Operation Encompass

OUR KEY ADULTS ARE:                                 

Miss Brown (Designated Safeguarding Lead/SENCO)

Mrs Stanley (Deputy DSL/Assistant SENCO)

Operation Encompass Safeguarding Statement

Our school is part of Operation Encompass. This is a police and education early intervention safeguarding partnership which supports children and young people who experience Domestic Abuse.

Operation Encompass means that the police will share information about Domestic Abuse incidents with our school soon after they have been called to a domestic incident.

All Key Adults (DSL/DDSL) have attended an Operation Encompass local briefing as well as national online training.

Our parents are fully aware that we are an Operation Encompass school.

The Operation Encompass information is stored in line with all other confidential safeguarding and child protection information.

The Key Adult has also led briefings for all school staff and Governors about Operation Encompass, the prevalence of Domestic Abuse and the impact of this abuse on children. We have also discussed how we can support our children following the Operation Encompass notification.

The Safeguarding Governor will report on Operation Encompass in the termly report to Governors. All information is anonymised for these reports.

The Key Adult has used the Operation Encompass Toolkit to ensure that all appropriate actions have been taken by the school.

Emotional Well-being Practitioner

Clare is a 'Emotional Well-being Practitioner.' She is a mother of two school age children and has spent many years working in the field of Mental Well-Being. In addition to being a qualified nurse, she has also undertaken further training which allows her to diversify in her work. Clare believes passionately in supporting people of all ages to be at ease with their needs, reaching out for support and education to gain skills to manage their well-being in our ever evolving world.

As an Emotional Well-being Practitioner, Clare is qualified to offer a safe, warm and open space for our pupils. Within this space, pupils will be encouraged to value their own voice and be heard with empathy and a non-judgmental approach. Clare may use age appropriate tools and play to support the pupils' emotional literacy skills, supporting them to articulate their needs in such a way which enables them to be better understood. Clare will not be able to promise the child total confidentiality, as this may inhibit the additional support which they may deserve, however she will promote safety and inclusion in all aspects of her work.

Play Therapy

Esther du Sautoy is a trainee play therapist who is supporting children at Heatherlands Primary School by helping young minds process big emotions through the sessions.

What is Play Therapy?

Play is the language of children and the way they make sense of the world. Play therapy is an opportunity for your child to communicate through play at their own level and pace, without having to answer questions or verbally explain what is troubling them. In a calm and safe play room, they meet one-to-one with a therapist and choose from a selection of toys, games, art and craft materials. The play therapist is led by the child, watching and listening to the stories they tell, joining in the play and gently supporting, without judgement the expression of feelings.

At Heatherlands, your child is initially offered 10 sessions with Esther, a fully qualified counsellor and trainee play therapist with 11 years experience working with children. Changes and progress are reviewed mid-point with parents/carers and teachers and additional sessions offered, if agreed this would be in the best interest of your child.

How can Play Therapy help my child?

Play therapy helps children understand muddled feelings and upsetting experiences that they haven’t yet processed and may have difficulty putting into words. It’s empowering for the child, helping them make sense of their past and present in order to cope better with the future. The benefits of play therapy can be general, eg. reduced anxiety and stronger self-esteem, or more specific, such as focussed concentration at school and improved relationships with family and friends.

The Therapeutic Relationship and Confidentiality

Central to Play Therapy is the trusting, non-judgemental relationship between child and therapist. The child is accepted unconditionally and feels safe and understood. Specific details of what they say and do are not disclosed unless there is a safeguarding concern. This confidentiality agreement is essential, to build and maintain the child’s trust and feelings of safety with the therapist.

Visit https://www.bapt.info/play-therapy/info-children/ for child-friendly ways to chat about play therapy and answer questions your child may have.

Escapeline

On Tuesday 21st November 2023 the children in Year 5 and 6 attended a workshop lead by Escapeline. This is a charity that educates children on preventing child exploitation and the risk of child exploitation and county lines. The workshop provided the children with a safe space to learn about healthy friendships and the risk of child exploitation which links to the children's current learning in the JIGSAW unit, 'Healthy Me.' 

If you require any further information or support regarding Escapeline and the education that they provided, then a parent pack is available below. Please do not hesitate to contact the school and speak to a safeguarding lead if you have any concerns.

Parenting Courses

During the Spring term our school navigator and pastoral lead lead two separate 6 week parenting courses at school - Building Positive Relationships and Parenting Journey. Here is the feedback from parents about the course: -

• "Honest Course without Judgement."
• "A fantastic program of listening and engaging together as a group - feeling listened to and valued. Thank you for highlighting how we can all change a small thing to make a big difference."
• "Very confident and approachable, clear communication with lots of personal references."
• "Thank you Charlotte for a lovely fun course. You made it funny and it was nice for us to laugh as well as you teaching us how to change the way we deal with situations more positively."
• "The course has allowed discussion regarding our children's behaviour in a safety and open space to share thoughts and know we aren't all alone. It has reminded us the great parents we are dealing with challenges."

Contact the school 'Arc' team to find out more and we can complete a referral for the next course.

'Together We Can' Helpline

As an additional layer of support, BCP Council have set up the ‘Together We Can’ initiative to support the most extremely vulnerable in our communities.

