Safeguarding
At Barnwell, our provision for Safeguarding is of the utmost importance to ensure we maintain an ethos and culture where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk and are listened and responded to when they have a worry or concern. All members of staff are fully trained in safeguarding, along with being Prevent trained for awareness of the signs of extremism.
The schools safeguarding procedures are robust and highly effective, linking with other professionals as needed to best support a child in need. Early intervention is seen as key. Please see below for further details regarding safeguarding at Barnwell.
The school Child Protection Policy can be found here
The school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead is Sophie Cooper (s.cooper@barnwell.herts.sch.uk).
In addition the school employs family support workers who provide help and support to some of our most vulnerable families.
All students are taught how to stay safe online as well as learning about the dangers of cyber-bullying and sexting. Safeguarding advice is also contextual and pupils are educated about the full range of potential risks they might face, including dangers in the wider community. This includes a knowledge of the dark web, county lines and knife crime; as well as child sexual and crime exploitation, drug use and Relationship and Sex Education, including healthy relationships and consent. It’s important that our students are well informed so that they are able to make good choices and spot the signs to keep themselves safe. The school uses key speakers and outside agencies & organisations to support their understanding of Keeping Safe. For example we have had talks and presentations from the following: Freedom From Abuse, Chelsea’s Choice, Break The Chain, One Chance, Beauty or the Beast, Caught for Court.
Disrespect Nobody – Find out about health relationships, relationship abuse, consent, rape and pornography.
https://www.disrespectnobody.co.uk/
Educate against hate – Information and support for parents/carers on the issues surrounding extremism and radicalisation and how to protect your child.
http://educateagainsthate.com/parents/
Young Minds – Information and advice for parents/carers on young people’s behaviour and mental health.
http://www.youngminds.org.uk/for_parents
NSPCC – The underwear rule – Guidance designed to help parents/carers start conversations with young people to help protect them from abuse.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/underwear-rule/
There is also a guide for parents/carers of young people with autism:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/advice-and-info/underwear-rule-parents-guide-children-autism.pdf
There is also a guide for foster carers:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/advice-and-info/underwear-rule-guidance-foster-carers.pdf
Family Lives – A charity set up to help support parents/carers with the changes families go through. This includes a confidential helpline and online chat.
http://www.familylives.org.uk/about/
CEOP – Information to help parents/carers protect their children from online abuse. Also includes information about reporting abuse.
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/
The Hideout – A website created by Women’s Aid to help parents/carers understand domestic violence and how it affects young people.
http://www.thehideout.org.uk/young-people/adults-young-people-and-domestic-abuse/
Gangs Line – Information for parents/carers on gangs and youth violence.
http://www.gangsline.com/parenting/parents-general-information.html
Somebody else’s child – Information on private fostering.
http://www.privatefostering.org.uk/
Frank – Information for parents/carers on drugs and what to do if you are worried about your/a child.
http://www.talktofrank.com/worried-about-a-child
Anti-Bullying Alliance – Information for parents/carers on bullying.
https://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/
NSPCC – Information and advice about keeping children safe.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/
NSPCC – The services offered by the NSPCC.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/services-and-resources/services-for-children-and-families/
NSPCC – Child trafficking – Information on what child trafficking is.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect/child-trafficking/what-is-child-trafficking/
NSPCC – Forced Marriage – Information, advice and guidance on forced marriage, including links to other websites.
https://www.childline.org.uk/Explore/HomeFamilies/Pages/ForcedMarriage.aspx
NSPCC – What is Child Sexual Exploitation – Information on CSE, including signs, symptoms and effects.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect/child-sexual-exploitation/what-is-child-sexual-exploitation/
B-eat – Guidance and support on eating disorders.
https://www.b-eat.co.uk/about-eating-disorders
National Self Harm Network (NSHM) – Help and support on self-harm.
http://www.nshn.co.uk/
Addaction – One of the UK’s leading and largest special drug, alcohol and mental health treatment charities.
http://www.addaction.org.uk/services/addaction-lincolnshire-%E2%80%93-lincoln-resource-site
Mermaids – To support children and families affected by Gender Dysphoria.
http://mermaidsuk.org.uk/
Broken Rainbows – LGBT Domestic Violence charity.
http://www.brokenrainbow.org.uk/help/helpline
Internet Matters – Helping parents keep their children safe online.
https://www.internetmatters.org/
Missing People – A charity that aims to support family and friends of those who go missing.
https://www.missingpeople.org.uk/how-we-can-help.html
