1. Introduction

Accoutre Centre for learning C.I.C aims to: teach Black British history to 8-16 year olds in schools around the UK and volunteers make a vital contribution to our aims. We recognise the added value that volunteers bring to our organisation and those who use our services. Volunteer involvement in this organisation does not replace or devalue the role of paid staff.

Within The Black Curriculum volunteers are involved in:

• Board of Directors/Management Committee
• List of roles undertaken by volunteers

Accoutre Centre for leaning C.I.C  aims to have a reciprocal and mutually beneficial relationship with our volunteers; with their involvement informing and developing our work, and our work enabling individuals to learn skills and achieve personal development through their volunteering.

The involvement of volunteers will be guided by the following principles of good practice:

• the tasks to be performed by volunteers will be clearly defined, so that all everyone

is sure of their respective roles and responsibilities.

• the organisation will comply with the Data Protection Act in the use of data held on

all volunteers;

• volunteers will be provided with regular opportunities to share ideas

The Purpose of this Policy

By adopting this policy Accoutre Centre for learning C.I.C aims to:

• highlight and acknowledge the value of the contribution made by volunteers;
• reflect the purpose, values, standards and strategies of the organisation in its

approach to involving volunteers;

• recognise the respective roles, rights and responsibilities of volunteers;
• confirm this organisation’s commitment to involving volunteers in its work;
• establish clear principles for the involvement of volunteers; and
• ensure the ongoing quality of both the volunteering opportunities on offer and the

work carried out by our volunteers;

This policy provides an overview of the activities carried out by volunteers currently and

provides a basis for the expansion, if required, for the role of volunteers.

This document and the associated policy, procedures and guidance provide a framework for

the involvement of volunteers.

2. Recruitment and Selection

Accoutre Centre for Learning C.I.C  will adhere to its equalities and diversity policy when recruiting and selecting volunteers.

All potential volunteers will be asked to complete a volunteer’s application/registration form.

All volunteers will have an induction to their volunteering which will involve an overview of

the relevant policies and procedures.

Following Induction, volunteers will have regular support and supervision meetings with a named contact to identify areas for development,or to discuss any issues.

A record of these discussions will be held as part of the individual volunteer’s records. Volunteers can have access to their records at any time.

Volunteers will be able to claim reasonable expenses for their volunteering in line with the

Expenses Policy. Volunteers should discuss any planned expenditure prior to incurring this

expenses to ensure that it will be covered by the organisation.

Where volunteers have holidays or other commitments which mean that they cannot attend

their normal volunteering, they should advise their named contact to ensure that we can

arrange alternative cover. If volunteers require a longer break from their volunteering, they

should discuss this with their named contact. Accoutre  will endeavour to be as

flexible as possible to accommodate the needs of volunteers.

Volunteers can access learning and development opportunities which are relevant to their

volunteering role throughout their time with Accoutre. Opportunities for

Learning and Development will form part of the discussions at support and supervision

sessions.

Problem Solving

Where a concern is highlighted – either by a volunteer or about a volunteer, this will be

dealt with using the organisation’s Disciplinary, Grievance and Dismissal Policy.

Responsibility

Overall responsibility for the implementations, monitoring and review of the policy and

procedures lies with the Chairperson.

Implementation and adherence to this policy is the responsibility of all staff and volunteers within the organisation.

Accoutre abides by the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people and is committed to safeguarding practice that reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice requirements.

• We recognise the welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take
• All children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation has an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse
• Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues
• Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

Purpose of Policy:

• To protect children and young people who receive Accoutre Centre for Learning services from harm.
• To provide staff and volunteers, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.

This policy follows the statutory government guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children2015; What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused:2006 This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Accoutre, including directors, senior managers and the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers, and students. Failure to comply with the policy and related procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in

dismissal/exclusion from the organisation.

We will review our child protection policy and protocol annually to ensure they are still relevant and effective.

Safeguarding children: Safeguarding children is defined in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 as:

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

Definitions and Principles:

The Children Act 1989 definition of a child is: anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday, even if they are living independently.

