Safeguarding

Safeguarding and Child Protection at The Vyne

Keeping Children Safe

At The Vyne Community School, the safety and wellbeing of our students is our highest priority.

Every child has the right to feel safe, to be listened to and to know that adults will take their concerns seriously.

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. We expect every member of our school community to remain vigilant, to notice when something may be wrong and to act when they have a concern.

Complacency is not an option.

We work to create a culture in which students know that they can speak to an adult, that they will be listened to and that appropriate action will be taken to help keep them safe.

This reflects our DOVE values, particularly Valour, having the courage to speak up when something is wrong and Empathy, noticing, listening and caring about the wellbeing of others.

I Am Worried About a Child

If you are concerned about the safety or wellbeing of a student at The Vyne, please tell us.

You do not need to be certain that something is wrong before sharing a concern. If something has made you worried about a child, we would rather know.

During the school day, concerns can be reported directly to a member of our safeguarding team.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Vickie Rodgers

DSL@vyne.hants.sch.uk

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads

• Kayleigh Basterfield
• Kieran Maylen
• Sue Latorre
• Nathan Smith
• Carly Bristow
• Emily Lea

School telephone: (01256) 473003

Safeguarding email: DSL@vyne.hants.sch.uk

If a child is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services by calling 999. Hampshire Children's Services and Children’s Social Care (8.30am to 5.00pm Mon-Fri) Out of hours contact telephone number for Children's Services 0300 555 1373

If You Are a Student

If something is worrying you, tell someone.

You can speak to any adult in school. This might be your tutor, a teacher, your pastoral support and guidance manager, year leader, a member of the safeguarding team or another adult you trust.

You can talk to us if:

• something has happened to you;
• someone is making you feel uncomfortable, frightened or unsafe;
• you are worried about something happening at home or outside school;
• something has happened online;
• you are worried about a friend or another student;
• somebody has asked you to keep a secret that makes you uncomfortable;
• you are worried about your own safety or wellbeing; or
• you simply feel that something is not right.

You will be listened to and taken seriously.

Sometimes adults need to share information with other people who can help keep you or somebody else safe. If this is necessary, we will explain what will happen wherever we can.

You can report a safeguarding concern here

You can report a bullying concern here

Speaking up takes Valour. Asking for help is a strength.

Our Safeguarding Culture

Safeguarding is not simply a set of procedures. It is part of the everyday culture of our school.

We work hard to ensure that students are known, listened to and feel confident reporting concerns.

All members of staff receive regular safeguarding training and understand their responsibility to identify and report concerns. Staff are expected to maintain professional curiosity, recognise that children's behaviour or circumstances may communicate a need for help and act promptly when something causes concern.

We work closely with families and, where necessary, with Children's Services, the police, health professionals and other agencies to provide appropriate support and protection.

Our approach is always centred on the needs and best interests of the child.

A Telling School

The Vyne is a telling school.

We actively encourage students to report behaviour that makes them or somebody else feel unsafe, uncomfortable or worried.

We want our students to understand the difference between trying to get somebody into trouble and telling an adult because somebody may need help.

Looking out for others is an important part of our value of Empathy. Having the courage to tell somebody when something is wrong demonstrates Valour.

Students should never feel that they have to manage a serious concern alone.

Safeguarding Through the Curriculum

An important part of safeguarding is giving young people the knowledge they need to recognise risk and make informed decisions.

Through PSHE, assemblies, tutor time, the wider curriculum and other educational opportunities, students learn about areas including:

• healthy and respectful relationships;
• consent and personal boundaries;
• online safety and social media;
• bullying and discrimination;
• sexual harassment and sexual violence;
• exploitation and grooming;
• child-on-child abuse;
• drugs, alcohol and vaping;
• mental and emotional wellbeing;
• radicalisation and extremism;
• recognising coercive or controlling behaviour;
• staying safe in the community; and
• how and where to ask for help.

Our safeguarding curriculum responds to emerging risks and the experiences of young people locally and nationally.

We want students not only to know how to keep themselves safe, but also to recognise when somebody else may need help.

Online Safety

Technology provides young people with enormous opportunities, but it can also expose them to risks.

We educate students about using technology safely, responsibly and respectfully. This includes understanding privacy, online relationships, social media, harmful content, misinformation, sharing images, online exploitation and the importance of reporting concerns.

Parents and carers have an important role in helping young people navigate their online lives. We provide information and guidance to families and encourage open conversations at home about children's use of technology.

UK Safer Internet Centre - https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/

Child-on-Child Abuse

We recognise that children can harm other children.

This can include bullying, physical abuse, sexual harassment, sexual violence, abuse within relationships, online abuse, sharing sexual images and other harmful behaviours.

We do not dismiss harmful behaviour as "banter", "part of growing up" or something children should simply deal with themselves.

Students are encouraged to report concerns, whether something has happened to them or they are worried about somebody else.

Reports are taken seriously and responded to in accordance with our safeguarding procedures.

Working with Parents and Carers

Safeguarding children is most effective when schools and families work together.

We encourage parents and carers to contact us if they are concerned about their own child or another young person.

There may also be occasions when the school becomes concerned about a child's welfare. Wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so, we will work openly with families to understand concerns and identify the support a child may need.

There are circumstances in which safeguarding information must be shared with other agencies without seeking parental consent first. Our overriding responsibility is always to act in the best interests of the child and in accordance with statutory safeguarding guidance.

Safer Recruitment and Visitors

We are committed to ensuring that adults working with children at The Vyne are suitable to do so.

Our recruitment procedures follow statutory safer recruitment requirements and appropriate checks are completed before adults begin working with students.

Visitors to the school are expected to follow our safeguarding procedures and are provided with appropriate information when they arrive on site.

Policies and Statutory Guidance

Our safeguarding practice is informed by current statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education, and our policies and procedures are reviewed regularly.

Key documents available below include:

• Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy;
• Online Safety Policy;
• Behaviour Policy;
• Anti-Bullying information;
• Relationships and Sex Education Policy;
• Staff Code of Conduct; and
• relevant statutory safeguarding guidance

[Insert links to current documents]

Sources of Help and Support

There are a range of organisations that can provide specialist advice and support to children and families.