Some of our families, because of Covid 19, are unable to access their FSM because of isolation and illness. In order to ensure these families are not disadvantaged in any way, BCP Council have a ‘Together We Can ‘ helpline which went live on Friday 27^th March 2020. If you are eligible for FSM and are struggling to provide food for your family, please contact the Helpline. Together We Can will do their best to support the family if at all possible. 

Together We Can Helpline Number 0300 1237052

Bonfire and Firework Safety

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding everyone about the dangers of fireworks to help keep people safe this bonfire and fireworks season. With many organised events cancelled, emergency services are preparing for a busier night than usual as people celebrate in their own gardens. We are asking everyone to show RESPECT this Bonfire Night.

Respect the Firework

Whilst most people enjoy fireworks responsibly, in the wrong hands they can cause real misery. Remember that fireworks are explosives, and as such should be treated with respect and only used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the Firework Code.

• Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable, and ensure it finishes before 11pm
• Only buy fireworks which carry the CE mark, keep them in a closed box and use them one at a time
• Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary
• Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back
• Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks
• Never return to a firework once it has been lit
• Don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw them
• Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators
• Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire
• Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.

Respect the Emergency Services

We are currently amidst a global pandemic and we are asking people not to take risks, putting additional pressures on our emergency services. Injuries can be prevented by following the Firework code. If you suffer a burn, ensure you:

• Cool the burn under cold running water for at least ten minutes.
• After the burn has been cooled, cover it with cling film or a clean plastic bag.
• Call 999 if necessary. Always seek medical advice for a baby or child that has been burned.

Respect your neighbours

Fireworks can frighten people and animals. The elderly and children are frequently scared and intimidated by firework noise. After all, fireworks are explosives. Tell your neighbours if you’re a planning on letting off fireworks and avoid purchasing really noisy ones.  Please be considerate when having a firework party and make sure the noise is over by 11pm. 

You must not set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except for:

·         Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight

·         New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am

Show some respect this Bonfire Night.

NSPCC Assembly

On Thursday 21st November, children in KS1 and then KS2 attended an assembly lead by NSPCC. The children learnt the importance of speaking out and staying safe. They learnt some of the areas that may cause a worry such as bullying and emotional abuse as well as discussing who may be a trusted adult to them. All the children went away at the end of the day with a sticker and knowing the NSPCC number if they needed to contact someone confidentially about a worry - 0800 1111. Have a look on the website for further information.

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

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/

Not in our Community 

A website that includes support and advice to parents worried about their child being at risk of child exploitation and grooming. It contains resources for children and parents.

Safeguarding

What is abuse?

Abuse is a form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or

by failing to act to prevent harm. They may be abused by an adult or adults or another child or children.

There are four main categories of abuse: Physical, Sexual, Emotional and Neglect.

Sexual Abuse

Definition: involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or

not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault

by penetration (for example rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing,

rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children. Physical indicators: stomach pains, bruising or bleeding near the genital area, discomfort when walking or sitting down, vaginal discharge or infection, sexually transmitted disease. Behavioural indicators: sudden or unexplained changes in behaviour, apparent fear of someone, nightmares, eating problems or disorders, sexual knowledge which is beyond their age or developmental level, acting in a sexually explicit way, sexual drawings or language, substance or drug abuse, unexplained sources of money, not allowed to have friends.

Heatherlands Primary School receives information from the Police to alert the DSL in school when there has been an incident of domestic abuse in a household where a pupil lives. We are not informed of the detail of the incident, only that one has occurred. This allows us to monitor and support the pupil. If we have additional concerns we will discuss the need for further safeguarding actions with Social Care. This information would only be shared with other staff on a restricted need to know basis i.e. those who are immediately responsible for the pupil’s welfare such as the class teacher. Where a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) occurs the school may be asked for information and appropriate school related information may be shared with the school after the meeting.

Are you concerned about a child?

If you are a member of the public with significant concerns about a child please contact your local Children’s Services:

Telephone: 01202 123334    

E-mail: childrensfirstresponse@bcpcouncil.gov.uk  

If you are concerned that a child or young person is in an emergency situation you should contact the Police urgently on 999.

Outside office hours – The Out of Hours Team operates an out of hours service. The Out of Hours service is an emergency only response with the social worker available to provide a response where the needs of the child indicate this. To contact the out of hours service, please contact: -

Telephone: 01202 738256    

E-mail:  ChildrensOOHS@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

Early Help

Early Help is a way of working with children and young people. It involves listening to you and your child to find out your child’s needs, and what is working well in your child’s life. An action plan, agreed with you and your child, is also put in place to make sure your child gets the right sort of help. Early Help intervention will help your child receive the right support at an early stage before their needs increase which can be much more difficult to help you with.

The Early Help Assessment is voluntary – you and your child can choose to be involved.

How will an Early Help Assessment help my family?

• The Early Help Assessment exists to help you support your child. It can lead to a quick solution or help to identify extra support if needed.
• The Early Help Assessment will ensure that everyone involved with your child – such as teachers and health visitors – works together to support your child.
• As the Early Help Assessment is a shared assessment, you and your child will not have to repeat the same story to different workers.