Safeguarding Children
Safeguarding at Witton Middle School
All visitors must sign in at the office and may be requested to show identity at any time. All staff, governors & regular visitors are DBS and qualification checked. Mrs Louise McNally is the Senior Designated Person (SDP) for Safeguarding Children. Anything which causes you concern should be reported to her or one of the deputies, Mrs Caroline Lowe, Mrs Leanne Neeson, Mrs Julie Davies, Mrs Victoria Morton or Mrs Suzie Bourne. The school has a Safeguarding Children Policy and other procedures in place which can be found on the Policies page. All staff (including supply staff, volunteers and governors) must ensure that they are aware of these procedures.
All visitors are given a “WMS Safeguarding leaflet” which explains their responsibilities.
Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with his/her parents/carers first – unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare.
Filtered Content and Websites
The school computers are scanned for inappropriate content by Forensic Software. Access to the internet is limited by the Worcestershire Schools filter and Forensic Software. Messages are displayed when material is filtered.
On-line Advice for Parents
Know what your children are doing online and who they are talking to. Ask them to teach you to use any applications you have never used. Keeping the computer in a family room means that you can share your child’s online experience – and that they are less likely to act inappropriately (i.e. via webcam). Help your children to understand that they should never give out personal details to online friends – personal information includes their messenger ID, email address, mobile number and any pictures of themselves, their family or friends. If your child publishes a picture or video online, anyone can change it or share it. Remind them that anyone may be looking at their images and one day a future employer could!
If your child receives spam/junk emails and texts, remind them never to believe them, reply to them or use them. It is not a good idea for your child to open files that are from people they do not know. They will not know what they contain – it could be a virus, or worse – an inappropriate image or film. Help your child understand that some people lie online and, therefore, it is better to keep online mates online. They should never meet up with any strangers without an adult they trust.
Always keep communication open for a child to know that it is never too late to tell someone if something makes them feel uncomfortable.
Teach young people how to block someone online and how to report them if they feel uncomfortable.
Additional information recommended by C.E.O.P.
Follow the links below to information recommended by C.E.O.P. as good sources of help for parents.
Setting Boundaries Around Gaming
Parents & Carers Vaping Leaflet
Indecent Images of Children – Guidance for Young People
Information About Indecent Images of Children and Guidance for Young People
The Home Office has published guidance to help young people understand the law on making or sharing indecent images of children. The guidance includes: definitions of some of the terms used in legislation; examples of situations covered by the law; three short films highlighting the harm that viewing indecent images of children can cause.
Websites/Advice Sheets for Parents
Some links for Newsletters and Websites to help parents and young people on a range of safeguarding issues.
Parents Protect – a website to help parents protect their children against sexual abuse.
Spot the Signs – Advice for parents, professionals and young people on the signs of sexual exploitation and how to keep safe.
PACE – a free online course for parents to equip them with the knowledge to protect their children against sexual exploitation.
Teenage Relationship Abuse – a parents’ and carers’ guide to violence and abuse in teenage relationships.
Sexting – how to talk to children about the risks of sexting, and what you can do to protect them (NSPCC).
Self-Harm in Young People – Information for parents and carers and anyone who works with young people.
Know the Signs – Information on suicide and self-harm for parents (Samaritans).