Useful Links for Parents

We have collated a range of useful link and information about safeguarding for our parents. Links, downloads cand contact deails can be found on this page.

We have also produced a leaflet for parents and children to explain what Safeguarding Children means.  This leaflet is distributed to all our families and you can request a copy from our school office as well.

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

f 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 Prevention of Cruelty to Children) on 0808 800 5000 or Cahms (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) on 0161 203 3250

E-safety is an integral part of children’s education in today’s digital world and is embedded in their learning at school. We also want to help our parents and children improve their own understanding of e-safety issues so they can learn to use the Internet and all digital media in a safe and secure way.

E-safety in school

All children are reminded of our school expectations asked to sign an Internet agreement at the beginning of each academic year which is displayed clearly in the classroom.

At school, children are taught about e-safety both discretely through the Computing curriculum and through regular reminders and conversations when using technology at school. E-safety is part of our safeguarding responsibility and we take this responsibility seriously. 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 shared here to keep your children safe online.

E-safety at home

As parents and carers, please regularly talk to your children about how they use the Internet and keep themselves safe online. We hope the links in this section will help you to find relevant information which will not only inform you but help you to engage your children in the importance of Internet safety.

You may also wish to set up a family Internet agreement using one of these resources.

Parental Controls 

Parental controls do help to control the online experience of your children though they should not replace parental oversight of your children whilst online. They can allow filtered access to online sites and material so inappropriate access is denied or limited.

Internet Matters has provided step-by-step guides on how to set up parental controls so that you can control what content your child can access online.

The UK Safer Internet Centre has developed guidance on how to switch on family-friendly filters to prevent age-inappropriate content being accessed on devices in your home.

The NSPCC provides more information for parents or carers with concerns about their child seeking inappropriate or explicit content online.

Cyberbullying

This is bullying but using technology to harass, threaten, embarrass or target another person. A comprehensive leaflet has been published by Childnet International on the subject of cyberbullying which can be downloaded from this page (pages 6 and 7 show how technology can be used to bully with advise on contacting service providers if necessary).

If you suspect your child is being bullied, including cyberbullying, please inform us by speaking to your child's class teacher, in the first instance.

‘Sexting’ (youth-produced sexual imagery)

If you are worried about your child sending nude images or videos (sometimes referred to as ‘youth-produced sexual imagery’or sexting), NSPCC provides advice to help you understand the risks and support your child.

If your child has shared nude images, Thinkuknow by National Crime Agency-CEOP provides advice on talking to your child and where to get help.

Social Media Sites

Many children now have online contact with other children through a wide variety of games and social networking sites.. Children generally, should not have accounts until they are 13 years old, however we realise that some children may have social media accounts below this age. If your child does have any type of social media account or uses other social networking sites please talk to your child about the following:

• Insist that you know your child's login details.
• Insist that you and other family members are 'friends'.
• Make sure your child 'locks down' their profile to ensure only friends can access their page, pictures etc.
• Make sure any photos or videos are appropriate and don't reveal personal information, such as school uniform details.
• Any members of staff will not accept any online request.

You can also download a PDF on the left, of our 'Online Safeguarding Tips' leaflet for parents of children using social media.

What to do if something goes wrong?

The CEOP website has links for reporting inappropriate online behaviour. Look out for the CEOP symbol on websites or on the CEOP's own site which take you directly to their own page for reporting abuse.