Safeguarding
We believe that all children have a right to attend school and learn in a safe environment.
Children should be free from harm by adults in the Academy and from other students. We are committed to ensuring that all learning activities provide a safe, enjoyable and positive experience for children and young people as participants and for the staff whose involvement is integral to the development of quality opportunities and services.
We recognise that some students will sometimes negatively affect the learning and wellbeing of others and their behaviour will be dealt with under the Academy’s Behaviour Policy. Safeguarding children is a priority and all staff are committed to ensuring that our procedures are continuously reviewed, improved, shared, and are in line with development and government legislation. Our approach to safeguarding is child-centered, considering at all times, what is in the best interests of the child with an attitude of ‘it could happen here where safeguarding is concerned.
What are our aims?
We aim to ensure that:
- Appropriate action is taken in a timely manner to safeguard and promote children’s welfare.
- All staff are aware of their statutory responsibilities with respect to safeguarding.
- Staff are properly trained in recognising and reporting safeguarding issues.
We recognise that it is our moral, professional and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where students are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection, and justice.
It is our policy that all young people have a right to protection and for their welfare to be paramount. A child needs to feel safe, secure, and listened to. We encourage students to talk openly and to feel confident that they will be listened to and recognise that all staff in the Academy have a full and active part in protecting students from harm and as such, they will always exercise ‘professional curiosity’.
This safeguarding policy will be formally adopted and made known to all staff. By the nature of the organisation, it is inevitable that various degrees of contact with young people will occur and it is, therefore, our policy to have in place clear guidelines for safeguarding children and promoting their welfare as well as protecting our employees and other adults in a position of responsibility from potential allegations of abuse.
Who are our main Safeguarding Staff?
At our Academy, we have a large safeguarding team that allows us to support pupils and their families. We have a dedicated area in school named the “ IZone” which students know is a safe place that they can go to.
Designated Safeguarding Lead is: Mrs M Goodwin (Deputy Head)
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead is: Mrs J Holdcroft (Izone Coordinator)
The Designated Lead for Looked After Children is: Mrs D Drew (SENDco & Senior Leader)
Lead Mentor & Safeguarding Officer: Mrs K Jones
Mentor & Safeguarding Officer: Mrs S Papiernik
Online Safety Lead: Mrs M Price
Link Governor for Safeguarding is: Mr D Spall
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Safeguarding is the policies and practices that schools and Governing Bodies employ to keep children safe and promote their well-being. This means everything from security of the buildings, to the safe recruitment of staff and everything in between.
Child Protection is a term used to describe the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering or likely to suffer significant harm.
Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding children. School is particularly important as they are in a position to identify concerns early and provide help for children, to prevent concerns from escalating. Schools and their staff form part of the wider safeguarding system for children. This system is described in statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children. Schools and colleges work with social care, the police, health services and other services to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.
Co-op Academy Stoke on Trent works with the Stoke-on-Trent Children’s Advice and Duty Service (ChAD). Anyone with any concerns that a child may be at risk of immediate significant harm should report to this service on 01782 235100 between 8.30 and 6 p.m. For contact outside of these hours, please contact the Emergency Duty Team on 01782 234234. This applies to reports from the public, council staff, partners, and outside agencies.
If a child is in immediate danger of being harmed or is home alone, call the police on 999.
For guidance and advice about keeping children safe, please click here.
Operation Encompass
The academy has been given the opportunity to take part in a project that will run jointly between schools / academies and Staffordshire Police.
Operation Encompass is the reporting to schools / academies, prior to the start of the next school day, when a child or young person has experienced any domestic abuse.
Operation Encompass will ensure that members of the academy staff, (Designated Safeguarding Lead – Mrs. Goodwin; Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead – Mrs. Holdcroft) known as Key Adults, are trained to allow them to liaise with the police and to use the information that has been shared, in confidence, while ensuring that the academy is able to make provision for possible difficulties experienced by children, or their families, who have been experienced a domestic abuse incident.
We are keen to offer the best support possible to all our pupils and we believe this will be extremely beneficial for all those involved. An information leaflet with further information is available on the academy website or for further information, please contact a member of the safeguarding team on the academy phone number.
