Abbeyfield School has a Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy This document sets out the process for dealing with child protection concerns. A copy of this document can be found by clicking the link below. If you require a paper copy of the policy, please ask at reception. This policy also sets out the process of reporting allegations about members of staff, including volunteers.

All adults in school including volunteers, must have regular training to ensure that they are aware of the signs of abuse and know what to do about their concerns. They have a duty to report these to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. The school has a legal duty to talk to other agencies such as Children’s Social Care and the Police if they think a child or young person may be at risk of harm.

What do you need to know?

If anyone in school is worried about the welfare of your child this will be discussed with you unless they think that this conversation could put your child at a greater risk of harm. The school must share all relevant information with Children’s Social Care if they are concerned about your child. The social worker may consult with other agencies before deciding what should happen next. They will also speak to you about the concern and keep you informed about what is happening.

If there is an allegation about an adult who works at the school, the school will hold discussions with the Police and Children’s Social Care. If your child is involved, you will be kept informed of any discussions and decisions as appropriate.

E-Safety

The internet is a fantastic place to learn, have fun and talk to friends and family. However there are risks and everyone must make sure they know how to stay safe and protect themselves online.

CEOP is the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre set up to protect children and young people from sexual abuse. CEOP have an education programme and website called Thinkuknow which provides information about staying safe online for young people, parents and professionals – www.thinkuknow.co.uk

Cyberbullying is when someone uses any form of technology to deliberately upset someone else. This could be name calling, prank calling, racist remarks, sending nasty text messages and posting on hate sites as well as forwarding horrible emails. By using technology such as mobiles or the internet, this type of bullying can affect someone not just at school, but at home as well. It takes place in the “virtual” world and is accessible seven days a week and at any time of the day and night. It can therefore make someone feel threatened or upset in their own home.

Some useful sites include:

In addition you can also press the CEOP REPORT button if you feel at risk when online

The Diana Award; Anti-Bullying Ambassador Training: What will your students and you learn? 

Empowering young people and staff members by providing knowledge of what bullying is and how to tackle it. At the end of the day, students will make an action plan of how to approach reducing bullying in their schools and will become Anti-Bullying Ambassadors!

Whether your young people are brand new to the role/initiative or have been in the position of supporting others in their school for a while now, our unique training will help your young people creatively explore and understand the issue of bullying. They will gain practical ideas and receive top tips on how to stop bullying, enabling them to prevent bullying and ensure everyone feels safe and happy in their school, both on and offline. This is an ideal opportunity to develop your ideas, receive training and finish the training feeling inspired and excited with a clear action plan! 

·         Greater understanding of the issue of bullying – facts, effects, identifying bullying, definition and importance;

·         Celebrate diversity – recognising strengths/talents in terms of your Anti-Bullying team and school community ;

·         Practical ideas, top tips and exploration of scenarios Anti-Bullying Ambassadors may come across;

·         Supporting others – basic training looking at the skills needed to support others;

·         Support networks – looking at protective behaviours and how young people can keep themselves and others safe;

·         Ideas session – sharing good practice and ideas, looking at case studies;

·         Great video examples of what schools have achieved to really bring alive what it means to be an Anti-Bullying school;

·         Action planning – helping young people think big, start small and agree targets/aims for their Anti-Bullying work

Press Release Abbeyfield SchoolDownload
Student-Body-Bullying-CharterDownload

External and Useful Sites

General

Online Safety

Substance Misuse

Exploitation