Safeguarding
At Linaker nothing is more important to us then the safety and welfare of our pupils. We take rigorous steps to ensure that children stay safe and do not come to any harm. We work closely with parents / carers and a range of professional external agencies to secure this. If you have any concerns , no matter how small they may seem, about the safety or welfare of any child, please talk to one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads.
The safeguarding team at Linaker are:
Mrs Holmes - Designated Safeguarding Lead
Vanessa Fletcher - Deputy DSL
Katie Hunter-Barnett - Deputy DSL
Our aim is always to pick up on issues early and provide appropriate support to families quickly.
Safeguarding children is everybody’s duty so, if you are worried that a child may be suffering significant harm, or if you are concerned that a child has suffered harm, neglect or abuse, please tell us or follow the advice below.
Members of the public can contact Sefton Social Care using the information below:
· Call 0345 140 0845 between 8am and 6pm (minicom 0151 934 4657).
· Contact the emergency duty team on 0151 934 3555 for urgent advice outside of office hours (from 5.30pm Mon to Thurs, and 4pm Friday and weekends). If you think a child is in immediate danger call for police assistance.
Please provide as much information as possible in order for them to respond to your concerns.
We appreciate that making a referral to children’s Social Care may be difficult for you. Please be reassured that your concerns will be recorded and any response carefully considered, and if you would prefer you can remain anonymous.
Homophobic, Biphobic and Transphobic Bullying
In our school we treat everyone with respect and all prejudiced language is challenged.
Please see a member of the pastoral team if you wish to bring anything to our attention or wish to know more about our policies and what we can do to help.
Child Sexual Exploitation
Parents Against Child Sexual Exploitation (Pace) and the Virtual College teamed up to provide a short, free online course entitled ‘Keep Them Safe: Protecting Children from CSE’ designed to equip parents and carers with the knowledge to protect children against sexual exploitation. Details are available via the following link: https://www.virtual-college.co.uk/resources/free-courses
Preventing Radicalisation
The Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 places a duty on specified authorities, including local authorities and childcare, education and other children’s service providers, in the exercise of their functions, to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn in terrorism (the ‘Prevent Duty’). Young people can be exposed to extremist influences or prejudiced views, in particular those via the internet and other social media. Schools can help to protect children from extremist and violent views in the same ways that they help to safeguard children from drugs, violence or alcohol.
Mrs Holmes is the lead on the Prevent strategy.
Staff in school are trained to look out for signs and know that we tackle any types of extremism within the school community.
Our anti radicalisation policy, Parent Leaflet and anti-bullying policies are on our policies page.
Other Useful Numbers : Childline 0800 1111
Children are at risk of being sexually exploited. In the links below you can download information related to this – including the signs to look out for and the action to be taken.
· step by step guide
· guidance for pupils
· guidance for parents
Bullying
If you are worried that you are being bullied visit the Bullybusters website or call Bullybusters Tel: 0800 169 6928 who can provide support for victims of bullying and their families.
What is Safeguarding Children and Young People all about?
The UN Convention states that Children and Young People have rights, such as
The right to life
The right to be treated as equal citizens
The right to live in a safe environment
The right to be educated without fear
The right to be protected from abuse and neglect
HOPELineUK
Tel. 08000 68 41 41 for support and practical advice to anyone concerned that a young person they know may be suicidal. Calls are free from BT landlines. Other networks and mobile rates may vary.
Female Genital Mutilation FGM
Petals is the UK’s first FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) web app. The app is now live and available for download. The web app is designed to allow teenagers to learn about female genital mutilation (FGM) anonymously, and get help if they are at risk, has been launched.
The app, which works across most smartphones, tablets and laptops via an internet browser, is aimed primarily at young girls living in affected communities and at risk from FGM. But it can also be used as an educational tool to teach young people and others the facts and realities of FGM.
Please see some guidance, information and support about child sexual exploitation:
http://www.listentomystory.co.uk/videos/html
Gender identity
There is information here about gender identity:
Operation Encompass
In conjunction with Merseyside Police, Linaker Primary is involved in an initiative called Operation Encompass. The purpose of Operation Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in, heard or witnessed a domestic abuse incident. Following such an incident, children can arrive at school distressed, upset, worried and unprepared. Operation Encompass aims to ensure that appropriate school staff (called Key Adults) are made aware early enough to support children and young people in a way that means they feel safe and included.
At Linaker Primary our Key Adults are Vanessa Fletcher and Katie Hunter-Barnett
This is a valuable initiative that means we can continue to support and help children and families within our school community when they need it the most.
You can find our more by visiting www.operationencompass.org or by contacting our Key Adult.
Brook Traffic Light
At Linaker we use the Brook Traffic light tool to support us to identify, understand and respond to sexual behaviours in children. Our key staff are Vanessa Fletcher and Katie Hunter-Barnett.