Safeguarding at PMS
Safeguarding
Penkridge Middle School is committed to promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We fully recognise our responsibilities for safeguarding and child protection. Our policy and procedures apply to all staff, governors and those visiting the school.
Our aim:
- To develop a robust culture of vigilance.
- Build resilience by raising awareness of safeguarding and child protection issues, and equipping children with the language and skills to keep themselves safe.
- Establish a safe environment in which children can learn and develop within an ethos of openness and are taught to treat each other with respect, to feel safe, to have a voice and are listened to.
- Knowing that safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility, and the voice of the child is evident.
- Offering children a balanced curriculum including PHSE, healthy relationship education & online safety.
The designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at Penkridge Middle School is: Mr R Cole.
During school hours and term time, you can contact the Safeguarding Team by calling the main school number 01785 413400 and asking for a member of the Safeguarding Team.
Outside of school hours, if you are concerned about the safety of a child or young person, please use the contact details below:
The Staffordshire Families Integrated Front Door (SFIFD) Service is a county-wide telephone enquiry service provided by Staffordshire County Council. It serves as the first point of contact for concerns about children and young people.
- Phone: 0300 111 8007 (select option 1)
- Out of hours: 0345 604 2886
- Police: Non-Emergency - 101 and Emergency - 999
If you think a child is in immediate danger – don’t delay, call the police on 999.
CEOP
CEOP is here to keep children safe from sexual abuse and grooming online.
You can make a report directly to the CEOP Safety Centre by clicking on the Click CEOP button if something has happened online which has made you feel unsafe, scared or worried. This might be from someone you know in real life, or someone you have only ever met online. CEOP takes all reports seriously, and we will do everything we can to keep you safe.
As well as making a report to the CEOP Safety Centre, the CEOP Education website has information and advice to help you if something has happened to you online.
Are you being bullied?
CEOP are unable to respond to reports about bullying, but if you’re being bullied and would like to talk to someone in confidence right now, you can speak to Childline on 0800 1111 or talk to them online – no worry is too big or too small.
Prevent
Prevent is part of the UK’s wider safeguarding framework and aims to support individuals from becoming vulnerable to being drawn into extremism or terrorism. In educational settings, Prevent focusses on early intervention, promoting resilience, critical thinking, and positive values, while ensuring that pupils feel safe, supported, and able to discuss concerns openly.
Our approach to Prevent is proportionate and rooted in safeguarding best practice. It sits alongside our commitment to promoting British values, supporting wellbeing, and working closely with families and external agencies where appropriate to ensure the safety and welfare of all members of our community.
Operation Encompass
Operation Encompass is a unique Police and Education early intervention safeguarding partnership which ensures that a child’s school is informed, prior to the start of the next school day, that there has been an incident of Domestic Abuse to which the child or young person has been exposed, and which might then have an impact on them in school the following day.
Support for families and young people
Local Support
- Staffordshire Connects Family Hub brings together different services for families, to make it easier to get the help you and your family need. They provide a single place to go for face-to-face support and information from a variety of services. Family hubs offer, or can help you access services including:
- physical and mental health
- housing and debt advice
- youth services
- domestic abuse support
- Parenting classes
- midwifery
- health visiting
- infant feeding advice
- perinatal mental health support
- other services run by charities and local groups
Please visit Staffordshire Connects - Family Hub Referrals
- Stay Well Staffordshire recognises that everyone is different. They understand that young people have different mental health needs and, therefore, require different kinds of services in order to thrive.
Please visit Stay Well Staffordshire here
Keeping Children Safe
As parents/carers, you want to make sure that your children develop healthily and thrive. We’re here to help you with advice on how you can build strong relationships with your children and keep them safe. Here is advice and resources for helping parents to keep their children safe, advice for parents on keeping children safe out of school, at home and online, when using the internet, social networking websites and playing online games, help and advice for creating a safe and nurturing environment for your children.
For guidance, further details can be found from:
Ways to Contact the NSPCC
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is a charity campaigning and working in child protection in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands.
Telephone: 0808 800 5000
Text: 88858
Email: help@nspcc.org.uk
Useful Links
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Bullying and Cyberbullying |
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect/bullying-and-cyberbullying/ |
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CSE and Grooming |
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect/child-sexual-exploitation/ |
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Sexual Abuse |
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect/child-sexual-abuse/ |
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Harmful Sexual Behaviour |
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect/harmful-sexual-behaviour/ |
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NSPCC Online Safety Help |
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-we-do/about-us/partners/nspcc-o2-online-safety-partnership/ |
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CEOP- Parent Information |
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For-me Childline App |
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Sexting |
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/sexting/ |
#Wake Up Wednesday Guides
Through #WakeUpWednesday, every trusted adult is equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to keep up with the latest information, implement best practice and heighten their awareness of issues around three core topics; online safety, mental health & wellbeing; and climate change & sustainability.
Please see the attachments below for online safety guides for parents.
Advice to keep your child safe online
What parents & carers need to know about apps
How to set up parental controls
Support & Guidance for parents and carers
