Safer Schools & Young Persons Partnership News:
Hand Spinners
Can I make you aware of the following about ‘Hand Spinners’, which are a fidget toy and the latest craze for Young People. As per most things there is always a dark side, the hand spinners are now being produced in the form of throwing stars etc.
What are they?
Fidget toys are tiny, pocket-sized toys intended to keep hands busy. A step up from stress balls, they typically feature little buttons, switches and joysticks that move back and forth, or propellers that spin. But the toys are being marketed as stress relievers or to help kids burn up pent-up energy that so often gets them into trouble. Some claim to have been modeled after stress tools for kids with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder); others say they’re just for fun.
The most popular of the fidget toys are fidget spinners that are mesmerizing to simply watch, but can also be used for tricks. The spinners typically feature two or more propellers and a low-friction, ball bearing centre that allow them to spin for a minute or more at a time. While they spin, users transfer them from hand to hand or finger to finger, while tossing them in the air.
However, there are spinners available with blades, retractable blades which are available online – some go by different names such as Naruto Shuriken Turn darts, Naruto Shuriken and Naruto Dragon.
Please be mindful for the safety of yourselves and children.
Please note- Young Person in possession of throwing stars or any object with a blade attached leaves them open to being dealt with for being in possession of a blade on school premises and throwing stars are themselves an offensive weapons.
E-Safety Officers programme Updates
It’s come to our attention that several young children have access to apps and games on their electronic devices which are scary and not suitable for their age. We thought it might be useful to highlight for parents and Guardians that each app and game should have a PEGI rating which will give them a clear idea of what age their child should be to access it and the type of content you should expect on the site/app. Some of the games that the Young People are accessing are 12 rating games which can be extremely scary for children under 12. Please see below the PEGI rating and symbols and for further information please visit the think u know / net-aware site for some really good & helpful tips –
Stay up to date and keep your child safe in today's digital world
Your guide to the social networks your kids use
Blue Whale Update – For professionals and school staff only – not to be released to general public .
You may be aware of the ‘so-called’ online challenge called Blue Whale which has been widely reported in national media as apparently targeting young and vulnerable people.
Blue Whale is an international/national issue and there is speculation that it is responsible for a number of teenage suicides in Russia. However, this has never been proven and the NCA have described it as a hoax.
There has been an incident linked to a missing persons case recently which was thought to have been linked to Blue Whale, however, further enquiries have established that this does not appear to have been the case.
While it is important to communicate with young people about this issue, the force’s position is to keep all communications through the Youth Engagement Officers, the schools and our partners – strictly through face to face communications and not via press, social media or Cheshire Alert. This is considered a more targeted – and proportionate – approach to addressing the issue.
Although there have been reports in national media, it is felt within Cheshire that if anything was to be issued proactively to our local papers or via our social media accounts, this would publicise Blue Whale and exacerbate the problem. We have released only one statement on this issue, on a reactive basis as we were asked for a comment from the Chester Chronicle about Blue Whale. This merely stated we were aware of the ‘so-called’ online challenge, asked parents to remain vigilant around what their child may be accessing online, gave minimal advice to young people to block/report any online activity that makes them uncomfortable/upset and explained our Youth Engagement Officers have been working with local schools.
We do not, at this stage, have a recognized threat with Blue Whale in Cheshire, and do not want to create an issue by inadvertently passing material into the media.
NSPCC research into children’s views on social media sites
The NSPCC has released figures from research looking at the views of children and young people on their confidence, knowledge and understanding of online safety. Findings from a survey of 1,696 children and young people across the UK include: 1,380 (4 out of 5) said social media sites need to do more to protect them from inappropriate or harmful content; ASKfm, Omegle, IMVU, and Facebook were rated as some of the most risky sites; children reported coming across pornography, self-harm, and bullying and hatred on social media sites. The findings have informed the development of the updated Net Aware guide for parents and carers.
Source:NSPCCDate: 27 April 2017
Further information:NetAware
Net Aware social media guide for parents
The NSPCC has launched an updated Net Aware site for parents and carers. The site, run in partnership with O2, and informed by 1,696 children and young people and 674 parents and carers includes: tips showing how to help your child block or report someone targeting them; a guide to 39 of the most popular social media sites, apps and games used by children and young people including information about new apps like Pokemon Go, Periscope, IMVU, and Live.ly.
