Safeguarding
St Bernard’s is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all students. We strive to create a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where every child feels valued and protected. Our safeguarding policies and procedures are robust, reviewed annually, and supported by regular staff training and updates throughout the year. All staff are aware of the procedures for passing on concerns within the school.
We aim to ensure that all children are safe and that effective measures are in place to identify, support, and protect any child who may be at risk of harm.
In line with safeguarding legislation and guidance from the government and partner agencies, safeguarding means:
Protecting children from maltreatment
Preventing impairment of children’s 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 and young people to achieve the best possible outcomes
Safeguarding includes a wide range of practices, such as child protection, health care plans, health and safety, site security, online safety, and the safe management of school trips, among many others.
At times, we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies if we have concerns about a student’s welfare. Wherever possible, we will discuss these concerns with parents or carers first. However, if we believe that doing so would place a child at further risk, we may act without prior consultation to ensure their safety.
St Bernard’s remains unwavering in its duty to keep every child safe and supported at all times.
Our safeguarding policy can be found within the policy section of our website
The school adheres to the following three DFE policies:
Keeping children safe in education
Working together to safeguard children
The Safeguarding Team
At St Bernard’s, we have a dedicated team of experienced staff who oversee all aspects of student safeguarding and wellbeing. Our priority is to ensure that every member of our school community feels safe, supported, and protected.
Safeguarding at St Bernard’s includes protecting students from bullying, abuse, discrimination, and radicalisation. We are committed to creating an environment where all students can thrive academically, emotionally, and socially, knowing that their safety and welfare are our highest concern.
Mrs R Drisdale: DSL
Mrs H Barnes: Headteacher
Mrs E Owen: Head of Sixth Form
Mrs S Alexander: SENCO
Mrs O Foster: Primary Transition Lead
Mrs A Courtney: Attendance & Welfare Officer
Mrs L Wagstaff: Learning Mentor
To report a safeguarding concern:
In the first instance, please email our DSL on the following email address:safeguarding@stbernards.southend.sch.uk
You can also ring the school and the office will transfer you to a member of the safeguarding team.
To report your concerns to Southend’s single point of contact team, you need to download and complete a request for service which can be found on USE LINK
To view the Southend On Sea Borough Council Early Help Offer, please look at the following link. Right Help,Right Service, Right Time
To make a referral to DFE’s counter extremism division: counter.extremism@education.gov.uk
If, as a parent/carer, you need support, the NSPCC website has lots of useful advice and information - Keeping children safe | NSPCC
Support for students
Our Student Services team is made up of highly skilled staff who provide support for a wide range of student concerns. This includes issues such as bullying, online safety worries (whether about themselves or a friend), concerns that someone may be at risk, or experiences of discrimination or intimidating behaviour.
We understand that not all students feel comfortable speaking in person. If a student prefers, they can reach out to the Student Services team by email, where their concerns will be handled sensitively and confidentially at safeguarding@stbernards.southend.sch.uk
CEOP
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection team (CEOP)helps any child or young person under the age of 18 who is being pressured, forced or tricked into taking part in sexual activity of any kind. This can be something that has taken place either online or in ‘the real world’, or both. The CEOP Safety Centre has clear information and advice on what can be reported to CEOP, the reporting process and what will happen if you do decide to make a report. You can visit the CEOP Safety Centre and make a report directly to CEOP by clicking the Click CEOP button.
If you are experiencing online bullying or something else online has worried you please speak to an adult you trust, or you can talk to Childline at any time on 0800 1111 or at www.childline.org.uk.