Safeguarding

All students at Morton Academy are entitled to learn in a safe and supportive environment. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable. If bullying does occur, students are encouraged to share their worries with a member of staff, they will be listened to and reassured that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a telling school, meaning that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to report it. Staff remain vigilant to bullying of any nature including – bullying targeting a students race, religion or culture; bullying targeting a students sex or gender including homophobia, transphobic or misogyny.

All teaching staff are trained annually to identify incidents of Harmful Sexual Behaviours and Peer on Peer abuse.

Useful references:

www.childline.org.uk

www.kidscape.org.uk

http://www.peersupportvic.org/

http://ceop.police.uk/

https://www.bullying.co.uk/advice-for-parents/

Bereavement facts:

• Every 22 minutes a parent of dependent children dies in the UK
• Up to 70% of schools have a bereaved pupil on their roll at any given time
• 92% of young people will experience a significant bereavement before the age of 16 years

We understand that bereavement can have a significant impact on our young people and therefore seek to support any student or their family who face the loss of a loved one. We are able to consider a range of appropriate methods of support in school as well as signpost to external agencies such as Child Bereavement UK. All teaching staff are trained in Bereavement and Loss annually to support our school community as effectively as possible during these difficult moments.

https://www.childbereavementuk.org/

https://www.winstonswish.org/

Child sexual exploitation is where young people are given things like affection, gifts, money in exchange for performing sexual acts. Children are often led to believe that they are in a loving and trusted relationship and consent can be confused with grooming. This means that the child trusts their abuser and don’t always understand that it is abuse.

Child sexual exploitation can happen to anyone and can be framed as a friendship, a role model or romantic relationship. Child sexual exploitation can happen online or in person. The links below provide support for parents and carers and young people who are concerned about child sexual exploitation.

Child Sexual Exploitation & How to Keep Your Child Safe | NSPCC

Say something-  National service providing young people with a means of reporting CSE through a free, 24/7, anonymous helpline. This service will not replace existing local services or existing helpline or service provision, but may generate additional information about exploitation in your area. ‘Say Something’ helpline - Call or Text 116000

Following on from the Everyone’s Invited campaign, RRMA have undertaken surveys with staff and students to address issues of harmful sexual behaviour, sexual harassment, misogyny and misandry. Results indicated that students felt confident to talk to staff regarding any inappropriate or uncomfortable situations, but were unsure of how to report incidents anonymously. To ensure that students, staff and parents have access to this method of reporting the Academy has an anonymous reporting form on the website which is checked at regular intervals by safeguarding staff.

For parents please see link below from the Children’s Commissioner for advice and guidance to talk about these issues with your children.

https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/cco_talking_to_your_child_about_online_sexual_harassment_a-guide_for_parents_dec_2021.pdf

Please see guidance on support for mental health issues here:

Mental Health Champions Pathways Guidance document

Mental Health Resources

• Dealing with suicidal thoughts - Kooth's support guide for young people
• Kooth’s guide to coping with exam stress
• Supporting your child during difficult times - a practical guide for parents and carers
• Self Injury - Kooth's support guide for young people

The Academy works tirelessly to ensure that our students understand the importance of keeping themselves safe online – whether this is on social media platforms, exchanging messages and images or recognising fake news. The links below offer guides for parents to help them understand how to support their child online.

Back to School - Online Safety tips for children

A Guide for Parents of Children and Young People who have got into trouble online

A Guide for Parents to help keep their children safe online over the summer holidays