The Internet is an amazing resource that can be used for all sorts of fantastic opportunities and to learn many exciting things about the world in which we live.  However, it can also be a dangerous place for our children, if it is not properly monitored and they are not taught how to behave whilst online.  It is really important that we support our children to both behave well when 'talking' to other people online, and what to do if they feel that somebody is behaving in an inappropriate way towards them.

We would suggest that when children are using the internet, they should be supervised at all times.  Children often behave in different ways when online, to how they would behave when they are talking to people face and so it is important to ensure that they know what is and is not acceptable behaviour.

In school we have a web filtering service run by Exa - our broadband provider - that aims to filter out most of the inappropriate sites out there.  However, unfortunately nothing is 100% secure. Therefore, in school we hold regular esafety lessons, assemblies etc that help our children understand what to do when online. 

It is vital that parents support this by backing up these messages at home.  This can be done by ensuring that you have appropriate filtering and parental controls at home, as well as making sure that your children do not have unrestricted or unsupervised access.

IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT A WEBSITE OR ANY ONLINE ACTIVITY CLICK ON THE 'CLICK CEOP' LINK AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE TO REPORT IT.

We think that it is always important to talk to your children about what they are doing online and ensure they understand the dangers and what to do about them.  www.saferinternet.org.uk has a document here  from can help with conversation starters. They also have a number of fact sheets and organisations that can provide further support to parents.  These documents can be accessed here.

There are also a number of videos that can be accessed from NSPCC about the use of social media, taking indecent images that can be watched by parents and children to support a conversation.  They can be accessed here.

Think you know is a website set up for children to support their good online behaviours.  They have a section for children who are aged 5, 6 or 7 years old here. They have a website for slightly older children from 8-10 years old here.

The BBC have also set up a site to support children in understanding how to stay safe online.  This can be access here.

There are also a number of leaflets that have been developed by Somerset County Council to support parents and children.  They can be accessed below.

Online Safety Leaflets

Title	Download
pdf How to Report Issues to Facebook	Download
pdf What are Children Doing	Download
pdf Safer Searching	Download
pdf What comes after Facebook?	Download
pdf Privacy Settings	Download
pdf Parental Controls	Download
pdf Playing Games	Download
pdf Online Safety Policy	Download

At Kingsthorpe Grove Primary School we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.  Our school is a safe place for children; every adult in our school takes the responsibility for safeguarding our children extremely seriously. We have trained designated safeguarding leaders and a designated safeguarding governor.

We teach the children about personal safety through our curriculum.  We have clear guidance for children, teachers and parents to help children to use the internet safely and responsibly (see our Online Safety policy below).

Our staff recruitment policies and practices meet safer recruitment requirements.  We always pursue identity checks and qualification checks and we take up written references before confirming employment.  We require clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before employing any staff, this includes supply teachers and outside clubs and coaching staff.

Should you have any safeguarding concerns, please contact one of our DSL (Designated Safeguarding Leads):  Angela Woods, Alison Dolan, Lorraine Brown and Gayle Damrell. Our Safeguarding / Child Protection policy can be found on our Policies page.

Northamptonshire Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

If you have concerns about the safety of a child:

If there is no immediate danger or if you need advice, contact the Northamptonshire Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub: Telephone: 0300 126 7000 (Option 1); Email:

Reports can also be made online Report a concern (nctrust.co.uk).  If it is an emergency and you think that a child may be in immediate danger please contact the emergency services directly by calling 999. If you need to contact MASH urgently during the evening, at night or at the weekend, please phone the MASH out-of- hours team on 01604 626 938.

 The Northamptonshire Safeguarding Children’s Board website has a whole host of useful information for parents. 

Other contacts / links

• NSPCC: help, advice or concerns about the safety of a child: 0808 800 5000
• National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247
• Mind: Mental Health Charity
• Northampton and District Mind: 01604 634310

Our DSLs

Lorraine Brown - DSL

Angela Woods - DSL

Alison Dolan - DSL

Concerns

You may have noticed something that makes you feel uneasy, such as unexplained marks or bruises, the child may have said something, they may have unexplained absences or too many absences.

Reporting

If you have any of the above concerns or something else about the welfare of a child, you have a duty to report it either directly to MASH on 0300 126 7000 or, if the child/ren attends our school to one of our DSLs named above.  If you believe that a child/ren could be in immediate danger of harm, then please call the Police on 999. 

Processes

• Information will be recorded and monitored
• Advice, support and signposting will be given
• An Early Help Assessment ’EHA’ may be suggested
• A referral to Social Care may be carried out in line with Kingsthorpe Grove’s Safe Guarding policy

We all have a responsibility to protect children - Children have a right to feel safe

Our Policies for Safeguarding