Waterfront UTC is a community and all those directly connected (staff, volunteers, governors, parents, families and pupils) have an essential role to play in making it safe and secure. We recognise our statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children.

• Waterfront UTC recognises the importance of providing an ethos and environment within school that will help children to be safe and feel safe. In our school children are respected and encourage to talk openly.
• Through their day-to-day contact with pupils and their direct work with families, all staff and volunteers in school have a crucial role to play in noticing indicators of possible abuse or neglect at an early stage. Our school may be the only secure, stable and predictable element in their lives. Waterfront UTC will endeavour to support the welfare and safety of all students through:
• Ensuring that the child’s welfare is of paramount importance.
• Protecting children and young people at our school from maltreatment and exploitation.
• Ensuring all staff are able to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and are aware of the school’s procedures and lines of communication.
• Ensuring that children and young people at our school grow up in circumstances consistent with the provisions of safe and effective care.
• Providing children a balanced curriculum including PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education); RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) to help students stay safe, recognise when they don’t feel safe and identify who they might / can talk to.
• Work with parents to ensure that parents understand the schools responsibility to ensure the welfare of all children including the need for referral to other agencies in some situations.
• Monitoring children and young people who have been identified as having welfare or protection concerns; keeping confidential records which are stored securely and shared appropriately with other professionals.
• As a school we ensure all staff have the knowledge and understanding to embed safeguarding through systems so that safeguarding is a robust element of our school.
• Ensuring all steps are taken to maintain site security and students’ physical safety
• The voice of the child is evident in case files and informs schools policy developments.
• Ensuring that the school practises safer recruitment processes in checking the suitability of staff, volunteers, visitors/contractors and parents about expected behaviour and our legal responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all our children at our school.
• Working with a commitment to safeguarding/child protection in a multi-agency environment and developing effective and supportive co-operation with other agencies.

Key Contacts
 

Designated Teacher for Looked After Children (DLAC)

Our DLAC is S Bridger.

Their role is dedicated to ensuring that every Looked After Child in our school receives the support they need to thrive. They work on promoting high aspirations, safeguarding wellbeing, and removing barriers to learning. The DLAC works closely with carers, social workers, and the Virtual School to provide tailored academic and pastoral support, ensuring each child has the best possible opportunities.

How to Contact the DLAC:
If you are a parent, carer, or professional seeking advice or support for a Looked After Child, please contact:
📧 Email: office@waterfront-that.org.uk
📞 Phone: 01634 505800
Or speak to the school office to arrange a meeting.

Safeguarding Policy

Our Safeguarding Policy can be accessed here:

Support for Pupils

• NSPCC: www.nspcc.org.uk 

• ChildLine: www.childline.org.uk

• Papyrus: www.papyrus-uk.org

• Young Minds: www.youngminds.org.uk 

• The Mix: www.themix.org.uk

• MiLife: www.milife.org.uk

• OpenRoad: www.openroad.org.uk

• Big White Wall: www.bigwhitewall.com