Safeguarding and Support

Author:

Mrs Cardnell - Designated Safeguarding Lead

Staying Safe Over The Holidays

While the holidays are a time for rest, our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our students remains a year-round priority. If you are worried about the safety or welfare of a child during the break, please do not wait for the school to reopen. You can report concerns directly to Kent County Council (KCC) Children’s Social Work Services by calling 03000 41 11 11 (office hours) or 03000 41 91 91 (out of hours/weekends). If you believe a child is in immediate danger, please always dial 999.

For students who may need mental health support or a safe space to talk while away from school, several online services are available. Kooth offers free, safe, and anonymous professional support for young people aged 10–25 in Kent. Students can access 1-to-1 text-based counseling and community forums via their website.

• KCC Safeguarding: kent.gov.uk/report-abuse

• Kooth Mental Health Support: kooth.com

• Childline: childline.org.uk (0800 1111)

Staying Safe Online

With students likely spending more time on devices over the break, we encourage parents to stay "digitally curious." Try to have regular, open conversations about what your child is doing online, who they are chatting with, and how they feel about their digital experiences.

• Check Settings: Ensure parental controls are active on home Wi-Fi and individual devices.

• Balance: Encourage a healthy "digital diet" by setting boundaries on screen time before bed.

• Age Ratings: Double-check that apps and games are age-appropriate (most social media requires users to be at least 13).

To help navigate the digital world, we recommend the following expert resources:

• Internet Matters: Provides step-by-step guides for setting up parental controls on all home devices and apps.

• Thinkuknow: The education programme from NCA-CEOP, offering age-appropriate videos and guides to help children stay safe from exploitation.

• NSPCC Online Safety: Helpful advice on how to talk to your child about online risks, including "Net Aware" guides for popular apps like TikTok and Roblox.