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St Julie’s Catholic High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, governors, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment
St Julie’s Catholic High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, governors, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment.
The school policy regarding safer staff recruitment can be found here.
On this page you'll find updates and news items that we have received regarding safeguarding information, which we would then like to pass on to you for your information.
You might also be interested in the regularly published 'Digital Parenting' magazine that you can find here, as well as the online safety advice issued by Merseyside Police.
Click on each items headline for further details.
Childnet have produced this simple checklist to help you manage your Online Reputation, show your children and talk to them about it:
https://www.childnet.com/ufiles/Online-Reputation-Checklist.pdf
You may be aware of recent press and social media coverage about Momo or the Momo Challenge.
The following article from the BBC News website gives a good overview of this issue and makes the following key points, based on police advice:
Parents should:
The challenge is essentially a hoax as ‘Momo’ is clearly not a ‘real’ character and there is no evidence that anyone purporting to be ‘Momo’ can hack people’s devices of force their image to appear on anyone’s phone.
The main lesson to remember is that is vital that parents have regular conversations with their children about their online activities and create an environment where their child is able to share any concerns they have about things they have seen online that has caused them upset.
Please also read this summary notice of useful information.
As we know, Christmas is not always a happy time for children and young people for many different reasons. We have highlighted some key issues below with links to further information and resources that you may find useful.
Childline 0800 1111
Children may be facing Christmas after experiencing the loss of a loved one, this can stir up strong and difficult feelings. Yet sharing and talking about emotions are important for children. It could be through photos, games, memory boxes or stories. Child bereavement UK have developed some resources to help children explore and talk about their emotions. You can also visit the NHS website for a list of useful contacts
We know that children who have a parent or family member in prison may find it difficult to talk about it and worry about what others will think. The National Information Centre on Children of Offenders (NICCO) provides a service for all professionals who come into contact with the children and families of offenders. If you are working with a child or young person who has a family member in prison there are some really useful resources on their website so it’s well worth a look!
New UN data reports an average of 137 women across the world are killed by a partner or family member every day. In the UK, domestic abuse is a factor in half of serious case reviews and 1 in 5 children have witnessed it. The impact of repeated exposure to domestic abuse has been likened to the trauma and distress experienced by children living in war zones and often presents. Whilst we often see behaviour changing due to the excitement of Christmas, for some children it may be caused by the anxiety of the Christmas break. Money tensions, unrealistic expectations and excessive alcohol consumption make the festive holidays a peak period for domestic abuse. For further information and support you can visit NHS website , Disrespect Nobody Campaign , Childline and Innerworld
For many, the holiday season can be a time of loneliness or anxiety. Young minds have released some tips for children who may find the holidays difficult. For urgent concerns about a child’s mental health and wellbeing, parents should speak to their GP or call the Young Minds parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for advice. Further information and support can also be found at Action for Children and Young Minds have produced blogs for young people and parents of children who find Christmas difficult.
As the nights become darker, it is important that everyone takes the time to remind themselves of road safety.
The following links give useful advice and guidance about how we can all keep ourselves safer on the roads in the winter months.
https://www.think.gov.uk/
http://www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk/
http://www.brake.org.uk/info-and-resources/resources/guide-to-teaching-road-safety
https://thebobbycollerantrust.org.uk/
As Christmas approaches and many young people will be receiving new electronic devices such as smart phones, it is a good time for parents and carers to be aware of some of the popular Apps used by young people - and the possible risks associated with them.
One of these is Kik Messenger; a free messaging app aimed at users aged thirteen and over. Used by more than 300 million people worldwide, Kik lets users exchange messages, photos, videos, GIFs and web pages with friends, family, chatbots and even strangers.
Unlike WhatsApp, Kik doesn’t require a user to sign up with a phone number. Instead, friends can be added via their username, making it easier for users to receive unwanted contact from strangers. Police in the UK issued a safety warning earlier in the year, claiming that Kik has featured in ‘more than 1,100 child sexual abuse cases in the last five years’ and that ‘children are at risk’ on the app. (BBC News Story).
Click this link to access a free safety guide for parents.
As Christmas approaches , many young people will be hoping to receive the latest smartphones or other portable devices that allow internet access.
Whilst these technologies brink lots of exciting opportunities, it is important that children and parents are aware of some of the risks that exist in the online world - and are aware of how best top stay safe.
Click on the document links below to find out more information about some popular apps and to download the National Online Safety tips to help keep children safe.
If you are a young person experiencing a mental health crisis, you can text the YoungMinds Crisis Messenger for free, 24/7 support.
The YoungMinds crisis messenger service provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need support, you can text YM to 85258.
