Child Protection

Harmonize Academy takes seriously its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children and young people engaging with its services. In the interests of their safety and wellbeing, we operate a formal Safeguarding Policy and have a designated Child Protection Officer on duty at all times to act upon any reported concerns.

The Safeguarding Statement and Guidelines are displayed in every main working area of the building. Our Safeguarding Policy provides guidelines to everyone in Harmonize Academy, whether working in a professional or voluntary capacity. Everyone in Harmonize Academy has a duty of care towards children and young people and can help to protect them from abuse.

Harmonize Academy is committed to working in partnership with relevant agencies to ensure that information and training opportunities are available and to ensure best practice when working with children and young people. Adopting best practice will help to safeguard our students from potential abuse as well as protecting staff and other adults in positions of responsibility from potential false allegations of abuse. The Harmonize Academy Safeguarding Policy and Implementation Procedures will allow children and young people to excel in a safe environment.

Harmonize Academy is committed to ensuring that everyone working with children and young people:

  • has undergone an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check
  • is adequately trained and supervised
  • understands and follows Harmonize Academy’s Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding Team

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mr Carl Parkinson, Vice-Principal

Designated Safeguarding Deputy: Mr Gerard Tiernan, Assistant Principal & SENDCo

Safeguarding Officer: Mrs Liz Cunningham, Assistant Principal & PE Teacher

Safeguarding Officer: Mr Wynn Ridge, Assistant Principal & PE Teacher

Safeguarding Officer: Mrs Sheelagh Cloonan, Education Welfare Officer

 

What should you do if you think you are being harmed or abused?

If you think you are being harmed or abused by another student, member of staff or visitor, you should report this as soon as possible to a trusted member of staff.

Tell someone you trust about what is happening:

Find out from your teacher, teaching assistant or other trusted staff member who is responsible for protecting students.

You can also call T 0151 203 1934 and ask to speak to one of the Safeguarding Team.

You can also contact:

  • Childline T 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk
  • NSPCC T 020 7825 2500
  • NSPCC Free phone 24 hour helpline T 0808 800 5000
  • Samaritans T 08457 909090
  • Careline T 0151 233 3700
  • Local Area Safeguarding Board T 0151 225 4928/ 4929/ 4956
  • Local Social Services (including out of office hours contact) T 0151 220 2661 N.B. In an emergency, the Samaritans will hold the Social Services Duty Officer’s contact number.
  • Social Services Emergency Duty Team for looked after children under 18 in the service for use evenings and weekends. T 0151 220 2661
  • Merseyside Police T 101 www.listentomystory.co.uk if you feel you are at risk of child exploitation.
  • Also see https://tacklechildabuse.campaign.gov.uk/
  • Parents/Carers: If you feel your child/young person is at risk of child sexual exploitation you can get help from:
  • Parents Against CSE T 0113 240 5226

 

Mental Health & Wellbeing

For information and support about young people’s mental well-being please contact a member of the Pastoral Team.

You may find the following resources useful:

SOURCES FOR PARENTS TO SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES IN RELATION TO MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING:

Fresh – CAMHS: http://www.freshcamhs.org/

Liverpool CAMHS: https://www.liverpoolcamhs.com/

Talk Liverpool: https://www.talkliverpool.nhs.uk/

YPAS: http://www.ypas.org.uk/

NHS Resources: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/pages/anxiety-in-children.aspx#makes

NHS Resources: https://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/low-mood-stress-anxiety.aspx

Mental Health Foundation’s Guide for Parents and Carers:

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/mental-health-schools-make-it-count-parents-carers-guide.pdf

Kooth

Kooth is an NHS accredited online counselling service commissioned by Liverpool CAMHS to provide support for young people in Merseyside.  Students have received information sessions in school and are aware of the service.  Please click on the links below for further information.

https://www.kooth.com/

Click here to find out how to sign up to “Kooth” which is a FREE, anonymous, confidential, safe, online Wellbeing service, offering counselling, information, and forums for children and young people

There are also a range of services and places to get support externally. Here are some links to safeguarding websites and resources, where you can find advice and report any concerns you may have: 

  • ThinkUKnow – support for staying safe when online
  • Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Safety Centre – for support and reporting concerns about online abuse
  • Childline - you can also call 0800 1111
  • Samaritans - you can also call free 116 123
  • NSPCC general helpline: if you’re worried about a child, even if you’re unsure, contact an NSPCC counsellor for help, advice and support: 0808 800 5000
  • NSPCC helpline for both children and adults who are victims of sexual abuse in schools. This includes how to contact the police and report crimes if they wish: 0800 136 663

Other useful Links;

https://www.barnardos.org.uk/ Children’s charities and support services

https://www.brook.org.uk/ Free and confidential sexual health and wellbeing advice and guidance

https://rapecrisis.org.uk/ A confidential emotional support service for women and girls who have experienced sexual violence

https://www.refuge.org.uk/ For women and children. Against domestic abuse

https://youngminds.org.uk/  Young people’s mental health and wellbeing

 

Prevent: What is Prevent?

The Government has a strategy called PREVENT which aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

 

Main focus to prevent repeats of terrorist acts.

Respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat we face from those who promote it.

Prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure they are given appropriate advice and support.

Work with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation which we need to address.

 

Key Terms

RADICALISATION – is a process by which an individual or group comes to adopt increasingly extreme political, social or religious ideals and aspirations.

TERRORISM – the unofficial or unauthorised use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.

EXTREMISM – the holding of extreme political views.

 

The Government Prevent duty in full can be found by following the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance