Safeguarding

"Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined for the purposes of this guidance as:

•Providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge

•Protecting children from maltreatment, whether that is within or outside the home, including online

•Preventing the impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development

•Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care

•Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes."

Keeping Children Safe in Education, 2024

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:

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mr Ash Stoneman

Assistant Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs Kirsten D'Arcy-Smith

Alternate Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs Ruth Clark

Trustee for safeguarding: Mrs Denise Gray

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'The 4 C's of Online Safety - Parental Awareness'

Introduction to 4 C's of Online Safety

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Contact

Conduct

Commerce Contract

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 for adults https://www.northessexiapt.nhs.uk/ Mental Health Support for Children and Young People 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.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/ https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/ https://www.mind.org.uk/ https://www.livewellcampaign.co.uk/livewell-articles/mental-health-support-for-young-people/ https://www.themix.org.uk/ Apps Kooth - online mental wellbeing community Shout MeeTwo - Helps you talk about difficult things Chat health - talk to school nurse Young people can contact Chat Health on 07520 615732. Eating Disorders https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/ Beat Peer Support Leaflet Bullying https://www.bullying.co.uk/ LGBT https://www.plume.essex.sch.uk/inclusion https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/young-people/ https://www.youngstonewall.org.uk/ Family Wellbeing and Support for families https://www.essexfamilywellbeing.co.uk/ https://www.familylives.org.uk/ Support for single parents https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/ Other useful websites Online safety https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/ https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/ Breck Foundation Charity - Online safety advice for parents The Two Johns Internet safety advice 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. Domestic abuse Next Chapter - Domestic Violence Support 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. The Next Chapter - Leaflet https://www.thenextchapter.org.uk/ Compass is the single point of access helpline to support victims of domestic abuse across Essex. https://www.essexcompass.org.uk/ Train and Track safety Educating children how to be safe on the railways. http://www.youvstrain.co.uk/
Activities

eSafety Training 'The 2 Johns' Chelmsford Wellbeing Group Youth Service - Holiday Acativites and Food Community Storage Flyer Plume Academy Safeguarding Team is pleased to advise that the Children Society are offering online sessions and activities. 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. First Aid for Children https://firstaidchampions.redcross.org.uk/?fbclid=IwAR2g4Tp-6XqdLd_Zb6Htm9M6dIzj4fXnmDI-lgsMV3A8j5IY_7YVSKKQJao Child Safety Childnet https://www.childnet.com/resources/online-safety-activities-you-can-do-from-home Essex Activities half term Essex Youth A number of fun and exciting online activities for young people aged 13-19 years https://youth.essex.gov.uk/young-people/online-activities/?fbclid=IwAR0_jMsEt1-vQypz5lGJW4N-7_SfjUYGI6kHUKeExfvsb-iuhu30TWciP0E Grow your own gardening course in Maldon District 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/
Parents and Carers

Prevent Guide to protecting children from online hate, extremism and fake news
Recent Communication

E-Safety and Online Support letter
Safeguarding documents

E-safety Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022 Anti-Bullying Policy 2021 Child Protection 2021 Behaviour Policy Relationships and Sexual Health Relationships Young People Rights On Social Media Mental health/Emotional well-being Sexual exploitation/Drugs/Gangs and County Lines Child protection policy COVID-19 addendum E-safety Letter Online Safety Resources Online Safety Advice Online Safety Tips Parents and carers to keep children safe online Harmful Sexual Behaviour / Peer on Peer Abuse Policy