Safeguarding information for parents and carers

The Valley Federation of Edale C of E (VC) and Hope Primary Schools take the safeguarding and protection of children extremely seriously and understands that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. The best interest of the child always guides what we do and how we act.

The Valley Federation has the expertise of a student and family support worker based at Hope Valley College to provide Early Help Assessments and provide any help required. If you feel that he can be of assistance to you or your family or you would just like an informal chat, then please feel free to contact him at the following email address – emillington@chorustrust.org

If you are concerned about the conduct of any member of staff or volunteer this must be reported to the head teacher/DSL immediately. If the concern is about the head teacher then report immediately to the Chair of Governors. The concern will then be referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).

There are many pressures on parents, families and children negotiating the world today, especially following the Covid-19 pandemic. There are a large number of resources and help that can be found online. If you need any help with these resources or you need anything relevant printing off please contact the school. Below is a comprehensive list of helpful websites. 

The NSPCC website has a lot of helpful information on all aspects of child safety and support for parents and carers including the TalkPANTS resources.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/

Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership – for general info and resources https://www.ddscp.org.uk/parents-and-carers/

For early intervention and crisis support www.familylives.org.uk

Bullying– is the repetitive, intentional hurting, intimidating or persecution of one person or group by another person or group, it can happen face to face or online. There is help and support for anyone who has been bullied or has bullied and mechanisms to give your child confidence.

 nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk          https://www.childline.org.uk/      

 https://www.kidscape.org.uk/advice/advice-for-parents-and-carers/    

Online safety– The internet is a great source of information and entertainment and most homes are connected in some way using not just computers and laptops but phones; TV; tablets; watches; games consoles; internet enabled toys; smart speakers. It is important to talk to your children about how and when they use the internet and what to do if they see or read something that upsets them. Social media sites have age limits to help protect children. It is really important your child knows who they are talking to online as some adults use social media to groom and exploit children.

https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/     https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/    Child Exploitation Online Protection (CEOP) has age related resources for staying safe online: https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/                                             https://www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers  

Mental Health and wellbeing- Feeling happy, safe and secure is important for wellbeing and mental health. Mental wellbeing is about how you're feeling right now, and how well you can cope with daily life. Our wellbeing can change from moment to moment, day to day, or month to month. It doesn't mean you'll always be happy. It's normal to feel sad, low angry or anxious sometimes. But if you have poor wellbeing for a long time you might start to find things more difficult to cope with. Help is available.

 https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/social-health/health-and-wellbeing/mental-health-and-wellbeing/young-peoples-mental-health/young-peoples-mental-health.aspx                                                                          https://www.mind.org.uk/                                    https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/                               https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/                www.youngminds.org.uk                     https://parentingsmart.place2be.org.uk/

Grooming and exploitation – there are many ways children can be exploited for criminal, drug, terrorism and sexual reasons. It is important to look out for changes in your child’s behaviour, mood and friendship groups and seek help early if you are concerned. Help is available for children vulnerable to radicalisation and extremism.

Parents against child exploitation https://paceuk.info/

Healthy eating https://vegpower.org.uk/  https://www.nhs.uk/change4life/food-facts

Toy safety https://toysafety.co.uk/

Road safety https://www.think.gov.uk/education-resources/

Water safety https://www.stwater.co.uk/about-us/education-zone/                

Fire safety https://www.derbys-fire.gov.uk/community/schools

Don’t forget you and your family are not alone, please reach out to our school community if you have any worries or concerns.

Report Abuse

CEOP helps any child or young person under the age of 18 who is being pressured, forced or tricked into taking part in sexual activity of any kind. This can be something that has taken place either online or in ‘the real world’, or both. The CEOP Safety Centre has clear information and advice on what can be reported to CEOP, the reporting process and what will happen if you do decide to make a report. You can visit the CEOP Safety Centre and make a report directly to CEOP by clicking the Click CEOP button.

If you are experiencing online bullying or something else online has worried you please speak to an adult you trust, or you can talk to Childline at any time on 0800 1111 or at www.childline.org.uk.