Safeguarding and Online Safety
Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility. At Q3 Academy Great Barr, the safety, welfare and wellbeing of every student is our highest priority. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive environment where students can learn, flourish, and feel protected from harm.
If a child is in immediate danger, please call 999.
If you have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child, believe a child may be at risk of harm, or receive a disclosure, please contact us via our parent/carer helpdesk. You do not need proof or certainty - if something doesn't feel right, please tell us.
Safeguarding Team
Our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) are responsible for managing safeguarding concerns, providing advice and support to staff, and working with external agencies where appropriate.
Ms Mohammed works closely with the DSLs as our Safeguarding and Welfare Officer to support day-to-day safeguarding processes.
Our DSLs are:
- Ms Callaghan
- Mrs Kudryl
- Mr Kulyna
- Mr Price
- Mr Webster
Our Heads of Year are also trained in safeguarding and provide daily pastoral support for students and liaise with the DSLs.
- Mrs Rowe
- Ms Bloomfield
- Mrs Ward
- Mrs M Samuel‑Schwald
- Ms Smith
- Mr Crawford
Safeguarding Commitment
Q3 Academy Great Barr recognises its statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all students. We work proactively to protect students from:
- Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse
- Neglect
- Peer‑on‑peer abuse
- Exploitation
- Online harm
- Radicalisation and extremism
We recognise that safeguarding can be complex and emotive. All concerns are taken seriously and responded to promptly in line with our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, available via our policies page.
Our core principles
- The welfare of the child is paramount
- All children have the right to protection regardless of age, sex, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or identity
- Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility
- Concerns are recorded, reported, and acted upon promptly
- We work in partnership with families and external agencies to secure the best outcomes for children
All staff and volunteers are subject to safer recruitment checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, and receive ongoing safeguarding training.
The taking of unauthorised photographs or video recordings on the Academy site is strictly prohibited.
The Prevent Duty
Q3 Academy Great Barr fulfils its responsibilities under Section 26 of the Counter‑Terrorism and Security Act, 2015. We have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism or extremism, while safeguarding students’ wellbeing and promoting the Fundamental British Values.
Our approach includes:
- Risk assessment: identifying and responding to vulnerabilities
- Partnership working: liaising with external agencies for advice and support
- Training: ensuring staff understand the signs of radicalisation and how to report concerns
- IT systems: filtering and monitoring to reduce exposure to harmful extremist content
Prevent concerns are managed in the same supportive and proportionate way as safeguarding concerns.
Further information for parents and carers is available via Educate Against Hate.
Operation Encompass
We participate in Operation Encompass, working with West Midlands Police. This initiative enables us to receive timely information following domestic abuse incidents where a child may have been present.
Information is shared confidentially with trained Academy staff so that appropriate support can be offered to students affected by domestic abuse.
Online Safety (eSafety)
Online safety is an integral part of safeguarding. We educate students to use technology safely, responsibly, and respectfully, both in and out of the Academy.
The Mercian Trust uses Smoothwall to monitor activity on Academy devices and accounts. Alerts and reports are reviewed by trained staff during the working day in term time. This does not replace the need for parental monitoring of your child's online activity.
If you are concerned about something online, you can report harmful content here.
The Academy has invested in a subscription for parents/carers to access eSafety training to support them in carefully monitoring and supporting their child’s internet access and device usage. You can create an account for access to a library of helpful videos, webinars, information, and courses on the National Online Safety Hub.
How we keep students safe online
- Curriculum‑based online safety education through Wellbeing Inspire (PSHE) and Tutor Time
- Age‑appropriate guidance on social media, gaming, and online communication
- Filtering and monitoring systems on Academy devices and accounts
- Clear reporting routes for online concerns
Advice for parents and carers
We encourage parents and carers to:
- Talk regularly with their child about online activity
- Use parental controls and privacy settings
- Encourage age‑appropriate platform use
- Be cautious about sharing images or information online
- Share concerns directly with the Academy rather than via social media
Advice for students
- Do not share personal information online
- Think carefully before posting images, comments or videos
- Use privacy settings
- Be respectful to others
- If something online worries you, report it through the platform's reporting tools, and tell a trusted adult
Cyberbullying
Some forms of cyberbullying can constitute a criminal offence. Concerns should be reported through the platform's reporting tools, and, where appropriate, to the police.
We strongly encourage students to share concerns with a trusted adult in the Academy so that we can offer pastoral support.
Reporting Concerns
Any safeguarding or online safety concern should be reported by children to a trusted adult as soon as possible. Parents/carers can contact us via our parent/carer helpdesk.
Additional support: