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At Cornelius Vermuyden, we work tirelessly to ensure our students are safeguarded from harm.
If you are in any way concerned about the safety or wellbeing of a child who attends The Cornelius Vermuyden School, please telephone us immediately on (01268) 685011 and ask to speak to a member of our safeguarding team. Alternatively you can email the Designated Safeguarding Lead or the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead on the email addresses below.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Mr M Sweeny (Assistant Headteacher): msweeny@corneliusvermuyden.comThe Principal Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs K Brady: kbrady@corneliusvermuyden.com
The Designated Mental Health Lead & DDSL is Miss J Goodger: jgoodger@corneliusvermuyden.com If the issue is urgent and the school is closed, please contact: Children and Families Hub 0345 606 1212 - email: Emergency.DutyTeamOutOfHours@essex.gov.uk
All adults working with or on behalf of children have a responsibility to protect them and to provide a safe environment in which they can learn and achieve their full potential. However, there are key people within schools and the Local Authority who have specific responsibilities under child protection procedures. The names of those in our school with these specific responsibilities (the designated safeguarding lead and deputy designated safeguarding lead) are:
The designated safeguarding lead in school takes lead responsibility for managing child protection referrals, safeguarding training and raising awareness of all child protection policies and procedures. They ensure that everyone in school (including temporary staff, volunteers and contractors) is aware of these procedures and that they are followed at all times. They act as a source of advice and support for other staff (on child protection matters) and ensure that timely referrals to Essex Children’s Social Care (Family Operations Hub) are made in accordance with current Southend, Essex & Thurrock (SET) procedures. They work with the local authority and other agencies as required.
If for any reason the designated safeguarding lead is unavailable, the deputy designated safeguarding lead will act in their absence. If the concern is about a member of staff the headteacher must be informed. If it is about the Headteacher you must contact the chair of governors or the LADO.
If a child is immediate danger then you should call the police.
The Headteacher works in accordance with the requirements upon all school staff. In addition, he ensures that all safeguarding policies and procedures adopted by the governing body are followed by all staff.
Everyone is our school has a responsibility to provide a safe learning environment in which our children can learn. All staff members are prepared to identify children who may benefit from early help and understand their role within this process. This includes identifying any emerging problems so appropriate support may be provided and liaising with the designated safeguarding lead to report any concerns. All staff members are aware of and follow school processes and are aware of how to make a referral to Social Care if there is a need to do so.
The governing body ensures that the policies, procedures and training in our school are effective and comply with the law at all times. It ensures that all required policies relating to safeguarding are in place and that the child protection policy reflects statutory and local guidance and is reviewed at least annually.
The governing body ensures there is a named designated safeguarding lead and deputy safeguarding lead in place. Our governor responsible for safeguarding is Paul Fuller. The governing body ensures the school contributes to inter-agency working, in line with statutory and local guidance. It ensures that information is shared and stored appropriately and in accordance with statutory requirements.
The governing body ensures that all staff members undergo safeguarding and child protection training at induction and that it is then regularly updated. All staff members receive regular safeguarding and child protection updates, at least annually, to provide them with the relevant skills and knowledge to keep our children safe.
The governing body ensures that children are taught about safeguarding, including online safety, ensuring that that appropriate filters and monitoring systems for online usage are in place. Our children are taught how to keep themselves safe through teaching and learning opportunities as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. From September 2020, our school has worked in accordance with new government regulations which make the subjects of Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education mandatory.
‘’Schools and their staff form part of the wider safeguarding system for children. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a key role to play. In order to fulfill this responsibility effectively, all practitioners should make sure their approach is child-centered'’ (Keeping Children Safe in Education – DfE, 2023)
This Child Protection policy is for all staff, parents, governors, volunteers and the wider school community. It forms part of the safeguarding arrangements for our school and should be read in conjunction with the following:
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children (everyone under the age of 18) is defined in Keeping Children Safe in Education as:
Cornelius Vermuyden works in accordance with the following legislation and guidance:
Our staff are aware that mental health problems can, in some cases, be an indicator that a child has suffered or is at risk of suffering abuse, neglect or exploitation. We understand that, where children have suffered abuse or other potentially traumatic adverse childhood experiences, this can have a lasting impact throughout childhood, adolescence and into adulthood. Where we have concerns this may impact on mental health, we will seek advice and work with other agencies as appropriate to support a child and ensure they receive the help they need.
