Reviewed By: Emma Edwards

Policy Review Date: May 2026

Next Review Date: May 2027

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Emma Edwards

Deputy DSL: To be appointed if provision expands

1. Statement of Intent

Bridle & Bramble Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people. We believe that every child has the right to feel safe, respected, listened to and protected from harm.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All adults involved in Bridle & Bramble Learning have a duty to act in the best interests of children and to respond appropriately to concerns about a child’s welfare.

Bridle & Bramble Learning provides educational workshops and experiential learning opportunities for children and young people, including:

• English and Maths workshops
• Pony and stable-based activities
• Outdoor learning and environmental projects
• Practical and hands-on learning experiences
• Small group educational sessions
• Bespoke parent workshops

Activities may involve working outdoors, interacting with animals, using tools and equipment under supervision, and participating in practical learning tasks. Appropriate safeguarding, supervision and risk management procedures are in place for all activities.

This policy applies to:

• The proprietor and DSL
• Volunteers
• Visiting professionals
• Contractors
• Any adult working with children on behalf of Bridle & Bramble Learning

Bridle & Bramble Learning operates as a supplementary educational provision for home-educated children. Parents retain full responsibility for their child’s education, welfare, supervision outside session times and compliance with Elective Home Education requirements.

2. Legal Framework

This policy is informed by and reflects the principles of:

• Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)
• Working Together to Safeguard Children
• The Children Act 1989 and 2004
• The Education Act 2002
• The Equality Act 2010
• The Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR
• Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership

Although Bridle & Bramble Learning is not a school, safeguarding practices are aligned with recognised educational safeguarding standards and guidance.

3. Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

The Designated Safeguarding Lead for Bridle & Bramble Learning is: Emma Edwards

Emma completed Level 3 Multiagency Designated Safeguarding Lead training in Cornwall during Summer 2024 and served as the Designated Safeguarding Lead at Polwhele House School during the 2024–2025 academic year. 

The DSL is responsible for:

• Acting as the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns
• Maintaining safeguarding records
• Making referrals to children’s social care or other agencies where appropriate
• Liaising with parents, carers and external professionals when necessary
• Ensuring safeguarding procedures are followed consistently
• Maintaining up-to-date safeguarding knowledge and training
• Ensuring suitable risk assessments are in place for activities
• Promoting a culture of vigilance and child-centred practice

If a child is believed to be at immediate risk of harm, emergency services will be contacted immediately.

4. Safeguarding Principles

Bridle & Bramble Learning recognises that safeguarding includes:

• Protecting children from abuse and neglect
• Preventing impairment of children’s physical and mental health or development
• Ensuring children grow up in circumstances consistent with safe and effective care
• Taking action to enable all children to achieve the best outcomes

We recognise that abuse can happen in any family, community or organisation regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, culture, religion or socio-economic background.

All concerns will be taken seriously.

5. Types of Abuse

Staff and volunteers should be aware of the indicators of:

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Neglect

Staff should also remain vigilant regarding:

• Child-on-child abuse
• Online safety risks
• Exploitation
• Domestic abuse
• Grooming
• Radicalisation
• Mental health concerns
• Harmful sexual behaviour
• Bullying
• County lines and criminal exploitation

The presence of one indicator does not necessarily mean abuse is taking place, but concerns must always be explored appropriately.

6. Low-Level Concerns

Bridle & Bramble Learning recognises the importance of recording and responding to low-level concerns regarding adult behaviour, even where the behaviour does not meet the threshold for referral to the LADO.

Concerns will be recorded, reviewed and addressed appropriately in order to maintain a strong safeguarding culture.

7. Responding to Concerns

Any adult working with children through Bridle & Bramble Learning must:

• Remain calm and listen carefully
• Never promise confidentiality
• Reassure the child they have done the right thing by speaking up
• Record concerns factually and accurately
• Report concerns to the DSL immediately

If a child makes a disclosure:

• Listen without interrupting
• Avoid leading questions
• Use the child’s own words when recording
• Do not investigate independently
• Report concerns as soon as possible

Written safeguarding records will be stored securely and confidentially. Safeguarding records will be retained securely for an appropriate period in line with safeguarding and data protection guidance.

8. Safer Working Practice

Bridle & Bramble Learning is committed to maintaining clear professional boundaries.

Adults working with children will:

• Treat all children with dignity and respect
• Avoid favouritism
• Avoid being alone with a child where possible
• Use age-appropriate language and behaviour
• Never engage in inappropriate physical contact
• Never communicate with children through personal social media accounts
• Maintain professional conduct at all times

Any concerns regarding the behaviour of an adult towards a child will be taken seriously and acted upon appropriately.

9. Supervision and Ratios

Children will be appropriately supervised during all activities. For our KS2 Learning Days we have a maximum of 12 students, and for our KS3 Learning Days we have a maximum of 6 students.

Additional supervision measures may be implemented where activities involve:

• Pony handling
• Outdoor environments
• Tools or practical equipment
• Woodland or farm environments
• Fire or cooking activities

Children participating in animal-related activities will receive appropriate instruction and supervision relevant to the activity and their developmental stage.

Risk assessments will be completed and reviewed regularly.

