The internet – on the whole an inspiring and positive place

The internet is an amazing resource which enables children and young people to connect, communicate and be creative in a number of different ways, on a range of devices.

However, the internet is always changing, and being able to keep up to date with your children’s use of technology can be a challenge.

You may sometimes feel that your children have better technical skills than you do, however children and young people still need advice and protection when it comes to managing their lives online.

Issues that your child may encounter on the internet will vary depending on their age and online activities. These have been grouped into 4 potential risk categories.

Safeguarding our children against possible risk is of upmost priority to Ryecroft Academy. Online safety is taken extremely seriously and is embedded into our curriculum. As a parent you can also ensure your child’s safety whilst online. Opposite are a number of links which offer support and guidance.

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Radicalisation is defined as the act or process of making a person more radical or favouring of extreme or fundamental changes in political, economic or social conditions, institutions or habits of the mind.

Extremism is defined as the holding of extreme political or religious views.

The Department for Education has published advice for schools on the Prevent duty. The Prevent duty requires all schools to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism in the exercise of their functions.

We are already responsible for keeping children safe, including from the risks of extremism and radicalisation, and for promoting the welfare of children in our care. The Prevent duty reinforces these existing duties by spreading understanding of the risks and current good practice across the country.

Ryecroft Academy is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils. Every member of staff recognises that safeguarding against radicalisation and extremism is no different to safeguarding against any other vulnerability in to-day’s society.

Domestic abuse is any type of controlling, bullying, threatening or violent behaviour between people in a relationship. But it isn’t just physical violence – domestic abuse includes emotional, physical, sexual, financial or psychological abuse.

Children and young people witnessing domestic abuse

Witnessing domestic abuse is really distressing and scary for a child, and causes serious harm. Children living in a home where domestic abuse is happening are at risk of other types of abuse too. Children can experience domestic abuse or violence in lots of different ways. They might:

• see the abuse
• hear the abuse from another room
• see a parent’s injuries or distress afterwards
• be hurt by being nearby or trying to stop the abuse

How domestic abuse affects children

Living in a home where there is domestic abuse is harmful. It can have a serious impact on a child’s behaviour and wellbeing. Parents or carers may underestimate the effects of the abuse on their children because they don’t see what is happening. Children witnessing domestic abuse is recognised as significant harm in law and the effects of this can last into adulthood.

Operation Encompass

Ryecroft Academy is proud to be part of Operation Encompass.

Operation Encompass is a national safeguarding partnership between schools and the police. Following a domestic abuse incident where a child has been present, witnessed the incident or may have been affected by it, the police will notify the school before the start of the next school day. This enables our safeguarding team to provide appropriate support for the child whilst they are in school.

All information shared through Operation Encompass is treated confidentially and is used solely to ensure children receive the support they need.

If you would like further information about Operation Encompass, please read the parent information letter attached or speak to a member of our Safeguarding Team.

Many people in the UK struggle to afford life’s essential products, countless households are going without personal hygiene and cleaning products in order to ensure there is food on the table.

Hygiene poverty can have a detrimental effect on a child’s learning and enjoyment. The following extract has been taken from child psychologist Dr Richard Woolfson;

“Children’s self-esteem is greatly affected by the reaction of those around them – and if they are stigmatised, ridiculed or rejected by their peers because of poor basic hygiene, their sense of self-worth will quickly nose-dive. No child wants to be taunted because they are dirty, or because their clothes are filthy. They’ll start to lose interest in their education, their friendships will suffer, and they’ll be reluctant to attend school.”

“That’s why hygiene poverty has such a devastatingly negative effect on a child’s psychological development, not just on their health but also on their confidence, self-esteem, social relationships and class work.”

“It is clear that hygiene poverty is hitting families hard and is having a huge impact on children’s wellbeing at school. No child’s education and future life chances should be compromised because of the stigma they face, simply because their families can’t afford the hygiene products to keep themselves clean.”