Our Designated Mental Health Lead (DMHL) is Miss J. Goodger (DDSL). Should you have a concern for a child’s mental wellbeing, then you can contact:
Mental Health Lead - jgoodger@corneliusvermuyden.com DSL - msweeny@corneliusvermuyden.com
Positive mental health is the concern of the whole community and we recognise that schools play a key part in this. Our school aims to develop the emotional wellbeing and resilience of all pupils and staff, as well as provide specific support for those with additional needs. We understand that there are risk factors which increase someone’s vulnerability and protective factors that can promote or strengthen resiliency. The more risk factors present in an individual’s life, the more protective factors or supportive interventions are required to counter-balance and promote further growth of resilience.
It is vital that we work in partnership with parents to support the well-being of our pupils. Parents should share any concerns about the well-being of their child with school, so appropriate support and interventions can be identified and implemented.
We recognise that our children are growing up in an increasingly complex world, living their lives on and offline. This presents many positive and exciting opportunities, but we recognise it also presents challenges and risks. Any pupil can be vulnerable online, and their vulnerability can fluctuate depending on their age, developmental stage and personal circumstance. We want to equip our pupils with the knowledge needed to make the best use of the internet and technology in a safe, considered and respectful way, so they are able to reap the benefits of the online world.
The three main areas of online risk could be categorised as:
content: being exposed to illegal, inappropriate or harmful material; for example pornography, fake news, racist or radical and extremist views;
contact: being subjected to harmful online interaction with other users; for example commercial advertising as well as adults posing as children or young adults;
conduct: personal online behaviour that increases the likelihood of, or causes, harm; for example making, sending and receiving explicit images, or online bullying
Online Safety-Advice for Families
Install antivirus software, secure your internet connection and use Parental Control functions for computers, mobile phones and games consoles to block unsuitable content or contact. Always remember that parental control tools are not always 100% effective and sometimes unsuitable content can get past them, so don't rely on them alone to protect your child.
Location of devices
Consider locating your computers and laptops in a family area where children's online activity can be monitored or supervised. Always supervise the use of webcams and any applications or devices which allow voice or video chat. Also consider the use and location of other devices your child's uses which allow internet access such as mobile phones and games consoles. Visit https://saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/parents-and-carers for safety information about consoles and devices.
Dialogue
Talk to your child and ask them to show or even teach you how they use the internet, learn which websites or tools they like to use and why. Learning together with your child can often open opportunities to discuss safe behaviour online. Always ensure your child knows how to block and report people online who may send nasty or inappropriate messages or content. Encourage your child not to retaliate or reply and to keep any evidence.
Make sure your child knows it's important that they tell an adult they trust if anything happens online that makes them feel scared, worried or uncomfortable. It's essential to be realistic: banning the internet or web sites often will not work and it can make a child feel less able to report a problem or concern, so education around safe use is essential.
Knowledge
Download the Safer Schools App onto your ‘phone (parent). This App gives regular updates/information that enables you to be aware of current concerns and trends that could make your child vulnerable. Also, encourage your child to download this App onto their ‘phone (student).
Information on this App has been sent out to all students and parents/carers.
'Extremism' is a belief in and support for ideas that are very far from what most people consider correct or reasonable. It may include values and ideologies which may well be legal, but which could place people on a course towards supporting illegal, violent extremist views.
'Radicalisation' is the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies associated with terrorist groups.
Children and young people have a natural curiosity which, as parents, we want to encourage. However, as our children grow up we have to take different steps to ensure their safety.
Currently a number of young people have been persuaded to leave the country against the wishes of their families, or in secret, putting themselves in extreme danger.
As a parent you may be worried about how extremism and radicalisation might affect your child. The following information may be useful in recognising the signs and supporting your child.
“Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard and valued; when they can give and receive without judgement; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”
For many parents and carers, finding time for yourself can be a challenge as you juggle family and relationships with your home and work life. This can be especially true if you are supporting a child or young person with their mental health. The following advice about the importance of self-care can be found by clicking this link
For information on specific strategies which you could try, either on your own or as a family, please view our self-care resource for On My Mind
This is guidance for parents/carers to help them support their child transition into secondary school Click the link
This resource offers information for parents/carer about the signs your child may be struggling with change, what to do if you child is finding change difficult, looking after yourself as a parent and where to get further support. Click the link
MHST Poster MHST Secondary Schools Leaflet My Self Care Plan Secondary Mental Health Quick Guiides
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Headteacher - Mr I Hockey
Telephone: 01268 685011 Fax: 01268 510290 Email: admin@corneliusvermuyden.com
Dinant Avenue Canvey Island Essex SS8 9QS
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Registered company number is 08667123
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