Create Safeguarding Statement

At Create Partnership Trust we put the safeguarding and wellbeing of the children first and expect all visitors and volunteers to do the same.

In our schools children are taught how to keep themselves safe, form positive relationships, and know who to speak to if they need help.

We work with our families and sometimes outside agencies to safeguard our pupils. Our staff have a duty of care to report any concerns, and always act in the best interests of the child.

For more information please see our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.

Lead DSL: b.orourke@brookfields.create.org.uk

You should report concerns to a member of the Designated Safeguarding Team (DST) immediately who will deal with the concerns and inform the Designated Senior Lead (DSL).
Overall responsibility for Safeguarding within our MAT lies with the Interim CEO, Chris Dyson.
Our designated Trustee for Safeguarding is Mary Higgins.

If anything worries you or concerns you, report it straight away.

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Prevent Duty

Should you have any concerns regarding a child or family being at risk of radicalisation or being drawn into terrorism through exposure or engagement with extremist viewpoints, beliefs or language (irrespective of race, gender, or cultural background) then please speak with Miss O'Rourke who is the Single Point of Contact (SPOC).

Operation Encompass

Our school is part of Operation Encompass.

Operation Encompass is a national police and education early intervention safeguarding partnership which supports children and young people who experience Domestic Violence and Abuse and which is in place in every police force in England and Wales.

Children were recognised as victims of domestic abuse in their own right in the 2021 Domestic Abuse Act.

Operation Encompass means that the police will share information with our school about all police attended Domestic Abuse incidents which involve any of our children PRIOR to the start of the next school day.

Our safeguarding team have undertaken the relevant training to ensure they can support our pupils and their families.

Safeguarding out-of-hours

If you have a safeguarding concern regarding a child from Brookfields Primary School, then please contact Miss O'Rourke or Mrs Kacem on 0121 675 1897.

Alternatively, email

b.orourke@brookfields.create.org.uk

If you have an urgent concern about a child's safety and consider them to be in imminent danger, then please contact the Police on 999

Alternate services and support are listed below:

NSPCC Helpline - if you are worried about a child and for anonymous referrals - telephone 0808 800 5000

Birmingham & Solihull Women's Aid - supporting victims of domestic abuse - telephone 0808 800 0028

Police non-emergencies - telephone 101

Keeping Children Safe in Education

All Staff at our school have read the Keeping Children Safe in Education (Information for Schools and Colleges) document.

This document explains;

What School and College Staff should know and do
Types of abuse and neglect
Specific Safeguarding Issues
Further Information on a Child Missing from Education
Further Information on Child Sexual Exploitation
Further Information on Female Genital Mutilation
Further Information on Preventing Radicalisation

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Right Help, Right Time

In line with Birmingham Safeguarding Children’s Board, Brookfields follows the refreshed threshold guidance “Right Help, Right Time” (RHRT). This framework has provided everyone at Brookfields with clear advice about what to do and how to respond if a child and their family need extra help. Our DSLs, have attended the required training suggested by the RHRT Multi-Agency so have embedded the RHRT guidance within the day to day practice of the school. Our staff regularly receive training so they know that the voice of the child is at the centre of their planning, decision making and service delivery.

For further information on the materials provided by RHRT, read the following documents:

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Sexual Harassment

Please find below a useful leaflet with advice and strategies to support conversations with your child about Sexual Harassment. With the every grown use of technology, this is becoming an increasing concern faced by our young people. As a school, we will have ensured our curriculum incorporates e-safety and educates our pupils about what to do when they feel unsafe. The guidance below will support you as a parent to speak to your child also.

If you have any concerns linked with sexual harassment please speak to Miss O'Rourke or Mrs Kacem.

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Keeping you child safe online

Online Safety Tip: With over 1.5 billion users, WhatsApp has become one of the most used messaging apps. Find out what feature you can use to help keep your child’s personal information private.

https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/ whatsapp-safety-a-how-to-guide-for-parents/

When it comes to the internet, our children are exposed to so many different things.

Together we want to work in partnership with you to help keep our children safe online.

Below is some information about two very common online platforms children access.

At first glance they may seem harmless, but we would like to make you aware of some of the risks these platforms could pose to your child.

Remember to check your child’s devices and talk to them about the apps and platforms they should and should not be using.

