Safeguarding at Blaise High School

Every child deserves to feel safe, valued and heard. If you’re worried about a child, please talk to us. We’ll always listen and take your concerns seriously.

URGENT HELP

If a child is at immediate risk, call 999.

For non-emergencies in Bristol: First Response 0117 903 6444

Out of hours: Emergency Duty Team 01454 615 165

The Blaise High School Safeguarding Team

Our safeguarding team is here to help—students, parents/carers, staff and visitors can speak to any member of the team.

• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Zoe Giblin
• Deputy DSLs: Liz Williams, Lisa Chinn
• Safeguarding Governor: Katie Lockett
• Senior Mental Health Lead: Lisa Chinn

Contact: 0117 903 0100 | Email: safeguarding@blaisehighschool.co.uk

How we respond to concerns

We follow statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education and the local Bristol procedures. We’ll listen, record concerns sensitively, and decide with you the best next steps—this may include Early Help or a referral to Children’s Social Care. Your child’s welfare is always our priority. 

Read the statutory guidance: Keeping Children Safe in Education (GOV.UK)

If you’re worried about the conduct of an adult working with children, contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO): LADO@bristol.gov.uk | 0117 903 7795

Mental health and wellbeing

We want children to feel safe and happy in and out of school. We know that children’s mental health is at the forefront of parent’s minds, and ensuring they feel safe and happy in and out of school is paramount. Our Senior Mental Health Lead, Lisa Chinn, and our Mountain Rescue team are dedicated to supporting students with positive wellbeing. We have a dedicated webpage on supporting mental health at Blaise High School here. 

Other helpful link: 

• YoungMinds (parents’ hub)
• NHS – Support for children and young people
• Off the Record (OTR) Bristol – free local support (ages 11–25)

Students seeking support

Visit your ‘My Health’ page on the school intranet for trusted advice and links.

Complete the STAR form if you need to report something immediately. 

Online safety & where to report

Online life is part of adolescent life, and we take it seriously. If something online makes you or your child feel unsafe, uncomfortable or worried, please tell us. Don’t reply or share it—save evidence (screenshots/links), block and report in-app. If someone is pressuring a child online, you can report directly to the police via CEOP; if you’re unsure what to do, speak to our safeguarding team and we’ll help you decide the next steps.

• Report to CEOP (police) – if a child is being groomed or abused online
• Advice for 11–18s – CEOP Education
• Thinkuknow for parents/carers
• Report Harmful Content (UK Safer Internet Centre)
• Report Remove (Childline + IWF) – get images taken down
• Childline – speak to a counsellor (0800 1111), chat & self-help

Prevent, extremism & radicalisation

Prevent is part of our safeguarding duty to protect children from radicalisation and all forms of extremism. If you notice a young person becoming unusually isolated, sharing or endorsing hateful content, or talking about violence or travel linked to extremist causes, please talk to us early. We’ll listen without judgement and work with you to keep them safe; where appropriate, we can access Channel, a voluntary and confidential support programme. If there is an immediate risk of harm, call 999. If you’re unsure what to do, contact our safeguarding team and we’ll help you decide the next steps.

• Educate Against Hate (for parents)
• ACT Early – confidential helpline and advice for families
• Prevent Duty guidance (GOV.UK)

Specific risks: information and support

• Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) – resource pack
• Forced marriage – advice and the Forced Marriage Unit (020 7008 0151)
• Child sexual exploitation (CSE) – NSPCC
• Drugs & alcohol – Talk to FRANK (0300 123 6600)
• Fearless (Crimestoppers for young people) – information and anonymous reporting
• Disrespect Nobody – healthy/unhealthy relationships

Policies & further information

• Parent leaflet / Useful information
• Family Help: North Bristol Family Hub
• Keeping Children Safe in Education (GOV.UK)
• Blaise High School Safeguarding Policy

Please click here for the safeguarding page