Safeguarding
Keeping our children safe from all the inherent dangers of life in the 21st century is paramount. We wholly understand that the clear majority of our learners are considered vulnerable and therefore require a robust multi - faceted approach to securing an environment (both in and outside of the school parameters) that is consistently safe.
This is well-managed and all staff have clear direction regarding the expectations of maintaining the safety of our children. The Designated Safeguarding Leads in each school have received Designated Safeguarding Lead Training and we work closely with the local authority’s Safeguarding and Prevent Teams. Brearley Hall School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.
Safeguarding
Keeping our children safe from all the inherent dangers of life in the 21st century is paramount. We wholly understand that the clear majority of our learners are considered vulnerable and therefore require a robust multi - faceted approach to securing an environment (both in and outside of the school parameters) that is consistently safe.
This is well-managed and all staff have clear direction regarding the expectations of maintaining the safety of our children. The Designated Safeguarding Leads in each school have received Designated Safeguarding Lead Training and we work closely with the local authority’s Safeguarding and Prevent Teams. Brearley Hall School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.
Our Designated Safeguarding Leads
Leanne Matthews
DSL Lead
Katy Smith
DSL Lead
Vicky Vandevelde
DSL Lead
Staff work hard to maintain an environment where children feel safe and secure. The curriculum is designed to ensure opportunities for children to develop the skills they need to recognise and stay safe from abuse. Children know that they can approach any of the adults in school if they are worried and that they will receive a consistent supportive response.
In recognising our responsibilities for Safeguarding and Child Protection, as a school we:
Have clear staff recruitment and selection procedures, ensuring that all staff (including volunteers) who have unsupervised access to children have been appropriately checked for their suitability through the DBS procedure.
Aim to raise awareness of child protection issues and equip children with the skills needed to keep them safe. Develop and implement procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases of abuse.
Support children who have been abused in accordance with his/her child protection plan.
Establish a safe and nurturing environment free from discrimination or bullying where children can learn and develop happily.
In recognising our responsibilities for Safeguarding and Child Protection, as a school we:
Have clear staff recruitment and selection procedures, ensuring that all staff (including volunteers) who have unsupervised access to children have been appropriately checked for their suitability through the DBS procedure.
Aim to raise awareness of child protection issues and equip children with the skills needed to keep them safe. Develop and implement procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases of abuse.
Support children who have been abused in accordance with his/her child protection plan.
Establish a safe and nurturing environment free from discrimination or bullying where children can learn and develop happily.
Our Family Support Manager
Vicky Vandervelde
Family Support Manager
Meet our Family Support Manager, Vicky Vandervelde. Vicky has worked for Timeout Homes for over 6 years, starting as a Teaching Assistant in Riverbank Primary School, where she completed her qualification in Children, young people and families and has worked and built strong relationships with Local Authorities, Social Services, Charities to name a few.
Vicky is dedicated to building strong, trusting relationships between home and school. With a compassionate and trauma-informed approach, she works closely with families to navigate challenges, celebrate progress, and ensure every child feels supported both emotionally and practically. Whether it's offering guidance through difficult times, connecting families with external services, or simply being a listening ear, our Vicky is here to empower parents and carers as partners in their child’s journey. Together, we create a network of care that strengthens resilience and fosters lasting wellbeing.
Safeguarding Tips for Students
If you are worried about anything, the best thing to do is talk to someone that you can trust, this could be;
Parent/Carer
Friend
Teacher
Social Worker
A member of the clinical team
‘’A problem shared is a problem halved’’
by talking to someone it can help you realise whether your worry is little and may sort itself out in time or whether it is a big worry which means you can do something about it.
