Early Help
- Family Support
- Prevent Training - Radicalisation
- Child Sexual Exploitation
- Female Genital Mutilation
- Meeting the Children's Needs
- Attendance
- Safeguarding
- SENCO
- Pastoral Support
- Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Behaviour for Learning at Oak Hill First School
- National support organisations
At Oak Hill First School we recognise the challenges that families face in bringing up children. There may be times when you need extra help and support. If this is the case please come and talk to us. There are many ways in which we can help as outlined in this offer of early help.
The diagram below shows the range of needs at different levels. We use this graduated approach to make sure we provide the best support for different families’ individual situations.
Providing early help to our pupils and families at Oak Hill First School means we are more effective in promoting support as soon as we can. Early help means providing support as soon as a problem emerges, at any point in a child’s life, from Nursery through to Year 4.
At Oak Hill First School, SLT meet once a week to discuss any concerns.
This team includes:
Mrs Harris – Assistant Head teacher –Designated Safeguarding Lead
Miss Kelly– Head teacher – Deputy Safeguarding Lead
Mrs Gilmour –Deputy Head - Deputy Safeguarding Lead - Inclusion Manager
Mrs Baker- Deputy Safeguarding Lead- KS1 Leader
Mrs Ashford-Smith- Assistant Head - Foundation Stage Leader
Mrs Johnson- Assistant Head - KS2 Leader
At these meetings we discuss:
- How the child presents
- Behaviour
- Attitudes to learning
- Friendships
- Family issues
- Additional needs
- Any support they receive
- General progress
- Other agencies involved
This allows us to identify any pupils and families that would benefit from early help inside or outside school and allows us to help families access any additional support needed.
FAMILY SUPPORT
All staff endeavour to support our pupils and their families and when they may need some additional support we can signpost them to relevant agencies.
We have strong links with Redditch Parenting Clinic who offer telephone consultations/support and then identify courses for parents to attend.
We also refer families to Early Help via WCC website. We enjoy a close relationship with several of the Early Intervention Family Support Workers and they complete 1:1 sessions and run group courses with our pupils.
Mrs Harris has meetings with our Community Social Worker to discuss cases causing concern, joint meetings with parents to offer additional support, multi-agency meetings as required to find ways forward for families.
PREVENT TRAINING – Radicalisation
Mrs Harris has received PREVENT training and has trained the staff team on how to identify the early stages of radicalisation and what to do. We follow the mantra:
- NOTICE
- CHECK
- SHARE
All staff have completed the Channel online training.
Child Sexual Exploitation
All staff at Oak Hill First School have been trained to identify early cases of child sexual exploitation. At school we use the Worcestershire County training package to support early identification.
Female Genital Mutilation
All staff have received training on FGM. Teachers know how to identify if a child may be at risk. They know the signs to look for and most importantly how to refer, following the schools safeguarding procedures.
Meeting the Children's Needs
At Oak Hill First School we meet the needs of our children through a variety of ways:
- Pupil Voice – pupils are actively encouraged to speak about any concerns they have to any member of staff or be directed to Mrs Harris/pastoral team. In lessons children are taught to speak openly about their emotions. Pupils know the staff take all their concerns very seriously.
- NSPCC Speak Out Stay Safe assembly delivered to all KS1 and 2 pupils
- E-safety presentation offered to parents and carers developed by our E-safety Council
- The meeting room is available throughout the day for arranged appointments and also for unexpected issues
- Staff CPD around pupil self-esteem and how to ‘fill children’s buckets’
- Senior Leadership Team presence during structured or unstructured times
- School nurse meets Mrs Harris each half term to discuss any concerns. The school nurse also offers drop in appointments for parents, attends Tea Days to share information and offer support on a wide range of health issues/concerns. Each year she delivers a presentation during Intake meetings for new parents.
- A Relationship-based play consultant works weekly in school to support identified children
- Termly meetings with parents for children with SEND needs
Attendance
Miss Kelly is the lead on attendance. She monitors this weekly with our Attendance Officer, Mrs Tominski and follows our attendance policy to support pupils and families with attendance below 95%. We also have regular visits from our EWO (Educational Welfare Officer). The aim is to offer help and solutions to any problems.
The school operates a first day calling system. We request at least 3 contact numbers from all families.
Safeguarding
- All teachers and staff know precisely how to identify and report concerns, via staff training on induction and our regular updates on safeguarding.
