have a legal duty to share the concern with children’s social care or the police. The school does not investigate possible abuse itself.

    We will usually speak to parents and carers before making a referral. Sometimes we may be advised not to do this if telling a parent could place a child at greater risk or affect an investigation.

    Safeguarding information is treated carefully. It is only shared with people who need it to protect or support the child. Because of confidentiality, we may not always be able to tell the person reporting a concern what happened afterwards.

    Keeping children safe online

    Online safety is part of safeguarding. We teach children how to use technology safely and respectfully.

    Parents and carers can help by:

    • talking regularly about games, apps and websites;

    • checking age ratings and privacy settings;

    • encouraging children to tell an adult if something online worries or frightens them;

    • reminding children never to share personal information, passwords or images;

    • reporting worrying online behaviour to school.

    Concerns about online sexual abuse, exploitation or grooming can be reported through the CEOP Safety Centre.

    Concerns about an adult working at school

    If you are concerned about the behaviour of an adult who works or volunteers at Bridge, please report it to the Headteacher.

    If the concern is about the Headteacher, contact the Chair of Governors through the school office. Mark any written communication private and confidential.

    All concerns will be taken seriously and managed using the correct safeguarding procedures.

    How parents and carers can help

    Please:

    • keep your telephone numbers and emergency contacts up to date;

    • tell us who is allowed to collect your child;

    • inform us about important changes at home;

    • make sure your child attends school regularly and arrives on time;

    • tell us if your child is a young carer;

    • talk to your child about trusted adults and using their voice;

    • share concerns early so that we can help.

    Safeguarding policy and useful links

    This page provides a short summary. Our full policy explains our safeguarding procedures in detail.

    A free paper copy of our safeguarding policy is available from the school office.

    School telephone: 0116 253 6092
    Email: office@bridge.leicester.sch.uk

    Page reviewed: August 2026
    Next review: August 2027, or sooner if guidance or school arrangements change.

    1. Bridge Junior School Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy 2025

    Cookie Policy