Safeguarding

The Island VI Form is committed to safeguarding children and promoting their welfare. We follow the statutory safeguarding guidance provided in ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’. This document provides a framework of the legal duties for governance and leadership, to enable us to ensure best practice and the safety of children, young people and staff, across our colleges.

We believe that students have a right to learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment, which includes the right to protection from all forms of abuse and harm. Our staff are regularly trained and vigilant for signs of any student in distress. We have clear safeguarding policies and procedures in place and all adults who work on, or visit, our sites must ensure they are aware of these policies and procedures.

Sometimes we may need to share information, and work in partnership with other agencies, when there are concerns about a student’s welfare. Where possible, we will ensure that concerns about our students are discussed with parents/carers first, unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the student’s welfare.

If you or your child are ever concerned about the safety or wellbeing of a child, you should talk to one of the Federation’s Designated Safeguarding Leads, (listed below) or any other member of staff who will report the concerns to the appropriate people. You or your child may feel an issue is too small to report but should always report anyway, so the relevant, experienced people can take on the responsibility and decision making around the concern.

To report a concern please phone the school, for less urgent enquiries you are welcome to email the school. Alternatively, if your concern is urgent, please contact the Hampshire MASH line on the details below:

0300 555 1384 during office hours (8.30am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 4.30pm on Friday)

0300 555 1373 at all other times to contact the out of hours service.

Please find a link to Hampshire MASH website below along with a link to the Agency Referral Form (IARF):

Resources for Parents/Carers

For more information about safeguarding at the Isle of Wight Education Federation, please read our safeguarding policy which can be found on the Policies page of the website.

Lanyards on our Sites

Anyone wearing a grey staff lanyard or a green visitor lanyard, holds an enhanced DBS check and is free to walk around the school site with no member of staff accompanying them. VI Form students are also allowed access to the site without being accompanied, but must be wearing a black student lanyard.

Anyone wearing a red visitor lanyard must ALWAYS be accompanied by a member of staff. If you see anyone on site with a red visitor lanyard (or no lanyard at all) unaccompanied, please challenge them and escort them to reception immediately.

If you have any concerns at all about safeguarding on our site, please ask to speak to a Designated Safeguarding Lead.