Safeguarding
St Anthony’s Girls’ Catholic Academy fully recognises that keeping our students safe and promoting their wellbeing is of utmost importance. Everyone who comes into contact with children has a role to play in safeguarding. The curriculum provides opportunities for students to become equipped with the skills they need to keep themselves safe and lead healthy lives. Our PHSE programme, assemblies and tutorial programme enables students to develop the attitudes needed to lead responsible lives. We encourage our students to talk to an adult if they are worried or in difficulty, and all staff are trained in safeguarding.
Designated Safeguarding Lead – Mrs M Lanaghan
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead – Mrs F Collins
Director of Pupil Support – Mrs K Richardson-Dunn
Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy 2020-2021 (2021-22 Policy to be published soon)
Operation Encompass Letter to Parent/Carer
Northumbria Police MDMA Info Leaflet For Children and Young People Oct 2020
County Lines Information for Parents and Carers
Student events coming soon:
Year 8 Sharing Images workshop
Northumbria Police’s Prevention Through Education Team will be visiting our school on 11th and 12th October to deliver a session on the risks and consequences associated with the sharing of inappropriate images via text message and social media. Police are seeing an increase in self-generated indecent images from children which has been made worse by lockdowns. The purpose of the presentation is to equip children with the knowledge and skills to protect themselves on the internet from this growing threat, and to make them aware of how these images can be used to exploit young people. The session covers:
* what is an inappropriate image?
* why young people send inappropriate images
* consequences
* the law
* where to find help and support when images have been shared
If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Useful resources for Parents, Carers and Students:
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Coping with self harm – Charlie Waller
Mental health problems in young people – Charlie Waller
Looking back and planning ahead toolkit
E-Safety
Online Safety Tips for Parents of 11-13 year olds – Internet Matters
Online safety Guide 14+ years – Internet Matters
Digital Resilience Toolkit 11-13 years – Internet Matters
Digital Resilience Toolkit 14+ years – Internet Matters
Anti-Bullying
Supporting your child’s mental health during the period of school closure
Top ten tips for coping with change for parents
Secondary wellbeing challenge pack 2020
“Signpost North East and North Cumbria!” is a collection of Wellbeing and Mental Health Resources and Services in our area https://www.signpostnenc.co.uk/
Support Sessions for Parents/Carers
Promoting the good mental health and wellbeing of our students is one of the key priorities of our Academy. We work with a number of professional organisations to give our young people the best possible support. We are delighted to work alongside the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families who support parents and carers as well as young people. Please see below information for a number of upcoming events and webinars which you may find useful. They cover a wide range of topics including managing challenging behaviour, self harm and building resilience. The first webinar is for parents/carers of students in Year 7 and is taking place on Wednesday 22nd September. All sessions are virtual using Zoom and places are limited for some events.
‘Connecting parents/carers’ groups
There are 6 groups on offer running for one hour on different days and times. Each group will be offered to parents from a variety of secondary schools and will be closed once at capacity (maximum 12 spaces per group).
The 4-week groups aim to provide a reflective space to think about the challenges of parenting adolescents, as well as a space for parents/carers to attend to their own wellbeing. The groups are not webinars and they are also not therapy, but rather aim to support parental emotional wellbeing and the connection between parents/carers and their teens. It is an interactive group with a mixture of teaching and discussion to structure the reflective space.
One week before the groups start, an online “coffee meeting” will be held by each group facilitator on the day and the time their group will run, meaning any parent/carer interested in the group can attend to hear what the group is all about, to meet the group facilitator and to ask questions. This is to ensure they have all the information needed to decide whether the group is for them. After that, parents/carers will be asked to register for the actual group and places will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. Only those who attend the coffee meeting will be sent the registration link for the group.
The 4-week groups are held using the online platform Zoom and are led by a trained facilitator who will create a helping environment which enables parents/carers to support and learn from each other. The structure is inviting contributions, and for parents/carers to make connections over the issues brought.
Please see the below ‘coffee meeting’ links:
· Coffee meeting Monday 20th September at 13.00 – 14.00 – Register here:
https://annafreud.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJErceqspzguH9xoDPqv1MKHv2hP9Mzk5eb9%20%20
· Coffee meeting Tuesday 21st September at 13.00 – 14.00 – Register here:
https://annafreud.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwuduqhrzIvHNfWNfAZRpnj-FFVZUKlQCh6
· Coffee meeting Tuesday 21st September at 19.00 – 20.00 – Register here:
https://annafreud.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAkceqorDkiGN37QtG05LsIzTPr3WTetlPb
· Coffee meeting Wednesday 22nd September at 12.00 – 13.00 – Register here:
https://annafreud.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYqce2hrTItHtLfts4LIcNCQnE8uID414jw
· Coffee meeting Wednesday 22nd September at 17.30 – 18.30 – Register here:
https://annafreud.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwqcuivqjwiHd3z4_4AxeCu0o42Y2uwNy5t
· Coffee meeting Thursday 23rd September at 12.00 – 13.00 – Register here:
https://annafreud.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkcOyuqD8qGtTVDt7L1FKpU9H6WdL08nFE
Webinar series
The purpose of the webinars is to expand the reach of core information services for parents/carers of adolescents, which can be difficult to find outside clinical services.
