North Herts ESC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
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 in the Centre Policies section of our website.
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 parents/carers first, unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare. At North Herts Education Support Centre , 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 know what actions to take to protect a child, and know how to respond should they have concerns regarding a child. Every staff member is Prevent trained and vigilant for the signs of extremism. We actively support the Government’s Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism.
The Centre’s safeguarding procedures are robust and highly effective, linking with other professionals as needed, to best support a child in need. Early intervention is key. Please see below for further details regarding safeguarding at North Herts ESC. The school Safeguarding Policy can be found in the centre policies section on our website.
The school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead is Shelley Hughes
head@northhertsesc.herts.sch.uk
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads:
Kate Robinson – Assistant Head KS4
Dan Lewis – Assistant Head KS3
Helen Emery- SENCO
Melanie Allen –Safeguarding Administrator/ Teaching Assistant
Dan Nearney –Executive Head teacher
Lyn Star – HLTA, Pastoral Leader
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 students are taught 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, Relationship, and Sex Education (RSE), including healthy relationships and consent. It is 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 and organisations to support their understanding of Keeping Safe.
Websites to support students, parents and carers with information are listed below:
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/
CEOP Education (thinkuknow.co.uk) – Information to help parents/carers protect their children from online abuse.
Young Minds – Information and advice for parents/carers on young people’s behaviour and mental health.
http://www.youngminds.org.uk
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:
Family Lives – A charity set up to help support parents/carers with the changes families go through. This includes a confidential helpline chat.
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/
Home – Women’s Aid (womensaid.org.uk)
Gangs Line – Information for parents/carers on gangs and youth violence.
http://www.gangsline.com/parenting/parents-general-information.html
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/