Berkshire West Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements

Berkshire West partners are strongly committed to the shared responsibility to safeguard and protect children and young people. Berkshire West benefits from excellent inter-agency engagement, and proactive leadership, of this shared safeguarding agenda. We commit to working as partners to ensure all children and young people can live safe, happy and positive lives, achieving their potential and being respectful to others.

Click here to view the BWSCP Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements

Click here to view the BWSCP Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements - Children and Young People version

Click here to view the Berkshire West Safeguarding Children Partnership Structure Chart

What is the Prevent strategy?

Prevent is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorist or extremist causes. The Prevent strategy covers all types of terrorism and extremism, including the extreme right wing, violent religious groups and other causes.

How does the Prevent strategy apply to schools?

From July 2015 all schools (as well as other organisations) have a duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism.
This means we have a responsibility to protect children from extremist and violent views the same way we protect them from drugs or gang violence.
Importantly, we can provide a safe place for pupils to discuss these issues so they better understand how to protect themselves.

What does this mean in practice?

Many of the things we already do in school to help children become positive, happy members of society also contribute to the Prevent strategy.

These include:

• Exploring other cultures and religions and promoting diversity
• Challenging prejudices and racist comments
• Developing critical thinking skills and a strong, positive self-identity
• Promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils, as well as British values such as democracy

We will also protect children from the risk of radicalisation, for example by using filters on the internet to make sure they can’t access extremist and terrorist material, or by vetting visitors who come into school to work with pupils.
Different schools will carry out the Prevent duty in different ways, depending on the age of the children and the needs of the community

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Prevent relate to British values?

Schools have been required to promote British values since 2014, and this will continue to be part of our response to the Prevent strategy.

British values include:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty and mutual respect
• Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs

Isn’t my child too young to learn about extremism?

The Prevent strategy is not just about discussing extremism itself, which may not be appropriate for younger children. It is also about teaching children values such as tolerance and mutual respect. The school will make sure any discussions are suitable for the age and maturity of the children involved.

Is extremism really a risk in our area?

Extremism can take many forms, including political, religious and misogynistic extremism. Some of these may be a bigger threat in our area than others. We will give children the skills to protect them from any extremist views they may encounter, now or later in their lives.

Where to go for more information

Contact the school

If you have any questions or concerns about the Prevent strategy and what it means for your child, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

See our policies

You will find more details about radicalisation on our safeguarding policy, available on our website.

External sources

The following sources may also be useful for further information:

• Prevent duty guidance for England and Wales (HM Government): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventduty-guidance
• Prevent For Schools: http://www.preventforschools.org
• What is Prevent? Let’s Talk About It: http://www.ltai.info/what-is-prevent/

Support for Children

Making sure that you are safe both at school and at home is our top priority.  We do lots of work in school to ensure that you know how to keep safe – we have a fantastic PSHE curriculum; we also keep you safe by teaching you about E-Safety, first aid, road safety, water safety, how to be safe when out riding your bike to name just a few things.

There’s always someone here for you to talk to

There is always someone you can talk to in school – any trusted adult will always make time to listen to you and offer help and advice. They will never promise to keep a secret though because sometimes it is important that we are able to speak on your behalf – we will always be your advocate.
We would like to encourage all of you to have a ‘trusted adult’ (parent, grandparent, family member, friend or teacher) at home that you can go to for help, advice and support from too.
If you don’t want to speak directly to someone in the first instance, why not use your class worry box or take a look at the ‘Are You Worried?’ Leaflet (below) for further help.

There’s also lots of help and support online from official sources…don’t rely on social media – instead try these:

The Samaritans :  The Samaritans offer a 24-hour telephone helpline. Call 116 123

Childline: Call, 0800 1111 or visit www.childline.org.uk<

NSPCC: www.nspcc.org.uk

Young Minds: www.youngminds.org.uk

E-Safety: www.thinkuknow.co.uk 

Mind Mate: www.mindmate.org.uk/im-a-young-person/younger-than-17/

BBC Bitesize: www.bbc.com/education/levels

BBC Bitesize: www.bbc.com/education/levels

Remember, we are here to talk to, to seek advice from and as a way of getting help. Don’t keep bottled-up inside: speak out! There is always something that someone can do to help.

Introduction

At Burghfield St Mary’s Primary School, we are here to help our families as much as we can. We are proud of our open-door policy, so please feel free to call in, someone is always available to speak to.

In addition, we have provided information in this section that will help you find assistance from other, external agencies, should you need it.

Support for Parents/ Guardians

There are many websites that will offer a wide variety of Safeguarding information (some key examples are outlined below). These might help as a starting point but please do ask us – we have many more specific places that we can signpost you to.

ParentInfo – this is a highly recommended website for anyone who requires help, support and advice from leading experts and organisations.

NSPCC – resources which help adults respond to children disclosing abuse.

Barnardo’s – UK charity caring for and supporting some of the most vulnerable children and young people through their range of services.

Victim Support – supporting children and young people who have been affected by crime. Also, provides support to parents and professionals who work with children and young people – regardless of whether a crime has been reported or how long ago it was.

The Survivors Trust – UK-wide national umbrella agency with resources and support dedicated to survivors of rape, sexual violence and child sex abuse.

Let’s Talk About It – this site provides advice for parents and guardians to keep children safe from online radicalisation.

NCA CEOP Thinkuknow – advice/resources on how to approach and deal with concerns about what children may be doing online including advice about how to help challenge harmful sexual attitudes and how to start a conversation to support positive sexual behaviour.

Childnet – advice for parents and guardians to keep children safe online – advice and resources to help parents and carers keep children safe online.

How Can I Help My Child? – Marie Collins Foundation – advice and resources to support victims of online sexual abuse.

Parentsafe – detailed advice/resources covering various issues, including: online safety, apps, and how to report concerns.

Parentzone – this site provides expert information and resources to help make the internet work for families.

Family Action– provides practical, emotional and financial support to those who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social isolation.