Safeguarding and e-Safety
Reporting Harmful Content Online
We recognise that harmful content online can potentially become a more serious concern and can have a significant impact on the welfare of our students. Report Harmful Content is a national reporting centre that has been designed to assist everyone in reporting harmful content online.
They can review reports made about the following eight types of online harm:
- Online Abuse
- Bullying or Harassment
- Threats
- Impersonation
- Unwanted Sexual Advances (Not Image Based)
- Violent Content
- Self-Harm or Suicide Content
- Pornographic Content
If you feel that you have been affected by any of these categories online, please click on the button below to report it.
REMEMBER: If you or the person you are helping is in immediate danger please contact the Police by dialling 999
Safeguarding at the Academy
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as: protecting children from maltreatment; preventing 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; and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes possible.
Safeguarding Is Everyone’s Responsibility
“Don’t wait until you’re certain if you are worried about a child. If you have any concerns or suspicions, contact our free helpline service to speak to an NSPCC counsellor 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.” — NSPCC
Are you concerned about the safety of a child or your safety?
We would like to remind you about services available to you over the summer holidays we are continually developing resources to ensure you always have someone to talk to. However, if a child is in immediate danger, please contact:
- Police — 999 (emergency) or 101 (non-emergency)
- NSPCC — 08088 005 000
- ChildLine - 0800 11 11
- Samaritans — 11612
- Walsall MASH/ Initial Response Service – 0300 555 2866
To ensure our students and staff are kept safe we have a number of policies and procedures in place, which are understood and followed by all staff, governors and volunteers. All of our safeguarding-related policies are available on our policies page.
This page also contains content and links to other sites to try and support our parents, students and the local community, to both educate and support them.
The Sharp System
There are many reasons why young people decide not to talk about incidents, whether that is due to not wanting to talk face to face, lack of confidence, being scared, due to peer pressure or worried in case someone sees them talking to or seen in the Academy office are to name just a few.
As a result we provide for our students The SHARP System (Student Help Advice Reporting Page System) which allows young people to report any incidents which occur within the Academy and local community anonymously and without fear.
Click here to access the SHARP System
Designated Safeguarding Personnel:
Marie DeRome - Designated Safeguarding Lead / SPOC
Lisa McCullough - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mr A McNaughton - Principal - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mr A Banbery – Vice Principal – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mr J Greaves - Vice Principal - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Miss N Ravat – Assistant Principal – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mrs L Price – Assistant Principal – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mrs N Kaur - Assistant Principal - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mrs C O'Sullivan - Assistant Principal - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Miss J Drinkwater - Academy Nurse - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
All staff at the Academy receive annual comprehensive child protection and safeguarding training, in addition to regular updates throughout the academic year.
What to do if you're worried about a child/young person please act
We all need some extra help and support at times, as a family we want you to know it’s ok to ask for and expect help. We have a document known as ‘Our Family’, this is a needs assessment, and it follows legal guidance. The purpose of ‘Our Family’ is to help us all to understand your family, what is and has been happening, and what help you need so everyone in the family is safe and has an opportunity to thrive. It helps us understand together your family story, so you can receive purposeful help. The professional who does this assessment with you may vary depending on what help and support your family needs If extra support needs are indentified, this can be a quick assessment. The assessment may be completed by the child’s school or education provider, or a health professional, who will focus on these specific needs. If you need more targeted help and support then a Family Help Practitioner will do the assessment with you, they will be known as the Family Help Coordinator. This may include consideration of your children meeting the legal definition of a ‘child in need’, or ‘child in need of protection’. If this is the case, this will be discussed with you and these terms will be properly explained.
https://www.walsallfamilyhubs.co.uk/0-2/families-first-families
If you suspect that a child or young person is being, or is at risk of being significantly harmed as a result of abuse or neglect, you must report this immediately to MASH:
- During office hours (Monday – Thursday, 8.45am – 5.15pm Friday, 8.45am – 4.45pm) call Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub: 0300 555 2866
- Out of office hours (evenings, weekends and bank holidays) Emergency Response Team Telephone: 0300 555 2922
If you believe a child is in immediate danger call the police on 999
Additional support available
https://westmidlands.procedures.org.uk/
NSPCC -If you're worried about a child, even if you're unsure, you can speak to us about your concerns. Whether you want to report child abuse and neglect or aren't sure what to do, we're here to listen, offer advice and support and can take the next steps if a child's in danger.
Our telephone lines are open Monday to Friday 8am – 10pm and 9am – 6pm at the weekend. You can contact us online 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
https://childline.org.uk Call 0800 1111
https://www.samaritans.org call 116 123
Kooth.com - Free, safe and anonymous online support for young people
Monday – Friday 12pm – 10pm
Saturday – Sunday 6pm – 10pm
Our Commitment to Safeguarding: Working with the Police through Operation Encompass
At Joseph Leckie Academy, safeguarding and supporting our students is our highest priority. We are proud to be part of Operation Encompass, a national initiative that strengthens the link between schools and the police to protect children who may be affected by domestic abuse.
What is Operation Encompass?
Operation Encompass ensures that when the police attend a domestic abuse incident where children are present, the school is informed before the start of the next school day. This allows us to provide timely and appropriate support to the child.
How does it work?
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A trained member of staff, known as the Key Adult - Marie De Rome (Designated Safeguarding Lead), receives confidential information from the police.
- This information is used sensitively and securely to ensure the child receives the right care and support in school.
- The aim is to reduce the impact of domestic abuse on children and help them feel safe and supported.
Why is this important?
Children who experience domestic abuse can face emotional and practical challenges. By working closely with the police, we can respond quickly and provide the best possible support.
For more information, please contact our safeguarding team.
If you are concerned about the welfare of one of our students and would like to speak to our Safeguarding team directly, please visit our Key Staff Contacts page.