At the Bolton Impact Trust, we are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of all our students and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are fully committed to prioritising the safeguarding of all of our students and strive to ensure they remain safe and free from harm. We ensure consistent and effective safeguarding procedures are in place to support students, families and staff and expect all staff to remain committed to playing a full and active part in the Multi-Agency response to Child Protection concerns.
Each of our academies has a Designated Safeguarding Lead along with a Deputy Safeguarding Lead. The Director of Academy Operations works across the trust to support all aspects of safeguarding. All staff at the Bolton Impact Trust are trained in child protection and students are made aware of adults who they can speak to if they have any concerns.
Academy staff will, in most circumstances, endeavour to discuss all concerns with parents about their children. However, there may be exceptional circumstances when the academy will discuss concerns with Social Care and/or the Police without parental knowledge (in accordance with Child Protection procedures). The academy will always aim to maintain a positive relationship with all parents.
If you require any further information please e mail Rebecca Leonard on: Leonardr@boltonimpacttrust.org.uk
Each academy has an individual safeguarding policy that reflects the context of the school along with a trust policy outlining the arrangements for looked after and previously looked after pupils. A link to these policies can be found below:
Forwards Centre Safeguarding Policy
Youth Challenge Safeguarding Policy
Park School Safeguarding Policy
Lever Park Safeguarding Policy
Designated teacher policy (looked-after and previously looked-after children)
If you are concerned about the safety of a child you can e mail the DSL at the relevant academy or the Director of Academy Operations on the details listed below.
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Academy |
Designated Safeguarding Lead |
Contact Number |
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Forwards Centre |
Damien Mills |
01204 333660 |
MillsD@boltonimpacttrust.org.uk |
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Youth Challenge |
Collette Morris |
01204 333872 |
MorrisC@boltonimpacttrust.org.uk |
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Park School |
Rachael Beattie |
01204 937115 |
BeattieR@boltonimpacttrust.org.uk |
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Lever Park |
Samantha Howarth |
01204 332666 |
HowarthS@boltonimpacttrust.org.uk |
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Trust |
Rebecca Leonard |
LeonardR@boltonimpacttrust.org.uk |
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The governors responsible for safeguarding at the Bolton Impact Trust are:
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Academy |
Governor |
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Forwards Centre |
Rhian Driver |
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Youth Challenge |
Louise Dunne |
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Park School |
Sam Rothwell |
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Lever Park |
Richard King |
| Trust Board |
Joshua Bennet |
Quality safeguarding systems and procedures are a priority across the Bolton Impact Trust.
In order to maintain high quality processes across the trust several systems are in place to quality assure safeguarding many of which involve the support of our local governors and trustees.
Each academy has a link governor for safeguarding who has a specific responsibility for working with the Academy Leads and Designated Safeguarding Leads concerning safeguarding and child protection by providing a balance of challenge and support.
Safeguarding governors have a responsibility to:
- Make sure the academy has suitable and up-to-date policies
- Monitor the academies safeguarding systems and procedures
- Make sure the academy has an appropriate safeguarding response to children who go missing from education
- Make sure the academy has appointed a designated safeguarding lead (DSL)
- Meet regularly with the DSL to monitor that the academies policies and procedures are effective and all staff and governors have had the appropriate level of training (as applicable)
- Make sure the DSL has sufficient time, resources and training to carry out their role effectively
- Make sure the academy has appointed a designated teacher to promote the educational achievement of looked-after and previously looked-after children, and that this person has appropriate training
- Make sure the curriculum covers safeguarding, including online safety
- Make sure that checks to the single central record are happening. They will not be checking the SCR themselves
- Keep the governing board up to date with statutory guidance relating to safeguarding and child protection and any advice issued locally by the academies safeguarding partners
- Inform the board of whether it needs to make any changes (e.g. in light of new regulations)
- Update the board on how monitoring activities are going
- Attend training for safeguarding link governors
- Encourage other members of the board to develop their understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities
- Complete a report outlining the findings from any school visits or meetings and present them to the local governing body.
In addition to this, Academy Leads provide a safeguarding report, each term, to their local governing bodies and the Director of Academy Operations reports this back to the trustees termly.
The Bolton Impact Trust and each of its academies are committed to working with children and their families to provide support via the early help process as soon as problems start to emerge.
Early Help is a way of bringing workers together to work with children and their families when they need extra support. This could be for any reason including health, education, parenting, emotional well-being and many more.
Support can be delivered from a wide range of services depending on what is needed; services already working with the family might offer additional help or requests for support could be made to specialist and targeted services.
All services in Bolton are signed up to using the Early Help process. Early Help is for children of all ages up to the age 18 to try and act early to prevent problems from getting worse.
A member of staff may speak to you about early help if they feel it could be used to support you and your family or you may request some additional support via early help.
