Our Safeguarding Signposts: E-Safety, Child Sex Exploitation and Domestic Abuse

We hope you will find the information you are looking for, along with some useful links to external agencies who can offer you expert help, support and guidance for a wide range of concerns and issues. Although we present this information on this page to be helpful, there should be no mistake that this does not replace contacting the Milton Abbot School safeguarding team on 01822 870273 or head@mitlonabbot.devon.sch.uk if you have any concerns. We say: Don't leave safeguarding to chance. Everyone has a duty to protect our children. ​

Early Help

When a child/young person/family needs something extra, Early Help is the initial response offered by all services in contact with children, young people and families. This builds an understanding to address extra needs and prevent situations from getting more difficult for children and young people.  The aim of Early Help is to build on people’s capacity and resources to manage their own dilemmas, resolve their own difficulties and prevent further problems in the future. Early Help is not a designated team it is the way that EVERYONE works together to support the needs of families.
​

Child Sex Exploitation

What is Child Sexual Exploitation?
Click here to read the government definition of and guidance for CSE, which was published in February 2017. Child Sexual Exploitation (or CSE as it is sometimes referred to) is a term that explains what happens when abusers encourage children and young people under 18 into sexually exploitative situations, contexts and relationships. These often involve the young person being given things such as food, accommodation, drugs, affection, gifts of money in return for performing sexual activities. Victims will often be groomed for a period of time before physical or sexual abuse takes place.
​
Child Sexual Exploitation is a form of child abuse, it is not a specific criminal offence but the term encompasses a range of different forms of serious criminal conduct and a number of individual offences. The sexual exploitation of a child or young person will almost certainly involve the commission of a crime, or have the potential for a crime to be committed.

CSE can occur through the use of technology without the child’s immediate recognition, for example the persuasion to post or send sexual images of themselves with no immediate payment or gain. In all cases those exploiting the child or young person have power over them by virtue of their age, gender, intellect, physical strength and resources available to them.

Violence, coercion and intimidation are common in child sexual exploitation cases as many perpetrators target vulnerable young people. The vulnerability is often due to economic or physical circumstances that leave the young people with few choices, however, it is important to remember any child may be targeted so it is important to help them keep safe.

Some realities….
Evidence shows that CSE can and does happen in all parts of the country. CSE is not restricted to urban areas such as large towns and cities but does in fact happen in rural areas such as villages and coastal areas – just like Devon.
Both perpetrators and victims are known to come from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. CSE is not a crime restricted to British Pakistani Muslim males or white British girls, despite media coverage of high profile cases.
Boys and young men are also targeted as victims of CSE by perpetrators. However, they may be less likely to disclose offences or seek support, often due to stigma, prejudice or embarrassment or the fear that they will not be believed
There is evidence that women can be perpetrators too. They may use different grooming methods but are known to target both boys and girls.

How are children sexually exploited?
Children can be sexually exploited in many different ways, to help you understand and recognise what might be going on here are a few models that you should be aware of:
  • The inappropriate relationship The young person is in a relationship with an older partner who exerts a great deal of influence and control over them due to an imbalance of power. The young person is likely to believe they are in a serious adult relationship and not recognise its exploitative nature.
  • Peer exploitation The young person is in a relationship with another young person who is coercing them into some form of sexual activity with their friends. Based on national and local analysis we believe that in Devon that the majority of child sexual exploitation is perpetrated by the peer groups of the victims and that over half of those that sexually exploit children are themselves under 18.
  • Organised exploitation The young people (often connected) are passed through networks, possibly over geographical distances, between towns and cities where they may be forced /coerced into sexual activity with multiple people. Often this occurs at ‘sex parties’, and young people who are involved may be used as agents to recruit others into the network.
  • Online Exploitation Any of the above models may involve online exploitation where the young person shares sexual images or videos or is coerced into carrying out sexual acts via web-cam. According to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre most child sexual exploitation offences take place online. Analysis by the centre reveals that 13 and 14 year olds represent the largest single victim group of online exploitation.