Operation Encompass is an information-sharing partnership between Staffordshire Police and Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent educational settings (from Reception through to Higher Education) which allows schools to offer immediate support for children and young people experiencing domestic abuse.
How does Operation Encompass work?
Information obtained by the police at the attendance of a domestic abuse incident is shared with a school prior to the start of the next school day which enables appropriate support to be given dependent on the needs and wishes of the child.
How do the schools receive notification by the police that a domestic incident has occurred?
When an officer attends the incident and completes the risk assessment on their handheld device, the name(s) of the children who form part of the household (whether present on not) are included. Alongside the details of the child, the officer will select the school that the child attends from the dropdown list. By completing this section of the risk assessment, the officer generates an automatic referral to the school via an email in real time.
How does the notification help to support the child?
Children experiencing domestic abuse are negatively impacted by this exposure and this can lead to emotional, physical and psychological harm. By providing the school with the knowledge that a domestic incident has taken place in the child’s home the previous day, it allows the school to put support in place for the child before they arrive at school.
Anti-bullying
We take any concerns about bullying very seriously at the academy, as outlined in our academy Anti-Bullying policy.
Students are taught about the different types of bullying throughout our PSHE curriculum. They are taught the definition of bullying, about bullying behaviours and how to report any incidents of bullying. They are also taught how to be respectful towards each other, communities and cultures.
The academy participates in the National anti-bullying week annually where students take part in a range of activities linked to the theme of the week. All staff and students sign the anti-bullying charter as a pledge to tackle bullying.
If you have any concerns about bullying, in the first instance please speak to your child’s year manager.
Year 7 – Mrs. Shufflebotham - tracy.shufflebotham@coopacademies.co.uk
Year 8 – Nikki Lowe – nikki.lowe@coopacademies.co.uk
Year 9 – Mr. Morris – josh.morris@coopacademies.co.uk
Year 10 – Mr. Wright – chris.wright@coopacademies.co.uk
Year 11 – Mr. O’Dea – john.odea@coopacademies.co.uk
If you are still concerned, please contact the lead year manager.
Mrs M Aitken
Email: michelle.aitken@coopacademies.co.uk
Phone: 01782 882300
Mental Health Support
Stay Well Service
Stay Well is a Mental Health service for young people aged 8 – 18 made up of 3 providers, Changes YP, North Staffs Mind & The Dove Service. They offer various workshops, wellness sessions and 1:1 counselling. If your child is struggling with emotional distress, you can contact us on:
Call: 01782 418518
Email: info@staywellcyp.org
Website: changeshere4u.org.uk
Immediate support can be offered by Speak up Space
Speak up Space
We offer 1-2-1 support 7 evenings per week.
You can also book a chat during the day Monday to Friday. Book these daytime chats in advance or on the day, access the website to book your slot.
So if you are home schooling, self-isolating or even if you are still attending school because your carers are key workers get in touch today or this evening.
You can chat about ANYTHING that’s important to you as many times as you need.
We are here so that you don’t have to cope alone.
Mental Health Access Team (Crisis Care)
0300 123 0907 the single point of contact and access for all North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust services. The Access Team provides 24/7 cover for all mental health and learning disability services across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire.
ChatHealth
Text your school nurse on 07520 615723 for confidential advice and support.
This service is for young people ages 11 – 19 years with all kinds of issues.
The Samaritans
samaritans.org
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Offer a 24-hour confidential helpline. You can also contact them by text or email 01782 116123.
NHS
Call the NHS 111 service if you urgently require medical help or advice. The service is availabe 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
Mind Infoline
0300 123 3393.
Website: mind.org.uk
Email: info@mind.org.uk Text: 86463
Information on a range of mental health problems and support. Lines are open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except for bank holidays).
HOPELineUK
0800 068 41 41
A specialist telephone service staffed by trained professionals at PAPYRUS who give non-judgemental support, practical advice and information to children, teenagers, young adults aged up to 35 and anyone concerned about a young person. Opening hours are 10am to 10pm, Mondays to Fridays, 2pm to 5pm, weekends and bank holidays.