Government’s specific ambition for children is that they will achieve Every Child Matters key outcomes:

• Be healthy
• Stay safe
• Enjoy and achieve
• Make a positive contribution
• Achieve economic well-being

Definitions of Abuse

Child Abuse: Children and young people may be vulnerable to neglect and abuse or exploitation from within their family and from individuals they come across in their daily lives. There are 4 main categories of abuse, which are: sexual, physical, emotional abuse, and neglect. It is important to be aware of more specific types of abuse that fall within these categories, they are:

• Bullying and cyberbullying
• Child sexual exploitation
• Child Criminal exploitation
• Child trafficking
• Domestic abuse
• Female genital mutilation
• Grooming
• Online abuse

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative or non penetrative acts.

Penetrative sex where one of the partners in under the age of 16 is illegal, although prosecution of similar age, consenting partners is not usual. However, where a child is under the age of 13 it is classified as rape under Section 5 Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Sexual abuse includes abuse of children through sexual exploitation.

Sexual abuse includes non-contact activities such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of pornographic material, watching sexual activities or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.

Neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/ or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development.

Neglect may involve a parent failing to:

• Provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment).
• Protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger.
• Ensure adequate supervision
• Ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent effects on the child’s emotional development and may involve:

• Exploiting and corrupting children.
• Seeing or hearing ill treatment of another.
• Imposing age or developmentally inappropriate expectations on children.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, scalding, drowning, suffocating or other physical harm to a child.

Further Definitions

Bullying

Bullying is not acceptable behaviour. Employees and volunteers witnessing a child or young person being bullied or receiving complaints over bullying have a duty to do whatever is necessary to stop the situation, while avoiding putting themselves or the child in danger.

It is important to be aware of the possible use of weapons to covertly, or overtly threaten. All actual or threatened use of weapons or threats of physical force must be reported to the police.

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

Child sexual exploitation involves exploitative situations, contexts and relationships where young people receive something as a result in engaging in sexual activities. Sexual exploitations can take many different forms as in organized crime involving gangs and groups.

Exploitation is marked out by an imbalance of power in the relationship and involves varying degrees of coercion, intimidation and sexual bullying including cyberbullying and grooming.

Domestic Violence

Domestic or Family Violence adversely affects children. If a member of staff becomes aware that a child is living in a household where there is emotional, physical or sexual violence, they should attempt to find out whether the family are receiving help. They should also consider contacting the referral or advice lines.

Children Who Go Missing From Care and Home

Children and young people who go missing, should be reported to the Borough Police Missing Persons Unit. They are at an increased risk of being sexually exploited.

Child Trafficking

Child trafficking is the recruitment and movement of children for the purpose of exploitation. Children maybe trafficked within the country or from abroad. Children may be trafficked for

• Labour exploitation
• Forced marriage
• Domestic servitude
• Criminal activity
• Benefit fraud

Private Fostering

Private fostering arrangement is one that is made privately between two parties without the involvement of the local authority for a child under the age of 16 (18 if disabled).

The law requires that the Local Authority should be informed at least 6 weeks in advance of a Private Fostering arrangement or 48 hours after the arrangement has been made if in an emergency.

Children Missing From Care and Home

Children who go missing place themselves at risk of substance abuse and exploitation. Missing children should be reported to the Borough Police Missing Persons Unit.

Forced Marriages

No faith supports the idea of forcing someone to marry without his or her consent. This should not be confused with arranged marriages between consenting adults.

Under age Marriages

In England , a young person cannot legally marry or have a sexual relationship until they are 16 years old or more.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Female genital mutilation includes procedures that intentionally alter or injure the female genital organs for non medical reasons.

FGM is internationally recognised as a violation of the human rights of girls and women and is illegal in most countries, including the UK.

Any indication that FGM is a risk, is imminent, or has already taken place will be dealt with under the child protection procedures outlined in this policy.

Ritualistic Abuse

Some faiths believe that spirits and demons can possess people and children. Any physical violence used to ‘get rid’ of the possessing spirit is abuse and people can be prosecuted even if it was their intention to help the child.

‘Honour based’ Violence

So called ‘honour-based’ (HBV) violence involves crimes which have been committed to protect or defend the honour of the family and/or community.