APP/game	WHAT IS IT?	LISTEN OUT FOR PUPILS TALKING ABOUT:
TikTok	Users share short videos of themselves, often lip-syncing to music, and watch other people’s videos You can gain ‘fans’ and follow other people There are often ‘challenges’ that spread among users The app uses algorithms to feed users more related content, which can push them towards niche or unsettling videos	Videos that sound inappropriate ‘Challenges’ that are potentially dangerous Strangers they’ve made contact with through TikTok Content about eating disorders, self-harm and bullying Things they heard or saw on TikTok that don’t sound true, or might be fake news
Snapchat	Picture, video and message-sharing with contacts ‘Snaps’ disappear and aren’t saved on phones Known for sharing nude and semi-nude images	Sharing explicit images and requests for photos Screenshots of ‘Snaps’ being shared Strangers they’ve made contact with Videos and photos that sound inappropriate
YouTube	A website and app where users can watch videos uploaded by other people Users can also watch live streams of other people Users can upload their own videos and leave comments on other people’s videos	Uploading videos of things that happen at school ‘Challenges’ that are potentially dangerous Videos that sound inappropriate Other pupils’ videos that they’ve found, and making fun of the person who made the video
Instagram	Users upload photos and videos to their profile, and can live stream to other users You can gain followers and follow other people, as well as comment on other people’s photos and videos Users can private message each other, send each other private photos and videos, and upload to a daily ‘story’ that other users can see for 24 hours	Sharing explicit images and requests for photos Screenshots of private messages or photos being shared Pictures or videos that sound inappropriate
Twitch	A website and app where users can watch videos and live streams of other users, typically playing computer games They can also live stream themselves and private message each other	Strangers they’ve made contact with Inappropriate content they’ve seen
Kick	Like Twitch, a website where users can watch videos and live streams of other users Computer gaming streams are popular, as well as gambling	Strangers they’ve made contact with Gambling Inappropriate content they’ve seen
WhatsApp	A messaging app where users can message each other by text, video and voice notes Users can also video and voice chat with each other	Strangers they’ve made contact with Pictures or videos that sound inappropriate Screenshots of private messages or photos being shared
Discord	A messaging platform where users can message, video and voice call each other, and join servers to talk to lots of other people Originally used for communication while playing computer games	Strangers they’ve made contact with Pictures or videos that sound inappropriate Ideas or beliefs that sound extreme
Minecraft	A game where players explore online worlds. They can use ‘blocks’ to customise the world and create new parts Players buy ‘Minecoins’ with real money, and then exchange them for in-game extras such as outfits for their character or new worlds to explore Players can communicate in multiplayer worlds using text chat	‘Griefing’, where someone intentionally ruins the game for other users Contact with strangers Spending lots of ‘Minecoins’, which means spending lots of real money
Roblox	An online game creating system where you can create and publish games and activities, and play in other users’ games Players can buy ‘Robux’ with real money, and then exchange them for in-game upgrades such as special outfits or abilities for their character	‘Griefing’, where someone intentionally ruins the game for other users Contact with strangers Players spending lots of ‘Robux’, which means spending lots of real money
Fortnite	A game where players build structures, as well as fight computer-controlled monsters and other players The most popular game mode, ‘Battle Royale’, pits 100 players against each other, either alone or in teams of up to 4 Players can communicate with each other using pre-determined icons, and with their teammates over voice chat Players can buy ‘V-Bucks’ with real money, and then exchange them for in-game extras such as outfits	‘Griefing’, where someone intentionally ruins the game for other users Contact with strangers Players spending lots of ‘V-Bucks’, which means spending lots of real money

NSPCC

The NSPCC website has lots of information on it around how to keep your children safe. One of the leaflets helps you decide when are children ready to be left home alone.

This guide provides practical tips and advice to help parents and carers decide what is best for their child when it comes to staying home alone or going out alone.

It covers some of the risks parents should consider before making a decision, such as how their child feels about the idea and who they should contact in an emergency.

There is also a checklist for parents and children to work through together to help them prepare for different types of scenarios. This includes questions about what to do if there is an accident at home or they are approached by a stranger outside.

See the website for more information

Leaving Your Child Home Alone - Advice | NSPCC

Further websites to help support keep your child safe online:

UK Government Guidance - Support for parents and carers to keep children safe online

Keeping Children Safe Online

UK Safer Internet Centre - Have a conversation

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NSPCC Online Safety Workshop for Parents and Carers

This workshop provides parents and carers with information about how to support their child in their online world. We cover topics such as online bullying, mental health and social media, as well as signposting to resources and organisations for help and support.

Online Safety Statement

At Brookfields Primary School, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is our highest priority. We recognise that technology and the internet are an integral part of children’s lives and education, and we are committed to ensuring that pupils learn to use digital technologies safely, responsibly and respectfully.

Our approach to online safety is in line with the statutory guidance set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and other relevant safeguarding legislation.

Our Commitment

We are committed to:

Protecting children from online risks, including exposure to inappropriate content, contact, conduct and commercial risks.
Teaching pupils how to stay safe online through a broad and balanced curriculum.
Working in partnership with parents and carers to promote safe online behaviours.
Responding promptly and effectively to online safety concerns.

Online safety is viewed as a safeguarding matter and is embedded throughout our school culture.

Teaching and Learning

Online safety is taught through:

Our Computing curriculum
PSHE and Relationships Education
Assemblies and themed awareness days
Age-appropriate discussions about digital behaviour and media literacy

Pupils are taught about:

Safe use of the internet and digital devices
Social media awareness (age-appropriate)
Cyberbullying and respectful online behaviour
Privacy and protecting personal information
Online grooming, exploitation and abuse
The impact of sharing images and content online
Critical thinking and identifying misinformation

Teaching is tailored to be age-appropriate and responsive to emerging risks.