Childline:
childline.org.uk
Children’s charity offering support and carrying out research into mental illness. Call now on 0800 1111, you can also send an email
SANE
0845 767 8000
Website: sane.org.uk
Email: sanemail@sane.org.uk
Out-of-hours mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers. Open every day from 6pm to 11pm
Support in the Local Area
Alice Charity
Supports struggling families in Stoke on Trent & Newcastle under Lyme area. They can help support with clothing, food, school uniforms, household items and white goods.
T: 01782 627017
Middleport Matters
A hub within the Middleport Community, helping children and families. They also offer a food bank service for families who are struggling.
T: 01782 817590
E: info@middleportmatters.co.uk
LGBTStoke
LGBT Stoke is a support service created especially for the LGBT+ community in Stoke-on-Trent. LGBT+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. The plus is added to include other gender identities and sexualities. We hold social and support groups and provide information and advice on sexual health and LGBT+ topics.
T: 0300 123 0970
Catch 22
We support children and young people in unhealthy relationships, victims of child sexual exploitation and children missing from home.
T: 01782 237106
E: StokeandStaffs@catch-22.org.uk
New Era
A domestic abuse support service for victims of domestic abuse. It also offers help for perpetrators.
W: new-era.uk
T: 0300 303 3778
Glow
Refuge accommodation
W: findtheglow.org.uk/our-services
T: 0330 0945 559
Victim Support
An independent charity helping people affected by crime or traumatic events, including those who are affected by domestic abuse, to get support.
T: 0808 168 9111
Support for carers:
The Carers Hub
Provides support for adult carers and young carers.
T: 0330 123 1937
North Staffs Carers
A local charity providing support for unpaid carers in North Staffordshire
T: 01782 793100
The Community Drug and Alcohol Service
Provides support to people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.
W: scdas.org.uk
T: 01782 283113
Sexual abuse:
Savana
Provides free counselling and support services for anyone from the age of 4 who have been affected by sexual violence and abuse.
T: 01782 433204
Anxiety and general mental health concerns:
24-hour mental health helpline
This helpline has been established as part of Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s response to the second coronavirus lockdown which began on 5 November. It’s open seven days a week. Calls are handled by Brighter Futures staff. Call handlers offer the person calling a safe space to talk through any issues they may be experiencing, and callers are then sign posted to the appropriate support services available.
T: 01782 234233
Stoke on Trent City Council
Housing Solutions Service
One Smithfield
Leonard Coates Way
Hanley
T: 01782 233696
E: housing.adviceservices@stoke.gov.uk
The Citizens Advice Staffordshire North and Stoke-on-Trent
Provides support for people facing debt and other financial problems.
T: 0300 3309 062
Online Safety
Online Safety Lead: Mrs. Price (maria.price@coopacademies.co.uk)
Websites offering advice and resources:
National Online Safety – Parents can register and receive email alerts and online safety updates. Click here to register.
Parent Info – Help and advice for families in a digital world.
Net Aware – Keeping kids safe online – NSPCC and O2.
Internet Matters – Helping parents keep their children safe online.
UK Safer Internet Centre – Raising awareness about internet safety.
Think U Know – A website for helping to keep children and young people safe online.
Childnet – Childnet International is a non-profit organisation working in partnership with others around the world to help make the internet a great and safe place for children.
Common Sense Media – Common Sense is the leading independent nonprofit organisation dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology. They empower parents, teachers, and policymakers by providing unbiased information, trusted advice, and innovative tools to help them harness the power of media and technology as a positive force in all kids’ lives.
Educate Against Hate – A website giving teachers, parents and school leaders practical advice and information on protecting children from extremism and radicalisation.
South West Grid for Learning – The South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL) are a charity ensuring children benefit from technology, free from harm.
BBC Own It – A place to help you boss your life online.
NSPCC Online Safety – A place to help you keep children safe when they’re using the internet, social networks, apps, games and more.
Vodafone – Helping your family live a better digital life.
Where to go to report or talk about things which may have upset you or are a cause for concern:
Childline – A free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything.
UK Safer Internet Centre – A place to report harmful online content.
CEOP – A police agency where you can report worrying or unsafe online activity.
Internet Watch Foundation – The UK’s hotline for reporting illegal content found on the internet.
True Vision – A website to report online content which incites hatred on the grounds of race, religion and sexual orientation.