SAFEGUARDING & CHILD PROTECTION
SAFEGUARDING & CHILD PROTECTION
We take safeguarding and child protection very seriously. Risks and threats to the safety of children are ever changing and growing. In light of this, it is important that as a school we maintain a high level of vigilance as well as ensure that our knowledge around pertinent issues, good practice and new threats are understood. As such we have an annual training plan for our school. This includes providing training and advice, not just for staff, but also governors, parents and pupils. Full details can be seen in the plan.
E-SAFETY
Always be careful when you are using the internet. It can help you to keep in touch with your friends and help your education – but it can also cause harm – to you and to others. Remember help is always available at school if you are having any problems online. Don’t be afraid to talk to your teacher or another adult at school.
If you or anyone you know is worried about Child Exploitation, Online Protection or anything related to Internet safety please click the links below.
Tips for staying safe online:
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Make sure you keep new online friends strictly online. If someone you don't know asks to be your online friend you must ensure an adult knows about it.
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Know how to use the CEOP Button and how to report it to the CEOP Centre if you are concerned about someone’s online behaviour towards you.
PREVENT
PREVENT is a national programme that aims to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism or extremist causes. It works to ensure that people who are susceptible to radicalisation are offered appropriate interventions, and communities are protected against radicalising influences.
Radicalisation can happen when a person develops extreme views or beliefs that support terrorist groups or activities.
There are different types of terrorism, and Prevent deals with all of them.
The most common types of terrorism in the UK are Extreme Right-Wing terrorism and Islamist terrorism
We all need to be aware that individuals and groups with extremist views use the internet and social media to spread their ideologies. Children spend a lot of time online, and this has made them more susceptible to extremism, whether from Islamists or the far right.
Extremist groups tap into young people’s insecurities. They often claim to offer answers and promise a sense of identity that vulnerable young people often seek. These feelings of insecurity can become more heightened when a child is feeling:
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Marginalised from society
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Trapped between two cultures
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Excluded from the mainstream
As part of their recruitment strategy, extremist groups also work to undermine the authority of parents. This can be particularly attractive to vulnerable children who don’t have parental guidance, or who come from unstable homes.
Extremist groups also use very sophisticated methods to trigger feelings of anger, injustice and shame that a child might feel towards a parent.
But it’s important to remember that any child can be affected by extremism. You can play a vital role by providing emotional support that acts as an alternative to the extremist narratives that your child might feel comfortable believing.
It’s not easy to talk to your child about the dangers of extremism, but as with issues such as sex and drugs, it’s necessary. Give your child a safe space where they can talk about difficult subjects. The more you talk, the more confident your child will become in challenging extremist narratives.
At St Stephen's, staff have been trained to spot the signs where pupils may have been exposed to or influenced by extremist views. We have risk assessment in place which helps us identify and act on potential issues as well as signpost to support groups and other agencies. Our child protection and IT policies also refer to our responsibilities around PREVENT.
For more information please read the parents information booklet.