Youth Produced sexual imagery (sexting)

All staff are expected to be vigilant and report any incidents where children or young people have been a victim of this abuse or exposed to this via friends or relatives.

Young people who share sexual imagery of themselves, or peers, are also breaking the law. It is an offence to possess, distribute, show and make indecent images of children. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 (England and Wales) defines a child, for the purposes of indecent images, as anyone under the age of 18.

Grooming

Grooming is when someone builds a relationship, trust and emotional connection with a child or young person so they can manipulate, exploit and abuse them. Children and young people who are groomed are at an increased risk of being sexually abused or trafficked.

What To Do If You Are Concerned That A Child Is Being Abused

Responding to patterns of concerns

If you recognise signs of abuse keep a written record of any physical or behavioural signs of symptoms. If patterns emerge or signs become frequent report them to your designated child protection coordinator.

Recording

When staff become aware of possible abuse, they must make a full written record as soon as possible and always within 24 hours of the situation arising. This may be recorded onto a referral form.

When you record:

• Distinguish between fact and opinion
• Try to describe what happened
• Make the recording legible
• Sign and date the recording and ensure your name and designation are clearly typed or printed

It is helpful to record what you have seen on a body map for an accurate record that cannot be misinterpreted.

You should record only what you can see without removing additional clothing.

All records of child protection issues will be kept in a lockable cabinet.

Referrals

Referrals following specific incidents should be made as soon as possible on the same day. What To Put In Your Referral

You should give as much of the following information as possible:

Your Details: Name, designation and contact details

Date and time of referral

Subject Child/ren: Address, name, DOB

Family Details: Address, names, DOB, the relationship to the subject child/ren of all members of the household

Details of regular household visitors, if known

Summary of Concerns: What you have seen or heard to make you concerned Anything you have done in response to this

What You Think Should Happen

Emergencies

If you believe a child is in immediate physical danger you should call the Police on 999.

If a child is injured or shows signs of illness, you should seek medical assistance and try to contact the child’s carers, who will normally be able to consent to treatment.

Depending on the level of concern you may want to contact the London Ambulance Service immediately.

Depending on age and understanding the child may be able to consent to treatment or medical staff may decide that the emergency is such that consent should be overridden.

Contact us

MASH* Team

Children, Schools and Families Department

12th Floor, Merton Civic Centre

London Road

Morden

SM4 5DX

Telephone: 020 8545 4226 or 020 8545 4227 (out of hours: 020 8770 5000)

Fax: 020 8545 4204

You do not have to give your name and your conversation will be treated confidentially.You may also contact us by email: mash@merton.gov.uk

How To Respond To A Child Telling You About Abuse

Sometimes you will be concerned about abuse because of what a child or young person says to you. If this happens you should:

• Stay calm and reassuring
• Respond with tact and sensitivity and do not make judgements
• Believe in what you are being told; take allegations or suspicion of abuse seriously ● Listen,but do not press the child or young person for information. Do not ask questions as this may void and disclosure you receive in a court case or investigation.
• Make note using the person’s own words.
• Say that you are pleased that the child or young person has told you.
• Acknowledge any feeling of guilt or anger the individual may have and stress it was not their fault.
• If necessary, seek medical help and contact the police or social services.
• Ensure the child’s safety and that they are away from the alleged abuser.
• Follow procedure for reporting allegations and suspicions to the designated child protection officer.

Do not:

• Promise confidentiality, but do discuss with the child or young person who you need to tell.
• Investigate the allegation yourself and do not contact the parent/carers until advised to do so by the local authority/officer who is in charge.

Concerns or allegations about staff or volunteers

Allegations or concerns about a member of staff or volunteer must be reported to the Designated Person immediately.

What is meant by an allegation against a member of staff∙

You should be concerned if you believe that a member of staff has:

• Behaved in away that has harmed or may have harmed a child or young person ● Possibly committed criminal offence against or related to a child or young person ● Behaved towards a child or young person in a way that indicates they are unsuitable to work with them

It may be advisable depending on the situation to remove the vulnerable adult or child from any activity that would mean that they have direct contact with the member of staff or volunteer.

