Child Protection and Safeguarding
BackThe Misbourne is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of all students and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We adhere to consistent, effective safeguarding procedures to support families, students and staff at the Academy.
Safeguarding legislation and government guidance says that safeguarding means:
- Protecting children from maltreatment
- Preventing impairment of children’s health or development
- Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
- Taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcome
Safeguarding includes child protection, health care plans, health and safety, site security, safety on school trips, anti-bullying work and much more.
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mr Lyons, Assistant Headteacher. He is supported by two Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads, Mrs Golla and Mrs Lemonius, with ten additional members of staff trained in higher level safeguarding.
If you are worried that your safety or the safety of any other student is at risk please talk this through with any adult of your choice at The Misbourne. Our dedicated safeguarding team (pictured below) is specially trained to deal with any serious situations and may be called upon to help you and/or your peers. To contact The Misbourne Safeguarding Team please email: safeguarding@themisbourne.co.uk
The Misbourne Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
Keeping Children Safe in Education
External Support Agencies
While we are here to support all our students, we recognise that there may be occasions where they may wish to seek support and advice independently. Please click on the logos of the following organisations to access their websites. These organisations are there to safeguard you against any form of abuse and ALL are confidential.
Buckinghamshire Family Information Service
Buckinghamshire Family Information Service has collated a useful list of health and well-being services and organisations that are available to support you and your family. This can be accessed here.
Buckinghamshire 24/7 Mental Health Helpline
Offers support for anyone who feels they would like support from mental health professionals during the Covid-19 pandemic. Call them on (adults) 01865 904997 or (children and young people) 01865 904998.
Child Mind Institute
Provides a full range of advice on Mental Health issues with specially-produced booklets for coping with stress, anxiety and uncertainty. To read their guides or contact them directly, visit its website here.
Young Minds
YoungMinds Crisis Messenger – If you are a young person experiencing a mental health crisis, you can text the YoungMinds Crisis Messenger for free, 24/7 support. Text YM to 85258.
Kooth
A free online service that offers emotional and mental health support for children and young people. You can have a “drop-in” chat with a counsellor or therapist or book a one-to-one session.
National Autistic Society
We know many autistic people and their families have concerns about the current situation with coronavirus (COVID-19). We’re here for you and have developed resources and handy top tips for dealing with its impact.
See, Hear, Respond
See, Hear, Respond is a new partnership between Barnardos and the DfE to provide a specialist support service for children and young people who are experiencing harm and increased adversity during the Covid-19 pandemic. See, Hear, Respond will contact every referral made to them, so no child is missed. For more information, please click here.
Youth Concern
Any 13-25 year old is welcome to call us on 01296 431183 to speak to a friendly member of our team. They’ll be able to chat with a youth worker or counsellor 1:1 by phone or via a safe platform of their choice. Visit our website for more information.
NSPCC
The NSPCC exists to safeguard and protect every child. Contact us for confidential advice and support or call 0808 800 5000.
Childline
Worried about something? Whether it's online porn, peer pressure, worries about the wider world, family relationships or something else entirely, we're here to talk - any time. Call us in confidence on 0800 1111.
NHS Teen Health
Love your body, Love yourself, #lovehealth, An NHS Teen Health Website with answers to all your questions.
CEOP
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) works across the UK tackling child sex abuse and providing advice for parents, young people and children.
PACE
PACE supports parents and carers whose children are being exploited by offenders outside the family.
Prevent Strategy
Anti-radicalisation concerns in association with Thames Valley Police 
KIDSCAPE (Help With Bullying)
Kidscape provides practical support, training and advice to challenge bullying and protect young lives. 
WOMEN'S AID (Domestic Violence national helpline) 
Women’s Aid is a grassroots federation working together to provide life-saving services in England and build a future where domestic abuse is not tolerated.
Karma Nirvana
Forced Marriage concerns
Female Genital Mutilation 
Buckinghamshire Safeguarding Children Board
For safeguarding advice
Tooled Up Education 
Tooled Up Education provides a valuable source of evidence-based research and information on a wide variety of subjects.
LGfL
LGfL is a not-for-profit charitable trust whose mission is the advancement of education. They provide broadband access to schools as well as providing advice and support for schools and families on how to access and use the Internet for educational purposes. They also provide advice for schools, families and young people on how to stay safe online as well as publicising the latest online trends and language. This document provides you with some of their latest advice for families and young people about staying safe online that we think may be of use.
An extended list of external organisations offering support and advice on a wide range of subjects is available on our Learning for Life page.
Supporting your child in the online world
Our young people are growing up in a world of ever-changing technology. While we feel that the use of technology is a largely positive aspect of modern life, we cannot ignore the risks that can be associated with Internet use.
Throughout school we aim to teach children:
- about the impact of cyber-bullying and what to do if they have been affected.
- to be vigilant when communicating online recognising that people may not
- always be who they say they are and to be sensible about what they share.
- to tell an adult they trust if something is upsetting them.
- to question the reliability of information given through a web based source.
- to search responsibly for information while using internet browsers.
We understand that much of our student's use of the internet will occur at home, away from the school filters. Below is a list of useful websites, advice and resources that you may find helpful when navigating the issue of online safety with your child. At the bottom of this page are resources that your child can directly access as well to help them learn about online safety.
Useful resources and links
Thinkuknow
Thinkuknow is an education programme from the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Command. Since 2006, it aims to ensure that everyone has access to this practical information – children, young people, their parents and carers and the professionals who work with them.
A comprehensive web resource with a wide array of tips and advice on how to navigate the online world with your child. Some of their guidance we attach below but you can find even more by visiting the link.
National Online Safety
National Online Safety's mission is to make the internet a safer place for children. They aim to do this by equipping school staff, parents and children with the knowledge they need to understand online dangers and how best to react should an incident arise. The link above provides up to date information about a wide variety of social media apps and platforms your child might be using.
NSPCC
The NSPCC are the first to admit that the internet is amazing. Children can play, learn, create and connect - opening up a whole world of exciting possibilities. But with the digital world changing all the time, how can you make sure your child’s staying safe? That’s where the NSPCC come in. Whether you’re an online expert or you’re not sure where to start, their tools and advice will help you keep your child safe.
Childnet
Childnet International is a registered UK charity that aims to make the internet a safe place for children and young people. Packed with resources it is a great resource for parents.
CEOP
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) is part of the National Crime Agency and their website can be used to report if you are worried about online abuse or the way someone is communicating online.
BBC Own It
The BBC have a website and app called Own It. The website has a lot of content for children to help them navigate their online lives, and the free smartphone app comes with a special keyboard which can intervene with help and support in the moments that children need it the most.
SafetoNet
SafeToNet is technology that educates children “in-the-moment” as they use their device. It is a safeguarding assistant that helps them become responsible and safe digital citizens. Its power lies in a smart keyboard that detects risks in real-time. It steers children away from trouble by filtering harmful outgoing messages before they can be sent and any damage can be done.
A Guide to Apps and Social Media
The number of apps and social media channels your child could be exposed to grows all the time, as does an app's functionality. We recommend you visit Net Aware to read the latest and most current advice on over 70 apps to ensure you know what they do and how you can limit their features, as well as learn about their recommended age restrictions.
Wellbeing websites
This page includes the details of external organisations / websites that are able to offer information and advice on a variety of health and wellbeing subjects. Additional informatin is also provided on our Wellbeing Hub page.