Safeguarding

The safeguarding of our students is of utmost importance at City of London Academy Highbury Grove.

We are committed to promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment. We consistently work with other agencies to ensure adequate arrangements are made to identify, assess, prevent and support any child who suffers, or is at risk of harm. All members of staff believe that Highbury Grove should provide a safe, caring, positive and stimulating environment that promotes and supports the social, emotional and mental health of all our students. All staff in the Academy receive regular Safeguarding and Child Protection training and are aware of procedures to report any concerns.

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is:	Mr Bellinger	jbellinger@highburygrove.cola.org.uk
Our Child Protection Officer is:	Louise Furgason	safeguarding@highburygrove.cola.org.uk
Our Safeguarding Governor is:	Nicola Davidson

Online safety

Please click the links below for more information on how to keep your child safe online:

How to report a safeguarding concern

Email safeguarding@highburygrove.cola.org.uk and include the name of the student and their year group if this is known, or any other information you may have to help identify them.

If you are a student, please leave your full name, year group and house so we can help.

Please note that we cannot respond to concerns that are missing information with which we can identify students so any information you have would be useful for us.

Please do not use this method of communication if the safeguarding concern is urgent and you know the student is experiencing harm or is likely to. Please use the Children’s Services number below or dial 999.

Islington Children’s Services – 020 7527 7400

Hackney Children’s Services – 020 8356 5500

Mental health support

Please see our Mental well-being page

Support for families

There is extensive support for families in Islington that you can access through the family directory website. This offers support and assistance for a whole range of concerns or support, including family breakdown, alcohol and drug support and counselling.

This can be accessed at https://directory.islington.gov.uk/

You can also seek family support from the Early Help team at the local authority. Call 0207 527 7400 and select option 2 for CAMHS or listen for other options.

There are some specific support for parents which is available at www.islington.gov.uk/children-and-families/parenting-and-family-support.

Safeguarding Advice and Resources for Parents

Below are links to websites of organisations that support parents/carers and students. The safety and welfare of children/young people is everyone’s responsibility. If you think that a child/young person is in immediate danger ring the police on 999.

Islington Safeguarding Children Board

They provide information for parents and carers on:

Keeping children/young people safe and healthy
Ensuring children/young people are making good progress and developing well
Advice for parents/carers

https://www.islingtonscb.org.uk/Pages/Parent-and-Carer-Information.aspx

Child Line

Online or on the phone, this is one of the most comprehensive websites for students suffering from emotional or physical abuse. Their website and contact details are www.childline.org.uk or telephone 08001111

Childnet International

Childnet international is a non-profit organisation working with others to help make the internet a great and safe place for children. You can visit the website here http://www.childnet.com/

Galop

The LGBT + anti-violence charity Galop provides emotional and practical support for LGBT and people experiencing domestic abuse. Abuse is not always physical- it can be psychological, emotional, financial and sexual too. Visit their website here http://www.galop.org.uk/

Think U Know

Thinkuknow is an education programme from the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Command.

Since 2006, Thinkuknow has been keeping children and young people safe by providing education about sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. Visit their website here https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/Listing/?q=

Think U Know have also recently released home activity packs for parents and carers to use with their children during the current period of school closure. You can access these via the following links:

Rise Above

Rise Above is where you will find interesting and useful stuff from the web and beyond to get us all talking about the things that matter to us. You’ll find inspiring and useful stories, videos, games and advice. https://riseabove.org.uk/about/

Kidscape

Kidscape equip young people, parents, carers and professionals with the skills to tacklet bullying and safeguarding issues across the UK. You can visit their website here https://kidscape.org.uk/

The Children’s Society

Around 1 in 10 children in the UK have a mental health problem, but our research tell us that every year around 30,000 children are turned away from mental health services. They also specialise in helping children suffering from grief after a loss. https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/mental-health-advice-for-children-and-young-people/loss-and-grief

Cruse

Cruse Bereavement Care was founded in 1959 in Richmond upon Thames and is the leading national charity for bereaved people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. They work closely with young people and the parents/carers of young people to support them through face-to-face, telephone, email and website sessions. https://www.cruse.org.uk/