Source: NSPCCDate: 27 April 2017
Further information: Net Aware
Online safety: what young people want parents to know
The UK Safer Internet Centre has released findings from a consultation of young people looking at what they think their parents need to understand better about their digital lives. Findings from the consultation of 65 young people aged 11-18 years revealed that parents need to: understand that the internet plays an important and positive role in their lives; allow young people some freedom to build trust and independence.
Source:UK Safer Internet CentreDate: 26 April 2017
Young peoples’ mobile device use
The Headmasters’ & Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC) has released figures following a survey of more than 5,000 secondary school pupils and parents looking attitudes and behaviours relating to mobile device use. Findings from the survey include: 72% of students said they spent anything between 3 and 10 hours online on an average day during weekends and holidays; children’s biggest concern about being on-line is lack of sleep (47%); parents’ biggest concern about their children being online is the impact on their social skills (32%).
Source:HMCDate: 23 April 2017
Further information:BBC
Childnet Youth Ambassador
Childnet International is looking for young people aged 13 to 17 to become Youth Ambassadors for Project deSHAME, a new project that aims to work towards online equality and to find ways to remove and prevent the online pressures and harassment young people can face. Youth Ambassadors will have the opportunity to share their experiences and views on issues such as cyberbullying, peer pressure, healthy relationships and online sexual harassment. Applications close on 16 June 2017.
Source:Childnet InternationalDate: 05 May 2017
Further information:Role description for a Childnet Youth Ambassador (PDF)
Safer internet
Writing in a blog Alan Earl, a police officer working with the UK Safer Internet Centre, discusses the disconnect between children and young people’s desire for online privacy and their parent’s role in protecting them from harmful content online.
Source:UK Safer Internet Centre Date: 03 May 2017
Illegal and dangerous online content
The Home Affairs Committee has published a report following an inquiry into online hate, abuse and extremism. Recommendations include: all social media companies should introduce clear and well-funded arrangements for proactively identifying and removing illegal content - particularly dangerous terrorist content or material related to online child abuse; the Government should assess whether failure to remove illegal material is in itself a crime and, if not, how the law should be strengthened.
Source:UK ParliamentDate: 01 May 2017
Further information:Hate crime: abuse, hate and extremism online (PDF)
O2 NSPCC Community Events
If you would like to register your interest for the O2 NSPCC team to attend a community event in your area, please e-mail
Your contact info (name, e-mail and mobile number)
The team can deliver workshops to parents about online safety (approx. 1hr) or attend in a different capacity, such as be on hand to show parents how to apply parental controls to their devices.
Any events the O2 NSPCC team attend must be aimed at parents.
Please note: registering your interest does not guarantee they will be able to attend – the team will respond within 5 working days to confirm the next steps.
For more information about the O2 NSPCC partnership, you can visit the O2 website here or NSPCC website here.
Partners News
Local Theatre company invites you to -
We are a two woman theatre company based in the Chester who write and perform our own theatre, allofwhich explorelifeissues.Our first being 'Over the Garden Fence'.Thisplay encourages conversation and engages audiences in the discussionofnot only dementia but the importanceofthe individual behind the diagnosis. Professional’s, mental health care services, careers andfamilies, have seen our plays as a tool to bring people together and discuss prevalent and complex issues.
We would liketo invite you to our upcoming performance of'Over the Garden Fence' which we are bringing to Storyhouse Theatre, Chester on 20th Mayat 7pm, forticketssee here:
Hayley and Louise - Haylo Theatre 07754887540
National News
Children and young people’s mental health: the role of education
The Health and Education Select Committees have published findings from their joint inquiry into the role of education in promoting emotional wellbeing in children and young people in England. Recommendations include: the need for a whole school approach that embeds the promotion of well-being throughout school and college culture, and not confined to the provision of PSHE classes; the inclusion of mental health training in teacher training and ensuring current teachers also receive training; the development of a structured approach to referrals from education providers to CAMHS; schools and colleges should help children and young people develop the skills and ability to make wiser and more informed choices about their use of social media.
Source: UK ParliamentDate: 02 May 2017
Further information:Children and young people’s mental health - the role of education (PDF)
National Calibration dates
17 May is IDAHOBIT
International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
To mark IDAHOBIT this year, our free termly resource focuses on a person called Gilbert Baker who passed away recently. Gilbert was the creator of the rainbow or "Pride" flag, which has become such an important symbol for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) community.
This easy to use PowerPoint (with short film hyperlinked within it), is simple and easy to use. It can serve to be an assembly topic marking IDAHOBIT on 17 May, or as a conversation starter, perhaps in tutor time.
