At Bethersden Primary School every member of staff is dedicated to the safety and well-being of children. If you are concerned about the safety or happiness of a child please contcat the school and ask to speak to one of our Safeguarding Team. You can do this by phoning the school office on 01233 820479 and asking to speak top the Designated Safeguarding Lead or by emailing safeguarding@bethersden.kent.sch.uk
Kent Safeguarding Children Board
Kent Safeguarding Children Board woks to prtect and safeguard the children of Kent. Their website contains lots of useful information for professionals, parents, carers and young people.
Online safety
With technology advancing at a rate faster than most of us can cope, and with the added pressure of children nowadays being at the forefront of exposure to this advanced technological age with regard to the internet, mobile phones, laptops, computers and tablet devices, we believe that e-safety awareness and safe practice is of paramount importance.
While prevention is sometimes better than the cure as it is so often said, we understand and appreciate the need for children to learn of and embrace these technologies and as a result we equally understand the need to teach them to use it responsibly, ethically, wisely and to guide them on how to best prepare themselves to stay safe while online.
Internet Parental Controls: The four big internet providers – BT, Sky, Talk Talk and Virgin Media – provide their customers with free parental controls that can be activated at any time. Video tutorials on how to download and use these controls are available on the UK Safer Internet Centre website.www.saferinternet.org.uk/parental-controls
Safety Tools on Social Networks and Other Online Services: Information and advice on the safety tools, age requirements and terms and conditions for a variety of online services popular with young people. www.saferinternet.org.uk/safety-tools
Online Gaming: Childnet’s guide contains helpful advice and information on supporting children and young people playing games online.www.childnet.com/online-gaming
Young People and Social Networking Sites: Aims to help parents understand the positive and creative ways young people are using social networking spaces (e.g. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). It also points out the potential risks of using these sites and ways to minimise these risks.www.childnet.com/sns
Social Network Checklists: Free guides produced by the UK Safer Internet Centre that contain detailed instructions and information on privacy and account settings on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram. www.saferinternet.org.uk/checklists
Safer recruitment
Bethersden Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Any posts at the school are subject to an enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service and a check against the ISA Barred List for children.
We also follow KCC guidelines in regard to DBS checks for volunteers that help at our school.