At Lightcliffe Academy, we prioritise student safety and happiness above everything else. We know that when young people feel safe and content, they thrive and succeed.
Our academy student goal is:
‘At Lightcliffe Academy, I have been educated, nurtured and empowered to lead a successful, happy and healthy life. I am ambitious and resilient, treating myself and others with respect, dignity and compassion. I have learnt to help others, to make a difference, and to give back to the community. ‘
We are deeply committed to ensuring that our young people achieve this goal and know how critical it is that they have access to a full range of support as they grow and develop. Our effective safeguarding practice and procedures are in place to support students and their families and staff at school.
Safeguarding includes child protection, health care plans, health and safety, site security, safety on school trips, anti-bullying work and so much more.
Lightcliffe Academy is committed to ensuring that effective safeguarding procedures are in place to support families, students and staff at school.
Lightcliffe Academy adheres to the following three DFE safeguarding documents:
Lightcliffe Academy will, in most circumstances, endeavour to discuss all concerns with parents about their children. However, there may be exceptional circumstances when the academy will discuss concerns with Social Care and/or the Police without parental knowledge (in accordance with Child Protection procedures). We will, of course, always aim to maintain a positive relationship with all parents.
If you have any safeguarding concerns, or need advice, you can contact our Safeguarding Leads Mr Drury (mdrury@lightcliffeacademy.co.uk) or Ms Beaumont (nbeaumont@lightcliffeacademy.co.uk), or complete our 'Share a Concern' form.
You can access a wealth of information on safeguarding for free via National Online Safety. Information is updated regularly and includes online safety, safeguarding and wellbeing.
To create an account visit the link below, complete your details and select "Parent/Carer" as your user type.
https://nationalonlinesafety.com/enrol/abbey-grange-church-of-england-academy
NSPCC provide a wide range of information on keeping your child safe at home, outside of the home and online, as well as information on children's mental health.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/
Hub of Hope is a website and app that lists all available mental health services in your area.
The UK Government website includes information on:
· Domestic abuse
· Sexual exploitation
· Criminal exploitation
· Radicalisation
· Online child safety
· Mental heath
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre enables adults and young people to make reports of actual or attempted online abuse.
https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/
Report Remove is a tool that allows young people to report an image or video shared online, to see if it’s possible to get it taken down. Provided by Childline and IWF, it keeps the young person informed at each stage of their report, and provides further support where necessary.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/online-reporting/report-remove/
Home - Kooth (Home - Kooth) Kooth is your online mental wellbeing community. Access free, safe and anonymous
Open Minds (Children and Young People Open Minds in Calderdale (openmindscalderdale.org.uk) This website provides advice, information, support and signposting on local and national emotional health and wellbeing services that help children, young people and families who are going through a difficult time.
Shore was launched in 2023 to provide a safe and anonymous place for young people to get help and support. The aim of this website is to prevent harmful sexual behaviours among young people.
Nightowls Leeds Survivor-Led Crisis Service » West Yorkshire Night OWLS Helpline (lslcs.org.uk) West Yorkshire Night OWLS is a confidential support line for children, young people, their parents and carers who live in Bradford, Leeds, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.
If a child or young person you care for is in a crisis and you are concerned about their emotional wellbeing contact Night OWLS.
Fearless Give information about crime 100% anonymously | Fearless | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org) Fearless enables young people to pass on information about crime 100% anonymously
For many of today’s young people there is no line between the online and offline worlds. Young people use the internet to socialise and grow and, just as you guide and support them offline, you should be there for them online too. Talk to them about what they’re doing, if they know you understand they are more likely to approach you if they need support.
Once you set up a log in you can freely access lots of up to date information on online safety and how to support your child. To create an account visit:
https://nationalonlinesafety.com/enrol/abbey-grange-church-of-england-academy
Simply complete your details and when you are set up you will be able to set “Parent/Carer” as your user type to assess information.
The Thinkuknow programme has films and advice for children from five all the way to 16. Your child may have seen these at school, but they can also be a good tool for you to find out more about what young people do online and some of the potential risks.
Keep up-to-date with your child’s development online. Be inquisitive and interested in the new gadgets and sites that your child is using. It’s important that as your child learns more, so do you.
Think about what they might see, what they share, who they talk to and how long they spend online. It is important to continue to discuss boundaries so that they evolve as your child’s use of technology does.
Nowadays even the TV connects to the internet. Your child will use all sorts of devices and gadgets; make sure you’re aware of which ones can connect to the internet, such as their phone or games console. Also, find out how they are accessing the internet – is it your connection or a neighbour’s Wifi? This will affect whether your safety settings are being applied.
Parental controls are not just about locking and blocking, they are a tool to help you set appropriate boundaries as your child grows and develops. They are not the answer to your child’s online safety, but they are a good start and are not as difficult to install as you might think. Service providers are working hard to make them simple, effective and user friendly. Find your service provider and learn how to set your controls.
Make sure your child knows never to meet up with someone they only know online. People might not always be who they say they are. Make sure your child understands that they should never meetup with anyone they only know online without taking a trusted adult with them.
Just as in the offline world, you want to help your child when they need it. Therefore, it is important to know when and how to report any problem.
