Safeguarding
Hodge Hill College is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. To achieve our commitment, we will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust Safeguarding processes and procedures that promote a culture of Safeguarding amongst our staff and volunteers. Consequently, all adults working in school are required to complete a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Enhanced Police Check.
Hodge Hill College aims to work in close partnership with parents to support the children in every way possible. However, there is a clear responsibility on all schools to ensure they work together with other agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children.
As a result, if concerns are raised within the school, or a child or parent reports a situation involving possible abuse, we are required to refer such matters to the appropriate Children’s Services, in line with Government and Birmingham Children’s Safeguarding Board. Information sharing may take place between Police and school:
Hodge Hill College is committed to keeping our students safe, both in school and the wider community. As part of our safeguarding arrangements, we have a two-way information sharing agreement in place with West Midlands Police. The agreement is compliant with Crime & Disorder Act 1998 (s.115) and Data Protection Act 1998(s.29.3; s.35.2.), and focuses on preventing young people from becoming involved or further involved in crime and anti-social behaviour as a victim or offender. If you have any queries about the partnership policy, please contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead on the Senior Leadership Team (Mr R Patel) on 0121 783 7807 or dsl@hodgehill.bham.sch.uk.
It may be helpful for parents to know that the Local Authority requires Headteachers to report any obvious or suspected case of child abuse which includes non-accidental injury, severe physical neglect, emotional abuse and/or sexual abuse. This procedure is intended to protect children at risk and schools are encouraged to take the attitude that where there are grounds for suspicion it is better to be safe than sorry. This does mean that Headteachers risk upsetting some parents by reporting a case, which on investigation proves unfounded. In such circumstances, it is hoped that parents, appreciating how difficult it is for Headteachers to carry out this delicate responsibility, would accept that the Head Teacher was acting in what were believed to be the child’s best interests.”
Operation Encompass
Police & Schools Panels Safeguarding Statement
Hodge Hill College is committed to keeping our students safe, both in school and the wider community. As part of our safeguarding arrangements, we have a two-way information sharing agreement in place with West Midlands Police, and we are also active members of our local constituency Police & Schools Panel.
The agreement is compliant with Crime & Disorder Act 1998, Data Protection Act 2018 – 2021 Update and United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK-GDPR); and focuses on preventing young people from becoming involved, or further involved, in crime and anti-social behaviour (as either a victim or offender) or those who have been reported as missing that may be vulnerable as a result.
This joint approach helps us to intervene early; provide additional support, and share up-to-date safety messages with students and their families/carers. If you have any queries about this partnership work please contact your child's Achievement Coordinator or Assistant Achievement Coordinator on 0121 783 7807.
Staying Safe Online
Warning to Parents/Carers
We have been made aware of the dangers of a social platform for play called Roblox, which markets itself as the number one gaming site for kids and teens, invites children to "create adventures, play games, role play and learn with their friends in a family-friendly, immersive 3D environment. Children and teens can make an account using their phones, ipads or computers and then have access to over 22 million games in virtual reality worlds where they make their own characters. However, the chat facility on the site means strangers can message children directly and chat to them - with no way to screen contacts or block messages.
Whilst under13s who register for the site can only chat to their approved friends list, there is no verification of date of birth when making an account and youngsters can easily gain access to the full chat facility.
There has been evidence of adults using this site and its lax security settings to gain access to young people in disguise as fellow teenagers. This has included suggestions to meet up in real life.
Please can you speak to your child, find out if they are using this platform to game on or to chat to people online and warn them of the need not to speak to people online whom they have not met in the real world.
NSPCC launched a public education campaign called Shareaware, aimed at helping parents of 8-12 year olds to keep their children safe online.
You may wish to consider sharing this link www.nspcc.org.uk/shareaware
Expert information to help children and young people stay safe online www.parentinfo.org
Safeguarding Policies
Our school policies in relation to safeguarding can be found here: https://www.hodgehill.bham.sch.uk/policies
Safeguarding to and from School
For information about how pupils can stay safe to and from school please click here.
Talking to your child about online sexual harassment: A guide for parents