Safeguarding

Protecting our children.

The school takes its Safeguarding responsibility very seriously and aims to protect and safeguard the welfare of children and young people in its care.

Our ethos fosters partnership between school and parents, listening to and valuing pupils, training staff to be aware of signs and symptoms of abuse and carrying out the correct procedures, maintaining a safe school environment, and working in partnership with other agencies in this area.

Safeguarding is everybody’s business

If you are worried about a child or young person who could be in danger please contact

Children’s Social Care on 0300 123 2224
by email at childrens@somerset.gov.uk
or the police

You can contact the police directly by dialling 101 and they will discuss with Children’s Social Care what action should be taken. In an emergency always contact the police by dialling 999.

If you would like to speak to a social worker outside of office hours please phone the Emergency Duty Team (EDT) on 0300 123 23 27

They will always deal with any calls in the strictest confidence.

Educational Psychology Service (EPS) Telephone Helpline for Parents and Carers

Our Safeguarding Team

Mrs Maxine Skirton

ELSA and DDSL

Mrs Sarah Martin

Headteacher and Designated
Safeguarding Lead

Mrs Amy Brouard

Deputy Headteacher,
Class Teacher

and DDSL

Mrs Kay Dawson

SENDCo and DDSL

Keith Bush

Safeguarding Governor

Operation Encompass

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Thinkuknow

Thinkuknow is the education programme from the National Crime Agency's CEOP command. Thinkuknow aims to empowers children and young people aged 5-17 to identify the risks they may face online and know where they can go for support.

www.thinkuknow.co.uk

Prevent

Prevent is the government counter terrorism strategy. Prevent is to support people at risk of joining extremist groups and carrying out terrorist activities. Prevent is a multi agency approach: Police, education, health, social services, church groups, community groups all working together.

Radicalisation

Click on the link for more information:

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

Parents can now call a free, 24-hour NSPCC helpline if they are concerned about their children becoming radicalised. Counsellors from the NSPCC have been trained by experts from the Home Office to advise parents on how to spot signs of radicalisation in children who could fall victim to online groomers. The helpline is also available for parents who want to know how to reassure children worried about terrorist attacks taking place.

NSPCC Helpline 0800 800 5000

Signs which may hint towards radicalisation in children

They isolate themselves from family and friends
They become disrespectful or ask inappropriate questions
They seem to be more angry or aggressive
They have an unhealthy obsession for websites about terrorists
Their speech seems scripted when talking about radicalised ideas
Children who may be targeted by online groomers
Those with low self-esteem
Those with a history of gang membership
Those with a history of being bullying

Child Sexual Explotation (CSE)

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a form of sexual abuse. CSE occurs when an individual or group take advantage of a person under the age of 18 to manipulate or deceive into sexual activity in exchange for something e.g. gifts, money, status, blackmail. Click on the links for more information: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/search/query=child+sexual+exploitation

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, but where there is no medical reason for this to be done. FGM is illegal and a form of child abuse.Click on the link for more information: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/female-genital-mutilation-fgm/#what-is

Safeguarding Documents

Children Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

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Keeping Children Safe in Education

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The Prevent Duty

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For safeguarding Policies, please see our Policies page

Gender Identity

The NSPCC have reported record number of calls regarding transgender 2,796 compared to 1,299 in the previous 12 months.It was recorded that children aged 12-15 years were most likely to call the helpline about gender identity issues and that 260 of the calls on this subject were from 11-year-olds. If you would like more information on this subject, please visit Mermaids UK

https://www.mermaidsuk.org.uk/

Domestic Abuse

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is open 24/7 365 days per year, call on 0808 2000 247

Boots Pharmacy Consultation Rooms become safe spaces for victims of domestic abuse. Victims of domestic abuse will be able to access safe spaces at Boots pharmacy consultation rooms across the country, where they can contact specialist domestic abuse services for support and advice. The scheme is in response to the desperate situation facing many victims who are isolating with perpetrators during lockdown.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help#coronavirus-covid-19-and-domestic-abuse

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

https://www.relate.org.uk/

https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/