It’s been a busy term for the Child Safety Group. The team are continuing their objective to keep staff, pupils and parents up to date with safeguarding topics, law and good practice.  In this term’s  edition we have tried to add in some useful tips to guide and support you with safeguarding.

Please click the link below top view the newsletter.

Spring CSG Newsletter

Grooming is when someone builds an emotional connection with a child to gain their trust for the purposes of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or trafficking.

Children can be groomed online or face-to-face, by a stranger or by someone they know - for example a family member, friend or professional.

Groomers may be male or female. They could be any age.

Many children don't understand that they have been groomed or that what has happened is abuse.

Once they have established trust, groomers will exploit the relationship by isolating the child from friends or family and making the child feel dependent on them. They will use any means of power or control to make a child believe they have no choice but to do what they want.

Groomers may introduce 'secrets' as a way to control or frighten the child. Sometimes they will blackmail the child, or make them feel ashamed or guilty, to stop them telling anyone about the abuse.

For more information about grooming, please click the link below.

Grooming Information

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It's also known as female circumcision or cutting.Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It's also known as female circumcision or cutting.

FGM is often performed by someone with no medical training who uses instruments such as a knife, scalpel, scissors, glass or razor blade. Children are rarely given anaesthetic or antiseptic treatment and are often forcibly restrained.It is believed that the majority of cases happen between the ages 5-8.

FGM has been a criminal offence since 1985. In 2003 it became a criminal offence for anyone in the UK to take their child abroad to have FGM. It is also a legal offence to not report FGM to the police if you know an FGM procedure has been carried out.

For more information about FGM, please click the link below.

FGM information

There has been an increase in Birmingham criminal gangs pushing drugs into rural counties. Vulnerable juveniles are being recruited as drug runners so that the criminals can manage the operation from afar. Children are being lured with lavish gifts including cash, phones, drugs and branded clothing. Following a recent police investigation a total of 12 men from Birmingham were sentenced for involvement in running county lines.

For more information regarding County Lines, please click the link below.

County Lines Information