Safeguarding
Here you will find important information regarding issues surrounding Safeguarding & Child Protection.
The Safeguarding & Child Protection Lead for St Margaret's CE Junior School is; Mr Lenny Williams
The Deputy DSLs are: Clare Dixon, Diane Lacy, Matt Burchett, Tristan Thorpe and Natasha Rodger
Internet Safety
Children and young people spend lots of time on the internet. They may go online to research information for homework or to play games, chat with old friends and make new ones.
The internet holds a massive amount of useful information and can also be a really good way of learning about new things. It can also be a very dangerous place so it is important that children are protected and monitored when they are online.
Please have a look at these websites to help you keep your children safer online.
It is important to set up devices correctly so children access age appropriate games and sites and you don't get a massive bill from in game purchases.
Android tablet / phone iPad / Apple device
CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) has lots of information about how to keep your children safe online and parental controls.
When should I report to CEOP?
Has someone acted inappropriately towards you online, or to a child or young person you know? It may be sexual chat, being asked to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable or someone being insistent on meeting up. You can report it to them below.
Social Media
Facebook, Pinterest, Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, Google , Tumblr, Reddit and Secret
It is against the rules for any child under the age of 13 to have any of these accounts. If you want your child to have an account please set it up with them so that they do not have to lie about their age and you can make sure the privacy settings are set up correctly.
LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Vine, Tinder, Path, YouTube, Keek, Foursquare, WeChat, Kik, Flickr
All have varying age restrictions from 14 to 18.
We have regular lessons in school about e-safety that includes learning about our digital footprint, gaming, cyber bullying etc. But some key points you may like to share when using social media:
Don’t post a message, comment or send a text when you are cross with someone.
Never arrange to meet up with someone.
Never say anything in a message you would not be happy to say in front of your parent or teacher.
Never send a photo you would not want be happy to show a parent or teacher.
Some more help and advice can be found from the NSPCC and ThinkUknow for parents.
Child Sexual Exploitation
Child Sexual Exploitation, or CSE, is a form of sexual abuse which sees children/young people being manipulated or coerced into sexual activity for receiving ‘something’ such as; gifts, money, food, attention, somewhere to stay etc.
Technology is very often used to groom victims. This may occur through social networking sites and mobile phones with internet access.
CSE has gained a large amount of media attention over the last year as lots of services involved with children and young people have noticed a big rise in cases involving CSE.
Charities such as NSPCC and Barnardos have been campaigning to raise the profile of this form of child abuse.
The P.A.N.T.S. rule is very good for young children
Share Aware and Staying safe away from home also contain lots of good advice.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
In April 2014 every school in England received new safeguarding guidelines and detailed information on identifying and responding to Female Genital Mutilation.
FGM is a procedure carried out on young girls between the ages of infancy and 15 years of age.
Female Genital Mutilation is classified as a form of Child Abuse in the UK. It therefore makes the procedure of it a serious Child Protection issue.
Contact the Police if you think that a girl or young woman is in danger of FGM and is still in the UK.
Contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (020 7008 1500) if she’s already been taken abroad.
The NSPCC offers a free and anonymous FGM 24 hour helpline. Call; 0800 028 3550 or email fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk
The Daughters of Eve website helps to raise awareness of this issue.
Preventing Radicalisation
From 1 July 2015 schools are subject to a duty under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, in the exercise of their functions, to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”.
St Margaret's CE Junior School is clear that extremism and radicalisation should be viewed as safeguarding concerns. We value freedom of speech and the expression of beliefs and both pupils/students and adults have the right to speak freely and voice their opinions.
Our school ethos seeks to build pupils’ resilience to radicalisation by promoting fundamental British values and enabling them to challenge extremist views.
The NSPCC have information for parents/carers about radicalisation and dangers associated with extremism. There is also links to other supportive services on the NSPCC web page.
Reporting a Concern of Abuse or Neglect
If you have concerns that a child you know is at risk of serious harm through Abuse or Neglect it is important that you report your worries to the correct agency.
You can also report you concerns to the NSPCC who will offer you support and advice if you are feeling worried about a child’s safety.
