Safeguarding

Safeguarding

In relation to children and young people, safeguarding and promoting their welfare is defined in ‘Working together to safeguard children’ as:

protecting children from maltreatment
preventing impairment of children’s health or development
ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes

Safeguarding action may be needed to protect learners from:

neglect
physical, sexual or emotional abuse
bullying, including online bullying and prejudice-based bullying
racist, disability, homophobic or transphobic abuse
gender-based violence, or violence against women and girls
radicalisation or extremist behaviour
child sexual exploitation and trafficking
the impact of new technologies on sexual behaviour, for example ‘sexting’ and accessing pornography
teenage relationship abuse
substance misuse
issues that may be specific to a local area or population, for example gang activity and youth violence
domestic violence
female genital mutilation
forced marriage
fabricated or induced illness
poor parenting, particularly in relation to babies and young children
any other issues that pose a risk to children, young people and vulnerable adults

At The Link School we are very clear, the welfare of our learners is paramount and we will offer early and additional help to prevent escalation.

Parents/Carers should be aware that The Link School will take any reasonable action to ensure the safety of our learners.

Where we are concerned a learner may be at risk of significant harm, ill-treatment, neglect of other forms of abuse, we have no alternative but to follow Sunderland Safeguarding Partnership’s Procedures which can be found here.

A copy of our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy can be found here:

Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.pdf

Addendum to Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy due to Corona Virus Outbreak.pdf

The following staff have responsibility for Safeguarding:

Mrs Donna Walker –Head Teacher

Mr Dave Bromby – Head of School

Mr Rob Giles – Designated Safeguarding Lead – Head of School

Ms Wendy Ellison – Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mrs Andrea Howey – Assistant Head Teacher KS1

Ms Vicki Mitchell – EYFS/KS1 Teacher

Ms Leanne Clark – SENDCo

Our Governor with responsibility for is Safeguarding – Mrs Viv Ingleton

If you would like to speak to someone regarding Safeguarding please call the main school switchboard on (0191) 561 5777 / (0191) 561 4777 and ask for a Designated Safeguarding Lead.

If you are a member of staff and you have concerns, please log into CPOMS (Child Protection Online Management System)

Updates

We regularly provide updates to staff regarding specific safeguarding issues. Here’s some of the recent updates:

Safeguarding Induction – For all staff and visitors working with children
Child Sexual Exploitation
Prevent Duty
Abuse in Teenage Relationships
E Safety Update
Legal Highs
Sexting
LGBTQ
Pokemon Go
Snapchat

The Sunderland Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) website

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN PROCEDURES UPDATE

Please note that the North and South of Tyne Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures Manual has been updated:

https://www.proceduresonline.com/nesubregion/

https://www.proceduresonline.com/resources/covid19/

Update from SSCP Website During the Covid – 19 Pandemic – Click Here

Please find attached and below a list of resources, these (and lots more) are also available on the SSCP website above.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PZcBUI6Hxs&feature=youtu.be ‘Trusted Professionals’ animation which contains key messages multi-agency staff should be aware of when supporting survivors of domestic abuse.
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ – Thinkuknow is the education programme from NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation protecting children and young people both online and offline
https://parentinfo.org/ – provides support and advice around matters relating to children and young people in a digital world
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety
https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers – advice and resources to support you as you support a child to use the internet safely and positively
https://reportharmfulcontent.com/?action=saveconsent&cookieconsent%5B%5D=analytics – you can report harmful content found online here
https://www.ltai.info/staying-safe-online/ – provides support and advice on how to keep children safe from online radicalisation
https://educateagainsthate.com/parents/ – resources and government advice on keeping young people safe from extremism, including online
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-supporting-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-and-wellbeing/guidance-for-parents-and-carers-on-supporting-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-and-wellbeing-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak – government advice on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
A new domestic abuse campaign from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner which all partners are being asked to support (attached) It is based on a call to action aimed at friends, family and communities.
Brook Street – support for boys and young men – for any professionals working with young people, young people in isolation may be experiencing increased levels of anxiety and need extra support. One to one telephone sessions offer young people the opportunity to address their relationships (including online), attitudes and values, consent, protective behaviours and self-esteem, and reduce risk-taking behaviours. Attached is the updated leaflet which helps young people to decide if the programme is for them, as well as a promotional leaflet for professionals Contact sunderlandeducation@brook.org.uk.