Safeguarding and Wellbeing

In periods of time when the school is closed, you may find yourself in need of safeguarding advice. If you have an immediate safeguarding concern, please phone 999 in the first instance for support.

If the safeguarding advice that you require is not urgent, please draw on one or some of the services listed below. These services have been used by thousands of students and families and have a proven track record in offering support when it is most needed.

Single Point of Access (SPA) Phone Number
- For any family or child who is unsure of what support they require
- Call 0300 123 4496 to discuss the types of support available for families or children.
- This number is also for urgent mental health support for children.
SHOUT and Crisis Text Line:
- Part of the Kent and Medway "Release the Pressure" campaign
- text "Kent" or "Medway" to 85258 for immediate mental health support.
- Available 24/7 for all ages.
Kooth (Mental Health Platform for Ages 10-16):
- Free and accessible 24/7.
- Chat with a counsellor during these hours:
  - Monday to Friday: 12.00pm – 10.00pm
  - Saturday and Sunday: 6.00pm – 10.00pm
Moodspark and Kent Resilience Hub:

Websites offering tips and resources for emotional wellbeing.

Text ChatHealth to 07520 618850 for support with physical and mental health.
Service available Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm.
Children and Young People's Counselling Service:
- Self-referral available.
- Click here to access the service.
Togetherall:
- Anonymous mental health support for those aged 16 and over.
GP Appointments for Mental Health:
- Book an appointment with your GP for your child's mental health concerns.
- GPs may need to complete a Front Door referral form.
Fearless:
- Provides information on crime and criminality for young people.
- Anonymously pass on information about crime.
Additional Useful Links:
- goodmentalhealthmatters.com
- Teen Mental Health - A Guide for Parents | mytutor.co.uk

CEOP

If you have any concerns relating to the online safety of your child, the designated team for Child Exploitation and Online Safety team (CEOP) is the best port of call.

Childline is a useful tool for providing support and advice on a range of topics, including online safety and issues surrounding COVID-19.

Report Harmful Content can be used in addition to the CEOP reporting tool to help report any harmful content across all online platforms. They offer advice for a range of different websites and applications and can support young people and parents through the process of reporting any problems. They also offer guidance on what is considered to be harmful content and the different types that young people may come across.

For more generalised support about keeping children safe and resources and advice, you can visit the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).

Report Abuse in Education helpline

The Department for Education has commissioned the NSPCC to establish a dedicated independent helpline for people who have experienced abuse in education. The Report Abuse in Education helpline comes after a high number of anonymous testimonials were submitted to the Everyone’s Invited website, documenting abuse in all types of schools, colleges and universities.

The helpline went live on 1 April and will provide both children and adults who have experienced sexual abuse in schools with support and advice, including onward action such as contacting the police if they wish to. The helpline will also provide support to parents and professionals. Anyone who gets in touch through this dedicated helpline will also be signposted to other relevant support services available, including Childline, which provides ongoing support and counselling to children and young people.

The dedicated and confidential NSPCC helpline - Report Abuse in Education can be reached on 0800 136 663 or by email at help@nspcc.org.uk.

In School Support

In school we have a dedicated team to support students with safeguarding/wellbeing concerns.

The Designated Safeguarding Team:

Role	Staff Member
Strategic Safeguarding Oversight	Mrs Denny, Headteacher
Lead DSL	Mrs Lamberth - Senior Assistant Headteacher: Behaviour and Attitudes
Deputy DSL	Mrs Goldson - Assistant Headteacher: SEND & Transition
Deputy DSL Sixth Form	Mrs Bartlett - Assistant Headteacher: Key Stage 5 and Careers
Trained DSL	Mr P Chittenden - Senior Assistant Headteacher
Trained DSL	Miss M King - Assistant Headteacher: Key Stage 3
Trained DSL	Mrs G Asplin - Assistant Headteacher: Key Stage 4
Trained DSL	Mr Sus - Assistant Headteacher
Trained DSL	Mrs M Price - Assistant Headteacher
Pastoral Managers - Years 7, 8 and 9 (KS3)	Mrs Pilcher Mrs Oliver Miss Batchelor PastoralManager@ssscs.co.uk
Pastoral Managers - Years 9, 10 and 11 (KS4)
Pastoral Manager KS5	Ms Turney TurneyE@ssscs.co.uk

Further Support Services for Students:

The St Josephine Bakhita Student Hub

This hub lies in the heart of the school and is a student support area, where students can go to access wellbeing support and receive additional learning support. This is via an alternative curriculum pathway, through targeted intervention sessions that are based around English, Maths, vocational studies and qualifications and social skills development.

WHOOSH Homework Club

Our WHOOSH (We're Here Out Of School Hours) Homework Club is also based here.

Please contact Mrs Goldson on GoldsonL@ssscs.co.uk if you would like a place for your child at our homework club.