Safeguarding

“Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility”

Children have a right to be cared for and protected, protecting them is everyone’s responsibility. Here at Huntingdon Academy we have a duty of care to ensure that all users of the school are kept safe from harm. We are committed to provide a secure and supportive environment in which children can develop and grow into mature and responsible people. Safeguarding children is an essential part of our holistic approach to ensure that children are protected from abuse and neglect and that every child reaches their full potential.

The school’s staff, volunteers and service providers have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children as a shared responsibility with parents and other carers. To support this statement, the school may signpost to services that are specialised to promote opportunity, prevent problems, act early and act effectively if and when concerns arise. Therefore, whilst we do not want to worry you, we will report to Children’s Social Care if we have any reason to believe that a child may be at risk of suffering abuse or neglect.

Parents/carers are normally our first point of contact, and if a suspicion of abuse is recorded, parents/carers will be informed at the same time that the record is made; we will support parents/carers and ensure we work in collaboration with them to protect children. Working with parents/carers to prevent abuse is our primary aim and only when that has failed or in emergency situations will a referral be made to social care. When a referral is made to social care parents will be notified beforehand, except when guidance from social care or the police does not allow this.

We cannot safeguard children alone. All children’s services agencies work in partnership with each other. There are duties and rules about information sharing but if staff, parents or carers have any concerns about a child, other parent, provider, agency or any person, they have a responsibility to report those concerns and we must record and act on them We have a Safeguarding policy which is underpinned by the Nottingham City Safeguarding Partnership and the documents, Keeping Children Safe in Education, Working Together to Safeguard Children and Safer Recruitment guidance. The policy applies to all children and young people regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or religion. It is a requirement that all users are informed of these policies and practice guidance and what they should do if they have concerns. The safeguarding policy is available on the website.

If you have any concerns about the practice of our staff team please speak to the Designated Child Protection Lead Louise Yarnell or Head of School Rebecca Riley, Executive Head Ross Middleton or Deputy head Hazel Vaughan.

What you can do

Parents and carers play a role in safeguarding children in their community. If you have any concerns, no matter how small, you should report them to someone who you trust will listen. The school is required to have a designated child protection Lead for this purpose. Parents and children should speak to the safeguarding Lead if they have any concerns about a child or staff member.

If you think a child or young person may be in immediate danger, call 999.

Otherwise contact Nottingham City Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (City MASH)

There are many services available to support children and families. Their ‘one stop shop’ means you can access all of them using just one telephone number.

By making it simple to access services Nottingham City Council can help provide the right support, at the right time, to meet the needs of Nottingham families.

City MASH is operational Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:50 pm.

Outside of these hours, the telephone number should be used for emergency safeguarding enquiries only. Call: 0115 876 4800 We take safeguarding seriously, and want to be able to provide support not just for our young people but for their families too. You are always more than welcome to come into the academy to discuss any concerns or worries you may have. We are also happy to provide links to support agencies or charities who can offer free and impartial advice confidentially on a range of issues. Please explore some of our recommended organisations below.

Internet Safety

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A REPORT OF ONLINE ABUSE TO THE POLICE https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

Think You Know is a website you can go to that will help answer your questions and to let you know how to be safe when you are using the internet. You probably use the internet for games or to talk to friends or even to search for information – Think You Know can help you stay safe.

Report something harmful or dangerous online at https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/

Dos and Don’ts

DO NOT share private information on the internet.

If you are not sure DO check with your parents/carers before you give out information.

DO use the same rules when you surf the internet as you would walking down a street.

NEVER have face-to-face meetings with anyone you only know online.

DO accept friend requests from people you already know if you are friends with them, DO NOT accept friend requests or messages from strangers.

Cyber bullying is when one or more people try to tease, harass, threaten or embarrass another person using technology such as mobile phones or the Internet.

Internet Watch Foundation

The IWF’s vision is the global elimination of child sexual abuse imagery online. They work to make the internet a safer place for all, helping victims of child sexual abuse worldwide by identifying and removing online images and videos of their abuse. Their Hotline offers a safe place for the public to report anonymously.

Report content here: https://report.iwf.org.uk/en

Support, advice, bullying, and feeling sad or anxious

Childline

Childline can help you on with all sorts of problems you might have, including feeling sad, anxious, angry, scared or with any problems you may have at school like bullying.

You can call them for free to speak to someone privately. You can contact a Childline counsellor about anything, no problem is too big or too small.

