At The Outdoors School, we are committed to keeping our learners safe. Every child has the right to feel safe no matter who they are and their circumstances.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professionals should make sure their approach is child centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.
Designated Safeguarding Lead:
Dougie Stein (douglas.stein@theoutdoorsschool.co.uk)
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads:
Sarah Breeze, (sarah.breeze@theoutdoorsschool.co.uk)
Deb Ley (debbie.ley@theoutdoorsschool.co.uk),
P Wilkins (paula.wilkins@theoutdoorsschool.co.uk),
Adrian Roberts (adrian.roberts@theoutdoorsschool.co.uk) &
Beverley Garland (beverley.garland@theoutdoorsschool.co.uk)
Hannah Brewer (hannah.brewer@theoutdoorsschool.co.uk)
Adam Bewes (adam.bewes@theoutdoorsschool.co.uk)
Headteacher:
Robyn Vincent (robyn.vincent@theoutdoorsschool.co.uk)
Online Safety Coordinator:
Dougie Stein (douglas.stein@theoutdoorsschool.co.uk)
Safeguarding Governor:
Shevek Pring (shevek.pring@outdoorsgroup.co.uk)
Child welfare concerns
If you have a concern regarding a child and would like to discuss your worries, please contact us by clicking here or call the main school number 01392 832632.
If a child is in immediate danger or is at risk of significant harm, a call should be made to children’s social care and/or the police immediately.
For further advice please call the MASH team on 0345 155 1071 or the police on 999/101.
Safeguarding Policy
At The Outdoors School, we work within the guidance and procedures set out in national and local government policies and procedures. All of our staff team have read and understood the information set out in the document ‘Keeping Children Safe In Education’ and we use the information in the document to inform the way we educate our parents/carers and learners on how to keep themselves safe.
More safeguarding resources
For more information on how to keep your children safe, please follow the link: http://www.devonchildrenandfamiliespartnership.org.uk/
Please follow the link to the latest edition of Vodafone’s Digital Parenting magazine
FGM is defined as any procedure that injures the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It is classed as gender based violence and as child abuse.
For more information please visit the website above or www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/abuse-safety/female-circumcision-fgm-cutting/
Useful Links
Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media is an organization that “provides education and advocacy to families to promote safe technology and media for children.”
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
Child Sexual Exploitation
What is child sexual exploitation (CSE)?
Sexual exploitation is a type of child abuse. It puts a young person at huge risk of damage to their physical, emotional and psychological health.
CSE involves young people and children being ‘groomed’ and sexually exploited. It can take many forms, such as through an apparently ‘consensual’ relationship with an older person or a young person having sex in return for attention, gifts, cigarettes or alcohol.
Parents and carers should be aware of the risk of exploitation that the internet poses. The most important aspect in protecting children from online threats is direct communication by discussing with them their online behaviours and preferences and informing about safe online behaviour. In addition to this, there are software tools that help to protect children from online threats known as ‘parental control tools’.
Many young people who are being exploited do not realise they are at risk and will not ask for help. Some may see themselves as willing participants in such abuse, not realising that what is happening to them is illegal.
Signs to look out for:
- Has the young person received unexplained gifts or money?
- Do they use their mobile phone excessively and/or secretively?
- Do they have significantly older friends?
- Have they been picked up from home or school by someone you don’t know?
- Are they associating with other young people who are already known to be vulnerable or involved in exploitation?
- Have they started playing truant from school or regularly going missing from home?
- Have they suffered from a sexually-transmitted infection?
- Are they self-harming?
- Has their appearance changed?
For further information on CSE please visit the following websites:
If you are concerned that your child is being sexually exploited please contact the police on 101 (or 999 if you think they are in immediate danger) or MASH on 0345 155 1071.
If you would like to discuss your concerns with someone in school please contact the safeguarding team at safeguarding@theoutdoorsschool.co.uk somebody will be in contact with you as soon as possible.
Domestic abuse and violence can have an effect on our children and young people in a number of different ways. Young people can be witness to abusive behaviours in the family home, both current and historic as well as being in a domestically abusive relationship themselves.
At The Outdoors School we education all of our young people on how to have Healthy Relationships.
In addition, we work closely with a number of external agencies who offer specialist support for children and young people who have witnessed domestic abuse.
For further information please contact the following organisations:
Children and young people spend a lot of time online – it can be a great way for them to socialise, explore and have fun. But children do also face risks such as online bullying, child sexual exploitation or seeing content that’s inappropriate.
Whether you’re unsure about what happens online or are up to speed with new technology, it’s important that you talk to your child about staying safe.
It may feel daunting, but you don’t need to be an expert on the internet. Understanding what children do online and the risks they face will help you keep your child safe online.
Social Media
For help and advice on different types of social media click here.
If you would like to talk to someone in school regarding online safety concerns please contact P Wilkins. paula.wilkins@theoutdoorsschool.co.uk
The world changes. Children don’t.
To report a concern…
Do you need immediate help or have a real emergency? If so call 999 or contact your local police 101.
When should I report to CEOP?
We help children stay safe online. Has someone acted inappropriately towards you online, or to a child or young person you know? It may be sexual chat, being asked to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable or someone being insistent on meeting up. You can report it to CEOP click here.
The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is a partnership between Devon County Council (DCC), children’s social care, education and youth services, Devon NHS health services, Devon and Cornwall Police and the probation service working together to safeguard children and young people.
Remember – if you are concerned about a child or young person in Devon and want to speak to someone, contact the MASH on 0345 155 1071 and give as much information as you can.
Operation Encompass is a unique Police and Education early intervention safeguarding partnership which supports children and young people exposed to domestic abuse.
Operation Encompass is the reporting to schools before the start of the next school day when a child or young person has been involved or exposed to a domestic abuse incident the previous evening.
The information is given in strict confidence to a school’s Key Adult to enable support to be given dependent on the needs and wishes of the child.
For more information please visit:http://www.operationencompass.org/
Prevent is about safeguarding and supporting those vulnerable to radicalisation. Prevent is 1 of the 4 elements within the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy. It aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
Useful links:
Radicalisation Information. • Preventing Terrorism. •. CTP Prevent
