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Child Protection and Safeguarding
Holy Family Catholic High School is a community and all those connected to it (staff, governors, parents, families and students) have an essential role to play in making it safe and secure. The school recognises our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children with their best interests at the centre of our work. Holy Family Catholic High School recognises the importance of providing an ethos and an environment that strives to ensure that all its pupils remain safe, secure, free from harm and respected. The purpose of this document is to ensure that all staff are aware of the arrangements that Holy Family Catholic High School has in place for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its pupils.
Our school core safeguarding principles are:
- Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility: all staff, or anyone who has contact with a child or young person including Governors and volunteers, should play their full part in keeping children safe;
- Seeing the child first and considering what life is like for the child, maintaining a culture of vigilance.
- That we operate a child-centred approach: a clear understanding of the needs, wishes, views and voices of children including trying to understand their lived experience.
- Create an environment where children can tell us what they need to keep them safe
- Provide support and intervention at the earliest possible opportunity in the least intrusive way in accordance with Sefton Level of Need Document.
- We recognise our school is an important part of the wider safeguarding system for children.
- All children (defined as those up to the age of 18) regardless of age, gender, ability, culture, race, language, religion or sexual identity, have equal rights to protection.
- We will aim to protect children using national, local and school child protection procedures;
- We aim to work in partnership and have an important role in multi-agency safeguarding arrangements as set out by Working Together 2018.
- That all staff or anyone who has contact with a child or young person including Governors and volunteers, have a clear understanding regarding abuse and neglect in all forms; including how to identify, respond and report. This also includes knowledge in the process for allegations against professionals. Staff, Governors and Volunteers should feel confident that they can report all matters of Safeguarding in the school, where the information will be dealt with swiftly and securely, following the correct procedures with the safety and wellbeing of the children in mind always.
School Contact Details
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The Designated Child Protection Staff Lead: Peter Westbury Tel: 0151 924 6451 If you need to contact the Safeguarding Team email safeguardingteam@holyfamilyhighschool.co.uk Crisis TeamCAMHS: 0151 293 3577 Open 8am-6pm Mini-com: 0151 934 4657 MASH TEAM: 0345 140 0845 |
Pupil Safeguarding Referrals
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Too good to be true? Protecting yourself and others from scams online
Safer Internet Day 2025 will take place this week, with learning based around the theme ‘Too good to be true? Protecting yourself and others from scams online‘. Our pupils will be hearing about this during form time on Thursday 13th February.
A link to help around this for parents is here: https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2025/tips-for-parents-and-carers
More information about Safer Internet Day is below.
Safer Internet Day is the UK’s biggest celebration of online safety. Each year we cover an online issue or theme that speaks about the things young people are seeing and experiencing online. Created in consultation with young people across the UK, this year Safer Internet Day will be focusing on the issue of scams online and for young people, how to protect themselves and others, as well as what support is available to them.
This Safer Internet Day we will assess the real scale of this issue and allow young people to share their experiences and ideas on how to tackle the problem. We’ll build on the important work being done to raise awareness of issues such as online financial sextortion and we’ll also consider the future of scams, answering questions such as:
- How is changing technology like generative AI going to impact the approach of scammers?
- What role can the government and internet industry take to tackle this threat?
- And what changes would young people like to see to help protect themselves moving forward?
Safeguarding bulletin - What parents need to know about ...
In a break from the usual Safeguarding alerts, this week, we are using the fortnightly safeguarding alert to support National Book Day.
It’s World Book Day this week, a perfect time to celebrate the joy of reading and explore how technology can support literacy. The way we engage with text has changed dramatically over the years. Whether reading captions on social media, instructions in a video game or an e-book on a digital device, technology plays a major role in modern literacy.
To help struggling readers, many digital platforms offer tools that enhance readability by making text more accessible and engaging. We’ve created this free guide – offering parents ten top tips on how they can help young readers engage in text and foster a love for reading.
Learn about the dangers of "Add Everyone" WhatsApp groups and how to protect children from online predators. This article provides essential information on internet safety, privacy settings, and steps to take if your child encounters harmful content.
Supporting Young People To Build Emotional Resilience
Facing unpleasant feelings can be a challenge, even for adults – let alone for children and young people, whose minds are still developing. To many youngsters, a mistake in an exam, a hurtful word or even losing in a game can sometimes feel like the worst thing in the world, causing them to react accordingly.
