Starting Point

If you have concerns about a child's safety or welfare, you can contact Derbyshire Starting Point, the county's single point of contact for safeguarding concerns. Starting Point is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can reach them by calling 01629 533190. When you contact Starting Point, trained professionals will listen to your concerns, assess the level of need, and determine the most appropriate response. 

If a child is in immediate danger, contact 999 for the police.

Looked-After Children and Previously Looked After Children

Our designated teacher for looked-after (LAC) and previously looked after children (PLAC) is Mrs Leica Carter. Please contact her if you have any questions; lcarter@langwithbassettacademy.org

Operation Encompass

Langwith Bassett Primary Academy supports and advocates ‘Operation Encompass’. Operation Encompass is a unique Police and Education early intervention safeguarding partnership which supports children and young people exposed to domestic abuse. Operation Encompass report to school the next school day, when a child or young person has been involved or exposed to a domestic abuse incident the previous day/evening. It enables children to arrive at school and have their needs met, by trained Child Protection staff, who have been informed of the child’s ‘experience.’ National Domestic Violence 24hr free-phone hotline: 0808 2000 247. Mrs Carter is the named person who receives the Operation Encompass reports. 

Online Safety

Whilst the use of computers and phones to access online material can be incredibly useful and enhance a child’s education, it can also cause serious damage to mental health and relationships. Monitoring how your child accesses online material can be frustrating; it takes knowledge, time and persistence.

Our IT systems are monitored by the ACET IT Team and Securus. Monthly reports ars shared with Mrs Carter and Mrs Coles regarding any breaches of policy and inappropriate searches. Should there be an immediate risk, Securus contact the academy immediately so the breech can be investigated and dealt with. The system operates on all devices and users within Langwith Bassett Primary Academy. All the computers and laptops in the academy are monitored, and monthly reports are shared with the leadership team about any inappropriate searches or language used. These issues are dealt with accordingly. 

The NSPCC have information for parents and carers about keeping children safe online. The page can be accessed here.

Although it is vital to stay up to date with the latest developments and to understand what your child is accessing, the most effective way of ensuring your child’s safety is to talk to them openly and honestly about their lives online, without judgement. This will allow you to help them on their journey to becoming a safe user of the internet. Just like all social interaction, children will learn from their mistakes. It is important that they are able to make those mistakes in a supportive environment, with trusted adults to help them if things ever go wrong.

If someone has acted inappropriately towards your child online you can report it to CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) by clicking this link.

Child criminal exploitation (CCE)

Child Criminal Exploitation occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, control, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18. Staff attend training to keep their knowledge relevant and to have an awareness of the current issues and trends in the local area. Although we would like to believe these things don't happen locally to us, they do. This is why we need to be vigilant and observant of our pupils and wider community. Parents and carers play a vital part in safeguarding their children from such crimes. Further information can be found on the PACE webiste.

Child sexual exploitation (CSE)

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a form of child sexual abuse. Child sexual exploitation is a term used to describe where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child under the age of 18 into sexual activity. The child may have been sexually exploited even where the sexual activity appears consensual. For instance, the child might have been led to believe they are in a consensual relationship with the person. 

Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology, such as social media and gaming apps. It's important that people recognise that exploitation is child sexual abuse and should be seen as such. 

County Lines

The NPCC definition of a County Line is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas [within the UK], using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of “deal line”. They are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move [and store] the drugs and money and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons. 

Staff within school receive regular updates and training regarding CSE, CCE and county lines. We are vigilant and proactive with any concerns that we may have.

Alfie's story can be viewed on YouTube and demonstrates how a young boy is groomed and ends up involved with county lines.

Fire Drill 

Each half term the whole academy takes part in a 'fire drill' to ensure all pupils and staff know how to evacuate the academy safely. These take place on different days and at different times to guarantee we are prepared for all situations. 

Lockdown procedures

We also practice lockdown procedures. This procedure is to safeguard children and staff should there be a local threat - aggressive dog in the grounds, poisonous gas cloud etc. Children are asked to remain calm and quiet and to stay in the classroom. Staff will ensure the doors are locked and the blinds are closed.