Training
PACE (Parents against Child Sexual Abuse) have created a free online learning module about the signs and symptoms as well as the impact of CSE. It also gives advice on what to do when you think a child might be at risk of CSE http://paceuk.info/training/keep-them-safe/

For a video to help you spot the signs, click this link: https://youtu.be/pnTYFeZNLkQ

E-safety - Cyber Bullying

At school we aim to provide as much information as possible about keeping your children safe on the Internet. This is enhanced and supplemented in PSHE and computer lessons they receive in school which we hope will enable them to make the right choices and learn how to keep themselves safe. The web is a wonderful learning and social resource but as with anything children need to learn what is appropriate and safe.                                             

The most important advice is to talk to your child and play an active part in their time online. Talk with your child about their 'life online'. Consider where your child is using the internet. Keeping computers/ipads in the main family living space will help reduce any inappropriate access. If you have any concerns then please speak to your class teacher who will refer you to the child protection officer at school if necessary.
​
​Here is a link that enables you to explore the most popular sites, apps and games that children are currently using. If you click on each of the icons it gives you details of how safe it is and what the issues and concerns are about children using them.
​https://www.net-aware.org.uk/networks/?order=-popularity
At Milton Abbot we enjoy regular assemblies featuring Cyber Simon, who reminds us the key rules for staying safe online.  For our full policy: http://www.miltonabbot.devon.sch.uk/data/uploads/485.pdf

Staying safe online: parental control software:
https://www.choose.co.uk/guide/parental-control-software-for-internet-safety.html
​
Keeping your children safe online:
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/
​
Tips and Advice for keeping children safe on Minecraft:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/minecraft-a-parents-guide/
​
Tips and Advice for keeping children safe on Pokemon Go:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/pokemon-go-parents-guide/

Bullying

At Milton Abbot School, we say NO to bullying and seek to take immediate action if any child feels a victim of bullying. We have a comprehensive anti-bullying statement and policy in our policies section (see tab above).

Every child and young person has the right to be taught in a positive learning environment where everyone has an equal opportunity to achieve socially, emotionally and academically.

Unfortunately, bullying does take place both in and out of school, and parents, carers, teachers and other professionals have a duty to take action if they suspect or discover that a child is being bullied.
​
Bullying can seriously affect your child. It doesn’t just involve physical abuse – it can include emotional and verbal abuse, racist remarks and cyberbullying. The impact of bullying can often be underestimated, it is important that as a parent or carer you can recognise the impact of bullying and recognise the signs.

Bullying includes:
  • Name calling
  • Making things up to get others into trouble
  • Hitting, pinching, biting, pushing and shoving
  • Stealing others belongings/money
  • Damaging others belongings
  • Taking friends away to make someone feel excluded
  • Cyberbullying
  • Spreading rumours
  • Threats and intimidation
  • Making silent or abusive phone calls
  • Bullies can also frighten others to the extent that they don’t want to go to school, and pretend to be ill to avoid them

​Recognising the signs:
  • Coming home with cuts and bruises
  • Torn clothes
  • Asking for stolen possessions to be replaced
  • ‘Losing’ dinner money
  • Falling out with previously good friends and being rejected by peers
  • Being moody and bad tempered
  • Wanting to avoid leaving the house
  • Aggression with brothers and sisters
  • Academic progress may suffer
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety and insecurity
  • Being quite and withdrawn
  • Presenting as unhappy and with low self-esteem
  • Poor attendance at school

​Finding out that your child is being bullied can be a very stressful and distressing experience. If you suspect or discover your own child or a child you know is being bullied talk to his/her Teacher or the Head Teacher. Please view our Anti-Bullying Policy here. If you are concerned about someone else’s child, talk to the parents or carers. You can access more help and advice from The Anti Bullying Network or Bullying UK

Harmful Behaviour in Children

Children can display harmful behaviours to themselves and others around them. If you are worried about a child that is displaying harmful behaviours, it may be for a variety of reasons. Call 0345 155 1071 if you have a concern.
​

Prevent - Anti-Radicalisation

Prevent is part of the UK government’s counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST. Its aim is to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
From 1st July, the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 places a statutory duty on specified authorities to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”.
The strategy involves thousands of people – police and intelligence officers, the emergency services, local authorities, businesses, voluntary and community organisations, governments and other partners – working in together across the UK and the world to protect the public.