The service aims to connect every texter to a trained volunteer in less than 5 minutes to provide support in a crisis. They will listen to you and help you think through how you’re feeling, and will aim to help you take the next steps towards feeling better.
Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.
This service is powered by Crisis Text Line, a trusted partner of YoungMinds.
You can find out more information about the service here.
Although we are all enjoying the current warm weather, please be mindful of some of the dangers that can present themselves in such conditions.
The following links give reminders regarding water safety:
https://www.unitedutilities.com/help-and-support/about-us/recreation-sites/reservoir-safety/
And also sun safety:
Sun Safety
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/YDD2fTqHVfWJbV5qkHPL7D/sun-safety
Tips for Staying Safe in the Sun (CBeebies)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/watch/sun-safety-for-kids
Sun safety in schools (Skcin)
http://www.skcin.org/sunSafetyAndPrevention/sunSafetyInSchools.htm
The Safeguarding Team at St Julie’s recently received information from a Coroner who is conducting an Inquest into the death by suicide of a 15 year old boy in the Bury area, earlier this year.
Evidence obtained by the Coroner suggests he had used an online game called DOKI DOKI, which is known to NSPCC online safety officers.
The police investigation into the death uncovered the following information. Whilst we do not necessarily advise that you share this with you child, it is important that you remain vigilant in monitoring all of your child’s online activity across any devices to which they have access.
“ Doki Doki, also known as Doki Doki Literature Club, was developed in 2017. It does warn it is not suitable for children, however the graphics etc are clearly aimed at young people. It was launched in August 2017. It was downloaded over 2 million times in the first 4 months.
In essence the story plot seems to be that a male character joins a literature club and interacts with female members. There are alternative endings depending on choices made during the course of the game. The story plot uncovers suicidal thoughts the members have. The multiple outcomes follow things such as mental health issues (voices in their head), self-harming, suicide and violent scenes such as one of the player’s neck snapping. All of this then links the reader back to an outcome whereby you are made to think the game has taken control of your computer and you have to continue playing.
Some outcomes lead you to consider what you could have done to prevent one of the characters deaths. One even shows you messages from the players who have passed away saying “now you can all be happy I am gone”. This is a psychological horror game with suicide as a main feature
This game is free of charge but an upgraded version can be purchased for £10 to unlock extra content.
NSPCC have reviewed information from their Childline Counsellor Facts notes since April 2017. Two counselling sessions had made notes with regards to Doki Doki – these were in November 2017 and January 2018. One talked about a friend playing the game. It was noted the game can trigger emotional responses. The other session noted the young person had been playing it and their favourite character had committed suicide – the young person was thinking about ending their life the same way.”
Teenage years can be a testing and challenging time, both for young people and for their parents/carers. Research by the Anna Freud National centre for Children and Families highlights the importance of good communication in helping to provide a safe and positive environment for young people. Download this document for more tips and guidance on how to strengthen your connection with your children.
Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? Planning to spend a couple of hours in a Christmas Market or even on Amazon? This Christmas there will be more tech toys than ever before, and many of them will use bluetooth or wifi to link to apps and the wider internet. Some of these toys will have cameras and microphones recording the environment and the child's play. The Information Commissioner recently published an article looking at the risks of using smart toys that is well worth reading.
Which? Magazine have also surveyed many connected toys and found that, without appropriate safety features, they can also pose a big risk to your child’s safety.
The Which video below shows just how easy it is for anyone to take over the voice control of a popular connected toy, and speak directly to children. Which? found that it is easy enough for almost anyone to do, not only skilled hackers.
Snapchat introduced a new feature - the 'Snap Map' This location based map allows users to see where in the country their Snapchat contacts are, as well as seeing location based photos and videos. The Snap Map shows a user's Bitmoji, their cartoon avatar within Snapchat, pinpointed on a world map. Users can then zoom into the map to see the exact location of their friends.
To access the Snap Map in the latest update of the Snapchat app, users need to go to their camera screen within Snapchat and zoom out using two fingers. This will then launch the Snap Maps screen and will allow a user to see their friend's locations.
It is important to be careful about whom you share your location with, as it can allow people to build up a picture of where you live, go to school and spend your time. Given how specific this new feature is on Snapchat - giving your location to a precise pinpoint on a map - we would encourage users not to share their location, especially with people they do not know in person. There are three settings for sharing your location on the map, these are; Ghost Mode, My Friends, and Select Friends. But what do these settings mean?
Ghost Mode means that you are the only person who can see your location on the map. Within Ghost Mode you can still see the locations of your friends but they will be unable to see you. This setting will ensure that you have complete control over who knows your location.
My Friends means that all your contacts on Snapchat can see your location. If turning on this setting then it would be important for users to review their Snapchat contacts and make sure that they never add someone they do not know in person onto Snapchat.
