The welfare and safety of our students will always be our priority. We do everything possible to secure our students safety in school and outside school. We work with relevant agencies to address any issues related to child protection as well as doing all we can to secure student safety within our community.

Oxford Spires Academy has specialist staff and a number of trained staff who have been designated to act and liaise with social service in cases related to child protection.

Do you have any concerns?

 

Report any concerns here: 

Home Visits

There are a number of reasons that the school may wish to make a home visit, one being that we strongly believe that a link between home and school allows your child to be successful and happy. A member of our team may also visit when you child is absent and the school have received no contact with parents/carers. 

Child abuse and what to look for

No parent or carer wants to think about the possibility of their child becoming a victim of abuse and most children are never abused. Even so, it is important for parents and carers to be aware of the possibility and to know that help is available if the unthinkable does happen. Most children know their abusers. They may be family members or friends of the family, someone who works with the child or someone who lives in the community. There are many signs, or indicators, that a child might be suffering abuse. There may be injuries, but it is more likely that you will notice some change in your child’s behaviour. If you notice anything that concerns you, talk to your child to see if you can find out what is happening. Remember that if your child is being harmed, she or he may be too frightened to tell you. If your child becomes distressed or you are not happy with the explanations, you could talk to an adult you trust or call a helpline or children’s social care services.

Some signs to look for are:

• bruises or other injuries
• a change in behaviour – from quiet to loud, or from happy-go-lucky to withdrawn
• pain or discomfort
• fear of a particular person, or a reluctance to be alone with them
• secrecy around a relationship with a particular person
• reluctance to discuss where they go, or who they are with
• sexual talk or knowledge beyond their years
• being watchful, or always on edge
• losing interest in their appearance, hobbies or family life
• alcohol or drug taking
• having money and refusing to say where it has come from
• wetting the bed
• becoming clingy

What we will do if we have a concern about your child?

If we are concerned that your child may be at risk of abuse or neglect, we must follow the agreed safeguarding procedures. The procedures have been written to protect all students. They comply with our statutory responsibilities and are designed to support students, families and staff. The procedures are based on the principle that the welfare of the child is the most important consideration.

In almost all circumstances, we will talk to you about our concerns and we will also tell you if we feel we must refer our concerns to children’s social care. If we think that talking to you first might in some way increase the risk to your child, we will report our concerns to children’s social care and take advice from them.

All child-protection records are kept separate from your child’s general school file. The only members of staff who have access to the records are those who need to know about the concerns in order to protect and support your child. Child protection is a very sensitive issue and it raises many questions and a range of strong emotions. We will do everything we can do to support our students and you can be assured that any action we take will be in the best interests of your child.

Early Help and support

All agencies that work with children, young people and families are responsible for listening to your concerns and worries and working closely with you to make sure you and your family get the right support at the right time. At times children and families need a bit of extra support – and when that happens, it’s ok to ask for help. Early help is there to make sure worries don’t become bigger and you get the support you need at the right time. You may have found out about how early help can make a difference from your child's school, health visitor, midwife, school health nurse, early years practitioner, doctor, voluntary worker or another trusted professional already working with you. Early help brings together all the relevant services in Oxfordshire, so they are working in a co-ordinated way to support families - If you are interested in finding out more, please see the early help guide for families below and discuss with the school how they can support you.

 

School Health Nurse

Hello! My name is Tacye and I am the School Health Nurse for Oxford Spires Academy. I am a qualified nurse with a specialist qualification in Community Public Health Nursing. I am employed by Oxford Health NHS Trust.

All secondary schools within Oxfordshire now have a named NHS School Health Nurse. The aim of the School Nurse is to offer evidence based, accessible, preventative health care for children and young people. I work closely with young people, their families, school staff and other professionals to support and improve student’s physical and emotional health in order to reach their full potential, leading and delivering on the Healthy Child Program 5-19 year olds.

 

 

What does this mean?

Someone for young people to talk to confidentially about their health, including their physical health, emotional health, sexual health and general wellbeing or any other health related topics they might like advice, information or support with

• Immunisations
• Advice and support about making healthy choices around topics such as keeping safe, drugs, alcohol, quitting smoking, exercise, maintain healthy weight, dental health
• Sexual health and contraception advice and signposting to appropriate agencies
• Supporting teachers with Learning for Life programme
• Refer and signpost to specialist services
• Training to school staff to support young people with health needs such as severe allergies, epilepsy and asthma

How can I be accessed?

• Young people can come to the School Nurse office at breaktime, on the days I am in school
• Parents/carers can contact me either directly or through the school pastoral team
• I can be contacted either by text, phone or email

Confidentiality

The School Nursing service is confidential. This means that we can discuss personal information with young people in confidence and will not discuss with anyone else without their permission. However, we would pass on any information that we feel is needed to protect a young person or someone else from serious harm. Whenever possible this would be discussed with the young person first.
 
My contact details:
Tacye Ormerode
Mobile: 07771 984 283
Email: tacye.ormerod@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk
School Nurse Website: http://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk

 

If you still have concerns, you could contact one of the agencies listed below

Childline	Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message board.	0800 1111
Befrienders Worldwide	Provides emotional support to prevent suicide worldwide. Befrienders also provides visitors suicide prevention hotline numbers for their chosen countries.
The Samaritans	Provides confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of despair or suicidal thoughts.	116 123
Family Lives	You can call our confidential helpline. You can contact us about any family issues, big or small. We listen, support and never judge.	08088 002 222
Mind	New 24hr helpline.We provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.	01865 247788
NSPCC	The NSPCC stands up for children, demanding that laws change and action is taken to better protect them.	08088 005 000
Young Minds	Leading the fight for a future where all young minds are supported and empowered.	08088 025 544
Child Net International	Working in partnership with others around the world to help make the internet a great & safe place for children.	02076 396 967
Safer Internet	A partnership of three organisations with heritage & expertise in making the internet a safer place to be.	08457 660 163
Red Balloon	Supports young people who self-exclude or are isolated at school because of bullying or other trauma.	08088 005 000
Mental Health Foundation	Our mission is to help people understand, protect and sustain their mental health. Prevention is at the heart of what we do.	02078 031 100
CEOP	Worried about online sexual abuse? Make a report to one of CEOP’s Child Protection Advisors.	02076 396 967
Internet Watch Foundation	To value and protect the innocence of children is to value and protect society itself.	01223 203 030