We struggle to keep up with our children and their activities online but there is lots of information to help you.
Ofsted has created a webinar for schools and parents on how to help keep children safe online. The aim is to raise awareness about e-safety. Click here to view the webinar.
Do you know what ‘sexting’ is?
NSPCC has a very useful website with lots of information for parents, with simple to understand fact sheets, details about how to set parental controls and what to do if your child has been sexting. You can access it by clicking here.
Keeping Your Child Safe from Sexual Exploitation
Again in the news, there have been some high profile cases of children and young people who have been groomed and sexually exploited. As a family member, would you know what to look out for?
Child sexual exploitation is when people use the power they have over young people to sexually abuse them. Their power may result from a difference in age, gender, intellect, strength, money or other resources.
Signs of Grooming and Child Sexual Exploitation
Signs of child sexual exploitation include the child or young person;
- Going missing for periods of time or regularly returning home late
- Skipping school or being disruptive in class
- Appearing with unexplained gifts or possessions that can’t be accounted for
- Experiencing health problems that may indicate a sexually transmitted infection
- Having mood swings and changes in temperament
- Using drugs and/or alcohol
- Displaying inappropriate sexualised behaviour, such as over familiarity with strangers, dressing in a sexualised manner or sending sexualised images by mobile phone (“sexting”)
- They may also show signs of unexplained physical harm, such as bruising and cigarette burns
If you would like to learn more, there is a free online training tool which you can access here.
If you are worried your child maybe being sexually exploited, please speak to a member of staff or the police.
It is important to know what you can do to keep yourself safe, and what the adults around you should be doing to keep you safe.
The guides below include information on:
- Abuse and neglect
- Bullying
- Staying safe online
- Online bullying
- The role of professionals
- Where to get further help
We know that many students may miss aspects of their PHSE programme due to illness, missed education or exclusion. Please click on the icons below to download our take away packs on key PSHE topics that support you in keeping yourself safe and well.