After many years of concern, earlier this year the anonymous chat website Omegle was forced off the internet. But just because Omegle has gone, there are many more sites and apps to take its place. One of these sites is Y99. 

Internet Matters have published a helpful explainer article abotu Y99 which you can read here.

Our school is part of a project, which is run between Merseyside schools and Merseyside Police.

The project called Operation Encompass, has been designed to provide early reporting of any domestic violence incidents that occur outside school, which might have an impact on a child in school. This is done through a notification to school following an incident. The project ensures that at least one member of the school staff, known as the Key Adult, is trained to liaise with the police and to use the information that has been shared, in confidence. In this way, we aim to support each child who has been involved in, or witnessed, a domestic abuse incident.

The Key Adult at St Julie's Catholic High School is Mr Willis. If he receives an Encompass notification he will make sure that a person the child trusts is available to help - if the child needs this. A lot of the time this support is silent; keeping a careful eye on him or her and make sure the child has a calm school day. The confidential information is ordinarily not shared with all staff, just an agreement on how to help, if needed. All schools have a duty to share any information with other organisations if they feel a child is at risk of being hurt. The Key Adult may contact other organisations.

This is described in our Safeguarding Policy. The sharing of information from the Police allows the school to be ready to help your child straight away, and it means that parents are aware that the Key Adult knows that something has happened. Parents arrange to talk to our Key Adult as needed. The Key Adult can point you towards other people that can help. Our aim is to support children and their families.

Online bullying is a concern for many parents, online can often be a hidden aspect of many children's lives and children will not always talk if they are being bullied. Internet Matters have put some expert tips together for parents which are split by ages. This would be worth sending out to your parents in your newsletter or social channels.

You can access the tips HERE.

The Family Lives charity aims to offer all parents somewhere to turn before they reach crisis point. Crisis support, provided for over 40 years through their helpline, has always been at the heart of what they do.

Family Lives also have an excellent website to help parents with the ups and downs of family life, including this infographic: https://www.familylives.org.uk/advice/your-family/wellbeing/building-resilience-in-children-and-teens/

The Family Lives parents' helpline is available Monday to Friday, 1.30 - 9pm on 0808 800 2222.

The website can be found here: https://www.familylives.org.uk/

The things I wish my parents had known…about online sexual harassment (Children's Commissioner)

The Children's Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza DBE, has recently published a guidance document for parents helping to support them to understand online sexual harassment. It is a sensitive topic, and not one all parents feel comfortable discussing with their children.

The commissioner's team brought together a group of 16 - 21 year olds and asked them talk about what they think parents should know, and what they should say to their children when talking about sexualised bullying and the pressures of growing up online. 

Key advice from the young adults in the focus groups included: 

• Start conversations early, before your child gets a phone or social media account. Keep the conversation going over time, adapting to your child. 
• Young people want their parents to learn about new technology and trends, including risky behaviours and dangerous spaces online. 
• Create a safe and trusting home environment. Young people told us the home environment is key, they want to share things with their parents but don’t always feel able. 

The report and summary 'The things I wish my parents had known…' can be downloaded here: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/report/talking-to-your-child-about-online-sexual-harassment-a-guide-for-parents/

The legal 'right to be forgotten' has been around since 2014 but recently Google have extended this. Now, any person under the age of 18 (or their parents/guardians) can fill in a form and request that one or more images are removed from Google search results.

This is good news, there will be many reasons why a young person might want an image to be removed from Google search results, e.g. embarrassing photos from when they were younger, perhaps uploaded by a parent. The removal is from search results within the UK, not the rest of the world. For example, if someone has their image removed and someone tries to search on google.co.uk, they won't be able to find it. But if someone searches on google.com, the image will still be there. 

Let's Talk

Let’s Talk is a creative project that involves using the arts to develop innovative services for families affected by domestic violence. Let's Talk have some good resources to encourage children to talk about their experiences and feelings, including a book of creative ideas.

Website: http://letstalkproject.co.uk/?page_id=10

Domestic Abuse, Recovering Together (DART™)(NSPCC)

In the NSPCC's 'Domestic Abuse, Recovering Together (DART™)' groups, children and mothers can talk to each other about domestic abuse, learn to communicate and rebuild their relationship.

The service, which has been recognised by the Home Office, also provides children and mothers with an opportunity to meet others who have lived through similar experiences.

For further information: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/services-children-families/dart

Refuge

Refuge provides specialist support to women, children and some men escaping domestic violence and other forms of violence.

Support for children

https://www.refuge.org.uk/get-help-now/children/

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

Freephone 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247

Website: www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk  (access live chat Monday - Friday, 3pm -

10pm)

Hideout (Women's Aid)

A web resource for children themselves. Women’s Aid have created this space to

help children understand domestic abuse and how to take positive action.

Website: https://thehideout.org.uk/children/home/

Freedom Programme

Freedom Programme is a domestic violence programme which was created by Pat Craven and evolved from her work with perpetrators of domestic violence. The programme provides information, not therapy.

Website: https://www.freedomprogramme.co.uk/

Bright Sky App

Bright Sky is a mobile app and website for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or who is worried about someone else. The app can be downloaded for free via the app stores.

Launched in partnership with Vodafone, the app includes questionnaires to assess the safety of a relationship, and a section on dispelling myths around domestic and sexual abuse.

The website is focused on how to spot the signs of domestic abuse, advice on how to support someone you have concerns for, and ways to find help.

The app is available in 5 languages: English, Urdu, Punjabi, Polish and Welsh.

Download for android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.newtonmobile.hestia&hl=en_GB&gl=US

Download for iOs: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/bright-sky/id1105880511

Protective Behaviours (Safety Net)

Protective Behaviours is a safety awareness and resilience building programme

which helps children and adults to recognise any situation where they feel worried or

unsafe, such as feeling stressed, bullied or threatened; and explores practical ways

to keep safe.

https://www.safety-net.org.uk/protective-behaviours/

There is clear evidence that nationally and locally the frequency of incidences of domestic abuse have increased during periods of lockdown. If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic abuse then the following resources will be of use:

• Merseyside Police provide a range of local and national helplines, including a vital resource for adults ‘#It’s abuse’. 
• The Bright Sky app is an excellent resource for victims of domestic abuse. 
• The Hideout resources provide support for children who have witnessed or suffered from domestic abuse

Members of the Safeguarding Team are in school every day during lockdown and can be contacted in the usual way, with the safegaurding@stjulies.org.uk email address being the best way to make contact out of hours. 

With TikTok surging in popularity, including children deliberately increasing their followers to 1,000 so that they can go live, it's good to see TikTok making more controls available for parents. The features, which are available via Family Pairing, include the ability to prevent the child searching and preventing strangers from seeing the childs' post.

THIS link explains the new and the older features.

Network Rail have contacted all schools in relation to concerns about a very high level of trespassing on the tracks by young people in the local area.

In partnership with Learn Live, Network Rail are working to help raise awareness to students across the UK educating them about the dangers of the train tracks through interactive digital delivery.

Please click on the link below to view a short safety video: 

Age 7- 11 

https://learnliveuk.com/network-rail-primary-school-safety-talk/

Age 11-16 

https://learnliveuk.com/network-rail-secondary-school-safety-talk/   

Age 17 plus

https://learnliveuk.com/network-rail-college-safety-talk-lnw/

You may wish to view the clips first to gauge suitability for your child. The clips are less than 15 minutes and explains why it is important to stay safe near the railway.

Please be aware of an app, popular with some young people, of which we have been aware this week. The app is called Sweet Snap and there is an upgrade called Sweet snap lite.

This is a dangerous app to download. If downloaded it has been reported to also download additional software to your phone siltently. There have been instances of student's photos being uploaded from the phone silently too. There are multiple adults accessing the chat and trying to talk to the chilldren in a sexual manner.

The relevant authroities are aware of this App but we are dvising that all parents/carers check their child's phone and remove this app if they have it.

Please can you speak to your child about online safety.

If you would like additional resources to support this, then click the link below.

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/Support-tools/home-activity-worksheets/

If you have any concerns regarding any apps or online safety, then please inform the Police and school. 

Kind regards,

Domestic abuse during national lockdown is a real concern, and the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership are circulating the following important advice:

For support:

In an emergency always, ring 999.   Using a silent 999 call followed by 55 (or tapping/coughing into the phone) will enable police to respond.

National Domestic Abuse 24 hour Support Helpline: 0808 2000 247

RESPECT National Helpline, perpetrators (9am to 5pm): 0808 802 4040

Support directories:

https://ehd.liverpool.gov.uk/kb5/liverpool/fsd/results.page?qt=domestic+abuse&term=&sorttype=relevance&sr=20

https://www.victimcaremerseyside.org/home/who-can-help.aspx

http://respect.uk.net/contact-us/

Or ring:

Liverpool Domestic Abuse Services                                                             0151 263 7474

Merseyside Domestic Violence Service                                                      0780 272 2703          

South Liverpool Domestic Abuse Services                                                 0151 494 2222

Ruby Project                                                                                                    0771 428 9180

Savera UK (honour based abuse & harmful practice specialist)             0800 107 0726

Worst Kept Secret Helpline (Merseyside)                                                  0800 028 3398

Support for children:

Young Persons Advisory Service (YPAS)                                                      0151 707 1025

NSPCC               

Support for men:

Men’s Advice Line (Freephone)                                                                     0808 801 0327          

18^th March is National Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Day. Alongside Child Sexual Exploitation sits Child Criminal Exploitation and County Lines. 

We will be circulating information over the next month on all areas of child exploitation. County Lines is the name given to dedicated supply lines to traffic drugs around the country

County Lines is an issue in Liverpool, with many young people recruited.  Young middle class girls are the top choice for the drug runners as they are not likely to be stopped by the police or draw attention to themselves. 

An information sheet on County Lines can be found here, with an informative video here.

Sexting is sending an explicit image or video of yourself to somebody else. It can also be called ‘pic for pic’ or ‘nude selfies’. Once you send an image/video you no longer have control of it, it could be posted online or shared with others. Remember that even if you use a webcam or an app like Snapchat to share it, somebody could take a screenshot of it. Sexting can also leave you exposed to potential bullying and blackmail.

We understand that some conversations can be awkward but it’s important to chat to your child about the potential risks of sharing explicit images, the law and where they can get help. Perhaps start the conversation by relating it to something in the news. Ask them why they think people do it and if they have ever seen it happen in school. Emphasise that they should never feel pressure to share images of themselves and that they should never share images of others. Ensure that they know they can talk to you if anything ever goes wrong.

Whilst sexting can be seen by teenagers as harmless fun it is actually illegal to create or share an explicit image, even when the person doing so is a child themselves. It’s important to remember that whilst the age of consent is 16, the age in relation to explicit images is 18. You are breaking the law if you:

• take an explicit photo or video of yourself or a friend.
• share an explicit image or video of a child.
• possess, download or store an explicit image or video of a child.

If under-18s are found to be engaging in sexting, then whilst the matter will be investigated, police can choose to record that a crime has been committed but that taking formal action isn't in the public interest.
ChildLine have created ‘Zip-It’ which your child can use to help them if someone is trying to pressure them into sexting: https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/sexting/

Need help? How to report

Stay calm! If your child talks to you about an incident then you may be shocked but it is important to remain calm and listen to your child. Try to find out who the image has been sent to and who it has been shared with. Ask your child to delete any images from their phone and any social media accounts (if they have uploaded them to there). You can also do the following:

Report to any individual sites where possible and ask then to remove the image.
If you need help in getting a sexual image of your child removed from the internet, you can get in contact with Childline or the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF).
If your child is being threatened as a result of sharing a sexual image or someone online is asking your child to share an image then you should report it to CEOP: www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre

Your child can use the Childline ‘Report Remove’ tool: https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/sexting/report-nude-image-online/

Further information

There’s lots more advice available about sexting here:

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/sexting/
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/articles/Has-your-child-shared-a-nude-selfie-subtitled/
https://www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers/hot-topics/sexting
https://parentinfo.org/article/when-teens-share-nudes

The tragic suicide of Caroline Flack has reminded us all of the need to continue to reach out to those

experiencing difficulties with their mental health and consider who around us, both young and old, needs support.

There is considerable guidance on each local area’s CAMHS website, including how to seek support if a young person is in crisis:

https://www.liverpoolcamhs.com/emergency-advice/

We would advise all parents to read the following link in relation to the TikTok App that has become popular with young people:

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/parents-ultimate-guide-to-tiktok

In summary:

• TikTok is a free social media app that lets people watch, create, and share videos -- often to a soundtrack of the top hits in music -- right from their phone. However, it can also be used to make videos that could constitute 'cyber bullying' 
• When you sign up for TikTok, your account is public by default, meaning anyone can see your videos, send you direct messages, and use your location information.
• Because of TikTok's emphasis on popular music, many videos include swearing and sexual lyrics, so it may not be age-appropriate for kids to use on their own. It's also easy to find people wearing revealing clothing and dancing suggestively
• TikTok requires that users be at least 13 years old to use the app and that anyone under the age of 18 must have approval of a parent or guardian 

As parents and carers, you will be well aware of the stresses and pressures facing young people and sometimes it can be hard to know how best to support them. 

The Childline website has lots of valuable information and their Calm Zone provides a range of activities that aim to help children feel better when they're feeling anxious, scared or sad. 

Although children could be encouraged to visit the website themselves, these are good techniques for adults use with children. Ideas include: breathing exercises, a 'let it go' box and creating a 'sense drawer'.

Go to the Childline website here: https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/calm-zone/

Does your child attend an 'Out Of School Setting' such as community and youth centre, sports clubs or out of school tuition?

If so and in order to reassure yourself that this is a safe an appropriate environment, please be aware of this linked document:

https://consult.education.gov.uk/regulatory-framework-unit/out-of-school-settings-voluntary-safeguarding-code/supporting_documents/Safeguarding%20questions%20for%20parents%20and%20carersDraft%20guidance.pdf

The document gives guidance about questions you may want to ask of this provider in respect of things such as employment checks on staff, supervision arrangements, staff training, data protection and a range of others issues. It also identifies a number of 'red flags' that might give rise to concern about a provider and what you should do if you were to have concerns. 

Please also be aware of the following website: https://www.safeguardingresourcehub.co.uk/Resource-Hub?user_group=3

This is a free hub of national safeguarding resources to em,power children, young people and all adults supporting them. 

The Safeguarding Resource Hub is 

• A free online directory with links to hundreds of key national resources
• Quick and easy to use
• Free to all children, young people, adults, parents and carers, and professionals
• Targeted resources for each usergroup
• Empowers everyone to find the advice and guidance they might need

Find out more at www.safeguardingresourcehub.co.uk

There has been much recent research into the detrimental impact on young people when either or both of their parents/carers is affected by any one of the three issues referred to by professionals as the ‘Toxic Trio’, namely:

• having a parent who is a victim of domestic abuse
• parental substance misuse
• parental mental ill-health

Where any two or all three of these factors are present, research demonstrates that young people are at a greatly heightened risk of coming to significant harm.

A report into 139 Serious Case Reviews (conducted when a child dies or suffers significant harm) carried out between 2009 and 2011 shows that in 95% of all cases, at least one of the ‘Toxic Trio’ was a contributory factor.

In 63% of all cases, two of the Toxic Trio were contributory factors.

All three issues were present in 24% of cases.

Please click here to for more information and to read about our response.

West Yorkshire Police and Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership have launched a campaign warning young people to be wary of invites to free parties from older people who they know little about.

A tactic used by perpetrators of child sexual exploitation is to lure children to parties through social media and word of mouth, where they then ply them with drinks and drugs before pressuring them into sex. They may also bribe them into doing things they aren't comfortable with in return for a lift home, as the 'party' is often held in an area that the young person is unfamiliar with.

Advice to Young people

If you do accept an invitation to a party or gathering there are things that you need to do keep yourself safe:

• Make sure you know the location of where you're going and whose party it is.
• Read the road signs if you accept a lift.
• Tell a trusted adult where you are going and who you're going with.
• Tell someone what time you're expected back.
• Make sure you have credit on your phone.
• Make sure your mobile battery is fully charged.
• Take enough money with you to get you home

For use at home and in school, Swiggle is a child-friendly search engine developed by South West Grid for Learning and built on the Google Safe Search technology. It is free, ad free, has a reporting page for children and adults, active blocking of inappropriate search strings and even a Swigglebot to give advice.

For more information go to the link below and look at the menu (top right of page)

https://swiggle.org.uk/

Google Family Link has been around for some time, but has recently had a much-needed update. You can now limit screen time per app (instead of the whole device) as well as track activity, set daily limits, view device location and more.

See here for more information:

https://techcrunch.com/2019/09/18/googles-parental-control-software-family-link-gains-much-needed-features/

Guidance for children and young people, families and professionals facing unwanted or hurtful online messages

Social Media apps can be a great way for children and young people to talk to friends, but cyberbullying is a growing issue that many children and young people face.

There are a few simple steps children can take to protect yourself themselves.

Most social media platforms allow you to block any comments and report and block profiles that are sending you negative or unpleasant messages.

When you block someone, it means they are unable to see anything you post, and you can’t see their profile, comments or messages either.

You can do this in the “settings” section of whatever app you are using. If you’re not sure how to do this, ask a trusted adult to help you.

If you’re being added into group chats that you don’t want to be in, block the numbers which are adding you and exit all the groups.

It can be hard but try not to get involved in the chats. Take screenshots of any hurtful messages instead.

Make sure you screenshot everything said to you before blocking anyone as you might need this as proof, to evidence what’s happening.

If you feel unsafe, always tell someone. Make sure you take these concerns to an adult you trust and let them know what’s been going on.

If you’re being threatened with violence, either online or offline, you should contact the police.

The most important thing is to not suffer in silence.

Consider Ignore, Block, Report when dealing with unwanted or hurtful messages.

There are excellent resources that you should take a look at:

‘Own It’ App

 ‘The BBC is launching a new app to try and help the wellbeing of young people online. It's called Own It and it encourages young people to stop and think before they hit the send button.It monitors how they interact with their friends and family online and uses artificial intelligence to try and see how a child is feeling.’

The APP can be found here: https://www.bbc.com/ownit/take-control/own-it-app

“Being Bullied? Five things you need to do RIGHT NOW!”

https://www.bbc.com/ownit/curations/bullying-and-trolling

Internet Matters, step-by-step guides to set controls on popular social media apps

https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/social-media/

The Safeguarding Resource Hub provides additional resources that can support children, young people, parents/carers and professionals:

https://www.safeguardingresourcehub.co.uk/

And don’t forget you can also contact Childline on 0800 1111

https://www.childline.org.uk/

https://www.childline.org.uk/ - a free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything. Whatever your worry, whenever you need help, we’re here for you online, on the phone, anytime.

https://www.rlss.org.uk/Pages/Category/water-safety-information

https://www.capt.org.uk/drowning

As the summer approaches, please remind you children of the dangers around water. Sadly each year more than 700 people drown in the UK and Ireland and many more have non-fatal experiences, sometimes suffering life-changing injuries. The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), work to educate people to enjoy water safely, to keep their families and friends safe and to know what to do in an emergency.

http://www.juniorcitizen.org.uk/kids/railsafety/

Please also remind your children of the dangers of playing around railways and perhaps use this resource to remind them of some dos and don'ts.