Safeguarding Information - John Cabot Academy

SAFEGUARDING IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY

John Cabot Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. It is our expectation that all staff, volunteers and members of the school community share this commitment. Meet the team:

Safeguarding Information

Keeping your child safe online while they are off school – click on this link for more info: Thinkuknow

Concerns

Should you have any concerns relating to the safety and welfare of a child at our school you should immediately contact the designated safeguarding team, here

Out of School

Should you have any concerns about a child outside of school you can contact your local authority response teams

In South Glos– Access and Response

Phone: 01454 866000 ‐ Monday to Friday 9am ‐ 5pm. 01454 615165 ‐ Out of hours and at weekends.

Web: http://sites.southglos.gov.uk/safeguarding/

In Bristol– First Response

Phone 01179036444

For more info click here

In Bath & North East Somerset

Phone : 01225 396312 , 01225 396313

Web: http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/children-young-people-and-families/child-protection

In an emergency please ring 999

Policy

The Academy Council and school staff team are committed to keeping our children safe and we regularly review our school policies and procedures to ensure that everything is being done to fulfill our duty of care. The Governor responsible for safeguarding at John Cabot Academy is Angela Long. All staff are familiar with the government’s guidance for schools – ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’.

The safeguarding policy can be found in the school policies menu of this website.

Safeguarding Policy

E-Safety

At John Cabot Academy we aim to equip our students with the knowledge, understanding and skills to use information and communication technology creatively and purposefully. A key aspect of this lies in being digitally literate. Online technologies play a huge role and so providing a broad and balanced e-safety education is vital to ensuring that students can navigate the online world safely and positively. Students learn about e-safety during ICT lessons and through regular assemblies. Our Key member of staff responsible for E-Safety is Jo Shipp.

e-safety

Useful Links

www.thinkyouknow.co.uk

www.safetynetkids.org.uk

kidsmart.org.uk

www.nspcc.org.uk

Prevent

Prevent is about safeguarding people and communities from the threat of terrorism. Prevent is 1 of the 4 elements of CONTEST, the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy. It aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

What Is Prevent

Incidents of extremism and radicalisation are rare and as such when they do occur, make the news. As with all safeguarding issues, it is important to be vigilant, and not complacent, but also not to panic.

What is extremism and radicalisation?

Prevent defines extremism as: “vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. We also include in our definition of extremism calls for the death of members of our armed forces”

Radicalisation is defined by the UK Government within this context as “the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies associated with terrorist groups.”

However…

We live in a wonderfully diverse world, with both differences and similarities to celebrate. Exploring religious and different social beliefs, in a peaceful and non-violent way, is part of growing up and should not be confused with something more sinister. The best way to PREVENT extremism and radicalisation is by open discussion and increased understanding of each other.

As a parent…

You know your child better than anybody else. Having open, honest conversations on a regular basis will allow your child to explore new ideas in a safe environment.

Talk to your child about their online viewing. Social media such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram can be used to groom children towards a certain point of view.

Discuss different points of view concerns topics in the news, modelling that there is always more than one point of view.

Encourage your child to take an active part in their local community. This could be part of a sports club, social group, volunteering. Getting out, meeting and talking to people around you helps to understand and become part of a community.

Some useful links:

Educate Against Hate

Bristol.gov.uk Prevent Leaflet

As a school…

All staff have had Prevent training from an accredited Prevent trainer in school.

All staff have completed further online Prevent training

We have updated our safeguarding procedures to reflect statutory requirements in the Government’s Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015.

We have direct contact with the Local Prevent Officer and other

external professionals to receive on-going support and two-way communication.

Students are encouraged to discuss and explore issues during tutor time, assemblies and on safety days.

If you have any concerns that someone you know may be at risk of radicalisation, please contact the local police on 101.

If your concern is of an URGENT nature, please dial 999 or the Anti-Terrorist Hotline 0800 789 321

Female Genital Mutilation & Honour Based Violence

Female Genital Mutilation

Female genital mutilation is the mutilation of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It is often referred to as female circumcision, ‘cutting’ or ‘sunna’.

Government Statement opposing FGM

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is child abuse and an extremely harmful practice with devastating health consequences for girls and women. Some girls die from blood loss or infection as a direct result of the procedure. Some women who have undergone FGM are also likely to find it difficult to give birth and many also suffer from long-term psychological trauma.

UK Law

Female genital Mutilation is a crime in the United Kingdom. Even if a girl is taken abroad to undergo FGM, it is still a crime in the UK if the mutilation is done by a UK national or a UK resident.

It is also a crime if a UK national or resident assists or gets a non-UK national or resident to carry out FGM overseas on a UK national or resident.

If FGM is committed against a girl under the age of 16, each person who is responsible for the girl at the relevant time is guilty of an offence.

