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Safeguarding

At Widnes Academy we ensure that keeping our children safe is at the centre of everything that we do.  We ensure that consistent and effective safeguarding procedures are in place to support children and staff at school. 

If a child or parent has a concern the first point of contact at school is the child's Class Teacher. If you have a concern that you do not want to discuss with the class teacher please see Mrs Kirchin.

If anyone is worried that a child is being abused or there are safeguarding issues, a designated member of staff may be contacted.  The designated members of staff are as follows:

 

M​rs Laura Kirchin

Safeguarding Lead

 

Miss Anna Myles

Deputy Safeguarding Lead

 

 

The School are part of the Operation Encompass scheme in partnership with Cheshire Police Force.

 

Operation Encompass is a police and education early information sharing partnership enabling schools to offer immediate support for children and young people experiencing domestic abuse. Information is shared by the police with a school's trained Key Adult (DSL) prior to the start of the next school day after officers have attended a domestic abuse incident thus enabling appropriate support to be given, dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.

Children experiencing domestic abuse are negatively impacted by this exposure; domestic abuse has been identified as an Adverse Childhood Experience and can lead to emotional, physical and psychological harm. Operation Encompass aims to mitigate this harm by enabling immediate support, making a child's day better and giving them a better tomorrow.

Operation Encompass directly connects the police with schools to secure better outcomes for children who are subject or witness to police-attended incidents of domestic abuse. Rapid provision of support within the school environment means children are better safeguarded against the short-, medium- and long-term effects of domestic abuse.

 

 

P​lease find the link below to our 2024-2025 Safeguarding Policy

S​afeguarding Policy 2024-2025

 

WHO WE ARE

Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through.

You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, our trained counsellors are here to support you.

Childline is free, confidential and available any time, day or night. You can talk to us:

  • by calling 0800 1111
  • by email
  • through 1-2-1 counsellor chat

Whatever feels best for you. 

Parents and Carers

Together We Can Tackle Child Abuse

We all have a role to play in protecting children and young people from child abuse and neglect.

All children have a right to be safe and should be protected from all forms of abuse and neglect. A third of people who suspect child abuse, do nothing. A number of people do not act on their suspicions because they’re worried about being wrong.

You don’t have to be absolutely certain about whether a child is being abused; if you have a feeling that something’s not right, talk to Children’s Social Care who can look into it.

Information is usually gathered from many sources, and your report would form one part of a bigger picture. In 2014/15, more than 400,000 children in England were supported because someone noticed they needed help.

If you’re concerned about a child call:

  • 0151 907 8305 (Office Hours Mon-Thurs, 9am – 5pm, 9am – 4.30pm Fri)
  • 0345 050 0148 (Outside Office Hours and throughout Weekends)
  • Cheshire Police 101 (non-emergency) 999 (emergency)

Child Exploitation

Any child under 18 years may find themselves in a situation that puts them at risk of CE. It can happen to boys as well as girls. This Child Exploitation could be in a form such as Criminal (CCE) or Sexual (CSE).
Children who are exploited can be vulnerable because of chaotic or traumatic experiences in their lives, making them targets for perpetrators, gangs and networks. However, it can happen to anyone and perpetrators use a variety of means to coerce and control their victims, sometimes without them realising they are being exploited.

Some potential indicators of child exploitation include;

  • Persistently going missing from school or home and / or being found out of area;
  • Unexplained acquisition of money, clothes, or mobile phones;
  • Excessive receipt of texts / phone calls;
  • Relationships with controlling / older individuals or groups;
  • Leaving home / care without explanation;
  • Suspicion of physical assault / unexplained injuries;
  • Carrying weapons;
  • Significant decline in school results / performance;
  • Gang association or isolation from peers or social networks;
  • Self-harm or significant changes in emotional well-being and / or their behaviour.

If you are worried about your child call Children’s Social Care or the Police:

  • Halton Children’s Social Care Contact Centre
  • Cheshire Police 101 (non-emergency) 999 (emergency)

 

Signposting for further CE Support

    PACE (Parents against Child Exploitation) offer advice for parents whose children have been sexually exploited or where there are significant concerns. They also provide phone and online counselling for parents as well as parents support meetings. http://paceuk.info

    PACE has also developed free e-learning for parents and carers to help identify the signs of your child’s online behaviour may be putting them at risk. The following resources are available to help you and your child:

    CEOP Thinkuknow https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk  provides a range of resources for parents and carers, including videos around sexting and the sharing of indecent images and how to deal with this issue.

    O2 NSPCC online safety helpline provides advice and support on setting up parental controls, adjusting privacy settings, understanding social networks and more. Anyone can call the free ‘phone number: 0808 800 5002 or website http://www.o2.co.uk/help/nspcc

    Internet Matters offers information about many of the issues and technologies that children may come across in the online world. From sexting to cyberbullying it provides practical suggestions about how to take preventative measures, but also what to do if your family needs advice about a specific issue. http://www.internetmatters.org

    Vodafone Digital Parenting magazine developed in partnership with Parent Zone, includes articles about cyberbullying, sexting and extremism and brings together advice from academics, psychologists and other experts to help keep young people safe in the digital world. http://www.vodafone.com/content/parents/digital-parenting.html

    St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) https://www.stmaryscentre.org

    NSPCC – https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/child-sexual-exploitation/

    NSPCC – https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/gangs-criminal-exploitation/

    Spotting the signs of exploitation

    CSE: https://keepthemsafe.safeguardingchildrenea.co.uk

    Fearless https://www.fearless.org

    We Are With You https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk  – Free confidential support with alcohol, drugs or mental health from one of their local services or online for those over 13 years old

    Signposting other Parent / Carer Support 

    Relationkit.co.uk has launched in Halton. It is a free online resource that gives parents and carers some support with your relationship.

    There are videos, mindfulness sessions and downloadable cards to help with some really common things like struggling to communicate well with your partner, raising kids together, and parenting after break-up. Please note that these tools have not been developed for parents experiencing domestic abuse.

    It’s mobile-friendly and easy to use, so you can use it on your own.

    The website for you to access this resource is: www.relationkit.co.uk

     

    NSPCC Talk PANTS!

    Pantosaurus has helped 1.5 million parents Talk PANTS and keep their children safe from sexual abuse.

    Developed in consultation with children, parents, carers and teachers, Talk PANTS is here to help children understand their body belongs to them, and they should tell a safe adult they trust if anything makes them feel upset or worried. 

    F​or more information please click on the link below.

    https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/pants-underwear-rule/

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    Widnes Academy
    Cholmondeley Street
    Widnes
    WA8 0EL
    Tel: 0151 424 2799
    Email: school@widnesacademy.co.uk

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