Safeguarding and Child Protection

We all have a duty to safeguard children and it is crucial that we all work together.

If you have any safeguarding concerns then please contact the school on 01432 273232 or ring the MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub) team directly on 01432260800. They will be able to offer advice.

There is also Childline available on 08001111 or go to their website www.childline.org.uk for lots of useful information including supporting your child at this anxious time.

Mental Health and Wellbeing is a priority for us at Hampton Dene and is at the centre of how we deliver our curriculum. There is a dedicated page under the tab of children where you can find more information.

https://www.hamptondeneschool.co.uk/resources-childrens-mental-health/

If you have any concerns over your child's safety whilst online then please use the following websites for reporting concerns, email admin@hamptondene.hereford.sch.uk or your child's teacher.

• UK Safer Internet Centre - https://www.saferinternet.org.uk  to report and remove harmful online content
• Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command - https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/ for advice on making a report about online abuse.

Hampton Dene works with children, parents and the community to ensure the safety and protection of children and to give them the very best start in life. We aim to create an environment in our school which is safe and secure for all children. Through providing activities and opportunities in the PSHE/RSHE curriculum we aim to equip our children with the skills they need to stay safe. e.g. we enable children to have the self confidence and the vocabulary to resist inappropriate approaches and encourage children to develop a sense of autonomy and independence.

We follow the guidelines laid down by the DFE publications 'Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023' and 'Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018' and staff receive regular training in Safeguarding. We work with multi-agenies from 'Safeguarding Children and Young People in Herefordshire (SCYPiH)' to support our pupils and families.

If you have any safeguarding concerns, then please do not hesitate to get in contact with one of us. 

Safeguarding is defined as –

• protecting children from maltreatment
• preventing impairment of children's mental and physical health or development;
• ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and
• taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

Child Protection is defined as –

• the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. (Working Together, DfE 2018)

PREVENT

The Prevent Single Point of Contact is the Headteacher, Mrs E Kearns

We wanted to let you know about a new Government strategy called ‘Prevent’. From July 2015 all schools (as well as other organisations) have a duty to keep children safe from radicalisation and extremism. 

This means we have a responsibility to protect children from extremist and violent views the same way we protect them from drugs or gang violence. Importantly, we can provide a safe place for pupils to discuss these issues so they better understand how to protect themselves.

What does this mean in practice?

Many of the things we already do in school to help children become positive, happy members of society also contribute to the Prevent strategy.

These include:

• Exploring other cultures and religions and promoting diversity
• Challenging prejudices and racist comments
• Developing critical thinking skills and a strong, positive self-identity
• Promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils, as well as British values such as democracy.

We will also protect children from the risk of radicalisation, for example by using filters on the internet to make sure they can’t access extremist and terrorist material, or by vetting visitors who come into school to work with pupils.

Different schools will carry out the Prevent duty in different ways, depending on the age of the children and the needs of the community.

How does Prevent relate to British values?

Schools have been required to promote British values since 2014, and this will continue to be part of our response to the Prevent strategy.

British values include:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty and mutual respect
• Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs

Isn’t my child too young to learn about extremism?

The Prevent strategy is not just about discussing extremism itself, which may not be appropriate for younger children. It is also about teaching children values such as tolerance and mutual respect.

The teachers at Hampton Dene will of course make sure any discussions are suitable for the age and maturity of the children involved.

Is extremism really a risk in our area?

Extremism can take many forms, including political, religious and gender extremism. Some of these may be a bigger threat in our area than others.

We will give children the skills to protect them from any extremist views they may encounter, now or later in their lives.

Act early to Prevent Radicalisation

Actearly is a website to help encourage families and friends across the UK who may be worried their loved ones are at risk of radicalisation to ‘act early’ and share their concerns in confidence with us, or others who can help.