Safeguarding in Education

Here in Kirklees we have two full time Local Authority School Safeguarding Officers Michelle Stephenson and Maxine Wood who support and advise schools and academies on, and contribute to the development, delivery and implementation of policies, procedures, training and safeguarding strategies. School Safeguarding Officers can be contacted on 01484 221000 or schoolsafeguardingofficer@kirklees.gov.uk

School Safeguarding Officer Leaflet

Information about the School Safeguarding Officers and the above is now hosted on the Kirklees Business Solutions website.

School Safeguarding Policies

Virtual School

The Virtual School has a role both in supporting Individual Children and Young People in Care and care leavers with their educational attainment, and in supporting schools, foster carers, Children’s Social Work Service practitioners, school governors and other relevant partners in delivering their corporate parenting responsibilities.

Welcome to Kirklees Virtual School | Kirklees Business Solutions

The Head of the Virtual School for Children and Young People in Care in Kirklees can be contacted on
01484 225180 or at: kirklees.virtualschool@kirklees.gov.uk

International New Arrivals Team (INAT)

International New Arrival Team

Childline resources

Staying safe online– a Childline page offering tips to young people on online safety. Includes information on posting online, online communities, and online bullying.
Online grooming– anadvice page, looking at what online grooming is, how it happens, and what you can do to keep yourself safe.
Sexting- information on what sexting is, what the risks are, and what you can do if someone sends you a picture or asks for one.
Mobile phone safety– an advice page, focusing on how to use your phone safely. It covers what you should do if you are being bullied through your mobile or being pressured to share your phone number.
Online gaming- ChildLine content, giving advice on how to stay safe when gaming. It discusses voice chat, online bullying, and how to keep a record of abusive messages.
Online porn- fact page, discussing what porn is, whether it’s normal to look at porn, and how porn makes you feel. It also gives advice on what you can do if you feel under pressure after watching porn, have been caught watching porn, or are concerned that you are watching too much porn.
Zipit– ChildLine’s first ever app, designed to help young people stay in control if they are asked to send a naked picture of themselves. It provides witty comebacks and pictures which enable young people to diffuse the situation and stay safe. It is free to download and available on Android, Blackberry and Apple smartphones.

Professionals Online Safety Helpline 0844 381 4772 – helpline@saferinternet.org.uk

Do you have a cyberbullying or digital safety concern?

The UK Safer Internet Centre has been funded by the European Commission to provide a Helpline for professionals who work with children and young people in the UK, specifically tackling the area of online safety. The Helpline provide support with all aspects of digital and online issues such as social networking sites, cyber-bullying, sexting, online gaming and child protection online. The Helpline aims to resolve issues professionals face about themselves, such as protecting professional identity and reputation, as well as young people in relation to online safety.

Open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. The Helpline can be emailed at any time, and these will be responded to during their normal working hours.

Find out more by visiting the Helpline section of the UK Safer Internet Centres website

West Yorkshire Consortium Safeguarding Children Procedures

These are the multi-agency procedures to be followed by all agencies working with children and families in Kirklees. The procedures encourage close working early intervention in a supportive way to meet the needs of children and their families. The procedures are available in electronic format only and can be accessed on the following link: Safeguarding Children Procedures.

Sexting in schools and colleges

The UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) has just released latest guidance for schools and colleges on the growing issue of Sexting and its implications for pupils and students.
It makes interesting reading and provides excellent advice to schools including the actions likely to be implemented by the police in the event of a sexting matter being reported to them.
This document has the backing of HM Government, the DfE and all leading child safeguarding professional bodies.

Mental Health – Support for Schools and Parents

Mental Health Foundation: The truth about self-harm for young people and their friends and families
Young Minds
National Children’s Bureau – A whole school framework for emotional well being and mental health