If you have any questions about the early help process please speak to the designated safeguarding lead in your academy.
|
Academy |
Designated Safeguarding Lead |
Contact Number |
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Forwards Centre |
Damien Mills |
01204 333660 |
MillsD@boltonimpacttrust.org.uk |
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Park School |
Rachael Beattie |
01204 937115 |
BeattieR@boltonimpacttrust.org.uk |
| Youth Challenge | Collette Morris | 01204 333872 | MorrisC@boltonimpacttrust.org.uk |
|
Lever Park |
Samantha Howarth |
01204 332666 |
HowarthS@boltonimpacttrust.org.uk |
|
Trust |
Rebecca Leonard |
LeonardR@boltonimpacttrust.org.uk |
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What is Domestic Abuse?
The government definition of domestic violence and abuse is:
Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. This can encompass but is not limited to the following types of abuse:
- psychological
- physical
- sexual
- financial
- emotional
This definition, which is not a legal definition, includes so called 'honour' based violence, female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage, and is clear that victims are not confined to one gender or ethnic group.
Controlling behaviour is: a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape, and regulating their everyday behaviour.
Coercive behaviour is: an act or pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish or frighten their victim.
What is Clare's Law?
Clare's law is a way of checking if your partner has a history of domestic violence. For more information about how to make a request for information, visit here.
Bolton Impact Trust and each of its academies are part of Operation Encompass, which is a project run jointly with Greater Manchester Police and has been designed to provide early reporting of any domestic abuse incidents that occur outside school, which might have an impact on a child in school. These are communicated through a secure email to school following an incident.
The project ensures that at least one member of the school staff, known as the Key Adult, is available to liaise with children's services and the police and to use the information that has been shared in confidence.
In this way, we aim to support each child who has been involved in, or witnessed a domestic abuse incident.
The key adults at Bolton Impact Trust are:
Academy |
Key adult 1 |
Key adult 2 |
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Forwards Centre |
Christopher Fielding |
Damien Mills |
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Youth Challenge Secondary |
Collette Morris |
Viki Sutton |
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Park School |
Rachael Beattie |
Gareth Webb |
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Lever Park |
Danielle France |
Matthew Taylor |
When the Key Adult receives an Encompass notification, they will make sure that a person the child trusts is available to help - if the child needs this. This confidential information is not ordinarily shared with all staff, just with those who are providing support to the child.
All schools have a duty to share any information with other organisations if they feel a child is at risk of being hurt. The Key Adult(s) may contact other organisations if required.
If you would like to find out more about Operation Encompass please visit:
Further information, advice and guidance on Domestic Abuse can be found here:
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National Domestic Abuse Helpline: Website: www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk (Access live chat Monday - Friday, 3pm - 10pm)
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Fortalice - Local provision Fortalice - Charity for supporting people affected by Domestic Abuse and Violence Website: www.foralice.org.uk Telephone: 01204 365677
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Endeavour - Local provision Domestic Abuse and Violence Support Services - Endeavour (endeavourproject.org.uk) Telephone: 01204 394 842 Email: info@endeavourproject.org.uk Office hours 9.30am – 5.00pm there is an out of hours answer service.
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Greater Manchester Victims Services: Greater Manchester Victims’ Services can provide independent emotional and practical support for anyone affected by crime. Website: https://www.gmvictims.org.uk/ Telephone: 0161 200 1950
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The resources below provide help and advice to parents and support the safeguarding of children at school and at home.
If you have any questions, concerns or worries regarding any safeguarding matter please do not hesitate to contact the designated safeguarding lead in your child’s academy.
Click on the links below for more information:
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Kooth is a free, safe, and anonymous online platform where young people can access mental health support whenever they need it. An online mental wellbeing community for young people up to 18. |
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Bekindtomymind is a Bolton campaign to help reduce the stigma around mental health. The local message to children and young people is that "it is okay to talk". |
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YoungMinds offers free, confidential online and telephone advice and emotional support to anyone worried about a child or young person up to the age of 25. Parents can call their free helpline on 0808 802 5544 or email parents@youngminds.org.uk. |
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The Mix provides free information and support for under 25s in the UK, via social media, mobiles and online.
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Childline for young people up to the age of 19 can speak to a Childline counsellor online or by calling 0800 1111.
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NSPCC specialising in child protection and dedicated to protecting children today to prevent abuse tomorrow. |
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Shout provides free, confidential, 24/7 text message support in the UK for anyone who is struggling to cope.
Text SHOUT to 85258. |
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NHS offers information on children and young people's mental health services. |
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Mental Health Foundation provides advice to people with mental health difficulties and researches mental health.
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Every Mind Matters offers advice for looking after your mental health. |
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MindEd For Families has an online e-portal offering free, simple advice about children and young people's mental health. |
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PAPYRUS UK provides confidential support and advice to young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person at risk of suicide.
Call PAPYRUS HOPELINE247 on 0800 068 4141 |
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The Willow Project is a registered charity supporting children and young people aged 6-19 and their families who are affected by mental health and emotional issues. |
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The Charlie Waller Trust has a directory of information for parents and a PLACE parent support network. |
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CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. They are a service offering help for children and young people, usually between the ages of five and 18 who live in Bolton. Telephone: 01204 483222 |
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Bolton Safeguarding Children Partnership (BSCP) is the partnership responsible for making sure that children and young people in Bolton are safe. |
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Resources
The internet is a source of concern for many parents and at times can be hard for children to navigate. However it forms an integral part of all of our lives and we believe going online should be a positive experience for all children. The information on this page is designed to offer information to parents abou
t how you can help to keep your child safe when using the Internet.