This setting allows users to look through their friend list and then decide which of their friends they want to be able to view their location. This setting gives users the opportunity to control who can view their location.
When first opening the Snap Map, users get to make a decision of who they want to be able to view their location. Once these settings are in place they can always be changed in Snapchat’s settings. This can be done in the following way: In the Snapchat settings In the Snapchat screen click on the Settings (cog) icon > click on 'see my location' > choose the setting which suits you on the Snap Map.
Sharing your location can be a risky thing to do. Our tips for location sharing are:
· Only share your location with people you know in person. Never share your location with strangers.
Snapchat – new feature – “Snap Maps”
Last week, Snapchat introduced a new feature call Snap Maps. This location-based map allows users to see where in the country their Snapchat contacts are, as well as seeing location-based photos and videos.
The Snap Map shows a user’s Bitmoji, their cartoon avatar within Snapchat, pinpointed on a world map. Users can then zoom into the map to see the exact location of their friends.
Sharing location can be a risky thing to do, so please remind you daughter to -
As the contract holder, parents should also regularly review their daughter's settings (again, this applies to all social media apps) and take an active decision about whether you want people to know their location. Remember you can switch this off at any time. Think about where your daughter is sharing their location. Location services such as Snap Maps can lead people to your house.
Think about what times they are using the app and whether these are locations you want to them share – if not, then turn this off within your settings.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jun/23/snapchat-maps-privacy-safety-concerns
Further reading: Introducing SnapMaps (ChildNet)
We'd ask that parents/carers review children and young people's access to on-line streaming sites including Netfix and other websites. It has come to our attention that some children may be accessing age inappropriate materials. For example, Netfix currently offers a series exploring teenage suicide which is rated 18 and should only be watched by adults. Watching this may well impact on a young person's well-being especially if they are already low of mood.
We'd ask that parents take appropriate steps to safeguard their children so they are only accessing age appropriate materials. As always, parents should seek advice from their G.P. and school if they are concerned about their child's emotional well-being and mental health.
Useful links for families:
The growing phenomenon of young people sharing inappropriate pictures of themselves online has become a real issue, with recent reports suggesting that children as young as 7 have been involved.
The NSPCC has produced a guide to help parents talk with their children about the dangers and legalities surrounding this, to help empower them to say “no” to requests. Access to this guide can be found here: NSPCC GUIDE , along with guidance on a range of other issues relating to online safety.
We advise all Parent-Carers to familiarise themselves with this guidance and we'd welcome any feedback you have - just email us in school using the reception@st-julies.org.uk email address, putting 'Online Safety Feedback' as the subject of your message!
Safer Internet Day 2017 is nearly upon us. This is taking place on Tuesday 7th February 2017 – with the theme, 'Be the change: Unite for a better internet'
More details can be found here - http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/2017
The files below give information for parents and carers in how best to support their children in ensuring that their online presence and experience is safe and positive!
Well worth a read is this short report (24 pages), published 05/01/17, by the Children’s Commissioner for England. The report talks about giving children and young adults resilience, information and power to assist them in opening up the internet as a place where they can be citizens not just users, creative but not addicted and open, yet not vulnerable, to having their personal information captured and monetised by companies.
Facebook have recently launched a Parents Portal which you may wish to access - https://www.facebook.com/safety/parents
The portal is designed to help parents make the most out of their Facebook account, whilst also giving tips and information on how to keep themselves and their children safe online.
PSHE Day – Advent Term
All Year Groups received a variety of ‘safe messages’ on our first PSHE Day of the year, with Years 7-10 attending a powerful drama piece – written and produced by our own Performing Arts Department – that highlighted the issue of domestic violence. The common theme across Years 7 – 11 was self-esteem and the following information gives a quick taste of some of the activities.
Year 7
Pupils were guided as to where they could go if they or another pupil ever needed to disclose a problem or was in need of help. The importance of real friendships and being there for each other were also outlined. The lessons delivered by teachers stressed the importance of the girls realising how social media can present images that do not represent real life. It was demonstrated that imperfections are OK and perfectly normal. The girls embraced their strengths and their weaknesses during the lessons and hopefully built a stronger relationship with their tutors.
Year 8
Year 8 competed self-esteem profiles to find out what their own self-image was like and how confident they were about themselves, as well as taking part in team building activities focusing on overcoming problems by working with others for support. They also took part in some meditation which highlighted the importance of having time to reflect on yourself and your own self-worth. They also looked at airbrushing and false self-images in adverts and in the media which can have a negative impact on what young people aspire to look like.
Year 9
Year 9 addressed the issue of self-esteem through a focus on using positivity and looking at each other’s talents. They gained a greater awareness of how having low self-esteem can affect the safety of a pupil as it can lead to mental health concerns, such as self-harm.