Criminal Penalties

Anyone found guilty of an FGM offence – or of helping somebody commit one – faces up to 14 years in prison, a fine, or both. Anyone found guilty of failing to protect a girl from risk of FGM faces up to 7 years in prison, a fine, or both.

Support

If you are worried that this might happen to you or someone you know, you can speak to a member of the safeguarding team in school. They will be able to help and support you.

Alternatively, you can report this abuse by contacting one of the following:

If there’s immediate danger or if you or someone you know is in immediate danger of FGM, contact the police.

Call 999 to report emergencies or 101 for non-emergencies.

You should also contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office if you know a British national who’s already been taken abroad.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Telephone: 020 7008 1500

If you or someone you know is at risk

Contact the NSPCC anonymously if you’re worried that a girl or young woman is at risk or is a victim of FGM.

NSPCC FGM Helpline

Email: fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk

Telephone: 0800 028 3550

Child Sexual Exploitation

Sexual exploitation can take many forms from the seemingly ‘consensual’ relationship where sex is exchanged for attention/affection, accommodation or gifts, to serious organised crime and child trafficking. What marks out exploitation is an imbalance of power within the relationship. The perpetrator always holds some kind of power over the victim, increasing the dependence of the victim as the exploitative relationship develops.

Sexual exploitation results in children and young people suffering harm, which can cause a significant damage to their physical and mental health. Whilst some children can be supported to make a recovery, others may suffer serious life-long impairments which may, on occasion, lead to their death.

Any child or young person can be a victim of sexual exploitation, but children are believed to be at greater risk of being sexually exploited if they:

are homeless
have feelings of low self-esteem
have had a recent bereavement or loss
are in care
are a young carer

However, there are many more ways that a child may be vulnerable to sexual exploitation and the signs that a child is being exploited are not easy to spot.

Signs of Grooming and Sexual Exploitation

Signs of child sexual exploitation include the child or young person:

going missing for periods of time or regularly returning home late

skipping school or being disruptive in class

appearing with unexplained gifts or possessions that can’t be accounted for

experiencing health problems that may indicate a sexually transmitted disease

having mood swings and changes in temperament

using drugs and/or alcohol

displaying inappropriate sexualised behaviour, such as over-familiarity with strangers, dressing in a sexualised manner or sending sexualised images by mobile phone (“sexting”)

they may also show signs of unexplained physical harm, such as bruising and cigarette burns

Training

Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding children. School staff receive regular training to help them to identify concerns at an early stage. They report any concerns through CPOMS, an electronic child protection management system that automatically alerts the Designated Safeguarding Lead and the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and action is taken immediately.

Annual safeguarding training includes:

Safeguarding awareness for every member of staff and Governors to include basic awareness, CSE, FGM/HBV, racist/homophobic and transgender bullying

Prevent training for every member of staff and Governors
Safeguarding Assembly for students
E-Safety assembly for students
Prevent Assembly for Students
Channel/Prevent online course for all members of staff and Governors
CPOMS training for all staff
Regular safeguarding updates through staff briefings

Wider Safeguarding System

School staff fall within the wider safeguarding system for children and we work with Social Care, local health services, Police, YOT and many other services to promote the welfare of our students and young people and to protect them from harm.

Information for Parents

Useful Links

Useful contact numbers for Parents/ Carers

The internet can provide you with lots of information and guidance on any concerns that you may have however your home academy website can also provide you with information on safeguarding concerns so please have a look. We have provided you with some other contacts below that may be useful for you. Your academy safeguarding teams will be able to be contacted between the hours of 8:30am and 5pm on the following email address: (add email address)

If you are worried about child or young person’s safety or wellbeing please contact

First Response : 0117 949 0944- ( 01454 615165 at weekends and evenings.) https://bristolsafeguarding.org/
Access and Response: (If you live in south Glos) 01454 866000 (01454 615165 at weekends and evenings.) http://sites.southglos.gov.uk/safeguarding/
Single Point Access: (if you live in North Somerset) 01275888808 (01454 615165 at weekends and evenings.) https://www.northsomersetsafeguarding.co.uk/

NSPCC 24 hour Helpline: 0800 800 5000 (free from a landline)
NSPCC Text helpline: 88858 (service is free and anonymous)
NHS 111 – NHS: NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do. … go to 111.nhs.uk
Police – 101 non-emergency calls or 999 in an emergency

Information on Online safety for parents and students.

https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/

The parent INFO- website provides help and information for families in the digital world

https://parentinfo.org/

Childnet- This website will provide you with all the all the information you need to keep your child safe online. This includes information on Cyberbullying, sexting, how to remove harmful content.

https://www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers

Internet Matters- Access to lots of information and advice for a variety of age groups on all subjects related to online concerns-behaviour

https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/esafety-leaflets-resources/

