Other Safeguarding Issues

In this section, you can find a range of information relating to other safeguarding issues or concerns that you might want to learn more about.  If you would like further information about an issue which is not mentioned here, please contact the school safeguarding team.

Parent or other family member in prison:

Having a parent, carer or sibling in prison can be tough for all members of the family who will be affected by this situation.  ChildLine offer a dedicated page of advice and support where young people who are affected can get advice and support.

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/home-families/family-relationships/parents-prison/

 

Drug and alcohol abuse:

If you are concerned that your child may be involved in taking or using drugs, please read the government guidance about this and about the school’s role in supporting you and your child.

Drug advice for schools

There is support available for your child locally.  Early Break provide a free and confidential service to young people and their families around issues related to drugs and alcohol.  You can contact the service directly for advice.  Your child can also refer themselves.  Alternatively, please contact the school and we can make a referral on your behalf. 

Early Break Bury Office

Annara House
7-11 Bury Road
Radcliffe
Manchester
M26 2UG

Tel: 0161 723 3880

School will always make a referral to Early Break if we become aware that a young person has been involved with using drugs or alcohol.

There are also a range of websites that you can visit for further information and advice:

https://www.familylives.org.uk/advice/teenagers/drugs-alcohol/

https://www.talktofrank.com/worried-about-a-child

http://www.healthtalk.org/young-peoples-experiences/drugs-and-alcohol/advice-parents-about-teenage-drinking-and-drug-useabuse

http://www.itv.com/thismorning/young-people-and-drugs-helplines

If you are concerned that your child may be involved with drugs, it may be useful to discover more about the legality of what they are using or in possession of.  This article gives helpful information around this topic.

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/drugs-and-crime

CSE (Child Sexual Exploitation):

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a type of sexual abuse. When a child or young person is exploited they’re given things, like gifts, drugs, money, status and affection, in exchange for performing sexual activities. Children and young people are often tricked into believing they’re in a loving and consensual relationship. This is called grooming. They may trust their abuser and not understand that they’re being abused.

Children and young people can be trafficked into or within the UK to be sexually exploited. They’re moved around the country and abused by being forced to take part in sexual activities, often with more than one person. Young people in gangs can also be sexually exploited.

Sometimes abusers use violence and intimidation to frighten or force a child or young person, making them feel as if they’ve no choice. They may lend them large sums of money they know can’t be repaid or use financial abuse to control them.

Anybody can be a perpetrator of CSE, no matter their age, gender or race. The relationship could be framed as friendship, someone to look up to or romantic. Children and young people who are exploited may also be used to ‘find’ or coerce others to join groups.

If you are concerned that your child may be at risk of, or a victim of exploitation, here are some sources of support and information for parents.

Suspected CSE should always be reported to the police and to school as a matter of urgency.

 https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/child-sexual-exploitation/

 https://paceuk.info/

CCE (Child Criminal Exploitation) & County Lines:

Criminal exploitation is child abuse where children and young people are manipulated and coerced into committing crimes.  This is a growing concern in the UK.  Often, young people do not recognise the signs that they are being exploited.  There is usually an imbalance of power where an individual or group takes advantage in order to coerce, control, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18.  This means that young people under the age of 18 should be seen by the police as victims rather than suspects if they do become involved in crime.

 If you are concerned that your child may be at risk of, or a victim of exploitation, here are some sources of support and information for parents.

Suspected CCE should always be reported to the police and to school as a matter of urgency.

 Please find more information here:

 https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/gangs-criminal-exploitation/

 https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/sites/default/files/cce-advice-for-parents.pdf

 https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/sites/default/files/children_at_risk.pdf