Safeguarding & E-safety
Safeguarding Update – April 2022
As we approach Easter, it might be a good idea to keep an extra eye out for your child if they like to play games or socialise online. Sometimes children and young people with disabilities can be more vulnerable to things like Grooming and online exploitation.
Remember, that if your child ever posts or sends any images of themselves that you don’t feel are appropriate, you can use the Childline Report, Remove Tool which gives you step-by-step instructions for how to get the images removed from websites.
Report Remove: Remove a nude image shared online | Childline
Here is a helpful video that explains how the tool works for young people:
Report Remove | Remove a Nude Image Shared Online | Childline - YouTube
If you have any concerns whatsoever about your child being groomed or sexually exploited online, you can report this to the police via the CEOP website. CEOP stands for Child Exploitation Online Prevention Command and is a specialist branch of the police. They have an easy to use ‘Report’ button on their website whereby you can click through and make a report. If you need any assistance to do this, please do contact the safeguarding team at The Meadows.
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have created this brilliant Youtube video which helpfully explains some of the online safety issues facing young people with disabilities. It is worth a watch!
Protective Behaviours - Online safety and learning disabilities - YouTube
Finally, you may be aware of a brilliant charity called Sibs. They are the UK Charity for the siblings of children and adults with disabilities. You may feel that you have lots of support in place for your child with a disability but worry that your other child/ren sometimes feel sidelined as their sibling’s needs have to take priority. Sibs UK fully understand the juggle that can be for parents/carers and have some really useful tips around how to support your child (and yourself). Take a look using the link below:
As ever, remember we are here to support you with any concerns you may have about your child’s safety – both in school, at home and online. Please do give the pastoral team a call if you need any support. Have a lovely break!
Operation Encompass
Child Online Safety
Safeguarding
The Meadows School takes its responsibilities and duties for the safeguarding of its pupils with the utmost care to promote the welfare of children as defined by the Department for Education outlined below:
- Protecting children from maltreatment
- Preventing impairment of children’s health or development
- Ensuring children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of
safe and effective care - Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes
We Rigorously implement the procedures of our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy for the safety and well-being of all children at The Meadows School.
Please click here for The Meadows School Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
E-Safety
Advice for Broadband Parental Controls - Courtesy of Go Compare
The Internet is a fantastic resource but there are hidden dangers – think carefully and you can avoid many issues.
Golden Rules
- If you are unsure or feeling threatened tell an adult
- Don’t meet anyone in real life without having an adult with you
- Visit the Thinkuknow site for loads of useful info
Find out more about staying safe online using the links opposite.
Here at The Meadows School, we are continually developing our policies to ensure we support our student’s e-safety as effectively as possible.
More links to help you help yourself…
- For the Smart Rules from Kidsmart.org, follow this link
- Info to help you stay safe when chatting online from Chatdanger, follow this link
- And don’t forget Digizen, check it out here
USEFUL E-SAFETY LINKS FOR PARENTS
saferinternet.org.uk (Parents guide to technology)
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