Young Minds: Resources and emotional wellbeing tips and advice for parents. Parents’ Helpline (Mon-Fri 9:30 – 4pm) 0808 802 5544

www.youndminds.org.uk/forparents

Self Harm UK: A UK based charity that offers support. Useful facts, information, and advice to parents and young people

www.selfharm.co.uk

Child Bereavement: UK Charity that supports families who have experienced the loss of a child or when a child is facing loss.

www.childbereavementuk.org

NSPCC- The NSPCC website provides a variety of information and support on topics ranging from Mental Health, drugs and alcohol awareness and sexual behaviour in children as well as many other areas of concern

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/

Kooth, is an online counselling and emotional well-being platform for children and young people, accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop and free at the point of use.

https://www.kooth.com/

OTR- living in Bristol and South Gloucestershire

mental health social movement by and for young people aged 11-25

https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/

BDP-Bristol Drugs Project-Whether you’re using alcohol or drugs yourself, or you’re being affected by someone else’s use, we can provide you with free and confidential support.

https://www.bdp.org.uk/youth

Alateen: Support for families and friends of alcoholics 0207 403 0888

Confidential Helpline

www.al-anonuk.org.uk/alateen

FRANK: Support, advice and information on any issues or questions relating to drugs and alcohol 24/365 Helpline 0300 123 6600 SMS 8211

www.talktofrank.com

Anti-Bullying Alliance– Information and advice about bullying for parents/carers

https://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/tools-information/advice-parents

National Bullying Helpline-advice and guidance for parents and carers

https://www.nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk/kids.html

Brook Advice: Advice around sexual health and contraception

www.brook.org.uk

FPA- Advice for parents and carers on how to have difficult discussions regarding relationships and sex with young people

https://www.fpa.org.uk/sites/default/files/fpa-sexual-health-week-2017-tips-for-parents.pdf

The Children’s Society- Advice and guidance can be found in several different languages on the subject of Child Criminal Exploitation including County Lines.

https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/our-work/tackling-criminal-exploitation-and-county-lines/county-lines-resources

NSPCC– Advice on the signs that someone is at risk of Child sex expoitation and what you can do to support them

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/child-sexual-exploitation/

NSPCC– Advice and guidance on protecting children from radicalisation

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/reporting-abuse/dedicated-helplines/protecting-children-from-radicalisation/

Educate against Hate– advice and guidance on how to safeguarding your child from the risks of radicalisation.

https://educateagainsthate.com/parents/

Advice for Bristol Residents.

Food bank Vouchers –If your child gets free school meals, you may be able to access food bank vouchers through the council emergency payment scheme. When you contact the emergency scheme, please explain that your family is in receipt of free school meals and rely on the school to provide a hot meal daily. You can apply online at:

https://www.bristol.gov.uk/benefits-financial-help/apply-for-an-emergency-payment

Or you can contact the team by:

email: lcpf@bristol.gov.uk, include your full name and address

phone: 0117 922 4500, Monday to Friday, 9am to 12noon (we can’t take household goods applications by phone)in person: Citizen Service Point, 100 Temple Street, Bristol, BS1 6AG (by appointment only). You’ll need to collect emergency payments here.

Talking Money – Talking Money is an independent charity providing free, confidential advice to individuals with financial problems. There are also drop in centres in Kingswood and Staple Hill. Main Address: 1, The Hide Market, West St, Bristol BS2 0BH Phone: 0117 954 3990

Next Link –As well as domestic abuse support services we provide women’s mental health support services and independent support for victims of rape and sexual abuse nextlinkhousing.co.uk

Domestic abuse telephone help lines are open 8:30am – 5:30pm Monday to Friday and 9:30am – 1:00pm on Saturday 0117 925 0680.

Local Organisations

Hillfields Church : 0117 9654140 – open all week 9.00am – 4pm

Children Centres

Hillfields Library – Phone: 0117 903 8576 Summerleaze, Bristol BS16 4HL

Speedwell childrens centre : Address: Speedwell Rd, Speedwell, Bristol BS5 7SY Phone: 0117 903 0329

Little Hayes Children Centre ; Address: Symington Rd, Bristol BS16 2LL Phone: 0117 903 0405

Kingswood Children Centre: Address: Hollow Rd, Bristol BS15 9TP Phone: 01454 864144

Advice for South Gloucestershire Residents.

Access and Response Team – 01454 86 6000 (during working hours)

Emergency duty team – 01454 615165 (out of hours)

Police – 101 for non-urgent issues & 999 if urgent and an immediate response is needed

Domestic Abuse Concerns – Next Link South Glos domestic abuse telephone help lines are open 8:30am – 5:30pm Monday to Friday and
9:30am – 1:00pm on Saturday 0800 4700 280

Mental health support – CAMHS (if young person is currently under CAMHS) – 01454 862431 or if you are concerned that you are not able to keep your child safe or they are not able to keep themselves safe then take them to the Accident & Emergency department at Bristol Children’s hospital or call for an ambulance.