Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility.
If you have reason to believe that a child, young person or adult
is at immediate risk from harm, dial 999 and call the Police.
If you have any concerns about a child or young person living in Worcestershire and feel that they may need protection or safeguarding, contact the Family Front Door.
Staff are available Monday to Thursday from 9.00am to 5.00pm and Fridays from 9.00am to 4.30pm.
telephone: 01905 822666
For assistance out of office hours (weekdays and all day at weekends and bank holidays)
telephone: 01905 768020
Safeguarding Children
Hartlebury Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School take safeguarding responsibilities very seriously. We have a Safeguarding Children Policy, which includes Child Protection. We provide staff and volunteers with procedures and guidance to follow when they suspect a child may be experiencing abuse or be at risk of harm. We work co-operatively with other agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
Our school believes that it is always unacceptable for a child to experience abuse of any kind. We recognise our responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with parents/carers first – unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare.
We have a statutory responsibility to report concerns of abuse to Children’s Social Care and/or Police without discussing with parents first, where there is an indication that a child is at risk of significant harm.
Everyone who comes into contact with children, their families and carers, has a role to play in safeguarding children. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively we make sure our approach is child-centered. This means we consider at all times what is in the best interests of the child. We provide good lines of communication for children with trusted adults, supportive friends in a culture of safeguarding children and parents/carers have a right to expect that the educational establishment creates a safe environment so that it can fulfil its ‘duty of care’.
We are an Operation Encompass School
Operation Encompass directly connects the police with schools to ensure support for children living with domestic abuse in their homes. Rapid provision of support within the school environment means children are better safeguarded against the short-, medium- and long-term effects of domestic abuse.
Operation Encompass School Poster
Operation Encompass Parent/Carer Letter – October 2023
Are you worried about an adult who works with children?
The allegations’ process is managed by Worcestershire’s Local Authority Designated Officers (LADO) as part of the Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Service.
Local Authority Designated Officer/Position of Trust: Kenny Edgar 01905 846221.
LADO@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk
LADO procedures should be applied when there is an allegation that any person who works with children, in connection with their employment or voluntary activity, has:
- behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child;
- possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child; or
- behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children
- behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children
Service User Portal Guidance is available for anyone who wishes to make a referral to the LADO and explains in detail how to make the referral via the portal. Please click on the links below to make a referral and the LADO Service User Portal Guidance for further details.
LADO Service User Portal Guidance
Online Safety
Please find below a poster with link’s to parent information regarding internet safety created by our ICT Lead Rebekah Salter. Please click on the pictures on the attached poster to view the information.
Keeping Safe on the Internet – Parent/Carer Information
West Mercia Police Youth Engagement Team
For children of all ages, the subject of internet safety is probably the most requested topic delivered in schools by West Mercia Police Youth Engagement team, and we are regularly asked to speak to parents too.
Please see parent guides below produced by Think You Know / CEOP, which may help to keep your children safe online.
Amongst the issues covered are grooming, bullying, sexting & social media.
Parent/Carer Online Safety Question Sheet
Parent/Carer Online Safety Help Sheet
Whenever you go online you need to be S.M.A.R.T
Hartlebury Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School teaches our children to be S.M.A.R.T. when they go online, at home or at school.
S for Safe – Keep safe by being careful not to give out PERSONAL INFORMATION when chatting or posting online. Personal information includes your email address, phone number, age and passwords.
M for Meeting – Meeting someone when you have been in touch with them online can be dangerous. Remember online friends are still strangers.
A for Accepting – Accepting emails, messages or opening files, pictures or texts from people your don’t know or trust can lead to problems. They may contain viruses or nasty messages.
R for Reliable – Someone online might lie about who they are and information on the Internet may not be true. Always check information with other websites, books or someone who knows.
T for Tell – Tell your parent, carer, teacher or a trusted adult if someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or worried or of you or someone you know is being bullied online.
With children being taught the importance of being S.M.A.R.T. whenever they use computer equipment, this will lead to a safer time online.
Get Safe – Keeping children and young people safe from Criminal Exploitation
Are you worried about your child?
Have you seen a change in their behaviour or routines? Do they have unexplained money, clothing or gifts? Do you think they maybe being criminally exploited?
If you have an immediate safeguarding concern for a child, you must call the police on 999.
If your concern is about activity in the Worcestershire area which you believe may indicate crimes being committed e.g. drug dealing or Modern-Day Slavery, please contact the police on 101.
If you wish to discuss a not immediate safeguarding concern about a child aged 0-18 years then please contact the Family Front Door on 01905 822666 during office hours. In emergencies out of hours the number is 01905 768020.
Worcestershire Children First have a dedicated Get Safe team who works closely with partner agencies here in Worcestershire. The team is contactable for advice on 01905 845568 or at getsafe@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk
Useful links
Website: Young minds crisis register
Website: Neighbour Hood Watch – spotting the signs
Services that can support you and your family
Worcestershire County Council: Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence
Worcestershire County Council: Early help and family support
Worcestershire County Council: Raise a concern about an adult
Downloads
Download: Get Safe leaflet for parents
Download: Get Safe Support Services – a list of services that can support families, children and young people
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
What is CSE?
Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a form of child sexual abuse where an individual or a group of people takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child (anyone under the age of 18) into sexual activity for which the child receives something they want or need in exchange.
This could be food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, money, gifts or affection. This could also be for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator. A victim may initially think the relationship is consensual. Child sexual exploitation can occur online, as well as in person, and does not always include physical contact.
