Safeguarding at FIIT Learning Academy: Protecting Every Learner, Every Day

At FIIT Learning Academy in Addiscombe, Croydon, safeguarding isn’t just a policy, it’s a promise. We are committed to creating a learning environment where every young person feels safe, protected, and valued at all times.

Our approach goes beyond compliance. Safeguarding is woven into our daily routines, our relationships, and our decision-making. Every member of staff, from teachers and mentors to administrative and site teams, plays an active role in keeping children safe.

Because when students feel safe, they can learn, grow, and thrive.

Safeguarding at FIIT Learning covers everything that protects a learner’s physical, emotional, and digital wellbeing. We ensure that all pupils are free from harm, neglect, and exploitation, and that concerns are acted on swiftly and appropriately.

Our safeguarding practices include:

• Clear policies aligned with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and Working Together to Safeguard Children.

• A Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and trained Deputy DSLs on site at all times.

• Robust recruitment and vetting procedures (including enhanced DBS checks).

• Ongoing staff training on child protection, online safety, and contextual safeguarding.

• Regular supervision, case reviews, and safeguarding audits.

• A strong culture of curiosity and professional challenge — staff are encouraged to “notice, check, and act”.

  
  

At FIIT Learning, safeguarding is proactive, not reactive. We focus on early identification and holistic support, addressing challenges before they escalate.

Our mentoring and wellbeing systems provide daily opportunities for learners to share how they’re feeling. Staff are trained to spot subtle changes in behaviour, attendance, or mood that might indicate a safeguarding concern. This relational vigilance helps us act quickly and sensitively to protect every child’s welfare.

We also work closely with parents, carers, local authorities, and external agencies (such as MASH, CAMHS, and social care teams) to ensure coordinated support.

In a world where so much learning happens online, digital safeguarding is essential. All students at FIIT Learning sign an ICT Acceptable Use Agreement and receive guidance on:

• Safe online communication and privacy.

• Recognising manipulation, bullying, and online grooming.

• Reporting concerns and protecting personal information.

  
  

Our systems include filtered networks, monitored platforms, and digital literacy education that helps students use technology responsibly and confidently.

Safeguarding also means ensuring learners feel emotionally secure and heard. Through therapeutic education and restorative practice, we teach students that:

• Their voice matters.

• They can ask for help without fear.

• Mistakes are opportunities to learn, not reasons for punishment.

  
  

Learners know who they can talk to, how to raise a concern, and that adults will listen and take them seriously. This culture of openness and trust is one of the strongest protections we can offer.

Partnership with Parents and the Community

Safeguarding works best when school and home work together.We maintain transparent communication with families, providing regular updates, advice, and guidance on topics such as online safety, attendance, and wellbeing.We also collaborate with Croydon local safeguarding partners to share best practice and keep our policies up to date.

At FIIT Learning Academy, safeguarding is not just about keeping young people safe from harm, it’s about keeping them safe for life. By embedding safety into our curriculum, relationships, and culture, we create an environment where learners are free to focus on what really matters: feeling secure, being themselves, and realising their full potential.