Call free on 0800 11 11 or visit www.childline.org.uk 

The NSPCC

The NSPCC are there to talk to you if you are worried about being hurt or abused by one of your family or someone you live with or if you are worried about someone you care about being hurt. They are able to offer support and to take some details from about what is happening. They can also talk to you through their counselling service.

You can visit their website at https://www.nspcc.org.uk/

You can email them on [email protected] or you can call them on 0808 800 5000.

Give us a Shout

Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope.

If you’re struggling to cope, text SHOUT to 85258 and someone will get in touch to talk to you about your wellbeing.

Help for you if you are looking after someone else

The Children’s Society 

Are you a young carer, and do you spend your time outside of school looking after a family member? The Children’s Society work hard with Carers Trust to help support children who are caring for others. 

Through visiting their website, you can get information on who to talk to, looking after yourself and advice on staying safe. You can also find information on projects near you. 

Visit their website today on https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/youngcarer/advice-for-young-people 

You can call their number to find out more information about where you can go for support near you on 0300 303 7000 

Carers Direct 

Carers Direct is for anyone who is looking after a family member who is ill or disabled or needs special help. It is part of the NHS website and offers information and advice. 

There is a phone number you can call to talk to someone on 0808 802 0202

Or you can visit their website on https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support/young-carers-rights/ 

Violence at home

There are lots of different people who can help you if you are being hurt at home or if you are worried about someone in your family being hurt at home. It can happen to anyone, but we don’t always know who the right person is to talk to, especially if it feels like someone in your home is being bullied. 

Refuge

Refuge are an organisation that can help you to understand what is right and what is wrong about relationships at home. They have information on their website about who you can talk to, how you can talk to them, and what to do if you are worried.

You can visit their website at www.refuge.org.uk

The NSPCC

The NSPCC are there to talk to you if you are worried about being hurt or bullied by one of your family or someone you live with or if you are worried about someone you care about being hurt. They are able to offer support and to take some details from about what is happening. They can also talk to you through their counselling service.

You can visit their website at https://www.nspcc.org.uk/

You can email them on [email protected] or you can call them on 0808 800 5000

Homelessness

Shelter

Shelter are able to offer housing advice to anyone who is experiencing or at risk of homelessness. You can find information on what to do about homelessness, private renting, tenancy deposits, repossession, eviction, repairs, housing benefits and council housing

You can visit their website at www.shelter.org.uk

Support for those affected by alcohol

Drink Aware

If you are worried about how much you are drinking or how much a loved one is drinking there is lots of helpful advice and support on the drinkaware website. They also have a helpful drink tracker and tools for managing what your alcohol intake is. On their website you will find a list of alcohol support services with helplines available. 

Visit their website at: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-support-services/

FGM

NSPCC

Every child has the right to not be touched by an adult when they do not want to. Female Genital Mutilation is illegal, and a form of abuse, therefore should be dealt with quickly and seriously. FGM comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

The NSPCC have a special helpline for anyone concerned about FGM, or anyone who has been affected by FGM. You can call them on 0800 028 3550 or email them directly on [email protected] 

If you are concerned that a child is at imminent risk of harm, or may leave the country for the purposes of FGM in the next 48 hours you can call the police on 999.
Where concerns are not imminent but are still serious, please call the Children’s Helpdesk on 01452 426565

Forced Marriage

The FMU is a government initiative set up to support anyone who is worried about or is at risk of being forced into a marriage, or anyone who has already been forced to marry another person. A trained professional will give you free advice on what you can do next, and help you with finding a safe place to stay or stopping a visa if you have been forced to sponsor someone. You have the right to choose who you marry, when you marry or if you marry at all. 

Visit their website on https://www.gov.uk/stop-forced-marriage

Call their support line Monday to Friday (9-5) on 0207 008 0151 or during out of work hours on 0207 008 1500 and ask for the global response centre.

The Freedom Charity

The Freedom Charity have been raising awareness and working hard to stop forced marriages from happening within the UK. On their website you will find resources, information and direction for how to get support if you are concerned about someone or yourself. 

Visit their website on www.freedomcharity.org.uk/resources

Or call their helpline on 0845 607 0133

Alternatively you can text them on 88802 and they will call you back. You need to send the message ‘4freedom’ 

Please click on the links below to view our safeguarding documents and policies:

Safeguarding Policy

The Prevent Strategy – A guide for Parents

Working Together to Safeguard Children

Keeping Children Safe in Education

Information Sharing Advice for Safeguarding Practitioners

What to do if you are worried a child is being abused – NSPCC

Online Safety Policy

How to keep your child safe from abuse – NSPCC Parents Guide

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