Safeguarding: Support
At HACH, we want students and families to feel supported by the academy. We are all part of the HACH Circle.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
We know the last few years have been challenging for our young people We thought it would be useful to signpost additional support that is available for those who need it.
Useful Websites
NSPCC: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
Childline: https://www.childline.org.uk/
Self harm: https://www.selfharm.co.uk/
Youngminds: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/self-harm/
CAMHS: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
Kooth: https://www.kooth.com/
Thurrock local safeguarding childcare partnership: https://www.thurrocklscp.org.uk/
Families can listen to these podcasts produced to help parents and carers understand mental health problems in young people
https://www.annafreud.org/parents-and-carers/child-in-mind/
NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/getting-help-for-domestic-violence/
ParentInfo
Parent Info is a regularly updated feed of expert information, advice and sources of support for parents on a whole range of parenting themes - the emphasis being on helping parents and carers develop their children's resilience to the risks and pressures they face in today's world.
E-safety
The online world is a wonderful place for young people to explore, with unprecedented opportunities for learning and creativity. But just like the real world there are risks and dangers they should be aware of, and which we can act to protect them from. Although the academy teaches students e-safety as part of the curriculum, it is vital that parents are aware of the risks too, and what they can do to develop a culture of e-safety in the home.
This page has some helpful resources for parents that will enable you to help your child stay safe online. If you have any concerns about your child's e-safety, there is always someone at the academy who is available to talk to you. Simply call the school and ask for our Safeguarding Officer, Sarah Downey, or speak to any member of staff. Our e-safety policy can be found below.
Monitoring online activity
We monitor students' use of the internet by using filters and monitoring systems (Securus). Securus is monitoring software that can monitor a wide range of devices. It monitors against an inbuilt library of keywords and phrases organised into categories with each one given a default severity rating.
The library is developed in partnership with a number of charities and specialist organisations within law enforcement and child protection. The programme monitors both online and offline material and recognises inappropriate or harmful content, words and phrases.
A screen shot (known as a ‘capture’) plus other details is taken of every incident triggered, showing what was displayed at the time, who was involved and when the incident took place. This information is shared with the DSL and Head of Academy, allowing Academy staff to implement further actions or interventions as required.
Think You Know
The Think You Know website is created by the police for parents of children at secondary school. It contains useful information about:
- what children are doing online
- how to talk to children about what they are doing online
- what risks your child might face
- what tools are there to help them stay safe.
Think You Know have also produced a Parents Guide to E-Safety and also the following booklets to provide parents/carers with helpful information on how to explore and monitor their children’s apps.
Sexting/trading nudes
The term ‘sexting’ describes the use of technology to share intimate images of yourself. It’s a word-mix of sex and texting. The content can vary, from text messages to images of partial nudity to sexual images or videos. For more information and guidance for parents and children visit the Childnet website.
What is a 'money mule'?
More young people across the UK are being approached by criminals who want to use their bank accounts or pin numbers for criminal purposes. This is called being a ‘money mule’. A ‘mule account’ is used to hide money that comes from illegal activities. The young person may be asked to transfer money, allow access to their account or open up a new one. Sometimes criminals will try and force young people to become mules or they might offer financial incentives such as cash or mobile phone credit.
We need your support to help educate young people around this issue. Has your child been approached or asked for their bank account to be used? Check any bank statements. Is there money going in and out that cannot be accounted for? Ask questions if you are unsure about anything.
Bank accounts are private and must only be used by the account holder. Any misuse could not only be criminal but could cause serious credit issues for the account holder. Police are working in partnership with many schools across London to combat this issue. If you have any concerns, speak to your Safer Schools Police Officer (see below) and/or Action Fraud (www.actionfraud.police.uk) on 0300 123 2040.
Drugs networks ('County lines')
The National Crime Agency, the UK body charged with fighting organised crime, is very concerned that crime gangs are taking over drug networks using telephone hotlines (called 'county lines') and recruiting vulnerable people, often children, to act as couriers and to sell drugs. Please see our information sheet about 'county lines' and 'cuckooing' the practice whereby professional drug dealers take over the property of a vulnerable person and use it as a place from which to run their drugs business. Below you will see some web links to various campaigns and research on county lines.
https://www.fearless.org/en/campaigns/county-lines
https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-is-county-lines
https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/what-we-do/crime-threats/drug-trafficking/county-lines
Other useful resources
List of helpful online resources produced by Childnet
www.childnet.com– Visit the ‘Know It All’ Section for an interactive guide about online safety
www.getsafeonline.org – Free up-to-date security advice
www.cybermentors.org.uk – Online support for children
www.ceop.police.uk – Website of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre
https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/professionals-online-safety-helpline - resources for professionals working in the area of safeguarding with children and young people, but could be of interest to parents too
Operation Encompass
Harris Academy Chafford Hundred is part of Operation Encompass.
Operation Encompass is a police and school partnership sharing information about domestic abuse incidents to provide support to children before the start of the next school day. If your child is involved in such an incident, a police officer will notify your school's Designated Safeguarding Lead (Mrs Downey). This allows school staff to offer timely, confidential support and understand the child's circumstances, helping to mitigate the negative impacts of domestic abuse.
What is it?
- A police and school partnership:
The police share information with schools about incidents of domestic abuse.
- Early intervention:
The goal is to get information to the school quickly, before the next school day, to enable timely support.
- Supports children:
This helps children who have been exposed to domestic abuse, which can impact their emotional, social, and academic wellbeing.
How it helps your child:
- Timely support:
Schools can offer immediate support to the child if they've witnessed or been involved in a domestic incident.
- Confidentiality:
The information is shared confidentially with a designated person (Mrs Downey) at the school.
- Tailored support:
School staff can then provide support based on the child's specific needs and wishes.
What to do if you have questions:
- Check your school's website: Your school will have detailed information about Operation Encompass on their website or in their Safeguarding Policy, according to Concordia Academy.
- Contact your school's safeguarding lead: You can reach out to your school's Designated Safeguarding Lead for more information and support.
- Visit the national website: For general information, visit the Operation Encompass website.