At E-ACT Blackley Academy we are committed to keeping our students safe both within academy grounds and out in the wider community.
The safety and welfare of all our students is of the utmost importance to us. Safeguarding is about ensuring that everyone is safe from harm – safe from bullying, safe from people who could abuse, safe from discrimination or harassment and that we all feel safe in our environment.
If you have any concerns about the welfare of yours or another child please talk to any teacher at the academy, or you can speak directly to a member of the academy’s safeguarding team.
The Academy’s Duty of Care to keep all students safe
- The Academy aims to ensure that appropriate action is taken in a timely manner to safeguard and promote children’s welfare.
- That all staff are aware of and understand fully their statutory responsibilities with respect to safeguarding.
- Staff are appropriately trained in recognising and reporting safeguarding issues.
- Safeguarding and child protection is everyone’s responsibility.
The Academy’s Open-Door Policy so that Students can access support and guidance at all times:
- At E-ACT Blackley Academy we adopt an open-door policy to ensure that all students feel supported at all times and we aim to support all barriers to learning through our inclusive approach.
The Academies work with external agencies and professionals for specialised support where needed:
- As a Manchester located E-ACT Academy we work with a wide range of external agencies such as Manchester’s MASH Team, MIND, Healthy Young Minds, Police and many more services to ensure we provide a fully inclusive holistic approach for each child as and when required.
Any safeguarding issues, please call either Miss Spence or Miss Alleyne on the numbers below.
Our Safeguarding Team
Miss Gemma Spence – Designated Safeguarding Lead
Email: Gemma.spence@eba.E-ACT.org.uk
Phone: 0161 740 2185
Miss Rhonda Alleyne – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Email: Rhonda.alleyne@eba.e-act.org.uk
Phone: 0161 740 2185
USEFUL LINKS
Keeping Children and Adults Safe in Education
Safeguarding guidance for parents/carers
Working together to safeguard children
If you are worried about a child who may be suffering from harm you can make a referral to Children services. You can contact them by telephone 0161 234 5001 or by email mcsreply@manchester.gov.uk
If you are worried a child is being sexually abused telephone the police straight away on 999.
If a child is suffering from anxiety/depression/self-harm or having suicidal thoughts you can telephone the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevent of Cruelty to Children) on 0808 800 5000 or Cahms ( Child and adolescent Mental health service) on 0161 203 3250
Children are taught how to keep themselves safe online through a combination of assemblies and lessons from their class teacher.
In particular, children are shown how to:
- use technology safely, respectfully and responsibility
- recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour online, such as cyberbullying
- keep passwords and personal information safe
- report when they feel unsafe
- understand their online presence and how to be in control of their own privacy
We understand that it can be overwhelming to keep up-to-date with new technologies so we highly recommend using the resources below to keep your children safe online.
We have a range of printed guides within school that explain how you can keep your children safe online. Please speak to Lucy if you would like a copy or you would like to attend our parent workshop on keeping your children safe online.
Resources
Thinkuknow – for advice from the National Crime Agency to stay safe online
This video from Internet Matters explains how to apply parental restrictions at home.
This wizard from Internet Matters guides you through the process of applying parental restrictions at home to many different types of devices, from mobile phones and tablets, to broadband routers and apps.
Net Aware from the NSPCC is a website that lists many apps that children use. It explains their risks and how you can keep children safe if they’re using them. Click here to view the website.
MOMO Challenge
For information regarding the MOMO Challenge and keeping your child safe, please visit this link
MOMO Challenge: Downloadable resource
Worried about Youtube?
During our last E-Safety parental workshop, many parents raised their worries about their children using YouTube at home. We also share these anxieties and so we’ve looked into some possible options to help you. The best way to ensure your children on safe online is to encourage them to use their devices within shared family areas and to openly talk to them about the dangers.
The simplest option (for tablets and phones) — YouTube Kids
Simply install the app on your children’s devices and remove the adult-version of YouTube. Your children will only be able to access specially selected content for their age group. The adverts are also suited towards children.
See more information about YouTube Kids at https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/youtube-kids.
Setting Up Parental Controls on Youtube (For Laptops and Computers)
This involves signing into YouTube and setting up parental restrictions. You can then see what your children are looking at. There are more instructions on how to do this at https://www.internetmatters.org/controls/interactive-guide/YouTube/.
Alternatively, look at this video for a brief guide on how to do this.