Year 11
The aim of the day was to give the pupils confidence in many aspects of their lives and equip them will all the information required to make their own informed decisions.
The year group had a variety of activities to participate in during the day. The girls had a make-up demonstration, showing them how to achieve a natural look and this was followed up with a session on why girls wear make-up and the issues that may go on behind it. They also enjoyed a lesson in self-defence, giving them techniques for looking after themselves. Important issues of drugs were addressed to provide all the information on emerging substances that may be accessible by young people of this age. The final theme looked at by the year 11 group was sexual consent and empowering the girls to make their own decisions.
Year 12 and 13
KS5 students participated in a half day 'BiteSize' Brook event, which enabled both information and active participation activities. Students worked in teams of 10-12 and rotated around a number of themed learning zones. The focus was very much on delivering accurate information whilst expanding knowledge around the key themes such as: sex and the law, contraception, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), condom use, sexuality, gender and body image. Brook's educators guided pupils through each of the interactive learning zones which had been designed to provoke discussion and debate on issues young people face every day. Feedback from Brook and the students was very positive.
ooVoo
Please be aware of issues that have come to light both locally and nationally regarding a video chat App called ‘ooVoo’. This programme can be downloaded to electronic devices such as mobile phones ,laptops, iPads or PCs and allows users to make free video calls, search for other users and send ‘invites’ to become ‘friends’. The terms and conditions for oVoo state that users must be at least 13 years old.
There have been some recent cases in which adult males have allegedly set up false profiles, usually passing themselves off as teenage girls, and have then made contact with young females who have this app installed on their phones. There is some evidence that the profile pictures for these fake accounts are actually pictures of the girls then being targeted or of their friends – taken from things such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts - as this immediately grabs their attention.
Once contact has been made, the people behind the fake accounts have then sent sexually explicit videos of themselves and tried to encourage the person they have contacted to do likewise. Merseyside Police are currently investigating a number of cases but in the meantime we would advise you to discuss this issue with your daughter. ooVoo have been reported as co-operating with law enforcement requests to trace users and ban usernames. Users can set security controls to prevent uninvited contact and report other users through the ‘Support’ section of the App.
Use the following link to control security settings:
http://support.oovoo.com/link/portal/3908/4244/ArticleFolder/169/Privacy-Security
Reporting users to ooVoo can be done via this link:
http://support.oovoo.com/ics/support/ticketnewwizard.asp?style=classic
From smartphones to satnavs, our lives are full of screens. We wake up to them, we come home to them, and we carry them around in our pockets all day. Click the link below for suggestions on how to start and stick to a ‘digital detox’.
Research that can be viewed on link below has found that children as young as 11 post an average of 26 times a day, attract 100 followers to every one of their profiles – yet six out of ten of them are not real friends. Interestingly the survey states that Liverpudlian parents are the most protective parents – 72% have access to all or some of their children’s social media accounts.
http://www.internetmatters.org/hub/guidance/infographic-revealing-kids-use-of-social-mediasurvey-stats/
The LSCB has a Missing from Home Strategy and the partners of Liverpool Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) have adopted the definition of missing and absent as determined by ACPO below:
http://liverpoolscb.proceduresonline.com/chapters/pr_miss_child.html
Missing - “Anyone whose whereabouts cannot be established and where the circumstances are out of character or the context suggests the person may be subject of crime or at risk of harm to themselves or another.”
Absent – “A person not at a place where they are expected or required to be.”
The `absent’ category should comprise cases in which people are not presently where they are supposed to be and there is no apparent risk
Police classification of a child as missing or absent will be based on an on-going risk assessment. All children under 13 years of age will automatically be classed as missing.
Management of missing and absent children in Liverpool:
The LSCB CSE sub group chaired by the Director of Children’s Services has strategic oversight of the partnership response to missing and absent children. A missing operational group is held on a monthly basis to review high risk missing children:
- All missing young people age 13 and under
- High risk missing cases as categorised by the police at the time of the episode
- Repeat missing cases – those who have been missing or absent more than once the previous month
- Children who have been missing for 4 weeks or longer
- LAC from other Local Authorities placed in Liverpool
- Liverpool LAC placed out of area
| Headteacher: Mr. T. Alderman | |
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Speke Road, Liverpool, L25 7TN |
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0151 428 6421 |
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0151 421 1399 |
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reception@stjulies.org.uk |
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@StJulies | @StJuliesNotices |
Our aim is to provide the highest quality education. School staff have a right to work without fear of harassment, intimidation or abuse. If you have a query, concern or complaint please let us know by phoning school on 0151 428 6421 or use our feedback form below.
All original content © St. Julie's Catholic High School 2015