- Child protection files are kept by the DSL.
- Non-class based DSL
- Attendance Officer follows Missing from Education guidance.
- All new staff complete safeguarding inductions including online training.
- We have a designated teacher for children in care.
We have a record of annual recording that all staff have read Keeping Children Safe in Education (Sep 2019).
SENCO
Mrs Stanton works with children and families with additional needs and can signpost parents to many different agencies.
Pastoral Support
Mrs Ajmal work with pupils and families to support their needs whilst also signposting them to relevant agencies. With family’s consent, we can refer families for further family support.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
The DSL (Mrs Harris) ensures rigorous and robust systems are in place within the school to ensure the safety of all of our children.
Behaviour for Learning at Oak Hill First School
The school encourages positive behaviour from all who attend Oak Hill.
- We follow instructions first time
- We treat others kindly
- We listen when someone is speaking
- We take care of things inside and out
- We always walk around school
Pupils are rewarded daily by the use of the class based zone board. Our school behaviour policy is followed for pupils displaying unwanted behaviours.
In Keeping Children Safe in Education 2019 it makes it clear that ALL staff should be aware of their local early help process and understand their role in it. In addition, this statutory document makes it clear that any child may benefit from early help, but all school and college staff should be particularly alert to the potential need for early help for a child who:
- Is disabled and has specific additional needs;
- Has special educational needs (whether or not they have a statutory education, health care plan);
- Is a young carer;
- Is showing signs of being drawn in to anti-social or criminal behaviour, including gang involvement and association with organised crime groups;
- Is frequently missing/goes missing from care or from home;
- Is misusing drugs or alcohol themselves;
- Is at risk of modern slavery, trafficking or exploitation;
- Is in a family circumstance present challenges for the child; such as substance abuse, adult mental health problems or domestic abuse;
- Has returned home to their family from care;
- Is showing early signs of abuse and/or neglect;
- Is at risk of being radicalised or exploited;
- Is a privately fostered child.
Everyone needs help at some time in their lives and therefore an ethos of early help is important for any school or PRU.
The coordinated Oak Hill offer of Early Help is outlined in the table below. We believe that early interventions for children or families, in many cases, will prevent children from experiencing harm.
All Oak Hill staff must be aware of the Oak Hill offer of early help. At all times, Oak Hill staff should consider if there is any offer of early help that we can make in order to help a child thrive.
National Support Organisations
We also liaise with other agencies and people within the local community. In the table below are some National organisations that can support children, young people and their families
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Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy DSLs of Oak Hill First School |
If you have any safeguarding concerns regarding a child at our school or in the community, then please contact a member of Oak Hill’s safeguarding team on 01527 528523 or ask at the office for an appointment with Mrs Harris. If you think a child or young person is at immediate risk of significant harm then you should contact the Family Front Door (FFD) – 01905 822 666 or in an emergency always call 999. |
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Pastoral support team |
Queries should be directed to your child’s class teacher in the first instance, however if you feel you would like to have a chat with the pastoral team regarding more sensitive issues, please contact Mrs Stanton on 01527 528523 |
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School nurse |
Ridgeway’s school nurse is Karen Green. Karen holds half termly appointments with parents to discuss health concerns e.g. bed wetting, sleep issues etc. If you would like to make an appointment please contact the school office they can arrange an appointment for you. (Your child would not be expected to attend this meeting) |
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Parenting support |
There are a number of services for families in Redditch. Contact Holly Trees on 01527 61360 for further information. If you would like a referral to the Parenting Clinic for support we would need your verbal consent- please speak to your child’s class teacher or book an appointment with Mrs Harris. |
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What is our Early Help Offer? |
Early help guidance for professionals |
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What is Early Help? |
Early Help means providing support as soon as a problem appears, to stop it from getting worse. This could be at any point in a child's life, from birth to the teenage years. Anyone can provide early help – you don't need to be an expert professional. Early help is not about passing the issue on to an expert, but thinking about what is the best support you can offer. You can provide effective support by:
http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/eha There is a lot of information and advice on the Advice, Care, Health and Support pages as well as detail of local services that can provide support for children, young people and families. Download:Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Board – Early Help Strategy 2017 to 2020 Download:Worcestershire Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) strategy |
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The Front Door to Children’s Services (Previously: Children’s Helpdesk) |
