Safeguarding Information
SAFEGUARDING IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY
I am a child, and I don’t feel safe.
At the Academy:
- Tell a trusted adult. This could be your Tutor, Pastoral Team or a teacher.
- Ask to speak to a member of the Academy Safeguarding Team
At home or in the community:
- Call and speak to an adult at the Academy on 0117 976 3000.
- Email [email protected] (please note this email account is monitored during term-time school hours)
- Phone Childline on 0800 11 11 any time day or night. They are happy to speak to you about any worries. The call is free.
If you feel you or another child is in immediate danger, please call 999.
Adults:
I am an adult and am concerned about a child.
If you are concerned about a child, you can do one of these things:
- Report it to the Academy’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (Gemma Read) by phoning the school on 0117 976 3000 or emailing [email protected] (please note this email account is monitored during term-time school hours)
- Contact either South Gloucestershire’s or Bristol Social Services.
For South Gloucestershire:
For Bristol:
In an emergency, please ring 999
For further information, please go to South Gloucestershire’s or Bristol’s website
Concerns
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.
In Bristol– First Response
Phone 01179036444
In Bath & North East Somerset
Phone : 01225 396312 , 01225 396313
Bath & North East Somerset – child protection
In an emergency please ring 999
Mental Health 24/7 Response Line
Telephone: 0800 953 1919
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.
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 in ICT lessons, PSHE and safety days. Our Key member of staff responsible for E-Safety is Jo Shipp.
Parental controls offered by your home internet provider
How to set up filters on your home internet to help prevent age inappropriate content being accessed on devices in your home.
The 4 big internet providers in the UK – BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media – provide their customers with free parental controls which can be activated at any time. They have come together to produce these helpful video guides to help you to download and set-up the controls offered by your provider.
National Online Safety Mobile App
Remove a Nude Image Shared Online
It can be scary finding out a nude image or video of you has been shared online. But we can help. Follow the steps below to get your image or video removed from the internet.
Internet Matters
At Internet Matters, parents and professionals can find the most comprehensive and credible resources, information and support to keep children safe online.
Useful Links
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.
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:
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: [email protected]
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
- Annual CLF online Safeguarding training for all staff & Governors
- Channel/Prevent online course for all members of staff and Governors
- CPOMS training for all staff
- Regular safeguarding updates through staff briefings and inset days e.g. on sexualised behaviours
- Safeguarding Assembly for students
- E-Safety assembly for students
- Prevent Assembly for Students
- Safety Days are responsive to local safeguarding need
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.
Sexualised Behaviours
Reporting any concerns as a parent
Students reporting concerns
The pastoral and safeguarding teams will then respond appropriately, potentially involving outside agencies e.g. the police and social care.
We are able to signpost specialist agencies who can support our students and their families following a disclosure.
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://nsod.n-somerset.gov.uk/kb5/northsomerset/directory/site.page?id=gE-ZtDakyBs
- 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.
The parent INFO- website provides help and information for families in the digital world
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.
Internet Matters- Access to lots of information and advice for a variety of age groups on all subjects related to online concerns-behaviour
Internet Matters – esafety leaflets resources
Young Minds: Resources and emotional wellbeing tips and advice for parents. Parents’ Helpline (Mon-Fri 9:30 – 4pm) 0808 802 5544
Self Harm UK: A UK based charity that offers support. Useful facts, information, and advice to parents and young people
Child Bereavement: UK Charity that supports families who have experienced the loss of a child or when a child is facing loss.
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
NSPCC – 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.
OTR- living in Bristol and South Gloucestershire
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.
Alateen: Support for families and friends of alcoholics 0207 403 0888
Confidential Helpline
FRANK: Support, advice and information on any issues or questions relating to drugs and alcohol 24/365 Helpline 0300 123 6600 SMS 8211
YGAM and The Parent Hub
The Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) is a national charity with a social purpose to inform, educate and safeguard young and vulnerable people, helping them build resilience and understand the potential harms caused by gaming and gambling.
The Parent Hub
Parents can often feel overwhelmed in a world of constantly advancing technology and YGAM is keen to provide simple, usable resources to help parents have honest and open conversations with their children around the topics of gaming and gambling. In keeping with its social purpose, the YGAM Parent Hub is looking to: Inform parents of the potential harms their children can experience through gaming and gambling; Educate parents around gaming and gambling, including the blurred lines between the two activities, microtransactions and advertising; and helping parents Safeguard their children will online safety settings and advice on how to have conversations with your children, how to spot the signs of harm and where to get help. These resources have been developed after listening to the views of young people and their parents.
Anti-Bullying Alliance– Information and advice about bullying for parents/carers
Anti-bullying Alliance – Advice Parents
National Bullying Helpline-advice and guidance for parents and carers
Brook Advice: Advice around sexual health and contraception
The Children’s Society- Advice and guidance can be found in several different languages on the subject of Child Criminal Exploitation including County Lines.
Children’s Society – 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
NSPCC – Child Sexual Exploitation/
NSPCC– Advice and guidance on protecting children from radicalisation
NSPCC – Protecting children from radicalisation/
Educate against Hate– advice and guidance on how to safeguarding your child from the risks of radicalisation.
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:
Apply for an emergency payment
Or you can contact the team by:
email: [email protected], 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
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.
Food banks links for families living in South Glos
Food banks links for families living in Bristol
Parents worried about exploitation –
or for confidential help and advice, call Pace on 0113 240 5226
CHILDLINE – 0800 1111 or visit their website
Samaratins – 116 123
Children Centres
Filton children’s centre
Address: 75 Conygre Rd, Filton, Bristol BS34 7DD
Phone – 01454 864150
Patchway Children’s Centre
Epney Cl, Patchway, Bristol BS34 5TF
01454 864146
