Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play (Keeping Children Safe in Education, DfE 2019)
We take safeguarding very seriously in our academy. Everyone has a role to play in keeping children safe, although there are certain key people with particular responsibilities:
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Principal: Mr Carl Wakefield
Acting Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs Olufunke Bamigbele
Assistant Designated Safeguarding Lead: Miss Lara Peake
Trustee for safeguarding: Mr Elliott Judge
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Plume Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We place high expectations on all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. We have policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.
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The academy is proactive in its work with outside agencies to safeguard children and young people. We may need to share information with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare.
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The academy works with external organisations to promote safeguarding themes within the academy. These themes are also promoted through the curriculum, pastoral systems and assemblies. We place a high emphasis on developing behaviour that is good or outstanding which contributes to learners feeling safe.
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Plume Academy is dedicated to ensuring that children and young people are valued, respected, listened to and taken seriously especially with regard to their safety and wellbeing. The academy encourages young people to report concerns and we endeavour to provide support while encouraging individuals to adapt safe and responsible practices.
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The academy has a Designated Safeguarding Lead and Assistant who have undertaken appropriate safeguarding training along with members of the Senior Leadership Team and Assistant Heads of Year. All staff receive regular safeguarding training.

Activites
Essex Family Support Service
These range from self-care, online safety, building relationships, and drug and alcohol awareness to quizzes, dance parties and fun activities to do at home.
Details of how to book these sessions can be found by clicking the link below.
These sessions do change so contact the Children Society to find out the latest available sessions.
All the links include activities that can benefit our children and Young People.
Keeping Active
https://www.activeessex.org/keep-essex-active/
First Aid for Children
Child Safety
Childnet
https://www.childnet.com/resources/online-safety-activities-you-can-do-from-home
Essex Youth
A number of fun and exciting online activities for young people aged 13-19 years
Self Care Activities
Self care is about the things we can do to look after our own mental health. Strategies are being shared to help young people with their own mental well being
https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/self-care/
Childline
Support for parents and young people and online tools and activities
https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/mood-journal/
Interactive Free Courses for Parents and Carers. These courses cover anxiety, building resilience mindfulness and emotional wellbeing to list a few.
https://aclessex.com/community-family-learning-online/
Website links
Maldon Community Coronavirus Response - 01621 851997
The helpline remains open between 10am-2pm Mon-Fri for anyone to contact for help with food supplies, medicines or accessing services. The response team is able to provide food parcels for people who cannot get out to shop whether this be due to shielding or as a result of a positive test or a requirement to self-isolate. Up to 2 weeks’ food can be provided as required.
Essential Living Fund
Please find attached a flyer about emergency support available from the Essential Living Fund (ELF) to people hit by the pandemic. The ELF is receiving extra funding from the Covid Winter Grant Scheme to help people living in Essex with energy and water bills, food and other essential household items.
Essential Livining Fund - Leaflet
Mental Health Support Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Service
The Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Service (EWMHS) provides advice and support to children, young people and families who are in need of support with their emotional wellbeing or mental health difficulties.
https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/services-ewmhs/
Anna Freud
Gives advice and guidance for Parents and carers to help them support a child or young person experiencing mental ill health or wellbeing.
https://www.annafreud.org/parents-and-carers/







https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/information/young-people/east
Whatever you're going through, we encourage you to make positive choices. Children Society do work around healthy relationships, they can help increase your confidence, develop life skills and build your emotional resilience.
If you would like to know more about them or you are concerned about a child or young adult in Essex, you can email or call them on 01245 493311.
In addition to supporting parents and children under 14 year of age, The Next Chapter now have a team of Young Persons Violence Advisors (YPVA) dedicated to Young People aged 14 -19, who are a victim domestic abuse or are living within a family affected by domestic abuse. Referrals can be made by agencies working with the young person or the young person can self-refer.
https://www.thenextchapter.org.uk/

Train and Track safety
Educating children how to be safe on the railways.
Recent Communication
Holiday support - Questionnaire from Maldon Council for parents/carers to complete
Safeguarding documents
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2020