Keeping Our Children Safe
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.
Everyone in our community, including staff, parents, families and learners, has an essential role to play in making it safe and secure.
As an alternative provision, we recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children in our care, with their best interests at the centre of our work.
Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to safeguarding young people and fostering a strong culture of safety throughout our provision.
We have a highly trained team of staff who understand the safeguarding risks that our young people may face. We recognise that some young people may make choices that place them at risk, and we work proactively with our learners, their families and other agencies to help them avoid unsafe situations.
Safeguarding Beyond the Screen
Creating a safe learning environment means protecting children and young people both offline and online.
At The Bridge Alternative Provision, we are proud to hold Friendly WiFi accreditation, demonstrating our commitment to providing safer internet access through our accredited WiFi service.
Friendly WiFi Approved
Our accredited WiFi service has been independently assessed against recognised filtering standards, helping to restrict access to pornography and known child sexual abuse material.
This accreditation complements our wider safeguarding arrangements, including internet filtering, Senso.cloud monitoring, staff supervision and clear procedures for reporting and responding to online safety concerns.
No filtering system can eliminate every online risk. Our approach combines technical safeguards with education, positive relationships and a culture in which learners feel confident seeking support.
Explore Our Online Safety ApproachDesignated Safeguarding Team
Our Designated Safeguarding Leads provide leadership, advice and support across The Bridge.
Senior Leadership Team
Jo Woolley
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Upper Phase Lead
Michaela Smith
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Lower Phase Lead
Juliet Maggs
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Education Lead
Central Leadership Team
Nikita Boydell
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Managing Director
Marcus Griggs
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Information & Compliance Director
How to Report Safeguarding Concerns
If there is a concern that a learner is being harmed, is at risk of harm, or a disclosure has been received intentionally or unintentionally, it must be reported to a member of the safeguarding team immediately via the office.
The concern must also be recorded through MyConcern as soon as possible.
Both actions must be completed
Report the concern immediately to a member of the safeguarding team and record the concern on MyConcern as soon as possible.
Visiting The Bridge
Wherever possible, visits to The Bridge should be pre-arranged. All visitors must report to reception first and must not enter the centre through any other entrance.
At reception, visitors should explain the purpose of their visit and who has invited them. Visitors should also be prepared to produce formal identification.
All visitors are required to sign in using our electronic visitor management system.
Visitors should remain in the reception area until they are met by an appropriate member of staff and escorted to their destination.
When leaving, visitors must return through reception, sign out of the building, return their visitor badge and be seen to leave the premises.
Visitor Lanyards
All visitors are issued with a lanyard containing their visitor badge. This must be worn and displayed prominently while on site.
The following lanyards identify people who are permitted to access the centre unaccompanied:
- Blue lanyard – Staff
- Yellow lanyard – Contractors
- Green lanyard – DBS-checked visitors
Visitors wearing a red visitor lanyard must be accompanied by a member of provision staff at all times.