Role of The LADO

Where there is reason to suspect that the individual of concern maybe unsuitable to work with children, the matter must be reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer, who will decide where the threshold for investigation under Child Protection procedures is met and will make arrangements to coordinate activity. Once it is clear that the individual should be referred, this should be clear without delay, so that an agreement can be made about immediate action and what information can and cannot be shared.

The Merton LADO team:

Throughout the current situation the LADO is working from home. If you require a LADO consultation please call:

0208 545 3187

07814 642 728

If you are sending a LADO referral or your query is LADO related please forward to:

lado@merton.gov.uk

or securely:

lado@merton.gov.uk.cjsm.net

Action

If you are concerned that a member of staff may have abused a child you must: ● Ensure that the child or young person is safe.

• Ensure all cases are referred to LADO.
• Make a written note of the concerns ensuring names and times are clearly recorded. Do not speak to the child, young person or the member of staff in respect of the allegation.
• Contact your Designated Child protection officer . All allegations must be reported to the LADO.
• If your concern relates to the Designated manager or Designated Child Protection Officer, discuss with the LADO
• Where a member of staff has obviously assaulted a child or young person the Police should be contacted.
• A member of staff may be suspended with immediate effect by their manager if there are grounds for concern. However, the LADO should be consulted before action is taken.

Complaints Procedure

Accoutre Centre For Learning recognises that complaints are expressions of dissatisfaction with the group. Anyone may make a complaint including children, parents/carers, volunteers.

All complaints will be treated seriously whether made in person, by telephone, by letter or email. Complaints will be dealt with promptly within three weeks by the senior manager.

Complaints will be taken in person, in writing or by telephone by a member of the senior team. Formal complaints should be written down in as much detail as possible.

Complaints can be made anonymously although a contact detail would help any investigation.

Code of Conduct/Behaviour for Everyone

Purpose of This behaviour code outlines the conduct [name of organisation] expects from all our staff and volunteers. This includes trustees, agency staff, interns, students on work placement and anyone who is undertaking duties for the organisation, whether paid or unpaid. The behaviour code aims to help us protect children and young people from abuse and reduce the possibility of unfounded allegations being made.

Accoutre is responsible for making sure everyone taking part in our services has seen, understood and agreed to follow the code of behaviour, and that they understand the consequences of inappropriate behaviour.

As a staff or volunteer in your role at Accoutre, you are acting in a position of authority and have a duty of care towards the children and young people you work with.

You are likely to be seen as a role model and are expected to act appropriately.

Responsibility

You are responsible for:

• prioritising the welfare of children and young people
• providing a safe environment for children and young people
• ensuring equipment is used safely and for its intended purpose
• having good awareness of issues to do with safeguarding and child protection and taking action when appropriate.
• following our principles, policies and procedures o including our policies and procedures for child protection/safeguarding, whistleblowing and online safety
• staying within the law at all times
• modelling good behaviour for children and young people to follow
• challenging all unacceptable behaviour and reporting any breaches of the behaviour code to the designated safeguarding officer
• reporting all concerns about abusive behaviour, following our safeguarding and child protection procedures
• This includes behaviour being displayed by an adult or child and directed at anybody of any age.

Rights

You should:

• treat children and young people fairly and without prejudice or discrimination understand that children and young people are individuals with individual needs ● respect differences in gender, sexual orientation, culture, race, ethnicity, disability and religious belief systems, and appreciate that all participants bring something valuable and different to the group/organisation
• challenge discrimination and prejudice
• encourage young people and adults to speak out about attitudes or behaviour that makes them uncomfortable.

Relationships

You should:

• promote relationships that are based on openness, honesty, trust and respect
• avoid favouritism
• be patient with others
• exercise caution when you are discussing sensitive issues with children or young people
• ensure your contact with children and young people is appropriate and relevant to the work of the project you are involved in
• ensure that whenever possible, there is more than one adult present during activities with children and young people
• if a situation arises where you are alone with a child or young person, ensure that you are within sight or hearing of other adults.
• if a child specifically asks for or needs some individual time with you, ensure other staff or volunteers know where you and the child are.
• only provide personal care in an emergency and make sure there is more than one adult present if possible
• unless it has been agreed that the provision of personal care is part of your role and you have been trained to do this safely.