Website: Safe and Sound – What is CSE can provide more information on CSE.
Spotting the signs of CSE
It can be difficult to recognise the warning signs of CSE as they are similar to the challenges that all parents of teenage or near-teenage children face.
It’s important that you know how to spot the signs of CSE, whether you are a parent, young person or a member of the public.
Website: NHS Choices – How to Spot Child Sexual Exploitation
Website: Parents Against Child Sexual Exploitation (PACE)
Website: Parents Protect
Website: Safe and Sound
Links to services that can support you and your family
The following websites can offer further advice and guidance about what CSE is, how to report it as well as advice and support for families who have experienced CSE.
Website: Barnardo’s
Website: The Branch Project
Website: The Children’s Society
Website: MOSAC (Mother’s of Sexually Abused Children)
Website: The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
Website NWG Network Tackling Child Sexual Exploitation
Website: Pace – Information for Parents or call their helpline 0113 2405226
Website: Royal College of Psychiatrists
Worcestershire County Council: Get Safe – keeping children and young people safe from criminal exploitation
Worcestershire County Council: Health and wellbeing
Worcestershire County Council: Safeguarding and Quality Assurance
Stop Abuse Together Campaign
It is estimated that one in ten children in England and Wales will experience sexual abuse before they turn sixteen. The majority of these children will not tell anyone at the time of their experiences.
On 13 January 2022, the UK Government launched the Stop Abuse Together campaign. The campaign aims to empower parents and carers to take steps to help keep their children safe from abuse.
The website enables parents to:
• Learn about the potential signs of abuse
• Build trust by speaking to their children regularly, which can help prevent abuse
• Find further support, including through the NSPCC helpline (0808 800 5000)
All children have a right to be safe from sexual abuse, and we all have a role to play in keeping them safe. Let’s #StopAbuseTogether.
NSPCC – Talk PANTS
Talk PANTS helps children understand that their body belongs to them, and they should tell someone they trust if anything makes them feel upset or worried.
P – Privates are Private
A – Always remember your body belongs to you
N – No means No
T – Talk about secrets that upset you
S – Speak up, someone can help
To help you start the conversation with your child, please click on the following link:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/pants-underwear-rule/
NSPCC’s whistleblowing advice line dedicated helpline is available as an alternative route for staff who do not feel able to raise concerns regarding child protection failures internally or have concerns about the way a concern is being handled by Hartlebury Church of England (VC) Primary School. The NSPCC whistleblowing helpline number is also available (0800 028 0285).
Staff can call 0800 028 0285 – line is available from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, Monday to Friday and email: help@nspcc.org.uk
NSPCC – When to call the police
NSPCC virtual assembly hosted by Ant and Dec
Children are being encouraged to join a virtual assembly with Ant and Dec and David Walliams.
The online assembly is being run by the NSPCC to encourage children to speak out and stay safe from abuse and neglect.
The ‘Speak Out and Stay Safe’ series will be hosted by Ant and Dec and David Walliams, where they will be discussing some of the worries children are facing due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s great fun to be able to host the NSPCC’s virtual assembly for children and their families, especially as this one carries such an important message – that every child can turn to someone when times are tough.
Ant McPartlin
We believe it’s vitally important that all children know what to do if they have any concerns, particularly now, and we feel very honoured to be supporting the NSPCC with this.
Declan Donnelly
Watch the NSPCC Virtual Assembly with Ant and Dec by clicking here
‘Steer Clear’ from Knife Crime
The Steer Clear Programme is an intelligence led project aimed at young people under the age of 18 who are believed to be on the periphery of knife related crime and the aims are to safeguard and prevent the criminalisation of young people.
Steer Clear is for 10-18 year olds, where there is intelligence to suggest they may be carrying a weapon / engaging in gang culture, or may be influenced by others to do so. It focusses on early intervention, targeting young people before they get involved in the criminal justice system, or charged with any offences, to help stop that from ever happening in the future.
Please contact our team if you suspect a young person is involved in knife-related crime: WORKING TOGETHER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE STEERCLEAR
Anyone can get in touch!
steerclearnorthworcs@westmercia.pnn.police.uk
or call 01562 826107
HWFRS Home Fire Safety
How safe are you from fire?
You can now carry out an online Home Fire Safety Check for yourself or with a family member, friend or neighbour if they do not have access to a computer. There is a QR code on the leaflet for ease of access. The link can also be found here: www.safelincs.co.uk/hfsc
Further information can be found here Home Fire Safety Visit | Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (hwfire.org.uk)
If you would like information about a visit or to request a visit, please call 0800 032 1155.
Early Help Offer
For advice parents can speak to school or call the Early Help Hub for Worcestershire directly on 01905 822666
www.worcestershire.gov.uk/safeguardingchildren
At Hartlebury Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School we recognise the challenges that families face in bringing up children. There may be times when you need extra help and support. If this is the case, please come and talk to us. There are many ways in which we can help as outlined in our Early Help offer.
Please click on the link below to be directed to our Early Help Offer.
Early Help Offer
Lockdown Procedures
In the event of a Lockdown, Parents should be given enough information about what will happen so that they:
- Are reassured that the School understands their concern for their child’s welfare, and that it is doing everything possible to ensure his/her safety.
- Do not need to contact the School as this could tie up telephone lines that are needed for contacting Emergency Providers.
- Do not come to the School. They could interfere with Emergency Provider’s access to the school and may even put themselves and others in danger.
- Wait for the school to contact them about when it is safe to collect their children and where this will be from.