If a member of staff, parent/carer or member of the public thinks a child or young person is at immediate risk of significant harm they should contact the Family Front Door (FFD) – 01905 822 666. In an emergency always call 999. Do not wait to discuss this with the DSL/DDSL but do report it afterwards. |
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Worcestershire Children First |
http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/safeguardingchildren/ Important information for parents and professionals across Worcestershire in relation to keeping children safe and avenues of support including early help options. Everyone should know how to access this website which has all of the agreed Worcestershire safeguarding and child protection processes on it. |
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Universal source of help for all families in Worcestershire: Worcestershire Family Information Service (FIS) |
Advisors give impartial information on childcare, finances, parenting and education. FIS are a useful source of information for parents and professionals. They support families, children and young people aged 0-19 years of age (25yrs for young people with additional needs) and professionals working with these families. They can help link parents up with other organisations that might be able to help or provide the information themselves. |
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Home-school support Worcestershire Home Education Network |
Home education is becoming an increasingly popular option for families in Worcestershire and we have a growing community that are able to offer each other support. Between us we have years of experience in educating children of all ages and are able to organise and put on a range of activities. We hold meetings usually at least weekly, throughout term time at various locations round the county-for example:
We also meet up with people from neighbouring counties and many of us go along to the national camps and gatherings that are organised by home educators throughout the year. We have a Worcestershire Home Educators Newsletter (WHEN) that lists all of the activities for the coming month and run a Worcestershire Home Educators Internet support list. Contact us on: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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E-safety (Online Safety) |
Online Activity (phones, computers) can be a serious risk to children: The use of technology has become a significant component of many safeguarding issues. Child sexual exploitation; radicalisation; sexual predation – technology often provides the platform that facilitates harm. With the right support, education and safety measures in place the internet and new technologies can also bring great benefits but we must all be vigilant
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Mental Health |
We have some useful self-help guides/leaflets available for you to access online. The guides are available for you to read online. The self-help guides can be accessed by typing the below link into your URL and selecting ‘Self Help Guides’: www.hacw.nhs.uk/a-to-z/letter-s/ Staying Safe SANE Samaritans Rethink Mental Illness Mental Health Foundation MIND Anxiety UK |
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Bullying (including cyberbullying)/ Child death/suicide/prevention |
Cyberbullying is using the internet, email, online games or any digital technology to threaten, tease, upset or humiliate someone else. If the police consider a message or post to be potentially criminal, they will take appropriate action. This could involve arresting the person responsible or interviewing them under caution. Cases involving sustained abuse or where someone’s life is threatened will be treated seriously. The police will consider all of the circumstances when considering the best response to a report of cyber bullying. They will assess how vulnerable the victim is and what resources are required to trace the offender via social networking sites that often operate abroad and to different legislation. In certain cases it may be difficult to take action if the offender isn’t in the UK. They will work with the victim to bring about the most suitable and proportionate conclusion, this will include alternative options that include the officer in the case using their discretion and working with the offender to record an apology to the victim. Useful links KidScape: Our resources provide information on issues surrounding bullying, online and personal safety. They can be used directly by young people and parents, as well as in the classroom within schools and youth organisations. |
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Hollie Guard-A new personal safety APP |
https://hollieguard.com/ Children & Teens
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Hate Crime |
A hate crime is a criminal offense whose motivation can be shown to be race, national origin, religion or sexual orientation. A difference of race alone is NOT sufficient to make it a hate crime. There would have to be evidence of racial slurs or racial statements in addition to the crime (this does not trivialise other serious offenses that are NOT hate crimes). Hate Crime: West Mercia Police: Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Emergency number: 999 Non-Emergency number: 101 https://educateagainsthate.com/parents/ Call in at your local police station |
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Children with disabilities team (CWD) |
The Children with Disabilities (CwD) Social Work Team provide services designed to meet the needs of children and young people who have complex disabilities. The CwD Social Work Team is one of a range of services that can provide support to children and young people with disabilities and their families. Other services available are those provided by health, education, play and youth services as well as community resources provided by voluntary agencies. The CwD team offer services to those children and young people requiring additional resources in respect of their disability, where the disability has a profound impact on the child or young person’s life. An assessment will be offered where the child has a condition which is substantial, long lasting or permanent, is a physical and/or learning disability or a life limiting, life threatening condition. These may include:
