Safeguarding

The Safeguarding team is led by our Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mrs J Finlay, Deputy Headteacher.

Other designated members of the safeguarding team are Mrs Gough, Mrs Smith, Mrs Price and Mrs Roper.

Any student or member of the public who has a safeguarding concern should report the issue to one of the members of the safeguarding team.

To do so, please contact main reception at 0121 366 6611 or email safeguarding@fortis.shaw-education.org.uk 

Alternatively please use the link below for My Voice – this is an anonymous reporting tool for students and parents, to report any safeguarding concerns they may have about a pupil that attends Fortis Academy.

The Fortis Way – Keeping Safe

Advice for pupils and parents:

All students at the Academy have the right to feel safe both in and out of the Academy. If you feel unsafe or are concerned about the safety of another student it is important you know where to go and who to talk to. At Fortis Academy there are a number of staff who you can talk to:

• Your Edge Tutor
• Your Year Group Team
• One of your class Teachers (your teacher’s classroom)
• One of your Teaching Assistants
• Safeguarding Team (Student Welfare Office)
• Any adult in the Academy

Each year group has a Pastoral Manager that deals with student concerns, who is available during the day for you to talk to. They are located in the Year Group Offices.

There may be times where the situation you, or a friend is in, is deemed to be very serious. This can include incidents such as:

• Neglect – a child’s basic needs are not being met
• Physical abuse – violence
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Substance abuse
• Sexting
• Someone is promoting extreme religious or far right views
• Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
• Someone is taking advantage of a young person sexually (known as Child Sexual Exploitation CSE)

In the event of a serious situation, such as those listed above, please discuss with a member of staff that you trust and they will refer you to a Child Protection trained member of staff. You can also speak to a member of the Safeguarding staff directly. There are several Safeguarding staff at Fortis Academy:

Please be assured that any concerns you raise will be taken seriously by staff at the Academy and we will try our very best to help you.

In the event of you having concerns outside of Academy hours the following numbers will be of use to you:

Children’s Services – 0121 3031888  or if in doubt dial 999

NSPCC – 0808 800 5000 (NSPCC Sexual abuse – 0800 136663)

Safeguarding Academy e-mail – safeguarding@fortis.shaw-education.org.uk

Link to NHS ChatHealth Messaging Service – https://chathealth.nhs.uk/start-a-chat/

Click below to see the support we off for our young people.

Safeguarding – Support

We offer both digital and in school support for our young people’s health and wellbeing. See below links for more information:

Online digital tool to support pupils wellbeing.

Online digital tool to support pupils wellbeing.

Emotional wellbeing support – Forward Thinking Birmingham

Aim to change the dynamic and mentality of how young people think

ACT Mentoring – To support young people helping them to overcome both the internal and external barriers that can prevent them from fulfilling their potential

We are a Trauma informed UK school

Support for children and young people’s social and emotional development

Birmingham Rockets – To lead, support and educate with honesty, integrity and clarity. Mission – to be the number one basketball club in Birmingham for everyone who wants to be associated in the game.

Aston Villa Foundation – Chances Programme.  Deliver a combination of sport and mentoring interventions on a weekly basis

Safe Haven – West Midlands Police – Partnership youth working in Birmingham

A sports company dedicated to delivering affordable, high quality sports coaching to children both during and out of school

The True Project – Emotional support for our young people specifically helping with students who have experienced trauma in their lives.