Child safety issues and child protection will be addressed through the curriculum where appropriate, especially through PSHE, Computing and E-Safety, Citizenship, Sex and Relations Education (SRE) and British values.

We use a variety of resources and approaches to teach the children how to keep themselves safe, build their resilience and manage risks.

The curriculum, and in particular the personal, social and health education development strand of the curriculum, includes an emphasis on relationships (relationships and sex education), building confidence and resilience in pupils and in developing preventative strategies to ensure their own protection and that of others. Opportunities are provided for pupils to develop the skills and strategies they need to stay safe from abuse, including age appropriate discussions about healthy relationships, their bodies and being able to say no to requests that they do not want to carry out. Clear advice and guidance is built into the curriculum to ensure that pupils understand that there is a range of contacts they can turn to for advice and support and that they know where and how to report abuse.

Child Sexual Exploitation (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.

We are living in a digital age with the Internet, social media and gaming being an integral part of our children’s social and academic lives. While we embrace the benefits and enrichment this provides we must also be vigilant about the risks that our children face. It’s vital our children understand how to navigate the Internet safely and responsibly.

Please speak to us if you are concerned about anything your child is doing or experiencing on the Internet.

Parental involvement 

• Parents and carers play a crucial role in ensuring online safety for their children.
• You can:
• Set up parental controls and filters on devices to restrict access to inappropriate content.
• Have open conversations about online safety and establish guidelines and boundaries for Internet use.
• Monitor your children's online activities, social media profiles, and online interactions while respecting their privacy.
• Stay informed about the latest online trends, risks, and safety measures to provide appropriate guidance and support.

Parent/Carer Toolkit: https://www.childnet.com/resources/parent-and-carer-toolkit/

Online safety tips for children

• Promote these safety tips to your children.
• Keep personal information private: Do not share personal details such as your full name, address, phone number, school name, or passwords with strangers online.
• Use strong passwords: Create unique and secure passwords for all your online accounts. Include a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Think before you click: Exercise caution when opening emails, messages, or links from unknown sources, as they may contain viruses, scams, or inappropriate content.
• Be respectful online: Treat others with kindness and respect, both in person and online. Avoid cyberbullying or engaging in any form of harmful behaviour.
• Seek adult guidance: If you encounter something inappropriate, uncomfortable, or suspicious online, immediately inform a trusted adult, such as a parent/carer,or teacher.

Online safety rules for children

• Set some ground rules with your child.
• Obtain permission: Always seek permission from a parent or guardian before using the Internet or signing up for new websites, apps, or social media platforms.
• Stick to age-appropriate content: Visit websites and use apps that are suitable for your age group and recommended by parents, teachers, or educational institutions.
• Beware of strangers: Avoid accepting friend requests, engaging in conversations, or sharing personal information with people you don't know in real life. Not everyone online is who they claim to be.
• Gaming safety: When playing games online, be cautious about sharing personal information and interacting with other players. Report any inappropriate behaviour or harassment to a trusted adult.
• Understand privacy settings: Learn how to adjust privacy settings on social media platforms and online profiles to control who can view your information and posts.

Educational resources and websites

• NSPCC Online Safety: Offers guidance and resources for parents and children, focusing on online safety issues specific to the UK.  
• UK Safer Internet Centre : Provides a range of resources, advice, and activities to promote online safety for children, parents, and educators.  
• Thinkuknow: Offers age-appropriate educational resources, videos, and games to help children and young people in the UK stay safe online.  
• Childnet International: Provides various resources, including downloadable guides, videos, and presentations, to promote online safety for children and young people. 

Remember, online safety is an ongoing process, and it's important to stay updated and informed about potential risks and best practices. By adopting responsible digital habits and following these guidelines, you can help your child stay safe and have an enjoyable online experience.

The NSPCC’s ‘Pantosaurus’ campaign is a great way to talk to your children about ‘The Underwear Rule’ to help keep them safe. We use it in School, so you will probably hear the children singing the song at home. 

www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/pants-underwear-rule/

Pants Parents Guide - Punjabi

Pants Parents Guide - Urdu

Pants Parents Guide - Arabic

Pants Parents Guide - Chinese

Barnados help hundreds of thousands of children, young people, parents and carers via their 800+ services across the UK.

www.barnardos.org.uk/

Support for Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

Boloh Helpline- 0800 151 2605

Ukranian Supprt Helpline- 0800 148 8586

If you need to know more about FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) please visit the NSPCC’s dedicated web pages. These will help you to understand what it is and what you can do if you are worried about it. Please click the button for more information.

www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/female-genital-mutilation-fgm/

NSPCC FGM Helpline

• Email: fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk.
• Telephone: 0800 028 3550

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/female-genital-mutilation

Children who witness domestic abuse are also victims;

Witnessing domestic abuse can have a lasting impact on children;

The definition of abuse includes ill-treatment that is not physical as well as being witness to ill-treatment of others e.g. witnessing domestic abuse. (KCSiE 2022)

Domestic abuse is any type of controlling, bullying, threatening or violent behaviour between people in a relationship. It can seriously harm children and young people and witnessing domestic abuse is child abuse. (NSPCC)

• Where to get help if you or if someone you know is a victim of domestic violence: www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/domestic-abuse/
• The 24-Hour Leeds Domestic Violence Service helpline: 0113 246 0401 https://ldvs.uk/
• Women can call The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline , run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247
• Men can call Men's Advice Line on 0808 8010 327
• Victim Support helpline: 0808 168 9111https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/crime-info/types-crime/domestic-abuse/

Childline is a counselling service for children and young people up to their 19th birthday in the United Kingdom provided by the NSPCC. They deal with any issues which cause distress or concern; some of the most common issues include child abuse, bullying, mental illness, parental separation or divorce, teenage pregnancy, substance misuse, neglect, and psychological abuse.

Childline is free to contact on 0800 1111. 

Childline counsellors are here to take calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from children and young people under 19.

Childline counsellors are also available to speak to online through 1-2-1 chat and via email.

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)

are the leading children’s charity in the UK, specialising in child protection and dedicated to protecting children. 

Safeguarding at Primley Wood Primary School is everyone’s responsibility at all times. 

All staff, volunteers, contractors and visitors are expected to:

• Establish and maintain an environment where school staff and volunteers feel safe, are encouraged to talk and are listened to when they have concerns about the safety and well-being of a child.
• Ensure children know that there are adults in the school whom they can approach if they are worried.
• Ensure all children are supported appropriately. This could include referral to Early Help services or specialist services if they are vulnerable or at risk of being abused and neglected.
• Consider how children may be taught about safeguarding, including online safety, through teaching and learning opportunities, as part of providing a broad and balanced curriculum.
• Maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ and ‘professional curiosity’ where safeguarding is concerned.
• Always act in the interests of the child and help to take an active part in developing a culture where Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.