However, this isn’t always an effective way to deal with difficult emotions or life’s setbacks, so it's important that parents and educators are able impress a healthy approach to these feelings on the children in their care. This guide offers you expert tips on how to instil emotional resilience in young people, helping them to learn from unexpected feelings and situations – and to process them in a mature, effective manner.
According to research, people aged between 8 and 17 spend four hours on digital devices during an average day. In 13-18 year olds, this reaches an average of over 7 hours a day.
This week in assembly, we have been talking about the benefits of "looking up" to open our eyes to things around us, as well as looking up from our devices.
Please see attached document which are top tips for managing screen time.
As part of Anti-Bullying Week 2024, we have speaking to pupils in form time and across the week.
Please see the attached anti-bullying tool for parents and carers that has been produced as a part of the Anti-Bullying Alliance support for anti-bullying week.
This platform aims to fill the gap left by Omegle (which has now shut down) by placing users in random video chats with strangers. There are many risks associated with this app. Please see the attached leaflet that gives details about the app.
We have also been talking about this app in form time with the pupils.
The water may look calm on the surface, but there can be strong undercurrents that could pull even a strong swimmer under the water.
And even when the weather feels very hot, the water may feel warm on the surface, but just a few feet below the surface it can be icy cold – affecting the stamina and strength of even strong swimmers.
If you are with someone who gets into difficulty, call emergency services for help. If you can, use an object to try and reach for them, but don’t put yourself in danger by entering the water.
Each year, Ofcom (the UK's regulatory body for communications, produces an overview of children and parents' media experiences over the past year. The latest of these reports, 'Children and parents: media use and attitudes 2024' has just been published, and we've plucked out some of its most thought-provoking findings regarding online safety on the attached leaflet.
Merseyside Police contacted schools recently as they have had lots of discussions with most schools around Snapchat, it’s use and safety.
The attached document was produced by Merseyside Police’s Cyber Team
County lines is the Police term for urban gangs supplying drugs to suburban areas and market coastal towns using dedicated mobile phone lines or "deal lines". Sefton is known to have had issues in this, often exploitative, area.
The parental leaflet attached is from Camden SCP but it contains relevant information for parents so that you are aware of the issue and can spot any signs. If you have any concerns regarding a child in this situation, please phone Sefton's SCP on 0345 140 0845.
Follow-up from Adolescence Netflix show
Stephen Graham's recent Netflix drama Adolescence recently captured the country's attention, both for the quality of the drama and the light it shines on the issues facing young people today, which can affect their mental health in new and complex ways.
Many parents may be shocked at the portrayal of teenagers' online life and the distress it can cause. If you are worried about your child, the Mental Health Foundation have set out some thoughts and advice - you can find this following the below link.
The links below contain information provided by Merseyside Police regarding the terminology associated with the 'Manosphere, Incels, Male Supremacy and Antifeminism' and a table of sinister emojis that are used.
Catch22
Catch22 is delivering a session for all parents/carers who wish to understand more about County Lines and Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE).
Please see below Eventbrite links for this session, taking place on the following dates.
Wednesday 19th February 2025 - 12pm-1.30pm - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/county-lines-awareness-webinar-for-parentcarers-only-tickets-1217904066849?aff=oddtdtcreator
Thursday 20th February 2025 – 12pm-1.30pm - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/county-lines-awareness-webinar-for-parentcarers-only-tickets-1217909021669?aff=oddtdtcreator
Thursday 20th February 2025 – 6pm to 7.30pm - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/county-lines-awareness-webinar-for-parentcarers-only-tickets-1217942000309?aff=oddtdtcreator
Who are Catch22
Catch22 is a national organisation with over 10 years of experience delivering specialist support for young people affected by county lines, child criminal exploitation and child sexual exploitation. We currently deliver the National County Lines Support and Rescue service- providing 1-2-1 support and a rescue service for young people and their families who are criminally exploited through county lines.
Session overview
This session is aimed at parent/carers(including foster carers/grandparents) to gain a understanding on the important issues surrounding county lines, as well as the impact that it can have on young people and their families, and the support that is available to young people who are impacted/suffering from County Lines and Criminal Exploitation.
Topics will include:
- County Lines, child criminal exploitation (CCE) and financial exploitation,
- Stages of recruitment,
- Push and pull factors,
- The National Referral mechanism,
- The psychological impacts,
- Social media, and
- Debt bondage.
