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Safeguarding

SAFEGUARDING TEAM
 
If you have any serious concerns about your child or any other pupil at Holy Cross School,  please do not hesitate to contact the Safeguarding team by either telephoning school on 01752 225420 or sending an email. 
Mrs Finola Gill

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Miss Susan Buscombe

Designated Safeguarding lead

Mrs Lisa Martin

Safeguarding Governor



SAFEGUARDING AND CHILD PROTECTION AT HOLY CROSS
 
This is adapted from the school’s Child Protection Policy and Safeguarding Policy
 
Introduction
 
Holy Cross Catholic Primary School recognises its legal duty to safeguard and protect pupils from abuse as defined in the Children Act 2004 and section 175 of the Education Act 2002. The overall intention and purpose behind the school’s safeguarding policy is underpinned by the fundamental principle of the 1989 Children Act:
 
‘the welfare of the child is the paramount concern’
 
Our school takes seriously its responsibilities to protect and safeguard the interests of all children. We recognise that effective child protection requires sound procedures, good inter-agency co-operation and a workforce that is competent and confident in responding to child protection situations. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
 
What Is Safeguarding?
 
*From the ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children Document’*
 
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in school refers to the process of protecting children from abuse and neglect as well as helping children to develop socially and emotionally and enabling these children to have optimum life chances ready to enter adulthood successfully.
    
 When recruiting new members of staff the school follows the guidance provided in the Safeguarding Children: Safer Recruitment in Education. The school ensures that DBS checks are undertaken, that references are taken up and obtained and that qualifications are verified.
 
The school ensures that:
 
Visitors must only enter through the main entrance and must sign in at reception.  be given a visitor’s badge on entry. When new staff, volunteers or regular visitors join our school they will be informed of the safeguarding arrangements in place. They will be given a copy of our school’s safeguarding leaflet which provides a brief summary of the procedure and identifies key personnel. They will also be made aware of the safeguarding policy.
 
WHAT CAN PARENTS/CARERS DO TO HELP CHILDREN KEEP SAFE ONLINE?
 
Follow the Golden Rules:
 
Discuss together as a family how the internet will be used in your house. Consider what information should be kept private (such as personal information, photos in school uniform etc) and decide rules for making and meeting online friends. Ensure your children know the risks of accepting friends’ requests from strangers online and make sure you know what your child is doing online much like you would offline. Make sure your child uses strong passwords to protect their online accounts. It is important they know they need to keep their passwords safe and not share them with anyone or use the same password for several accounts.
 
Consider locating your child’s computers and laptops in a family area but be aware that children access the internet on mobile phones, games consoles and tablets so use can’t always be supervised.
 
Be especially aware of settings rules relating to your child’s use of webcams and any applications or devices which allow voice or video chat. Childnet have useful information for young people about using webcams safely www.childnet.com/young-people/secondary/hot-topics/video-chat-and-webcams (Link below)
 
 
Online Safety
 
Install antivirus software, secure your internet connection and use Parental Control functions for computers, mobile phones and games consoles to block unsuitable content or contact from unknown people. Research different parental control software and tools available for your home and select the tools which are most suitable to you, your child and the technology in your home. Visit www.internetmatters.org and www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-and-resources/a-parents-guide for safety information and advice about parental controls on consoles and devices and how to report concerns. (Link below)
 
Make sure you read any parental guidance and safety recommendations (including age requirements – most popular social networking sites and apps are only for users aged 13+) for any apps or websites before allowing your child to use them - visit www.net-aware.org.uk
 
Always remember that parental control tools are not always 100% effective and sometimes unsuitable content can get past them, so don’t rely on them alone to protect your child.
 
Listen
 
Take an active interest in your child’s life online and talk openly with them about the things they do. Talk to your child and ask them to show or even teach you how they use the internet, learn which websites or tools they like to use and why. Learning together with your child can often open opportunities to discuss safe behaviour online.
 
To start a conversation with your child you could tell them that you understand that some young people share images and videos online and that you’re interested to know what they think about it and how they think they can keep themselves safe.
 
Dialogue – keep talking
 
Ensure that your child knows that once a picture, video or comment is sent or posted online, then it can be very difficult to remove as other people can forward it and share it with others, without them even knowing.
 
www.childnet.com and www.thinkuknow.co.uk has some really useful tips and ideas for parents/carers about starting conversations about online safety 
 
Always ensure your child knows how to report and block people online who may send nasty or inappropriate messages or content. Encourage your child not to retaliate or reply to cyberbullying and to keep any evidence.
 
Make sure your child knows it’s important that they tell an adult they trust if anything happens online that makes them feel scared, worried or uncomfortable.
 
