Child Protection: Safeguarding children
At Bosworth Academy, we are absolutely committed to creating a safe and positive environment for our students to learn. We have a strong culture that safeguarding is everybody’s body’s business and therefore highly vigilant about safeguarding children and child protection. Our priority is to work with parents and carers and there may be times when we have to involve other agencies and services. Everybody has a responsibility to keep all children under the age of 18 safe. In most instances, the school will be able to inform the parents/carer of its need to make a referral.
The Academy has a safeguarding and child protection policy: parents may request a copy of this.
It is important for parents to be aware that:
- Staff and volunteers at the Academy have a duty to report concerns about a child, whether this means the child may be in need of additional support or help of some kind or whether it is thought that a child may have been abused or be at risk of abuse. In some cases this support may be confidential.
- There are four categories of abuse: physical, sexual, emotional, neglect.
- In some cases the Academy is obliged to refer children to children’s social care staff, for children to be assessed for their needs or if an investigation into possible child abuse is required. In many cases there will already have been discussions between Academy staff and the parents of the child, and the situation and concerns will not be a surprise to the parents. However, parents may not be told that the Academy has referred their child to children’s social care if it is thought that this might put the child at risk.
- Children’s social care tries to carry out its enquiries in a sensitive fashion. It has to gather information and generally it can be open with parents about the steps being taken.
- If you think your child may have been abused you can contact the children’s social care office direct. If you think the abuse may have happened in school, contact the Principal or the Designated Senior Person for Child Protection, who is Nikki Whitaker [email protected]. If you think your child has been hurt, arrange to visit your doctor, comfort and reassure your child.
- If Academy staff need to express concerns about a child or refer a child to children’s social care, it is understood that this can cause distress or anger for the child’s parents. It is important that all parties – parents and Academy staff – try to discuss these matters as calmly and sensibly as possible.
For parents’ enquiries please contact: Nikki Whitaker (Designated Safeguarding Lead) [email protected]
Safeguarding at Bosworth Academy Poster [pdf]
SAFEGUARDING: OUT OF HOURS SUPPORT
Should you require any advice or support with safeguarding, please refer to the following contacts:
| Leicestershire County Council
First Response |
If you have significant concerns about a child’s safety | 0116 305 0005 |
| Leicester City Council | 0116 454 1004 | |
| Childline | 18 or Under?
Childline offers free, confidential advice and support whatever your worry, whenever you need help. |
0800 1111 |
| NSPCC | Contact the NSPCC helpline
If you’re worried about a child, even if you’re unsure, contact our professional counsellors for help, advice and support. |
[email protected]
0808 800 5000 |
| The Samaritans | Confidential emotional support | 116123 |
| Kooth | A provider of online mental health services for children, young people and adults | Website |
| FRANK | Confidential drugs information and advice | 0300 123 6600 |
| CAMHS Family Therapy Team | A new service that has been set up for families across Leicester and Leicestershire. Families can ring and self refer for support. | 0116 2952909 |
| Child Safety Online | A practical guide for parents and carers whose children are using social media. | Website |
YOUNGMINDS CRISIS MESSENGER
The YoungMinds Crisis Messenger text service provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need support, you can text YM to 85258.
We know that finding the right support is important, especially if you need someone to talk to right now. We aim to connect every texter to a trained volunteer promptly to provide crisis help. They will listen to you and help you think more clearly, enabling you to know that you can take the next step to feeling better.
For more information: https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/get-urgent-help/youngminds-crisis-messenger/#youngminds-crisis-messenger
Anti-Bullying
Bullying is behaviour that hurts someone else.It can happen anywhere – at school, at home or online. It’s usually repeated over a long period of time and can hurt a child both physically and emotionally. If your child is experiencing bullying, or you’re worried they might. Please always contact your child’s pastoral team at Bosworth Academy. Here are some ways you can support them and places you can get Help Here. Students can report bullying themselves Report Here Alternatively students can ask for support by emailing [email protected]
Online Safety
It can be hard for parents to keep up with new technologies if you need any support with this contact, your child’s pastoral team.
The main dangers children and their parents need to be aware of are: cyber bullying, grooming by sexual predators, accessing images and videos for over 18’s and the problems of posting personal or embarrassing information online.
It is important to remember that the internet is a great educational tool and valuable place for children to play and learn, and the vast majority of the time using the internet is a fantastic experience for millions of children.
However there can be hidden dangers. On the internet people can be instantly connected and you cannot always be sure you are talking to the person you think you are.
Advice for parents of 11-13 year olds [pdf]
Advice for parents of 14+ year olds [pdf]
National Online Safety Guides #WakeUpWednesday
So what can you do?
For more information visit the CEOPS website.
If you have any questions or concerns with regard to e-safety please contact your child’s pastoral team.
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