Our trust and our schools are dedicated to looking after all our children the best we possibly can. Safeguarding covers children’s physical, social and emotional well-being and runs alongside our work on health and safety and online safety.

Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. Safeguarding is everybody's responsibility.

ELAN Designated Safeguarding Lead - Adam Matthews

01934 313390

All schools have Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) and Deputy DSL. The details of whom are published on individual school websites.

Extend Learning Academies Network (ELAN) are committed to the highest possible standards in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our young people and this requires all staff to share this commitment.

Our main priority is to ensure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities towards making sure all young people are safe. 

We work to promote a safe culture within ELAN, we ensure allegations are dealt with quickly and all staff are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and always follow procedures to ensure that pupils receive effective support and protection.

Policies relating to Safeguarding are published online. Please click to view. 

If you have any concerns about the behaviour of someone working or volunteering with children please contact the LADO – Local Authority Designated Officer via the Referral and Assessment Team.

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)  Telephone: 01275 888808 or Email LADO

Safeguarding children and child protection guidance and legislation applies to all children up to the age of 18.

ELAN Employees

We ensure that all of our staff undergo Enhanced DBS checks regarding their suitability to work with children prior to commencing employment.  This is supplemented by annual mandatory safeguarding training to ensure that we are ALL compliant with safeguarding updates, policies and procedures. We hold a wider safeguarding trust network attended by all ELAN school's designated safeguarding leads. Any changes to procedures or information gained from networks or changes in legislation is then disseminated to all staff by the safeguarding teams as and when required.

All staff adhere to the ELAN Safeguarding Policy which is developed in line with recommendations from North Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSSCP) and Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE). 

School Based Early Help

We know that sometimes people find themselves having a difficult time.  Should you feel that you need some additional support on a specific issue or for a short period of time we can help you with that.  We can do this on a 1:1 basis or by meeting with other people and agencies who may be able to give you the help that you need.  Early Help is about supporting you to have the help you need at the earliest possible stage.

You can speak to your child's school about early help and support. Some of the things that schools have supported families with are:

Finances and Budgeting                                                                  Domestic Abuse  

Housing  and Homelessness                                                           Substance Misuse

Challenging Behaviour                                                                     Routines

Emotional Wellbeing and mental Health

If you want to know more about Early Help within North Somerset and how to access Family Wellbeing services, please contact the Children’s Front door on 01275 888808 or childrens.frontdoor@n-somerset.gov.uk