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SEN Services and Support Groups |
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DDNs (Dangerous Drug Networks) |
DDN’s are drug dealing gangs who target vulnerable people in order to set up drugs distribution networks. These criminals are using extreme violence to establish a presence, displacing an existing drug supply chain and intimidating rivals, witnesses and victims, this has resulted in local murders. DDN’s exploit vulnerable teenagers to become drug runners for their network. Early intervention and intelligence are key to safeguard and protect the vulnerable. Presentation For DDN's (PDF, 151.7 KB) For professionals that work in health (PDF, 1.3 MB) For professionals that work with young people (PDF, 1.3 MB) |
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Child Criminal Exploitation |
Here is some guidance for frontline professionals on dealing with county lines, part of the government’s approach to ending gang violence and exploitation: Criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults county-lines Children who are trafficked, exploited or coerced into committing crimes are victims in need of safeguarding and support. Though perceptions are altering these young people are still often criminalised and perceived as having ‘made a choice’ to take part in illegal activity. |
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Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) |
West Midlands Safeguarding ChildrenProcedures has a page dedicated to Child Sexual Exploitation. It provides information about child sexual exploitation, the roles and responsibilities of relevant agencies and the procedures practitioners should follow to ensure the safety and well-being of children and young people whom it is suspected have been sexually exploited or are at risk of sexual exploitation. Key facts about CSE
The Local Authority has a duty to make enquiries where a child may be suffering harm or neglect. If you think thata child may be at risk then you can let us know via the referral form linked below Useful Websites
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Domestic violence |
Here is a very helpful website for what do to in many different difficult situations: domestic violence_and_sexual_abuse West Mercia Women's Aid: 0800 980 3331 0800 783 1359 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Further reading
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Teenage relationship abuse |
Here is a great PDF helping to understand teenage relationship abuse: Safeguarding Children Information for Parents and Carers Crush CRUSH is an awareness raising and support programme to help young people make safe and healthy relationships. The sessions are run in small groups and are specifically designed for 13-19 year olds. |
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Fabricated and induced illness |
Fabricated or induced illness (FII) is a rare form of child abuse. It occurs when a parent or carer, exaggerates or deliberately causes symptoms of illness in the child. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Fabricated-or-induced-illness/ |
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Faith abuse |
Faith and belief-based child abuse, including practices around ‘spirit possession’ and ‘witchcraft’, is a hidden crime, which makes it difficult to quantify in terms of magnitude. However, from our own experience and in consultation with communities, we know this kind of abuse is under-reported. www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-actionplan-to-tackle-child-abuse-linked-to-faith-or-belief Further contacts for advice can be found from the local representatives for some faiths.
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Honour based violence (HBV) |
Honour’ based violence (HBV) occurs when perpetrators believe a relative or other individual has shamed or damaged a family’s or community’s ‘honour’ or reputation (known in some communities as izzat), and that the only way to redeem the damaged ‘honour’ is to punish and/or kill the individual. ‘Honour’ based violence is a term that is widely used to describe this sort of abuse however it is often referred to as so called ‘honour’ based violence because the concept of ‘honour’ is used by perpetrators to make excuses for their abuse. There is a very strong link between ‘honour’ based violence, forced marriage and domestic abuse. The term ‘Honour Based Violence’ is the internationally recognised term describing cultural justifications for violence and abuse. Honour Based Violence cuts across all cultures and communities: Turkish, Kurdish, Afghani, South Asian, African, Middle Eastern, South and Eastern European for example. This is not an exhaustive list. Where a culture is heavily male dominated, HBV may exist. The police have made it a high priority to help communities fight back to tackle both honour based violence and hate crime. The ‘Honour Network Help line’: 0800 5 999 247 |
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Female genital mutilation (FGM) |
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Forced marriage |
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Gangs and youth violence |
Preventing youth violence and gang involvement This is a website for the Youth Violence Prevention Initiative: http://www.worcesterma.gov/youth-opportunities/youth-violence-prevention |
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Gender-based violence/violence against women and girls |
violence-against-women-and-girls-evidence
For information about West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse visit: https://www.wmrsasc.org.uk/ FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) is violence against women and girls. Forced marriage and so called ‘Honour’ based violence are a violation against human rights and is a high priority area of the national and local Violence Against Women and Girls Agenda. It is, primarily an issue for young women and girls aged between 13 and 30 years. Hope House SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre): 01452 754390 www.onyourmindglos.nhs.uk for ‘I’ve been raped or sexually assaulted’ information. |
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Gender Identity Issues |
The Gender Trust is a listening ear, a caring support and an information centre for anyone with any question concerning their gender identity, or whose loved one is struggling with gender identity issues. People who might be Transgender, Transsexual or people who do not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth or those who are simply unsure. Address: 76 The Ridgeway, Astwood Bank, B96 6LX tel: 0845 231 0505 www.gendertrust.org.uk |
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Private fostering |
National Fostering Agency (NFA) Kinship care means that relatives or friends look after children who cannot live with their parents. Visit this website for more information: http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/privatefostering |
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Preventing Radicalisation and |
www.educateagainsthate.com is the government website providing information and practical advice for parents, teachers and schools leaders on protecting children from radicalisation and extremism. Let’s talk about it is an excellent website for parents: www.ltai.info/ as is www.preventtragedies.co.uk While it remains very rare for school age children to become involved in extremist activity to the point of committing criminal acts, young people can be exposed to extremist influences or prejudiced views, including via the internet, from an early age. As with other forms of criminality or risk of harm, early intervention is always preferable. Schools, working with other local partners, families and communities, can help support pupils who may be vulnerable as part of wider safeguarding responsibilities. Channel guidance: Channel Duty Guidance |
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Sexting/Sextortion/youth produced imagery |
sexting-sending-nudes/ (NSPCC website). https://www.westmercia.police.uk/article/8206/Sexting (West Mercia Police website) |
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Children Missing in Education (CME) |
Children Missing Education (CME) refers to 'any child of compulsory school age who is not registered at any formally approved education activity eg school, alternative provision, elective home education, and has been out of education provision for at least 4 weeks'. CME also includes those children who are missing (family whereabouts unknown), and are usually children who are registered on a school roll / alternative provision. This might be a child who is not at their last known address and either has not taken up an allocated school place as expected, or has 10 or more days of continuous absence from school without explanation, or left school suddenly and the destination is unknown. This is the link for Children Missing Education on the Worcestershire website children missing education Babcock Prime – Educational Welfare Team: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 01905 678138 |
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Missing Children and Adults Strategy |
Every year an estimated 200,000 people go missing in the UK. In some cases, missing adults may have made a choice to leave and ‘start their lives over again’, but the vast majority of missing people, children and adults, are vulnerable and need protection and support. The strategy has three key objectives which provide the right foundations for any effective local strategy to tackle this issue:
The Missing Children and Adults strategy can then be referred to for further information and help. It is a home office publication (2011). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/missing-children-and-adults-strategy |
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Children with family members in prison |
Approximately 200,000 children have a parent sent to prison each year. These children are at risk of poor outcomes including poverty, stigma, isolation and poor mental health. NICCO (www.nicco.org.uk) provides information to support professionals working with offenders and their children to help mitigate the negative consequences for these children. |
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Children and the court system |
Children are sometimes required to give evidence in courts, either for crimes committed against them or for crimes they have witnessed. There are two guides to support these children which can be found at www.gov.uk (young witness booklet for 5 to 11 year olds) which is a pdf. There is also a document called “going to court and being a witness age 12 to 17” which is also found at www.gov.uk. Making family arrangements via court can be stressful and entrench conflict in families. The ministry of Justice has just launched an online dispute resolution service. This can be useful to parents and carers. Got to www.gov.uk and search for “get help with arrangements.” |
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Stalking |
General Advice:
National Stalking Helpline For advice and support. The helpline will operate a triage service for local support and make referrals -Phone: 0808 802 0300 Website: www.stalkinghelpline.org Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Paladin: National Stalking Advocacy Service For advice and referral. Phone line: 020 3866 4107 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: www.paladinservice.co.uk/ Hollie Gazzard Trust https://holliegazzard.org/ |
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Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools and colleges |
Here is advice from the WCC webpage: Children and Young People’s Sexual Assault Referral Service 0808 196 2340 (Freephone) West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre: https://www.wmrsasc.org.uk/ 01905 724 514 Helpline opening times: Monday: 7.30pm to 9.30pm Tuesday:1.00pm to 5.00pm Thursday: 7.30pm to 9.30pm Friday: 10.00am to 2.00pm |