Parents remain responsible for ensuring that children are medically fit to participate in activities and that relevant medical or behavioural information is disclosed before attendance.

10. Online Safety

Bridle & Bramble Learning recognises the importance of online safety.

Where technology is used:

• Appropriate filtering and supervision will be maintained where possible
• Children will be supervised during online activities
• Inappropriate online behaviour will be addressed immediately
• Personal information and images will be handled securely
• Photographs of children will only be used with parental consent.

11. Mobile Phone Expectations  

• Adults working with children should avoid the use of personal mobile phones during sessions except where necessary for operational or emergency purposes.
• Students should not bring personal mobile phones to sessions, but if it is unavoidable, this should be arranged in advance. Personal mobile devices should not be accessed during the Learning Day at Bridle & Bramble.

12. Attendance and Collection

Children must be collected by a known and authorised adult unless alternative arrangements have been agreed in advance.

If there are concerns regarding collection arrangements, the child will remain supervised while appropriate steps are taken.

Bridle & Bramble Learning reserves the right to request identification from unfamiliar adults.

13. Physical Intervention / Positive Handling

Physical intervention will only be used where necessary to prevent injury to a child, adult, animal or significant property damage, and must always be reasonable, proportionate and recorded.

14. Health and Safety

Bridle & Bramble Learning recognises that safeguarding and health and safety are closely linked.

The provision will:

• Maintain appropriate insurance
• Carry out activity risk assessments
• Ensure at least one suitably trained first aider will be present during activities.
• Maintain safe learning environments
• Ensure equipment is checked and maintained
• Supervise children appropriately during all activities

Specific safety measures are implemented for pony and outdoor learning activities.

15. SEND and Additional Vulnerabilities

Children with special educational needs and disabilities may face additional safeguarding barriers.

Bridle & Bramble Learning is committed to:

• Providing inclusive practice
• Listening carefully to all children
• Recognising additional vulnerabilities
• Making reasonable adjustments where appropriate
• Working collaboratively with parents and professionals

16. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Safeguarding information will be shared on a need-to-know basis.

Bridle & Bramble Learning recognises that:

• The welfare of the child is paramount
• Data protection legislation does not prevent safeguarding information sharing
• Concerns may need to be shared with relevant agencies without parental consent where a child may be at risk of harm

Records will be stored securely in line with data protection requirements.

17. Allegations Against Adults

Any allegation or concern about an adult working with children through Bridle & Bramble Learning will be taken seriously.

The DSL will:

• Record the concern
• Seek appropriate advice
• Contact relevant safeguarding agencies where required
• Follow Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) procedures where appropriate

No individual will investigate allegations against themselves.

18. Whistleblowing

Adults involved with Bridle & Bramble Learning have a responsibility to raise concerns regarding unsafe practice or behaviour.

Concerns should be reported directly to the DSL.

Where concerns relate directly to the DSL, concerns may be referred directly to Shropshire First Point of Contact (FPOC), the Police, or the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) as appropriate.

19. Recruitment and Suitability

Bridle & Bramble Learning is committed to safer recruitment practices. Adults regularly working directly with children at Bridle & Bramble Learning will normally be expected to hold an Enhanced DBS check appropriate to their role.

Where adults work directly with children checks may include:

• Enhanced DBS checks
• Identity verification
• References
• Verification of qualifications where relevant
• Visitors and volunteers will be supervised appropriately.

20. Complaints

Parents and carers are encouraged to raise concerns promptly.

All safeguarding concerns and complaints will be taken seriously and responded to appropriately.

If necessary, concerns may be escalated to external agencies.

21. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if:

• Legislation changes
• Safeguarding guidance changes
• Operational changes occur within Bridle & Bramble Learning
• A safeguarding incident indicates the need for review

22. Important Contacts

Designated Safeguarding Lead:
Emma Edwards
Bridle & Bramble Learning
Email: hello@bridleandbramble.co.uk

Reporting a Child Safeguarding Concern

If you believe a child is at risk of harm or abuse, contact:

Shropshire First Point of Contact (FPOC)

Telephone: 0345 678 9021

This is the main referral route for child safeguarding concerns in your area.

Emergency Social Work Team (Out of Hours)

Telephone: 0345 678 9040 (Option 1) 

In an Emergency

Telephone: 999

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

The LADO manages allegations against adults working or volunteering with children.

For allegations relating to adults working with children, contact the LADO through:

Shropshire First Point of Contact (FPOC)

Telephone: 0345 678 9021

The Shropshire guidance currently routes LADO referrals through this number rather than publishing a named individual directly.

Police and National Safeguarding Contacts

West Mercia Police – Public Protection Unit

Telephone: 0300 333 3000

NSPCC Helpline

Telephone: 0808 800 5000

Childline

Telephone: 0800 1111

Declaration

Bridle & Bramble Learning is committed to providing a safe, nurturing and respectful environment where children can learn, explore and develop confidence through practical, experiential and outdoor learning opportunities. Where a safeguarding concern meets the threshold for referral, Bridle & Bramble Learning will contact Shropshire First Point of Contact (FPOC) without delay and follow the advice of Children’s Services and other relevant safeguarding agencies.

Safeguarding remains central to all aspects of the provision.