Safeguarding

If parents have any safeguarding concerns over the summer, it is important that they act quickly and responsibly to ensure the safety and well-being of their child or any other child involved. They should report their concerns to the appropriate authorities, such as local social services, the police, or a school's designated safeguarding lead if the concern relates to a school setting.

Reporting a concern to children's services: 0300 123 4043

It’s also advisable to keep a clear record of any incidents or observations. Parents should trust their instincts—if something feels wrong, it’s worth investigating. Open communication with children is key; encouraging them to speak up and listening without judgment can help identify issues early. Seeking support from helplines or child protection organizations can also provide guidance on how to proceed safely and effectively.

Helpful Links:

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/

Sun Safety

Sunshine is great mood booster allowing us to get outdoors, catch up with friends and family, exercise and soak up the vitamin D. However, too much heat can be dangerous, especially for older people, young children, and people with long term conditions.

Helpful Tips:

Minimise sun exposure during peak hours:

Seek shade- encourage staying in the shade especially between 11am - 3pm when the sun's rays are the strongest.
Plan activities strategically- schedule outdoor activities for earlier in the mornings or later in the afternoon when the sun is less intense

Cover Up:

Clothing- opt for loose fitting, light coloured clothing that covers as much skin as possible, such as long sleeved tops and trousers.
Hats- a wide brimmed hat that provides share for the face, neck and ears
Sunglasses- protect the children's eyes with sunglasses that offer full UV protection

Sunscreen:

Apply sunscreen liberally to all exposed skin, including face, nose, ears, necks, arms and legs. Ensure that sunscreen is reapplied every two hours, or immediately after swimming.

Helpful Links:

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/

Water Safety

Dangers of playing in or near open water:

Unknown depth:

Some rivers and canals may only be 1 to 2 metres deep. If you jump in from a height, you may hit the bottom much sooner than you think and cause yourself an injury.

Currents:

Currents are not always visible. These can pull you under the water and can be hard to swim out of.

Invisible submerged objects:

Items like trolleys, bricks and sharp objects can be found on riverbeds and in open water. If this isn’t visible you may hurt yourself. Equally, the reeds and plants in open water can be hazardous if they get tangled around legs or arms preventing you from being able to swim.

Uneven and / or slippery banks

It’s easy to lose your footing and then it can be hard to get yourself back on the bank.

Cold temperature of the water:

In summer, even though the temperature outside is hot, the temperature of water in rivers, the ocean, lakes etc. is still colder than you think.

Helpful Links:

https://www.rlss.org.uk/pages/category/summer-water-safety

Road Safety

Hand-holding- Emphasize the importance of holding hands with a grown-up when near roads, especially for younger children.
Green Cross Code- Teach and practice the Green Cross Code (stop, look, listen, think) at every crossing.

Safe Crossing- Choose pedestrian crossings or crossing patrols when available, and avoid crossing between parked cars or where visibility is limited.
Visibility- Dress children in bright or reflective clothing, especially when it's dark or dull.
Be Aware- Encourage children to be aware of their surroundings, including driveways and hidden entrances.
Never Run Near Roads- Teach children that running near roads is dangerous and that they should walk calmly and attentively.
Car Safety- Ensure children are properly secured in car seats and that they get in and out of the car on the curb side.
Seatbelts- Emphasize the importance of wearing seatbelts at all times.
Age Appropriateness- Recognize that children may not be ready to cross roads alone until they are at least eight years old, and even then, they may need continued guidance.

Helpful Links:

https://www.think.gov.uk/education-resources/

Online Safety

Whilst many Internet Service Providers offer filtering systems to help you safeguard your child at home, it remains surprisingly easy for children to access inappropriate material including unsuitable texts, images and movies. Parents/guardians are advised to set the security levels within Internet Browsers with this in mind.

Locating the device to access the Internet in a family area will enable you to supervise children as they use the Internet. However, don’t deny your child the opportunity to learn from the wide variety of material and games available on the Internet. Instead, set some simple rules for keeping them safe and make sure they understand the importance of these rules.

Simple, suggested rules for keeping your child safe:

Ask your permission before they use the Internet
Only use websites you have chosen together or a child friendly search engine
Only email people they know (perhaps an address book would be useful)
Ask permission before opening an email sent by someone they don’t know
Do not use Internet chat rooms
Do not use their real name when using games on the Internet (perhaps encourage them to create a suitable nick name)
Never give out a home address or personal contact details
Never tell someone where they go to school
Never send an image of themselves, their home or school
Never arrange to meet someone they have ‘met’ on the Internet
Only use a webcam with people they know
Ask them to tell you immediately if they see anything they are unhappy with

Go through the rules with your child and ensure they understand what you suggest. It is also a good idea to regularly check the Internet sites your child is visiting e.g. by clicking on History and Favourites. Please reassure your child that you want to keep them safe rather than take Internet access away from them.

Helpful Links:

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/talking-child-online-safety/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22751322475&gbraid=0AAAAAD1QhMrpdFkjQTedh_a5iP93ks6Jv&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzMGE9tjNjgMV7pVQBh1JWiSFEAAYAyAAEgKI6_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds