Safeguarding

At Hillside High School we recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children.

We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued, and they can recognise when they are at risk and how to access help when they need it. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection, and justice. The procedures contained in this policy apply to all staff, governors, volunteers, and contractors.

Staff working with children at Hillside High School, will maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned. When concerned about the welfare of a child, staff will always act in the best interests of the child, and if any member of our community has a safeguarding concern about any child or adult, they should act immediately. Our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and associated procedures will be made available through our school’s website, reviewed, and ratified annually by the Governing Body. We will ensure it remains current and incorporates all revisions made to local and national guidance. All staff in our school are consulted and contribute to the development of this policy as part of the review process. Parents/guardians can request a copy. We are also able to arrange for our policy to be made available to parents whose first language is not English, upon request.

K​ey Staff

M​s Jones - Safeguarding Lead / Designated Teacher (Assistant Vice Principal)

M​iss Sheils - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Home Liaison Officer )

M​rs McGing - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Home Liaison Officer )

Mrs Ryan - Deputy Safeguarding Lead - (Principal )

Mrs Banks - Deputy Safeguarding Lead (Pupil Support )

M​r Smedley - Deputy Safeguarding Lead (Inclusion Manager)

I​nformation for Staff

All staff should be familiar with the school’s full Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy which can be found in the Key Information icon on all desktops. In addition, all staff should read chapter 1 of the HM Government document ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ this can also be found in Key Information under Safeguarding.

I​f you have a concern about a pupil you must inform a DSL as soon as possible.

CPOMS LINK

In the unlikely event of you being unable to reach any of these members of staff and you think a child is suffering significant harm, or if you are concerned that a child has suffered harm, neglect or abuse, please follow the advice below.

Reporting Concerns in Sefton

In An Emergency

If a child or young person is in immediate danger, please call 999.

Sefton Children's Help and Advice Team (CHAT)

The Children's Help and Advice Team (CHAT) is the front door of the service. They are the first people you will speak to if you have a concern about a child or young person  

Whatever the outcome, you will be a part of making a plan to alleviate any pressures or issues that may be present and finding the best solution for the family. 

You can call the CHAT Team on 0151 934 4013

Raising Concerns in Liverpool

Careline child services manages all child social care enquiries and referrals. You can contact them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Contact on 0151 233 3700 

• Raise a concern about a child at risk (if a child is at immediate risk call 101 or 999 in an emergency).
• Arrange an assessment of a child who is seriously ill or disabled, address the family's needs and provide support.
• Access advice and support from other services.
• Request SEND (special educational needs and disability) early help including short breaks, direct payments, after school and holiday provision, carer's assessments and support for sleep difficulties or any concerns about the child's development.
• Enquire about casework, individual child cases or other issues of a sensitive nature.
• Get in touch with a social worker or specific social work team.

I

I​nformation for Pupils

What should you do if you think you are being harmed or abused?

If you think you are being harmed or abused by another pupil, member of staff or visitor, you should report this as soon as possible to a trusted adult.

You can also call T 0151 525 2630 and ask to speak to one of the Safeguarding Team.

Y​ou can also email the Team - safeguarding@hillsidehigh.co.uk

F​or other advice and support you can visit

• Childline T 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk
• NSPCC T 020 7825 2500
• NSPCC Free phone 24 hour helpline T 0808 800 5000
• Samaritans T 08457 909090
• Careline T 0151 233 3700

I​nformation for parents and carers

f you have a safeguarding concern involving a pupil, please contact the school office on 0151 525 2630 and ask for the Safeguarding Team or email  safeguarding@hillsidehigh.co.uk. 

If you cannot make contact with the Safeguarding Team, and you feel it would be important to have a consultation with a Social Worker, then please call the local authority dedicated Safeguarding Teams on the numbers below

• Sefton Residents - Sefton Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH Team) Out of Hours Number - 0151 934 4013/4481.
• L​iverpool Residents - Careline - 0151 233 3700 

If you feel a child is in immediate danger, please call the Police.

Mental Health & Wellbeing

For information and support about young people’s mental well-being please contact a member of the Safeguarding Team. At Hillside High School we work with a number of different agencies / projects to offer support to young people experiencing mental health difficulties.

• S​chool Counsellor
• M​ental Health Education Practiioner
• C​ommunity Youth Connectors
• E​verton in The Community Group Sessions
• E​verton in The Community 1-2-1 Mentoring
• L​FC - inspires Project
• R​esolv@
• D​'Fuse

You may find the following resources useful:

Fresh – CAMHS: http://www.freshcamhs.org/

Liverpool CAMHS: https://www.liverpoolcamhs.com/

Talk Liverpool: https://www.talkliverpool.nhs.uk/

YPAS: http://www.ypas.org.uk/

NHS Resources: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/pages/anxiety-in-children.aspx#makes

NHS Resources: https://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/low-mood-stress-anxiety.aspx

Mental Health Foundation’s Guide for Parents and Carers:

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/mental-health-schools-make-it-count-parents-carers-guide.pdf

Kooth

Kooth is an NHS accredited online counselling service commissioned by Liverpool CAMHS to provide support for young people in Merseyside.  Students have received information sessions in school and are aware of the service.  Please click on the links below for further information.

https://www.kooth.com/

Click here to find out how to sign up to “Kooth” which is a FREE, anonymous, confidential, safe, online Wellbeing service, offering counselling, information, and forums for children and young people

There are also a range of services and places to get support externally. Here are some links to safeguarding websites and resources, where you can find advice and report any concerns you may have: 

• ThinkUKnow – support for staying safe when online
• Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Safety Centre – for support and reporting concerns about online abuse
• Childline - you can also call 0800 1111
• Samaritans - you can also call free 116 123
• NSPCC general helpline: if you’re worried about a child, even if you’re unsure, contact an NSPCC counsellor for help, advice and support: 0808 800 5000
• NSPCC helpline for both children and adults who are victims of sexual abuse in schools. This includes how to contact the police and report crimes if they wish: 0800 136 663

Other useful Links;

https://www.barnardos.org.uk/ Children’s charities and support services

https://www.brook.org.uk/ Free and confidential sexual health and wellbeing advice and guidance

https://rapecrisis.org.uk/ A confidential emotional support service for women and girls who have experienced sexual violence

https://www.refuge.org.uk/ For women and children. Against domestic abuse

https://youngminds.org.uk/  Young people’s mental health and wellbeing

O​peration Encompass

Our school is part of Operation Encompass which is a national scheme that operates jointly between schools and police forces.

Operation Encompass is the reporting to schools, prior to the start of the next school day, when a child or young person has experienced domestic abuse.

As a school we have ensured that a member of our staff, (Designated Safeguarding Lead) known as a Key Adult, has been trained in the Operation Encompass procedures allowing us to then use the information that has been shared, in confidence, to support the child/ren in our care.

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 identifies children who experience domestic abuse as victims of domestic abuse in their own right.

We are keen to offer the best support possible to all our pupils and we believe this will be extremely beneficial for all those involved.