Safeguarding at Bishops Down
Bishops Down Primary and Nursery School takes its responsibilities for safeguarding very seriously
At Bishops Down Primary and Nursery School, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All members of our community (staff, volunteers, governors, parents, families and pupils) have an essential role to play in safeguarding and making sure all children are safe and secure.
We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Child Protection Policy which can be viewed below.
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.
We actively support the Government's Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism.
If you have any safeguarding concerns or would like to find out about support available for your family, then please contact one of our Safeguarding Leads via the school office on 01892 520114.
The Designated Safeguarding Leads at Bishops Down are: Clare Owen (Headteacher) Rebecca Bettles (Deputy Headteacher) Emily Lightbody (Deputy Headteacher) Claire Richardson (Manager, The Beehive) |
Reporting Safeguarding Concerns
A Designated Safeguarding Lead is available to contact every school day. Contact can be made via the school office on 01892 520114 or by emailing the school office on office@bishops-down.kent.sch.uk where a message can be left for a member of the Safeguarding Team to make contact with you and discuss your concern.
Please understand that if you do get in touch to report a concern, our staff cannot discuss details or information regarding other children for confidentiality and GDPR reasons. However, all reports are taken very seriously and investigated fully by the team.
Out of office hours and during school holidays, if you have any immediate safeguarding concerns, please contact the Kent Front Door on 03000 419191. If you think someone is in immediate danger, the best thing to do is call 999 for the emergency service
Operation Encompass
We also proud to be part 'Operation Encompass' which is an integral part of school safeguarding and an initiative between the police and schools in supporting children who may be experiencing domestic abuse. At Bishops Down we are committed to 'Operation Encompass'. You can find out more information here: www.operationencompass.org
Please scroll down for the school safeguarding policies and at the bottom are some helpful family support links to organistations that offer support.
School Safeguarding Policies
Family Support
During these uncertain times, it can be hard to know how best to support and explain what is happening to young people. Below are links that parents and carers can follow to access age appropriate resources and practical support and advice via a range of national and local services:
Action for Children www.actionforchildren.org.uk Support and advice about Emotional Wellbeing, Behaviours and Learning, Nutrition and Healthy Eating and sleep routines.
Barnardo’s Support children, young people and their families. Help to get back to school, parenting advice, mental health and counselling, coping with family stress and more. www.barnardos.org.uk
Beat Eating Disorders https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/support-services Beat are there to support people who have or are worried they have an eating disorder, as well as others affected, such as friends and family members.
Be Free, Be Positive Relationships Service https://www.barnardos.org.uk/what-we-do/services/befree-positive-relationships-service Service for 10 - 18 year old females, including transgender individuals living in Kent who are at risk of experiencing unhealthy or abusive relationships. Offer 1-1 sessions that explore self esteem, unhealthy relationships, sexual health and consent (age appropriate), child sexual exploitation and keeping safe.
CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau) www.citizensadvice.org - Whole host of information and advice
Carers First www.carersfirst.org.uk
Childline www.childline.org.uk - Whatever your worry Childline are there.
Child Law Advice www.childlawadvice.org.uk - Offering advice both about Family or Child Law or Education Law
Cygnet Parenting Support Programme www.barnardos-parenting.org.uk A parenting programme for parents and carers of children and young people aged 5-18 with an autistic spectrum condition.
CXK Inspiring people to thrive. www.cxk.org - Providing training courses, development programme and emotional support, advice and guidance to young people to develop the skills and confidence to take their next steps.
Headspace www.headspace.com Support with being kind to your mind, feeling less stressed, more resilient and happier. Mindfulness App
Home-start A local community network of trained volunteers helping families with young children through challenging times. www.home-start.org.uk
Hope Support Service https://hopesupport.org.uk/ Offering support for young people when a loved one has a serious illness.
IASK – Information, Advice and Support Kent (IASK) www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs/who-to-contact/Information-Advice-and-Support-Kent Supporting families of children and young people 0 – 25 with special educational needs or disabilities, providing advice, advocacy services, providing information, preparing paperwork, provide independent support for the SEN process and annual reviews.
KCC Release the Pressure - Release the pressure - Kent County Council – Mental health support
KSAS (Kent Support and Assistance Service) KSAS may be able to help if you are having serious difficulties managing your income due to a crisis or if you are facing exceptional pressures because of an emergency. www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/care-and-support/benefits/home-essentials-in-a-crisis
Kooth – Online mental health support - https://www.kooth.com/
Mind www.mind.org.uk/information-support/for-children-and-young-people/ offering support to young people aged 11 – 18 who are going through a difficult time or are struggling with how they are feeling.
MoodSpark www.moodspark.org.uk Where young people aged 10 – 16 can learn how to look after their emotional and mental health and find ways to bounce back when life gets tough.
School Health (Kent) Support for children and young people aged 4 – 19 including those who do not attend school. Offering education support, emotional health and wellbeing. www.kentcht.nhs.uk
Shout www.giveusashout.org Trained Shout volunteers are available to help anyone with depression, anxiety, abuse, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, self harm, relationship problems and bullying. Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone struggling to cope.
Solihull Approach Parenting Programmes www.solihullapproachparenting.com Online courses for parents of children aged 6 months to 19 years. Numerous other support services.
Young Minds www.youngminds.org.uk Offering support around anger issues and young peoples mental health.
Online Safety
As children spend more time online here are some fantastic resources to support at home:
Internet Matters: www.internetmatters.org/
- Childnet: www.childnet.com/blog/keeping-children-happy-and-safe-online-during-covid-19
- UK Safer Internet Centre: www.saferinternet.org.uk/blog/working-remotely-advice-professionals-parents-posh-rhc
- UK Safer Internet Centre’s ‘Report Harmful Content’: https://reportharmfulcontent.com
- NSPCC: www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
- Parent Info: https://parentinfo.org/
- BBC Own it: www.bbc.com/ownit
- NCA-CEOP: www.thinkuknow.co.uk/
Domestic Abuse
- Domestic Abuse Services: www.domesticabuseservices.org
- Freedom Programme. www.freedomprogramme.co.uk Online and face to face Freedom Programmes for Women, Men, and Children. Helps identify signs of domestic abuse.
- Victim Support: 0808 16 89 111 www.victimsupport.org.uk/help-and-support/get-help/supportline
- Look Ahead Care & Support – Service provider West Kent (Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Malling): www.lookahead.org.uk/
- National Women’s Aid Domestic Abuse 24hr helpline:0800 2000247
- Hestia Domestic Abuse Service. Providing services re Modern Slavery, Domestic Abuse, Mental Health and Complex Needs, Bright Sky. www.hestia.org
- HIS - Help Information Support for Men. www.hischarity.org.uk Men are often brought up with unrealistic expectations that they have to be strong and in control. When things go wrong in life, as they often do, negative feelings can spiral out of control and they have no way of coping with these new feelings. Support services for men
- Karma Nirvana www.karmanirvana.org.uk Providing services, support and guidance for Honour Based Violence. Culture, Religion and Tradition are not an excuse: forced marriage is illegal in the UK.
- Kent Police. https://www.kent.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/support-helplines/
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline and Support. www.nationalhelpline.org.uk
- National Stalking Helpline. https://www.suzylamplugh.org/Pages/Category/national-stalking-helpline
- Rising Sun – Domestic Violence and Abuse Service. Services including One Stop Shop, Independent Domestic Violence Advocates, Counselling. www.risingsunkent.com