Safeguarding and Promoting the Well-Being of Children

Atherton High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all students regardless of age, gender, religion or beliefs, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic background. The school provides a caring, positive safe and stimulating environment that promotes spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Our school offers a warm and welcoming experience and we work tirelessly to ensure students are safe, happy and supported in achieving their potential.

Designated Safeguarding Leads

Our Designated Safeguarding Leads are:

Mrs L Fazackerley – Assistant Head – Safeguarding & Character Development – Lead DSL

Mrs M Melling – Deputy Head – Inclusion – Deputy DSL

Mrs L Turner – Headteacher – Deputy DSL

Should you have a concern regarding the safety or well-being of any child, please contact us.

Documents Available for Download

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children

CEOP

Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) is a Police website offering advice and support regarding online safety. The website has the facility for you to report any issues regarding the suspected online sexual exploitation of children.

Are you worried about online abuse or the way someone has been communicating with you online?

As a parent/carer, do you have concerns or need some guidance?

Please click the logo here to access the website, find out more information or report an incident.

Harmful Sexual Behaviour

What is harmful sexual behaviour?

Harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) is developmentally inappropriate sexual behaviour displayed by children and young people which is harmful or abusive. Peer-on-peer sexual abuse is a form of HSB where sexual abuse takes place between children of a similar age or stage of development. Child-on-child sexual abuse is a form of HSB that takes place between children of any age or stage of development. Problematic sexual behaviour (PSB) is developmentally inappropriate or socially unexpected sexualised behaviour which doesn’t have an overt element of victimisation or abuse.

NSPCC – Sexual Behaviour in Children

Advice about healthy and unhealthy sexual behaviour in children and teenagers, including what to do if you’re worried.

Domestic, Sexual Abuse and Relationship Guidance

NSPCC – Helpline for those in education

0808 800 5000, complete the online form or email help@nspcc.org.uk

Keeping Safe in School

Child sexual exploitation
Know and see the signs
Teen relationships
Act on it
Gender identity
GIRES
Pornography
Childline

Other Useful Websites and Information

Anti-bullying 

• Samaritans  Whatever you are going through, call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123 
• Anti-bullying Alliance
• Family Lives
• Barnardo’s
• Childline 0800 1111  support for children and young people in the UK, including free helpline and 1-2-1 online chats with counsellors.
• The Children’s Society

Domestic Violence

• Women’s aid
• Refuge
  
• Family Lives

Drugs and alcohol

• Talk to Frank
• Gov.uk
• We are with you

Female Genital Mutilation 

• Female Genital Mutilation – government advice
• YoungMinds

LGBTQ+

• The Proud Trust
• Power To Be Out
• The Be You Project
• Kaleidoscope Trust
• Galop focusing on anti-abuse

Mental Health 

• MIND
• NHS Self help booklets
• Kooth
• Young Minds
• SHOUT
• Winston’s Wish
• Beat
• Harmless
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Self-Harm

• Virtual College– Understanding Young Minds (free online course)
• Coping with self-harm – a guide for parents and carers

Victim of a Crime 

• When to call 101
• Victim Support

Advice for parents

• Parent Info from NCA-CEOP – provides support and guidance for parents from leading experts
• Useful helpline contact details

Online Safety, Support and Gaming Guidance

E-Safety 

• • CEOP (online safety)
  • Link for children to remove an image
  • Childnet – Know IT All for Parents
  • Tiktok checklist
  • Facebook checklist
  • Instagram checklist
  • X Help Centre
  • Snapchat Support
  • Tumblr Help Centre
  • YouTube Help
  • Skype Help
  • Pinterest Help Centre
  • Get Safe Online

Console games support

• PGEI games ratings explained
• How much time do children spend online
• Age ratings

Online Safety

Ratings and Reviews – Movies, TV, Books, Games etc.

Common Sense Media
Cyber Aware
Let’s Fight It Together – YouTube video from Childnet International

New documents

• Parent Online Safety Support Guide
• Online Radicalisation Information and Support

Operation Encompass

Atherton High School has signed up to Operation Encompass.  The purpose of Operation Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in, heard or witnessed a domestic abuse incident.

Following an incident, children will often arrive at school distressed, upset, worried and unprepared.  Operation Encompass aims to ensure that appropriate school staff are made aware early enough to help and support children and young people in a way that means they feel safe and included.

This is a valuable initiative that means we can help and support students and their families within our school when they need us most.

You can find out more information by visiting the Operation Encompass website here.