Safeguarding

The safety of our students is paramount. 
At Axe Valley Academy we take our duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children extremely seriously.

We follow all statutory guidelines as well as our own policies and procedures.  Our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy can be viewed on our Policies page of the website and we would be happy to provide a paper copy on request.    

We will always act to protect a child where there is a disclosure or concern about child abuse.  Child abuse can take a range of different forms.  It is any action by another person (adult or child) that causes harm to a child. It can be defined as physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse or neglect.

More information about child protection and safeguarding can be found on the Devon Safeguarding Children Partnership website.

Safeguarding Team

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mrs Emily Ward – Assistant Headteacher (eward@axevalley.bep.ac) is the Designated Safeguarding Lead as well as the Designated Officer for Child Exploitation, and also for Radicalisation

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads

Ms Yvonne Ashby – Pastoral Support Co-ordinator (yashby@axevalley.bep.ac)
Mr Rob Crocker - Headteacher (rcrocker@axevalley.bep.ac)
Mrs Carol Horwood – Pastoral Support Co-ordinator (chorwood@axevalley.bep.ac)
Mr James Kyberd - Assistant Head (SENDCo)
(jkyberd@axevalley.bep.ac)
Mrs Emma Collins – Pastoral Team Manager (ecollins@axevalley.bep.ac)

Safeguarding Governor

The Designated Safeguarding Governor is Mrs Mandy Bujniewicz.

Reporting A Concern

If you have a concern which involves the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person, please contact Mrs Emily Ward during school hours on either:

Phone: 01297 32146
Email: eward@axevalley.bep.ac

If the concern is serious and outside of school hours, please contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 

Phone: 0345 155 1071
(Mon-Thurs 9-5, Fri 9-4)

At other times, contact the Emergency Duty Team on

Phone: 0345 6000 388

Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

MASH is a partnership between Devon County Council children’s social care, education and youth services; Devon NHS health services; Devon and Cornwall Police; and the Probation Service working together to safeguard children and young people.

When a professional, family member or member of the public is concerned about a child or young person’s safety, they can contact MASH. They deal with all enquiries/referrals where there is a child protection concern. You can find out more about what the organisation does and how to contact them in the MASH Information sheet below.

If you have serious concerns about a child or young person, or if you need help parenting your child, you can call 0345 155 1071 or email: mashsecure@devon.gcsx.gov.uk

Managing allegations against adults working with children or young people

Local Area Designated Officers (LADO) provide advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations that have concerns about a person working or volunteering with children and young people who may have behaved inappropriately or if information has been received that may constitute an allegation.

If you consider a LADO referral is needed:

  • Gather the relevant information: the name, date of birth and home address of the ADULT connected to the allegation/incident; the child/children’s details (LADO procedures cannot begin without this information)

  • It is advisable that you initially discuss the details with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (Mrs Emily Ward eward@axevalley.bep.ac and record/log the details in your relevant records

  • They will also need your name, your organisation’s address and the role you have in your organisation

  • Once you have this information, call Exeter (01392) 384964

For more information please visit the Local Area Designated Officers website.

Safeguarding Advice and Support

Further general safeguarding information is available through the Blackdown Education Partner’s Safeguarding website that you can access here.

We also have dedicated information pages on our own website for each of the following areas, just click on the appropriate link: