Safeguarding and Wellbeing
At Woodcote High School we recognise that positive wellbeing and good mental health is vital for our students’ happiness and achievement.
We address it directly in tutor times and an awareness of its importance pervades the everyday ethos and work of the school.
The aim of this area of the website is to provide links to good quality information and guidance on mental health and wellbeing. We would also encourage students and parents who have any concerns or who are experiencing difficulties to get in touch with us. We will do everything we can to help. We also have a designated Safeguarding email ([email protected]) where you can also discuss any concerns you may have.
Information for Parents About Staying Safe Online
The Internet is constantly changing and it can be hard to keep up with the latest apps and trends. The NSPCC have developed a guide for parents called Net Aware, which gives you clear and simple information about 50 of the most popular sites, apps and games that young people are using. Net Aware allows you to search for social networks by name, category and even icon colour and provides information about reporting, blocking, privacy settings and the type of content that you can expect to come across on that site, app or game. Net Aware provides reviews by parents and children themselves and is aimed at helping you to understand the social networks your child is using so you can have regular conversations with them about staying safe online.
During students’ time at Woodcote High School we want them to feel safe and to learn how to keep safe and stay happy. Woodcote High School is committed to ensuring that consistent and effective procedures are in place to fulfil our statutory obligation to safeguard and promote the welfare of the young people in our care.
The Department of Education, through Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfE 2013) and Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE July 2015), places a duty on organisations to safeguard and promote the wellbeing of children and young people. At Woodcote High School we are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our students.
On occasion, a student may disclose information of a sensitive nature to a member of staff. When this happens, staff will listen and explain clearly and calmly to students that information about their safety may mean that other people have to be informed in order to support and safeguard them. They cannot promise to keep such information confidential.
When a member of staff has any child protection or welfare concerns about a student, they have a duty to report these concerns to the safeguarding team in the school.
Woodcote High School takes its Safeguarding and Child Protection responsibilities very seriously. We work closely with the local authority and other appropriate external agencies to ensure the welfare of all our students.
External Websites and Contacts
A fantastic organisation offering free, confidential online and telephone support, including information and advice, to any adult worried about the emotional problems, behaviour or mental health of a child or young person. You can also find a Confidential Parents Helpline – This has information about their campaigns, their publications and help and guidance for children & young people.
Parents Survival Guide
Parenting isn’t always easy. Although it’s often amazing and rewarding to watch your children grow, and to help them learn to be independent, it can also be really hard work.
Parents Helpline
Young Minds offer free, confidential online and telephone support, including information and advice, to any adult worried about the emotional problems, behaviour or mental health of a child or young person up to the age of 25.
A-Z of Mental Health
Reliable information for parents and carers about common mental health and behaviour concerns in children and young people aged 0-25.
NSPCC
The NSPCC’s Parents’ site recognises a big part of keeping children safe is making sure to look after their emotional and mental well-being. The site offers information on an array of topics including mental health and wellbeing; self-harm; sexual behaviour; and talking about difficult topics.
Royal Society of Psychiatrists
The main professional body for psychiatrists in the UK believes that everyone needs the knowledge to make informed decisions about their health and aim to produce information which is: evidence-based, accessible and up-to-date. Their online A-Z leaflets cover all areas of mental health.
NHS Live Well
Over 100 topics on healthy living.
Talk to Frank
An advice section of the site for parents offering up to date advice and information about drugs, providing access to live chat, email and telephone support, as well as leaflets, FAQs and links to other sites.
Alcohol Education Trust
A charity offering information and advice to help parents to discuss issues around alcohol with their children.
Thinkuknow
Thinkuknow is an education programme from the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Command.
Health Matters
Whether you’re a parent or a secondary school aged pupil in any of the nine boroughs where Health Matters deliver their school nursing services, here, you will find lots of health and well-being information to support you or your child’s health. You can also contact the school nurse directly through our ‘Ask a question’ service.
KIDS
KIDS are a national charity, founded over 45 years ago, providing a wide range of support services to disabled children, young people and their families. They support children with any disability from birth to 25 years of age. They offer their support to the whole family with the aim of giving disabled children a brighter future.
Childline
Childline is yours – a free, private and confidential service where you can be you. Whatever your worry, whenever you need help, however you want to get in touch. We’re here for you online, on the phone, anytime.
Barnardo’s
Barnardo’s believe in children – no matter who they are, what they have done or what they have been through. They will ensure their needs are met and their voices are heard.
Disrespect Nobody
The ‘Disrespect NoBody’ campaign is aimed at preventing young people from becoming perpetrators and victims of abusive relationships by encouraging them to understand what a healthy relationship is, to re-think their views of controlling behaviour, violence, abuse, sexual abuse and what consent means within their relationships and directs them to places for help and advice.
Oiimysize
Oiimysize is a youth-led project to raise awareness about how boys talk to girls and what is appropriate.
Anna Freud
A free network that provides a trusted source of up-to-date and accessible information which parents can use to support the mental health and wellbeing of the children and young people in their care.
Rethink
Helps people affected by mental illness by challenging attitudes and changing lives. They directly support almost 60,000 people every year across England to get through crises, to live independently and to realise they are not alone. Their website is full of advice, support and resources.
Mind
A National Mental Health Charity who provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
NHS Choices Moodzone
Whatever you need to know about coping with stress, anxiety or depression, or just generally improving your emotional wellbeing. It offers practical, useful information, interactive tools, and videos to support you on your way to feeling better.
Big White Wall
A safe online community of people who support and help each other by sharing what’s troubling them, guided by trained professionals. Available 24/7, Big White Wall is completely anonymous so you can express yourself freely and openly. Professionally trained ‘Wall Guides’ ensure the safety and anonymity of all members.
Relate
Are the UK’s largest provider of relationship support. The website has a free Live Chat service, where anyone can chat in real time with one of their trained counsellors completely confidentially.
Rise Above
A new website developed by Public Health England to boost resilience among 11-16 year olds by teaching them the skills needed to make better decisions in ‘risky’ situations such as smoking, drugs, drinking, relationships and sex.
Parent Gym
An evidence-based parenting programme involving a series of six sessions proven to increase parents’ skills and confidence and so improve the behaviour and wellbeing of their children.
The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust
Was set up in 1997 in memory of Charlie Waller, a young man who took his own life whilst suffering from depression. Shortly after his death, his family founded the Trust in order to educate young people on the importance of staying mentally well and how to do so.
The Mix
Whether you’re worried about your mental health, or someone else’s, they have everything you need to know about mental health, from anxiety and depression to self-care and counselling.
Young Stonewall
The site for all young people to find out about issues affecting lesbian, gay and bisexual people at home, at work and at school.
Mermaids
Supports gender-diverse children and young people until their 20th birthday, as well as their families and professionals involved in their care. Transgender and gender-variant children and teens need support and understanding, as well as the freedom to explore their gender identity. Whatever the outcome, Mermaids is committed to helping families navigate the challenges they may face.
MindEd
Provides free, completely open access to online education available on tablets, phones or computers – to help adults support wellbeing and identify, understand and support children and young people with mental health issues.
Doc Ready
A digital tool that helps young people to prepare and make the most out of mental health related GP visits. It helps young people to know what to expect during a GP.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists Parents and Youth Info Index
Provides specifically tailored information for young people, parents, teachers and carers about mental health.
The Children’s Society
Fights child poverty and neglect, trying to help all children have a better chance in life.
Papyrus
Are the national charity for the prevention of young suicide.
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
Is leading a movement against male suicide, the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK.
Family Lives
Provides a 24 hour helpline, advice website, live chat and parenting/relationship support groups. They respond to questions on all aspects of family life that include all stages of a child’s development, issues with schools and parenting/relationship support. They also respond when life becomes more complicated and provide support around family breakdown, aggression in the home, bullying at school, teenage risky behaviour and mental health concerns of both parents and their children.
Kidscape
Works UK-wide to provide individuals and organisations with practical skills and resources necessary to keep children safe from harm. The Kidscape staff equips young people with practical knowledge and skills around personal safety, as well as reducing the likelihood of future harm.
Counselling Directory
Has a nationwide database of qualified practitioners, alongside lots of useful information on mental health.
Selfharm.co.uk
Is a project dedicated to supporting young people impacted by self-harm, providing a safe space to talk, ask any questions and be honest about what’s going on in your life. These pages will tell you a bit about us as well as pointing you in the right direction if you need to contact us or find out more about our policies and procedures.
National Online Safety
They believe in empowering parents, carers and trusted adults with the information they need to hold informed and age-appropriate conversations about online safety with their child, should they feel it is needed. Every Wednesday they produce guides to focus on specific platforms/risks which they believe trusted adults should be aware of.
Every Mind Matters
Is Public Health England Campaign encouraging adults to be more aware of their mental health and helps them to discover simple steps to look after their mental health and wellbeing.
Teenage Cancer Trust
Have a range of high quality education resources for schools around what cancer is, signs and symptoms, the importance of healthy living, sun safety, HPV vaccine, the impact of a cancer diagnosis and other topics.
Kooth
Is your online mental wellbeing community. Access free, safe and anonymous support.
Thinkuknow
Is the education programme from NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline.
Childnet
A website full of information and resources to help you support your child/ren to have a safe online experience.
Young Minds – Supporting Your Pupils Through the COVID-19 Pandemic
Tips, advice and wellbeing resources to support pupils, staff and parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Self-generated Child Sexual Abuse Imagery
Schools are being asked to share information with parents about the Internet Watch Foundation’s (IWF) self-generated child sexual abuse imagery campaign: https://www.iwf.org.uk/selfgenerated-prevention-campaign. IWF’s self-generated child sexual abuse prevention campaign launches in April 2021. Our data shows 11-13 year old girls are increasingly at risk of grooming and coercion at the hands of online predators.
Emotional Resilience
Getting it on… information and services for 13-19 year olds on sexual and mental health issues, drugs & alcohol and relationship problems.
Online Safety Packs
Activity packs include simple 15 minute activities you can do with your child to support their online safety at home.
National Self Harm Network
Distractions that can help.
BBC Bitesize – Parents’ Toolkit
Top tips, expert advice and fun activities to help you support your child’s wellbeing and learning in a changing world. Parents, we’ve got you!
BBC Bitesize – Parents’ Toolkit Anxiety
How you can help your child – with five simple coping techniques.
Alcohol – Talking About Alcohol
Alcohol and You
Facts and support for teenagers.
National Online Safety App
Say hello to the new National Online Safety mobile application.
#AskTheAwkward – ThinkUKnow
#AskTheAwkward aims to help parents and carers have regular conversations with their children about online relationships and more. The resource includes three short films created in a social experiment style, with real parents and their children to capture their reactions to a range of questions.
Co-RAY Project
A short animation has been developed by the University of Oxford’s Experimental Psychology and Psychiatry Department. It is aimed at young people aged 11-16 years, to address any barriers they may have in seeking mental health support. This resource is available via BBC Bitesize and we would encourage you to share with your child/ren.
ThinkUKnow – A Parent’s Guide to Privacy Settings
Privacy settings can help you and your child to manage how much and what kind of information is shared, whilst enjoying their favourite sites, games and apps.
ThinkUKnow – Gaming: What Parents and Carers Need to Know
Gaming is loved and enjoyed by children and adults across the world. It can be a way for children to be social, learn new skills, develop teamwork and relax. However, gaming also comes with risks for children. It can be difficult to keep up with the latest games and how they work. Here we take a look at key safety concerns and how you can support happier, safer gaming for your child.
ThinkUKnow – What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?
The Internet of Things, often referred to as IoT, are everyday objects that connect to the internet. Connected devices and toys can be found in most homes, and have changed how many of us go about our daily lives and how children interact and play.
NSPCC Positive Parenting Guide
Positive parenting uses techniques that work well for every child. These techniques build on your child’s wish to please you, the importance of listening, and, above all, loving your child – leading to a better-behaved, happy child and less-stressed parents.
Young Minds – Grief and Loss
When you lose someone close to you, it’s natural to feel sad, depressed, worried or angry. Everyone reacts in their own way. If you’re finding it hard to cope, Young Minds can help you find support.
Harmful Sexual Behaviour
It can be difficult to know what is and isn’t appropriate for your child’s age and stage of development. This document has some really useful information on this topic.
Beat Eating Disorders – BEATS
We are the UK’s eating disorder charity. Founded in 1989 as the Eating Disorders Association, our mission is to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders. Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses. Anyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or background, can develop one.
Worrying about money? Support is available in Croydon
A range of local organisations have produced this leaflet to support families/residents worrying about money issues. The leaflet contains advice and guidance, plus detailed information about free local support.
Young Minds – Supporting Parents and Carers to Support Your Child with Mental Health
Young Minds offer three different services to parents and carers who are concerned about their child’s mental health, up to the age of 25. Here, you can find out more about our Parents Helpline, Webchat and Email service.​
PHONE SAFETY
Has your child just got their first ever mobile phone? Getting a phone is really exciting. Here are some tips on how to keep them and their phone safe.
How to Tackle Student Anxiety (Leeds Beckett University – Carnegie School of Education) A guide to addressing student anxiety in primary and secondary schools.