The strategy has four key elements:
  • Pursue – to stop terrorist attacks
  • Prevent – to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism
  • Protect – to strengthen our protection against terrorist attack
  • Prepare – where an attack cannot be stopped, to lessen its impact

Related documents:
Please also see our separate page on our Prevent Duty and Brilliant Britain

Childline School Services

Research by the NSPCC has shown that the majority of children who contact ChildLine are over 11 years old. However, we know that the majority of children subject to a child protection plan are under the age of 11.
The ChildLine Schools Service will focus on primary school children from age 7 -11 years, with a particular focus on 9 -11 year olds initially. The aim is to visit every primary school in the UK at least every two years. By focusing the main objectives as outlined below, Childline aim to reach every primary school in the UK and start a societal change that will bring about a long term reduction in child cruelty.

Objectives
  • To ensure children have an understanding of abuse in all its forms, including bullying, and an ability to recognise the signs of abuse.To ensure children know how to protect themselves from all forms of abuse.
  • To make them aware of how to get help and sources of help (including ChildLine).

How is this achieved?
The schools programme is initially aimed at Year 5 and Year 6 pupils and consists of an assembly style presentation followed by workshops in individual classes. The materials have been developed to ensure age appropriateness and are delivered with respect and sensitivity for the children. Accompanying materials are also provided to reinforce learning.

The assembly style presentation to the whole year group(s) lasts for approximately 30 minutes and aims to provide the following:
  • A video clip is played to give the children some information about ChildLine and to explain what happens when someone contacts ChildLine.
  • An introduction to the subject of abuse covering physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and bullying. This is achieved by conducting a “bag of worries” activity and encouraging children to identify a wide range of issues that may cause a child to feel worried, upset, anxious or frightened.
  • Identify a range of sources of help and support.
  • Reinforcing the message that children have the right to be safe, to be listened to and to be able to find help and support.

After the visit, pupils are provided with an activities booklet containing a crossword, word search and acrostic activities which reinforce the key messages from the presentation.

The workshop is delivered to individual classes approximately 1 to 2 weeks after the presentation and lasts for approximately one hour. The content of the workshop is as follows:
  • Recap on the learning from the presentation.
  • The class will then be presented with a range of statements which they are asked to agree or disagree with.
  • Working in smaller groups pupils explore and discuss their understanding of “good touching and wrong touching”.  Then, using a series of written statements, groups consider different situations and behaviours in the context of helping to understand possible signs of sexual abuse.  
  • Using a case study on neglect; working in small groups, pupils are invited to explore the feelings, behaviour and impact that may surround a situation involving neglect. Class discussion follows which enables a wider consideration of the emotional context of such a situation and linking this to other aspects of abuse.
  • Pupils develop their own “Buddy kit”. The Buddy kit is designed to help children protect themselves by identifying their own personal network of sources of help and support.
  • Reinforcing the message that children have the right to be safe, to be listened to and to be able to find help and support.

After the workshop pupils are provided with a finger flexor to reinforce learning in a fun and colourful way and with ChildLine wallet cards.

For further information please contact:
Colette Hudson
NSPCC Schools Service  Area Coordinator:
Devon & Torbay
Mobile: 07710147899
Email: Colette.Hudson@nspcc.org.uk

When to contact The MASH

If you are worried about a child or young person in Devon and want to speak to someone, or if you are a child or young person worried about your own safety please contact the MASH on 0345 1551071 or email mashsecure@devon.gov.uk and give as much information as you can.

If you are a professional, you should make a MASH contact (previously a MASH enquiry). Please see the guidance on making a MASH contact.

Worried About a Child? Contact MASH

If you are concerned that a child or young person is being abused please email mashsecure@devon.gov.uk or call
Devon: 0345 1551071  |  Out of hours please: 0845 6000388  |  Emergencies: 999