Respect

You should:

• listen to and respect children at all times
• value and take children’s contributions seriously, actively involving them in planning activities wherever possible
• respect a young person’s right to personal privacy as far as possible.
• If you need to break confidentiality in order to follow child protection procedures, it is important to explain this to the child or young person at the earliest opportunity.

Unacceptable behaviour

When working with children and young people, you must not:

• allow concerns or allegations to go unreported
• take unnecessary risks
• smoke, consume alcohol or use illegal substances
• develop inappropriate relationships with children and young people
• make inappropriate promises to children and young people
• engage in behaviour that is in any way abusive including having any form of sexual contact with a child or young person.
• let children and young people have your personal contact details (mobile number, email or postal address) or have contact with them via a personal social media account ● act in a way that can be perceived as threatening or intrusive
• patronise or belittle children and young people
• make sarcastic, insensitive, derogatory or sexually suggestive comments or gestures to or in front of children and young people.

The Prevent Duty

Radicalisation

Protecting children from the risk of radicalisation is part of our wider safeguarding duties.

Radicalisation is the process through which a person comes to support or be involved in extremist ideologies. It can result in a person becoming drawn into terrorism and is in itself a form of harm.

Extremism is vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.

Safeguarding Awareness:

Accoutre will ensure an appropriate level of safeguarding awareness is available to its trustees, employees and volunteers.

For all employees who are working or volunteering with children, this requires them as a minimum to have awareness that enables them to:

• Understand what safeguarding is and their role in safeguarding children.
• Recognise a child potentially in need of safeguarding and take action.
• Understand how to report a safeguarding Alert.
• Understand dignity and respect when working with children.
• Have knowledge of the Safeguarding Children Policy.

Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Accoutre expects all employees, volunteers and trustees to maintain confidentiality. Information will only be shared in line with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection.

However, information should be shared with the Local Authority if a child is deemed to be at risk of harm or contact the police if they are in immediate danger, or a crime has been committed.

Recording and Record Keeping

A written record must be kept about any concern regarding a child or young person with safeguarding needs. This must include details of the person involved, the nature of the concern and the actions taken, decision made and why they were made.

Zoom online lessons will be audibly recorded. Children and young people’s images will not be recorded at any time.

All records must be signed and dated. All records must be securely and confidentially stored in line with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

Safe Recruitment & Selection

Accoutre is committed to safe employment and safe recruitment practices, that reduce the risk of harm to children from people unsuitable to work with them or have contact with them.

Staff and volunteers will be selected on their suitability to the role. All staff/volunteers will be required to obtain a full disclosure through checks from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) .

Social Networking:

All employees and volunteers should be aware of Accoutre’s social media policy and procedures and the code of conduct for behaviour towards the children we support.

• Employees/volunteers must not use personal social network accounts to contact young people.
• Employees/volunteers should decline friend requests from children and young people.
• Employees/volunteers should not create web pages, groups or contact lists concerning professional activities carried out on behalf of the organisation without permission.

Use of Photos

This policy applies to all forms of publications; print, film, video, DVD, on websites and in the professional media.

Consent/information forms could include;

• How long the permission will be considered valid.
• How images may be use i.e in a newsletter
• That you will not publish names or any personal details.
• Give the option for a parent/carer to give permission to photos being taken but not filming.

All employees, trustees and volunteers should be aware of Accoutre’s policy and procedures regarding the use of mobile phones and any digital technology and understand that it is unlawful to photograph children and young people without the explicit consent of the person with parental responsibilities.

Whistleblowing

It is important that people within Accoutre have the confidence to come forward to speak or act if they are unhappy with anything. Whistle blowing occurs when a person raises a concern about dangerous or illegal activity, or any wrongdoing within their organisation. This includes concerns about another employee or volunteer. There is also a requirement by Accoutre to protect whistleblowers.

