Safeguarding

Safeguarding Policy:

Our Safeguarding policy, Anti-Bullying policy and Online Safety policy can be found on our Policies, Procedures, and Reports Page.

Camphill Wakefield adopts the policies and procedures recommended by Wakefield Safeguarding Children Board. The purpose of the Safeguarding Policy is to provide a secure framework for the workforce in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of those children and adults who attend our college. This policy applies to all staff members and volunteers working at Camphill Wakefield. We have a duty of care to all students involved in studying, working or living in Camphill Wakefield. We recognise the vulnerability of students placed at Camphill Wakefield and the rights of all students to protection from emotional, physical and sexual abuse, neglect and exploitation by others, including other students. Through adhering to student protection guidelines Camphill Wakefield ensure the safety and protection of all students placed within here.

Safeguarding Policy principles:

• Welfare of the child is paramount; actions will be taken in the child’s best interests.
• All learners, regardless of age, gender, ability, culture, race, language, religion or sexual identity, have equal rights to protection.
• All staff have an equal responsibility to identify learners who may benefit from early help and to act on any suspicion or allegation that may suggest a child is at risk of harm.
• There is a culture of vigilance, transparency, openness and, if needed, challenge with regards to maintaining high standards in safeguarding.
• Learners and staff involved in child protection issues will receive appropriate support.

Safeguarding Policy aims:

• To provide all staff with the necessary information to enable them to meet their child protection responsibilities.
• To ensure consistent good practice.
• To demonstrate the Camphill Wakefield College’s commitment with regard to child protection to learners, parents, carers and other partners.
• To contribute to the Camphill Wakefield College’s safeguarding portfolio.

Online Safety Policy:

Online safety is becoming an increasing concern as technology becomes more integrated into daily life. Mobile phones, tablets, and computers are sources of fun, entertainment, and education; however, we know that some adults and young people use these technologies to harm others or for their own gratification. Staff must also recognise risks linked to misinformation, disinformation and conspiracy theories, as well as the safeguarding risks of generative AI in education. These may impact decision-making, wellbeing, and online safety, particularly for vulnerable SEND learners. Potential risks can be grouped into four categories:

• Content: being exposed to illegal, inappropriate, or harmful content, for example: pornography, fake news, racism, misogyny, self-harm, suicide, anti-Semitism, radicalisation, and extremism.
• Contact: being subjected to harmful online interaction with other users; for example, peer to peer pressure, commercial advertising and adults posing as children or young adults with the intention to groom or exploit them for sexual, criminal, financial or other purposes.
• Conduct: online behaviour that increases the likelihood of, or causes, harm; for example, making, sending and receiving explicit images (e.g. consensual and nonconsensual sharing of nudes and semi-nudes and/or pornography, sharing other explicit images and online bullying, and
• Commerce: risks such as online gambling, inappropriate advertising, phishing and or financial scams.

Our online safety policy outlines the strategies we have implemented to keep our young people and adults safe online, including filters and monitoring.

Prevent Policy:

The Prevent Policy of Camphill Wakefield outlines the institution’s commitment to providing a safe and nurturing environment by complying with the Government’s Prevent strategy. Our policy, aligned with the safeguarding procedures, aims to protect students and staff from the risks of extremism and radicalisation. The policy includes strategies for early intervention, promoting British values, staff training, and collaboration with external agencies to ensure a cohesive approach to preventing extremist activities. Prevent is about safeguarding people and communities from the threat of terrorism.

Prevent is one strand of the Government’s Counter Terrorist Strategy “Contest” which includes four strands:

• Protect – To strengthen protection against a terrorist attack.
• Prepare – To mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack.
• Pursue – To stop terrorist attacks.
• Prevent – Prevent people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

Early intervention is at the heart of “Prevent” in diverting people away from being drawn into terrorist or extreme activity. “Prevent” happens before any criminal activity takes place. It is about recognising, supporting and protecting people who might be susceptible to extremist views and radicalisation.

Operation Encompass:

Camphill Wakefield works in partnership with Operation Encompass(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab), which allows education providers to offer immediate support to children who have experienced domestic abuse. Operation Encompass is an information-sharing partnership between police and education providers, whereby police report an incident of domestic abuse to a child’s school or college before the start of the next school or college day.

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 recognises children who experience domestic abuse as victims in their own right. On 24 May 2024, the Victims and Prisoners Act made Operation Encompass a legal requirement—placing a statutory obligation on police forces to share notifications with schools and educational settings. Participation in Operation Encompass helps us to provide the most appropriate support when it is needed most.

Operation Encompass notifications ensure that key staff members are trained to utilise the information that has been shared, in confidence, and to ensure that we are able to provide immediate holistic support for children or their families, who have been involved in or witnessed a domestic abuse incident.