Remember, the internet is an essential part of young people’s lives and provides them with tremendous opportunities. The vast majority use it without coming to any harm so it’s essential to be realistic: banning the internet or web sites often will not work and it can make a child feel less able to report a problem or concern, so education around safe use is essential.
 
ONLINE CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION – ADVICE FOR PARENTS 
There has been a recent increase in reports to police of children talking to and exchanging pictures with strangers online. Videochat websites and apps like Skype, Instagram, Omegle, Oovoo, Kik, and others, allow children to talk and exchange pictures on tablets and Smartphones or via a webcam. Whilst talking on webcam with known and trusted friends and family can be fun and exciting, children can be at risk of bullying and also abuse. Children and young people sharing pictures and videos online are vulnerable to exploitation. This can happen in the following way:
 
An offender makes contact with a young person online through an app, chatroom or game.
 
The offender begins a conversation and tricks the young person into sending them an indecent picture, appearing naked or performing sexual acts on webcam. They can trick them by pretending to be of the same age, someone the child knows, flirting with them or sending them sexual pictures or videos.
 
The offender records or captures the picture. They then threaten to show it to others including family members if they do not perform more sexual acts. Some young people have been threatened for money or have been told to hurt themselves.
 
This has happened to young people and is being reported nationally with children of both Primary and Secondary school age. This is sexual abuse.
 
What to do if this happens
 
When a child tells a parent they have experienced on or offline sexual abuse parents should react calmly and always:
 
Believe their child and tell them that they believe them.
 
Not blame them, it is not their fault, the person responsible is the offender.
 
Keep calm and talk to their child about how they feel and let them know that they’re here to listen.
 
Report the concern to Police via 101 or use 999 if there is immediate risk to someone’s safety.
 
You can also report to CEOP, a national agency that tackle exploitation of children and young people. For information, advice and to report concerns directly to CEOP, visit www.ceop.police.uk
 
Be aware that offenders may sometimes be targeting and abusing multiple children online. Your child may possibly be one of many victims and reporting online suspicious activity may help protect many children.
 
How to stop it happening
 
Set appropriate parental controls and use filters for home computers and devices (such as games consoles, tablets and Smart Phones)
 
Talk to your child about what they are doing online and ask them to show you the apps and sites they use.
 
Ensure your child understands how anyone can copy and share images or messages posted online and the importance of keeping their personal information and images safe
 
Ensure that privacy settings and age restrictions are discussed and in place for the websites and apps that your child uses.
 
Ensure that you and your child know how to block and report unwanted images and messages
 
Ensure you know how to report sexual abuse online.
 
If you are worried that your child is at risk of harm or a criminal offence has been committed then you can report your concerns to the Police. For further advice visit www.nspcc.org.uk/onlinesafety, www.childnet.com, www.internetmatters.org.uk or www.thinkuknow.co.uk , our school website or talk to our Online Safety Coordinator (Miss Buscombe).
 
PUPILS MUST REMEMBER: 
 
Young people must understand that the age of criminal responsibility can be applied from the age of ten and facebook accounts should not be held until the age of 13
 
THE PREVENT DUTY
From 1 July 2015 schools are subject to a duty under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”.
 
What is the Prevent strategy?
 
Prevent is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorist or extremist causes.
 
The Prevent strategy covers all types of terrorism and extremism, including the extreme right wing, violent Islamist groups and other causes.
 
What is the Prevent Duty?
 
The Prevent Duty is the duty in the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 on schools, to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.
 
What it means for schools
 
From July 2015 all schools (as well as other organisations) have a duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism. 
 
Staff are expected to be able to identify children who may be vulnerable to radicalisation, and know what to do when they are identified.
 
Schools can build pupils’ resilience to radicalisation by promoting fundamental British values and enabling them to challenge extremist views.
 
Schools should provide a safe space in which children, young people and staff can understand the risks associated with terrorism and develop the knowledge and skills to be able to challenge extremist arguments.
 
Schools have a responsibility to protect children from extremist and violent views the same way as they protect them from drugs or gang violence.
 
Holy Cross School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. We are fully committed to ensuring that consistent effective safeguarding procedures are in place to support our families, children, and staff at our school and work closely with relevant agencies.
 
 
Worried About a child?
Call 999 if the child is in real danger now 
 
If you are worried about a child or young person, or think they are being abused, even if you are unsure, please contact: 
 
Plymouth Gateway Service 
Tel: 01752 668000 
Select Children's Services - Option 1 
Email: gateway@plymouth.gov.uk. 
You can also contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000.
Plymouth Children’s Safeguarding board
Email: pscb@plymouth.gov.uk
Phone: 01752 307535
 
Safeguarding Policies
Guidance Documents
Useful Links