Guidance on Information Required when Raising A Concern under the Whistleblowing Policy and Procedure

• To assist us in assessing or investigating your concerns, it would be helpful if you could be as clear as possible with the details. As a minimum we need to understand the following:
• Date(s) of incident(s)
• Type of incident
• Description of incident(s)/details of concerns
• Where did it happen?
• Who has been involved?
• If possible, explain how you think the matter may be best resolved or start thinking about it in preparation for any meetings you may be required to attend (if you have shared your identity) If you feel comfortable sharing your identity

Legal Framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. A summary of the key legislation is available from nspcc.org.uk/learning.

It should have in place arrangements that reflect the importance of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Important Contacts:

Senior Lead for Safeguarding

Name:

Email address:

Telephone number:

Deputy Senior Lead for Safeguarding

Name:

Email address

Telephone number

Trustee for Safeguarding

Name:

Email address:

Telephone number:

Police

Emergency – 999

Non-emergency – 101

NSPCC Helpline

0808 800 5000

Contact details 

Anti-bullying lead Name:

Phone/email:

Senior lead for safeguarding and child protection

Name: Phone/email:

NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000 

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

Body Map

The child must not be examined in order to complete these and should be referred to a paediatrician if there are any suspicious marks

1. Our commitment

Our equality and diversity Policy sets out our commitment to
creating an inclusive environment for everyone who works within,volunteers for, and accesses our organisation and services. We are committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our wider organisation and eliminate unlawful discrimination.

Whilst we are fully committed to compliance with all relevant
equality legislation, (including the Equality Act 2010, Codes of
Practise and best practise guidance), this policy builds on the
statutory position to ensure effective policies and practise that
promote equality and inclusion.

2. Principle

We have a culture in which everyone is treated with respect,
valued and rewarded for what they contribute, with zero
tolerance of unfair discrimination at every level.

3. Dealing with discrimination and harassment

If any person feels they have been discriminated against by the
organisation or harassed at an organisation event they should raise this with the committee.

• The committee will investigate the complaint, listening to all members involved. (If the complaint is against a committee member, that member will not be part of conducting the investigation).
• If the complaint is against a particular individual, this person will have the opportunity to express their point of view, accompanied by a friend. The person making the complaint will also have this opportunity.

This policy statement applies to anyone working on behalf of Accoutre Centre For Learning and also for the children and young people engaging with the centre’s activities.

Online learning is currently being carried out using the digital platform, currently by Zoom.

The purpose of this policy statement is: 

• to prevent bullying from happening between children and young people who are a part of our organisation or take part in our activities
• to make sure bullying is stopped as soon as possible if it does happen and that those involved receive the support that they need
• to provide information to all staff, volunteers, children and their families about what we should all do to prevent and deal with bullying and harassment.

What is bullying? 

Bullying includes a range of abusive behaviour that is

• repeated
• intended to hurt someone either physically or emotionally.

Cyberbullying/Online bullying 

Cyberbullying occurs when someone uses an electronic platform such as mobile phones, tablets or sending abusive internet messages via social media. It can also happen via text, email and on gaming platforms. It can consist of:

• sending threatening and intimidating messages
• sending embarrassing images or videos
• setting up a hate group or site about an individual
• rejecting and excluding individuals from online activities or friendship groups ● identify theft, hacking into social media accounts and impersonation
• publicly posting or sending on personal information about another person

We believe that: 

• children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind
• we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

We recognise that:

• bullying causes real distress and can affect a person’s health and development and, at the extreme, can cause significant harm
• all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
• everyone has a role to play in preventing all forms of bullying (including online) and putting a stop to bullying.

We will seek to prevent bullying by: 

• developing a code of behaviour that sets out how everyone involved in our organisation is expected to behave, in face-to-face contact and online, and within and outside of our activities
• upholding the behaviour code – practising skills such as listening to each other – respecting the fact that we are all different, dealing with problems in a positive way
• putting clear and robust anti-bullying procedures in place
• making sure our response to incidents of bullying considers: – the needs of the person being bullied – the needs of the person displaying bullying behaviour – needs of any bystanders – our organisation as a whole.
• reviewing the plan developed to address any incidents of bullying at regular intervals, in order to ensure that any problems are dealt with swiftly.

Contact details 

Anti-bullying lead Name:

Phone/email:

Senior lead for safeguarding and child protection

Name: Phone/email:

NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000 

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.