Filtering and Monitoring

The school has appropriate filtering and monitoring systems in place to safeguard pupils when using school devices and networks. These systems:

Help prevent access to harmful or inappropriate content
Alert staff to potential safeguarding concerns
Are regularly reviewed to ensure effectiveness

While no system can be 100% effective, we take all reasonable steps to minimise risks.

Staff Training

All staff receive regular safeguarding training, including online safety updates, in line with KCSIE requirements. Staff understand:

The different types of online harm
The indicators of online abuse or exploitation
Their responsibilities for reporting concerns

Online safety is part of our whole-school safeguarding culture.

Responding to Concerns

Any online safety concern is treated as a safeguarding concern. Concerns are:

Recorded and reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Managed in accordance with our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
Referred to external agencies where appropriate

We work closely with families to support children where concerns arise.

Working in Partnership with Parents

We recognise that parents and carers play a crucial role in keeping children safe online. We:

Provide guidance and updates through newsletters and the school website
Offer advice about parental controls and age-appropriate apps
Encourage open communication between school and home

If parents have concerns about online safety, they are encouraged to contact the school.

If you have any concerns or queries about online safety and how to keep your child safe, please speak to our Deputy Head and Lead DSL, Bernadette O'Rourke, or contact the main office to speak to a member of our safeguarding team.

Sources of support for you

If you feel like you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. We’ve gathered contact information for some helplines, so you know where you can turn to if you need some help.

Remember, it’s ok not to be ok.

Family life

Family Lives (support on any aspect of parenting and family life. Freephone) | 0808 800 2222 | askus@familylives.org.uk | familylives.org.uk

Mental health

For you:

Samaritans (free) | 116 123 | jo@samaritans.org | samaritans.org

Mind (calls charged at local and network rates) | 0300 123 3393 | info@mind.org.uk | mind.org.uk

If you’re worried about your child:

Please come and speak to us and we will support.

Young Minds Parents Helpline (free) | 0808 802 5544 | https://bit.ly/3p8kpDp

Domestic abuse

National Domestic Abuse Helpline (free) | 0808 2000 247 | nationaldahelpline.org.uk

Men’s Advice Line (free) | 0808 8010 327 | mensadviceline.org.uk

Galop (free, LGBT+) | 0800 999 5428 | galop.org.uk

Alcohol, drugs and gambling:

Drinkline (free) | 0300 123 1110

Drinkchat (calls charged at local and network rates) | 0300 123 1110 | bit.ly/2NoQx7T

Frank (for support around drugs and alcohol. Calls charged at local and network rates)

| 0300 123 6600 | talktofrank.com

National Gambling Helpline, run by Gamcare (free) | 0808 8020 133 | gamcare.org.uk

Adfam (for families of those affected by drug, alcohol and gambling problems) | find local support on their website: adfam.org.uk

Food

If you have concerns over food, please come and speak to Miss O'Rourke and Mrs Kacem.

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Dear Parents/Carers,

Our school is part of Operation Encompass which is a national scheme that operates jointly between schools and police forces.

Operation Encompass is the reporting to schools, prior to the start of the next school day, when a child or young person has experienced domestic abuse.

As a school we have ensured that a member of our staff, (Designated Safeguarding Lead) known as a Key Adult, has been trained in the Operation Encompass procedures allowing us to then use the information that has been shared, in confidence, to support the child/ren in our care.

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 identifies children who experience domestic abuse as victims of domestic abuse in their own right.

We are keen to offer the best support possible to all our pupils and we believe this will be extremely beneficial for all those involved.

If you have any questions, do come and speak to us.

Bernadette O'Rourke
Lead DSL/Operation Encompass Lead/SPOC

Early Help

What is Early Help?

Early Help means providing support to children, young people and families as soon as a problem emerges – or when it is identified that extra support may be needed.

The aim is simple:
To stop small concerns becoming bigger worries.
To help families get the right support at the right time.

Early Help is voluntary and works best when families and professionals work together.

Who is Early Help for?

Early Help can support families with a wide range of needs, including:

Behaviour or emotional wellbeing concerns
Attendance or punctuality difficulties
Family relationship challenges
Parenting support
Housing or financial worries
Domestic abuse or coercive control
Health concerns
Bereavement
Special educational needs
Changes in family circumstances

If something is affecting your child’s wellbeing, learning or development, Early Help may be able to support.

How does Early Help work?

We listen – A member of staff will talk with you about what is going well and what support may help.
We agree a plan together – This may be called an Early Help Plan.
We involve the right services – With your consent, we may work with other professionals such as:
- Family Support Workers
- School Nurses
- Health visitors
- Housing support
- Local authority services
- Community organisations
We review progress regularly – To make sure the support is working.

You are always involved in decisions, and your views matter.

If you would like to find out more about Early Help and whether it is the right support for you and your family, please speak to one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) or contact the school office who will speak to a DSL on your behalf. They will be happy to talk things through with you in confidence, answer any questions you may have, and help you decide on the best next steps.

Miss Bernadette O'Rourke, DHT, Lead DSL

Safeguarding