At Camphill Wakefield we are committed to supporting the safety and wellbeing of all our pupils. Our safeguarding team works closely with internal and external professionals to provide advice, guidance, and access to a range of services. Below are some useful links to trusted organisations offering information and support on a variety of safeguarding topics. If you have any concerns or questions, or need support with something not covered below, please contact our safeguarding team – we’re here to help.

Wellbeing and Mental Health

www.wf-i-can.co.uk(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) Online support and advice for children and young people on topics including relationships, staying healthy, well-being, with loads of practical resources.

Compass RISE (Wakefield) (opens in new tab)(opens in new tab)Compass Rise works with children, young people, and families in communities across Wakefield. They provide free, confidential support, help and advice for young people, parents, and schools for issues related to emotional wellbeing.

YoungMinds(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) Mental health charity for children and young people making sure all young people get the mental health support they need.

Shout(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) is the UK’s first and only 24/7 text service for anyone struggling with their mental health. Text ‘Shout’ to 85258 for free, confidential support anytime, anywhere

Night Owls(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) is a confidential support line for children, young people, their parents and carers who live in Bradford, Leeds, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. The service is available 8pm-8am every day.

PAPYRUS (Prevention of Young Suicide)(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.

Battle Scars(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) is a survivor-led charity that offers local, regional, national and international support for people who self-harm and those who care for them.

CalmHarm(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) – A free app providing activities to help manage the urge to self-harm.

Safeguarding/Child Protection

Childline(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) have advice, people to talk to, toolboxes and lots of information and support on a variety of topics affecting young people.

Report Harmful Content Online(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) – Helping everyone to report harmful content online.

Brook(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) – Brook provides free and confidential sexual health and wellbeing services for young people.

thinkuknow(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) – guide to internet safety and safe surfing for young people.

Report Remove(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) – Initiative for young people under 18 in the UK to confidentially report sexual images and videos of themselves and remove them from the internet.

Beat(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) – The UK’s Eating Disorder Charity.

Zarach(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) – Zarach is a registered charity that provides beds and bedding to children living in poverty in England.

National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) (opens in new tab)(opens in new tab)provides a free, fast emergency injunction service for victims of domestic abuse, helping them obtain legal protection regardless of their financial situation.

Feeding Britain(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) is a charity that works with partners across the UK to prevent hunger and food insecurity.

Food Banks(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) is a dedicated website which provides simple, clear answers to the most common questions you may have about food banks in the UK(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab), including how they work(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab), and how they can help you and your family in your time of need.

Chilypep(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) is a young people’s empowerment project based in South Yorkshire, dedicated to raising the voices of young people and giving them the confidence, influence and platform to shape their world and stay connected.

Galop(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) supports LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence, such as domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime.

Mermaids(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) Supporting trans, non-binary and gender-diverse children, young people and their families since 1995.

Rape Crisis England & Wales(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) is the feminist charity working to end child sexual abuse, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and all other forms of sexual violence.

Talk to Frank(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) for facts, support and advice on drugs and alcohol today. Find out everything you need to know about drugs, their effects and the law.

Ashiana(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) offers specialist services for Black and minoritised women, predominantly women from South Asian, Turkish and Middle Eastern communities who have experienced or are at risk of Violence against Women & Girls (VAWG).

Child Bereavement UK(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) helps families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies.

Shore(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) – Designed especially for young people aged 13-18, Shore is a dedicated and confidential resource tailored for teenagers concerned about their own or someone else’s sexual thoughts and behaviour.

Family/SEND Support

WESAIL(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) Wakefield Early Support Advice Information Liaison (WESAIL) is available to parents and carers of a child or a young person, who has, or may have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) aged 0-25 years who are living within the Wakefield District. This service is also available to young people themselves and those working with families

Family Hubs – Wakefield Families Together Family Hubs(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) Information about what support is available for families locally, including access to early help, activities and groups for families.

KIAS(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) Kirklees Information Advice and Support Service, is for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and / or Disabilities and their parents or carers. KIAS is a statutory, free, impartial and confidential service, working with Parents / Carers, Children and Young People.

Barnsley SENDIASS(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) provide free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support to all young people and parents and carers of children and young people who have or might have a special educational need (SEN) or disability, are aged 0-25 years old and live in the borough of Barnsley.

Leeds SENDIASS(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) is a dedicated, statutory service for children and young people 0-25 and their parents and carers. SENDIASS fulfil a local authority duty to provide free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support on educational law in SEN and the related law on disability, health and social care, the statutory processes for SEND and information about education policy, procedure and local practice.

Special Needs Jungle(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) Parent-led information, resources and informed opinion about children and young people with SEN, special needs, disability, health conditions and rare diseases.

Citizen’s Advice(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) offers free, confidential, and impartial advice around various issues, including law and courts, debt and money, family, and benefits and housing.