Skip to content ↓

Safeguarding

At Unity Academy, we take the safeguarding of all children very seriously.  If we feel a child is at risk of significant harm, it is our duty to act and to inform the relevant people.  This might be Social Care, the Police, the School Health Nurse, NSPCC, Early Help or other partner agencies.

Safeguarding Statement for Unity Academy 

Unity Academy is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all our children in school. We believe that pupils have a right to learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment which includes the right to protection from all types of abuse; where staff are vigilant for signs of any pupil in distress and are confident about applying our safeguarding processes to avert and alleviate any such problems.

Safeguarding is about ensuring that everyone is safe from harm. Safe from bullying, safe from people who could abuse, safe from discrimination or harassment - and that we all feel safe in our environment.

If you are ever concerned about the safety or well-being of someone at our school, please talk to a member of our safeguarding team:

  • Mrs Gemma Willetts - Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
  • Mrs Kate Rock - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
  • Mr Jon Beacham - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
  • Mrs Lauren Wheeldon - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility: staff in school, parents, family members, friends and members of the public. If you are concerned about a child, remember it is your responsibility to report it straight away.

Safeguarding is a term which is broader than ‘child protection’ and relates to the action taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. Safeguarding is defined in Working Together to Safeguard Children as:

  • Protecting children from maltreatment
  • Preventing impairment of children’s health and development
  • Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care and
  • Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes 

We actively support the Government’s Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism.

 

Report a Child at Risk 

If you are concerned about a child or young person, please report it.

  • In an emergency (if a child is in immediate danger), call 999 and ask for the police. 
  • For non-emergency concerns, contact Worcestershire Children’s Social Care using the Family Front Door Details below:

Jobs and careers with Worcestershire County Council

Family Front Door
📞 01905 822666
📞 Emergency out of hours: 01905 768020

Remember – safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

 

Operation Encompass

The Unity Academy is part of Operation Encompass, which is a national scheme that operates jointly between Education and Early Years Settings, Police and Health. View the website link below offering support for victims of domestic abuse: 

E-Safety

Children and young people go online to connect with friends, and make new ones, to browse the internet for information, chat with others and play games. They may:

  • Search for information or content on search engines like Google and Bing
  • Share images and watch videos through websites or mobile apps like Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube
  • Use social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter
  • Write or reply to messages on forums and message boards
  • Play games alone or with others through websites, apps or game consoles
  • Chat with other people through online games, game consoles, webcams, social networks and tools like Whatsapp


When online, children and young people can learn new things, get help with homework, express themselves creatively and connect with friends and family.

There are also risks, but by understanding and talking about the dangers you can help keep your child safe online. Please see the links below for more support:

 

E-Safety for Children

Ages 4 - 7 

 

Ages 8 - 10


Other Useful Website Links:

 

  1. Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy 2025-2026
  2. DfE Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025-2026
  3. Operation Encompass letter to parents