Virtual Reality Headsets
Take a look at the article below to make sure that you understand the risks when using VR headsets and to get advice to help children use headsets safely. The NSPCC have created an easy to understand article aimed at parents to help them in this growing area of technology. As with all online devices, it's just about knowing the dangers and how to keep safe.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/virtual-reality-headsets/
TRAPPED IN COUNTY LINES. A story by Christina Gabbitas
Friends Siohban, Ellie, Luke, Jamie and Mo, once again get caught up and groomed into County Lines, but this time things will never be the same again. Explore ‘Trapped In County Lines’ by Christina Gabbitas, a powerful story addressing exploitation among young people.
So, if you're ready to take on this challenge and be part of something meaningful, here's what you need to do:
If you are aged 12 to 21 and would like to showcase your talent, join Christina and the judges in this powerful poetry/song project.
Christina will be joined by several judges from poets, musicians, lived experience, youth workers, Police, and other organisations, who are all volunteering their time to help. Judges can be viewed further down the page.
Set your imagination free and let your words paint a vivid picture. Viewing the story Trapped in County Lines will help you to understand the topics…
Competition details: https://www.trappedincountylines.co.uk/competition/
Safer Internet Day 2024 - Inspiring change? Making a difference, managing influence and navigating change online
Safer Internet Day is a great opportunity to focus on online safety with your child, whatever their age. This year’s theme is all about change and influence online and there are a range of pages that have been created to help you talk about these issues and ideas with your child, no matter how much time you have and in an age-appropriate way.
Please follow the link below for advice, guidance and top tips to help parents in this area.
https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2024/parents-and-carers
Pupil Safeguarding Referral System
Just before half term, pupils were given an assembly on what Safeguarding in school means.
A part of this they were introduced to our Pupil Safeguarding Referral System. Our pupils have always been great at reporting concerns they, or their friends, may be having, but this system allows them to report these concerns online.
The referral system can be found by following the link below:
https://holyfamilyhs.thesharpsystem.com/
The National Child Exploitation Awareness Day takes place on 18th March.
The National Child Exploitation Awareness Day is a great way to highlight the issues surrounding Child Exploitation; encouraging everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse and adopt a zero tolerance to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children or children exploiting and abusing their peers.
Any child can be sexually or criminally exploited. It can happen anywhere.
However many of those who are exploited may be reluctant to disclose offences or seek support, often due to stigma, prejudice, embarrassment, and the fear that they will not be believed or not recognise the exploitation due to the coercion and manipulation used.
Young people are groomed and exploited in many different ways.
This could be online, through street gangs, in religious environments, and by those in positions of authority including celebrities. The common theme in all cases is the imbalance of power and the control exerted on young people by the exploiter/perpetrator.
Those children and young people who are being exploited may appear to be willing accomplices.
This should be seen in the context of the controls exerted by the perpetrator and the submission of the child/young person to them. They are often not accomplices.
Evidence shows that child exploitation can (and does) happen in all parts of our country.
CE is not restricted to urban areas such as large towns and cities but does in fact happen in rural areas such as villages and coastal areas.
Lots more information and guidance can be found on the following website: https://nwgnetwork.org/what-is-child-exploitation/help-for-parents-and-carers/
Financially motivated sexual extortion
Globally, there has been an increase in reporting of children and young people, particularly teenage males, being forced into paying money or meeting another financial demand after an adult offender has threatened to release nudes or semi-nudes of them. This is financially motivated sexual extortion, sometimes referred to as ‘sextortion’, and is a form of child sexual abuse.
The National Crime Agency has issued an alert to education settings that provides advice on how to:
• recognise the signs of financially motivated sexual extortion
• raise awareness and support children to seek help
• support victims
For information visit CEOP Safety Centre https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
Sefton Children’s Services launched a new front door into their services from May 1st.
Two new teams Sefton Children's Help and Advice Team (CHAT) and Sefton Family Advice and Support Team (FAST) are available for professionals and public to contact if they have a concern about a child and a social worker is needed, think a family might benefit from early help support or need some general advice and support as to services on offer in Sefton.
CHAT can be contacted on 0151 934 4013
FAST can be contacted on 0151 934 4545
This new model replaces the old method of referral in to Sefton Children’s services via email/paper and instead aims for a high quality conversation to take place to understand that family better and find the most appropriate support. You can find out more on our website www.sefton.gov.uk/chat or www.sefton.gov.uk/fast or on the leaflets below.