Smart Tips to Keep Your Kids Safe Online
Guard Your Personal Info Like a Pro!
Be cautious when chatting with strangers online – anyone can pretend to be someone they’re not. Never share personal details like your name, age, address, school, or location. If someone asks for photos or videos, say a firm no, stop the conversation, and let a trusted adult know.
Privacy First on Social Media!
Social media apps typically require you to be 13 or older. If you’re using them, make sure your profiles are set to private! Be mindful of what you share – once an image or post is out there, you lose control over it. And remember: sharing explicit images of anyone under 18 is illegal.
AI Chatbots Can Be Tricky!
While AI chatbots might seem fun, not everything they say or suggest is true. They can even ask for personal details or images to make fake content, or worse, blackmail you. Always keep your personal info safe and think twice before trusting them.
What You Post Stays With You!
Everything you share online could stick around forever. A post made today could show up when you’re applying for a job or college in the future, so think before you click.
Speak Up If Something Upsets You!
If you encounter anything that makes you uncomfortable – whether it's cyberbullying or something troubling – tell an adult you trust. They can help report it through the platform, often by clicking the three dots next to a post or comment.
Check Your News Sources!
When browsing the news online, always question where the info is coming from. Fake news, hoaxes, and misinformation are rampant, so be critical of what you read and hear.
Beware of Scams!
Watch out for online scams – like messages asking you to forward something or give away personal information like passwords or payment details. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is!
Avoid "Easy Cash" Schemes!
If someone promises you quick money for transferring or receiving funds, it’s almost certainly a scam linked to criminal activity. Stay far away from these schemes!
Be Careful with In-Game Purchases!
In-game loot boxes can be tempting, but beware: paying money for a chance to win a prize can quickly add up! Keep your wallet safe by avoiding unnecessary purchases.
Don’t Believe Everything You See Online!
People often share the highlight reel of their lives on social media, editing photos or using AI tools to create the perfect image. Remember, things aren’t always as glamorous as they seem – especially when it comes to risky lifestyles that may seem “cool” online.
Where can I go to get support to keep my child safe on line?
The links below will direct you to information and resources to help keep your child safe online.
https://parentzone.org.uk/advice/parent-guides
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/ (support for parents and carers from the NSPCC)
Thinkyouknow (advice from the National Crime Agency to stay safe online)
Internet matters (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online)
https://www.o2.co.uk/help/online-safety (Internet Safety for children)
How can I report a concern regarding online safety?
Inform School
If you have a concern regarding behaviour online and you are unsure on what to do next please contact the designated safeguarding lead at your child’s academy
|
Youth Challenge |
Collette Morris |
01204 333872 |
MorrisC@boltonimpacttrust.org.uk |
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Forwards Centre |
Damien Mills |
01204 333660 |
MillsD@boltonimpacttrust.org.uk |
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Park School |
Rachel Beattie |
01204 937115 |
BeattieR@boltonimpacttrust.org.uk |
|
Lever Park |
Samantha Howarth |
01204 332666 |
HawarthS@boltonimpacttrust.org.uk |
Use the CEOP Button
The Click CEOP button is an asset of the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Command. The CEOP Command works to protect children from the harm of sexual abuse and exploitation both online and offline. It also provides access to an online mechanism for reporting known or suspected child sexual exploitation or child sexual abuse directly to CEOP. This is offered as a convenient and potentially less intimidating method of reporting these sensitive types of crime, alternative to face-to-face and telephone reporting to local police forces.
Report Remove Link
The above report remove link can be used to help young people under 18 to confidentially report sexual images and videos of themselves and remove them from the internet.
The information on this page is designed to offer information to parents about how you can help to keep your child safe when using the Internet.
Privacy Settings
Ensure that you have private profile so that only people you know can contact you and see your posts. To help you to check your privacy settings watch the videos below:
Prevent
Prevent is part of the UK's counter terrorism strategy, aimed at preventing people from becoming involved in terrorism or supporting terrorism. Prevent is a legal duty for schools under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015. This means that we need to be alert to the fact that people may be vulnerable to radicalisation, extremism and terrorism from different groups. At The Bolton Impact Trust, we recognise our duty to keep children safe from extremism in the same way in which we prioritise them being safeguarded in other ways. We promote British Values through our assemblies, our curriculum and additional enrichment activities.
If anyone associated to any of our academies are concerned that a child or adult in the school community may be at risk of radicalisation, they should refer their concerns immediately to the Prevent Lead in the relevant academy (please see details below)
The government have also released an online reporting tool for any person who wishes to report illegal or harmful information, pictures or videos that they have found on the internet. A report can be made anonymously using the following link: www.gov.uk/report-terrorism
For more information about Prevent in Bolton please use the link below:
Safeguarding Against Harmful Radicalisation – Bolton Council
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Academy |
Prevent Lead |
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Youth Challenge |
Collette Morris |
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Lever Park |
Danielle France |
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Park School |
Rachael Beattie |
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Forwards Centre |
Chris Fielding |