Our safeguarding commitment
The welfare of every child is paramount. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and applies to teaching, tuition, mentoring, administration, online activity and any in-person activity involving children.
Recognising concerns
- Physical, emotional or sexual abuse and neglect
- Exploitation, domestic abuse and harmful behaviour
- Bullying, child-on-child abuse and online harm
- Radicalisation, self-harm or a child missing education
- Changes in behaviour, attendance, presentation or communication
Responding to a disclosure
Listen calmly and take the child seriously. Do not promise secrecy, investigate, ask leading questions or confront an alleged person. Record the child’s words, date, time and action taken then report the concern promptly to the safeguarding lead.
Immediate danger
If a child or another person is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services on 999. Concerns should also be referred to the appropriate safeguarding authority when required.
Safe online learning
- Use approved school accounts and learning platforms
- Confirm learner identity and attendance
- Maintain professional boundaries and suitable backgrounds
- Use chat, files and screen sharing only for learning
- Risk-assess one-to-one teaching
- Record lessons only with a lawful purpose, clear notice and secure retention arrangements
Staff and records
Synergy should use safer recruitment, appropriate checks, a staff code of conduct and procedures for allegations and low-level concerns. Safeguarding records must be accurate, secure, separate from general academic records and shared on a need-to-know basis.