Safeguarding
Feeling like something's not right?
Are you feeling worried about
- Something that has happened to you or someone else
- Not knowing who to turn to
- Coping with your mental health
Whatever's happening, you don't have to cope alone.
How can talking to an adult help?
Talking about your problems to someone you trust means they can help you see things differently. They can give you new ideas about how to cope, or help you change things in your life that worry you. Once you tell someone, they can be there for you in the future too.
Putting things into words helps. Sometimes it's just good to say what's on your mind. Talking to someone could make you feel like you don't have to deal with it on your own and make things feel more manageable.
Ways to feel confident
Prepare
Plan what you want to say and try to think of some examples of what’s happened. You don’t have to tell them everything straight away – share what you’re comfortable with and see what they say.
Practise
Practise what you want to say out loud in front of the mirror, or you could practise with a friend
Find the right time to talk
Try to find a time when the person you want to talk to isn’t too busy or about to rush off. You can also ask them to arrange a quiet time for you to talk, so you’ll have their full attention.
Try these conversation starters:
- "I want to tell you something but I don't know how."
- "This is hard for me to say, but I have something important to tell you.”
- “I need some advice on something I’m stressed about."
What will happen if I tell someone?
People like teachers, doctors, nurses, social workers and police officers will always listen and take you seriously. They have a duty to help you and keep you safe. And if you tell them what’s happening, they’ll want to help.
The person you tell might need to let someone else know what’s happening, but you can always ask about this. It’s also okay to tell them what you’d like to happen and keep asking questions about what’s going on.
It can feel hard to talk when it involves someone you love or who cares about you. Especially if they’re supporting you in other ways. Sometimes they might have told you that you won’t be listened to, or that you’ll get into trouble if you talk about it, but this isn’t true.
At Notre Dame High School Safeguarding and Child Protection are regarded as the single most important aspect of each person's role.
If you have any concern or worry, you can speak to any member of staff as we are a 'listening school'. They will then pass on your concerns to the Safeguarding Team.
If you feel that a young person is at risk, or is the subject of abuse, you should contact a member of the Safeguarding Team. To find a member of staff's email address you add our domain name @ndhs.org.uk i.e. aperson@ndhs.org.uk
Members of staff with a Safeguarding concern should record their concern via CPOMS at ndhs.cpoms.net.
Our Safeguarding Team
To find a member of staff's email address you add our domain name @ndhs.org.uk i.e. aperson@ndhs.org.uk
 Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) – Pastoral & Attendance Support Manager Mrs Janice Murphy jmurphy@ ex1029 Room R50 |
 Alternate DSL (ADSL) Deputy Head Student Welfare Dr Shirley Stevenson sstevenson@ ex1025 St Julie's, Room J16 |
 Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) Deputy Head, Director of 6th Form Mr Julian McKay jmckay@ ex1043 M22B & 6th Form Office |
 Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) Senior Pastoral Support Assistant (KS3) Mrs Jo Bryant jbryant@ ex1022 Pastoral Office |
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 Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) 6th Form Pastoral Support Worker Ms Deborah Brickell dbrickell@ ex1024 6th Form Office |
 Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) Lead SEMH Professional Mrs Ellie Jonston ejohnston@ ex1134 |
If raising a Safeguarding concern or an allegation of abuse against a person working with Children and Young People (up to the age of 18) please inform the Head of School immediately in person, or their Deputy, if the Head is not present. Staff can also raise concerns via the Chair of Governors James McGarry whose contact details can be obtained via John Eady jeady@
To view our Safeguarding Policy click here.
Where to get help outside of school
Childline.org.uk
Get free, confidential support from a Childline counsellor about anything you want to. You can talk to Childline from 7:30am-3:30am every day, either online, by calling 0800 1111 or by sending a message from their website.
Kooth
Kooth is a digital mental health support service for young people aged 11 to 25 where they can access online support from a team of experienced counsellors. Access is free and there are a range of tools, such as activities and moderated chat forums that can be used to enhance young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Parentinfo.org
Support and guidance for parents from leading experts and organisations
School Nursing Team
The NHS School Nursing Service provide a confidential, non-judgemental service to young people who are seeking advice regarding their physical health or emotional wellbeing. They provide support and advice around healthy eating, exercise, sleep, emotional wellbeing, healthy relationships, stress and many other issues that impact upon health and wellbeing.
- Young People should contact direct using our text messaging service; CHAT Health 07480635060
- Professionals, parents and young people can contact via' Just One Number', 0300 300 0123 and speak to a Clinician for advice and support.
Visit your doctor or nurse
You can make an appointment with your doctor any time. You can usually see them by yourself. Even if you can’t see your doctor in person, you can usually talk over phone. Find out more about visiting your doctor.
Victim Support
Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting victims of crime and traumatic incidents including domestic violence and abuse in England and Wales.
Contact the police
If you’re feeling unsafe, you can always talk to the police.
- In an emergency, you can call 999 to get help straight away.
- To report an incident or crime you can contact the police online
- You can also report online sexual abuse or exploitation to CEOP
- To report online material promoting terrorism or extremism contact report terrorism
Online Safety Advice for Students
Advice for Students
Thinkuknow has advice for young people on:
- how to stay safe online
- what to do if you or a friend experiences something that upsets you
- where to go for advice or to report an incident
Choose the specific site for your age group:
Reporting an Incident
If you feel that you, or a young person you know is at risk, or is the subject of abuse, you should contact a member of our Safeguarding Team. For their contact details and further advice, visit our Safeguarding page.
For advice on other agencies to report an incident to, or for ask for help click here.
Online Safety Advice for Parents/Carers
46% of parents agree with the statement: “My child knows more about the internet than I do”, Ofcom.
Here are some conversation starters to help your family discuss internet safety issues and establish some ground rules together:
- What sites does your child like using and what do they enjoy doing online?
- How does your child stay safe online? What tips do they have for you?
- What is it ok, or not ok to share online?
- What privacy settings do they use and how do they report content that makes them feel uncomfortable?
If you feel that you, or a young person you know is at risk, or is the subject of abuse, you should contact a member of our Safeguarding Team. For their contact details and further advice, visit our Safeguarding page.
For advice on other agencies to report an incident to, or for ask for help click here.
Family Internet Agreement
Norfolk Police have created a helpful agreement that parents/carers can use with their children to establish the ground rules of using the internet. To view the agreement, click here.
Thinkuknow
Thinkuknow is an excellent website for giving straight forward and up to date advice to help your children get the most out of the Internet whilst staying safe. Popular topics with filters to narrow down specific age groups and issues include:
Online Safety Advice Videos