In the autumn term 2021, five webinars will be piloted by the clinical lead of the parent/carer provision, Dr Theresa Schwaiger, together with another parent/carer practitioner. The topics were chosen to reflect core developmental processes in adolescence and common difficulties parents can struggle with. The content is psycho-educational, strategy-based and solution-focused.
Links to join the Webinars are below:
Transition to secondary school: supporting your year 7 child with the ending and new beginning?
Date: Wednesday 22nd September 2021, 5-6pm
The transition from primary to secondary school is a milestone for children, and this big change naturally causes mixed feelings such as sadness, anxiety and excitement. Due to the pandemic over the last year, children may be more fearful of this change because goodbyes may not have taken place as usual, and many children may have become used to staying at home close to their parents/carers. This webinar is for parents of year 7 students. It will offer ideas on the possible impact of this big change on children, and tips on how parents/carers can support and guide their children through the transition. Places on this webinar won’t be limited and there will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://annafreud.zoom.us/j/98922310853?pwd=OEFCRUFWZHIyd1ZpNzY1Vkw0ajBEdz09
Passcode: 693180
Managing challenging teenage behaviour: tips and tricks
Date: Monday 27th September 2021, 12.30-1.30pm
Most adolescents will at some stage in their development engage in behaviour that parents find challenging and worrying, for instance, substance misuse, being overly argumentative and rejecting, oppositional behaviour and excessive social media use. It can become difficult for parents to find ways of discussing their concerns with their teens who may increasingly not want to hear any advice their parents have to offer. This webinar will provide an overview of adolescent development and the brain, including common challenging behaviours during adolescence. It will discuss different parenting styles and offer tips for parents/carers on how to approach and discuss challenging behaviour with teens, and how to set boundaries. Places on this webinar won’t be limited and there will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://annafreud.zoom.us/j/98838360255?pwd=eVJWc1J5bGJlZGMyd3R6dnI5WXVaZz09
Passcode: 490416
Weathering the storms of strong teen emotions: do’s, don’ts and when to consider talking to someone
Date: Tuesday 5th?October 2021, 5-6pm
Adolescence inherently consists of many storms that parents/carers, families, and young people have to weather, many of which are driven by an intensity of emotions that is unique to this developmental stage. Teenagers grapple with their own identity, their social relationships, and their need for autonomy, and in turn parents face the challenge of being left out, managing their own reactions to strong teen emotions, and finding different ways of connecting with their teens. This webinar will provide an overview of the changes adolescents go through, why teenagers experience such strong emotional fluctuations and how these are linked to processes in the brain. It will offer ideas on how to support teenager with their strong feelings and what to best avoid. Lastly, the webinar will discuss the difference between normal emotional difficulties in adolescence and issues that may need additional support. Places on this webinar won’t be limited and there will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://annafreud.zoom.us/j/97207714291?pwd=dm1DSCtKWmFrT0JHdlBRbzFQRUYzUT09
Passcode: 842760
Building resilience, staying connected and nurturing your relationship with your teen
Date: Wednesday 13th October 2021, 5-6pm
Adolescence is a time of insecurity, strong feelings and growing autonomy which naturally affects the parent-child relationship and requires parents to find new ways of connecting with their teenagers. Parents/carers may feel left out and worried, and they may experience a sense of loss over the relationship they used to have with their children when they were younger. This webinar offers ideas on how to maintain and build trust with teenagers, how to stay connected and how to nurture the relationship with their teen. Places on this webinar won’t be limited and there will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end.
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://annafreud.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oIrsMNfdSFW91HfruLTYww
Passcode: 416529
Adolescent self–harm: how to make sense of it and when to seek support
Date: Wednesday 20th October 2021, 5-6pm
Adolescence brings about many challenges, including insecurity, self-consciousness, anxiety about one’s own body, and peer pressure. It is not uncommon for teenagers to engage in some self-harmful behaviour for a period of time, for instance cutting, hair pulling or scratching. Understandably, these behaviours can be very concerning, distressing, and confusing for parents/carers. This webinar will provide an overview of the risk factors and methods of self-harm. It will explore the various reasons why young people may self-harm and offer ideas on how parents/carers can talk to and support their teens. Lastly, it will discuss instances of self-harmful behaviour that may require professional support. Places on this webinar won’t be limited and there will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://annafreud.zoom.us/j/96012240950?pwd=UXhUekZiU0ZiUUt2Vy9DWDR4Nmx3QT09
Passcode: 039531
Schools Support Service
Our school is offering support sessions for parents and carers.
These are being delivered by the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families (AFNCCF), a leading mental health and wellbeing charity.
This is an individual 45-minute appointment via phone or video call with specialist staff from AFNCCF.
The offer is one appointment with one optional follow up appointment.
You are welcome to use this session to bring worries and concerns about your young person and/or the parenting relationship.
The Centre will provide appointments as quickly as possible, and at a time convenient for you.
To book a consultation call please use the following link:
https://forms.office.com/r/Xu0GStXraV
If you have any queries, please contact us at:
Email: schoolssupportservice@annafreud.org