We produce and send out these free resources termly. Click here to find the resources from previous terms.
If you have any comments or would like copy of the power point / feedback about our resources, or ideas for resources you'd like to see, we'd love to hear them. Please contact .
Child safety Week 5 – 11th June 2017
Visit the website for lots of free resources
Resources
The Link2ICT Safeguarding Suite
An integrated service to keep children safe in education by managing all safeguarding concerns in both the real and digital world.
We all have a legal duty to safeguard young people and with the wide range of issues to be managed, it is crucial that a holistic view of all concerns is available to fully understand the context and risk. Link2ICT's Safeguarding Suite supports this integrated and holistic view of safeguarding, ensuring all concerns are monitored, recorded and managed in an efficient and legally responsible manner.Click here to find out more about this integrated safeguarding service.
Link address:
Training
Alcohol Trust - Free training and Recourses available to High schools Pan Cheshire
We are working in partnership with the Alcohol Trust to offer the below free training to all our high schools. Once you have attended the training you will be able to access further free online resources which will help continue to support your deliverance of Alcohol and personal safety lessons to your students. This training has only been possible with the support from Crimebeat who recognise the importance of such awareness raising training around the misuse of Alcohol and the consequences relating to Alcohol misuse. They have very kindly offered to support this buy purchasing the resources on our behalf which then allows us to offer this training and resources free of charge to you. Places are being offered to 2 members of staff who will be able to deliver the training within their own school setting. The resources and training is suitable for our SEN school as well. Please do not delay as places will be limited.
- two and half hours FREE training sessions
- 2 Free places per school aimed at PSHE / Pastoral leads
- Each School will get a full resource pack
- CPD certificate
- Free on line access to the password protected area for the SEN resources and all the main Stream teacher work book resources , clips , teaching newsletter on regular basis
- Follow on workshops for parents and Guardians
- Leaflets for young people and Guardians
Programme
9.15 Registration & refreshments
9.30 Start
9.45 Introduction to AET and Key Elements
9.55 Talk about Alcohol 5 Key Sections
10.00 1. Assessing Knowledge
10.10 2.The Effects Physical & Social Interactive Body
10.25 3.Units & Guidelines Alcohol Clock Game
10.45 4. Staying Safe 'Just a Few Drinks'
11.00 The Importance of Parents
11.15 Break
11.30 SEND Aims & Key Methods
11.35 Setting ground rules
11.40 Meet the Characters
11.50 Foundation Learning
11.55 Emoji Equations
12.05 Risk Scale - Getting the balance right
12.15 Consent
12.25 Questions
12.30 Finish
Venue and booking details: (East venue 7 details to follow )
North
12th June 2017- Civic Suite at Runcorn Town Hall
To book please th the names and job role of who will be attending
WEST
3rd July 2017- Upton High School, St James Avenue, Upton, Chester, CH21NN
To book please e mail with the names and job role of who will be attending
Warrington
11th July 2017 – for further details please contact
Halton & CWAC
FREE Thinkuknow Introduction Course for Professionals
Professionals working with children and young people or in an advisory capacity to schools and other youth settings are eligible to attend the Thinkuknow Introduction course. The course is an induction to the "Thinkuknow" Programme, delivered by CEOP Ambassadors. The aims of the course are:-
- Introduce new technologies and how young people use them
- Highlight risks associated with these online environments
- Demonstrate the free "Thinuknow" education resources to respond to these risks
Halton
To book a place visit Halton Safeguarding Children Board website at
Dates of courses: 16th Feb 2018, Police HQ, Winsford,
Times of courses: (3 hour session) Either 9.30 am – 12.30 pm or 1.30 pm – 4.30 pm
CWAC
To book a place visitCheshire West LSCB
Dates of courses: 19th September 2017 Police HQ, Winsford,
Times of courses: (3 hour session) Either 9.30 am – 12.30 pm or 1.30 pm – 4.30 pm
*Please note that you can book on either of the two courses
Conferences
CWAC - Free Young Persons conference
This year’s FREE Young Person’s Conference, arranged in collaboration between the SCiE Team and PC Liz Stanton, -Lead Youth Engagement Officer, Safer Schools and Young Persons Partnership, will take place at Cheshire Police HQ, Winsford on Friday 23rd June 2017 from 9.00am until 3.30pm.
The event is aimed at professionals working with children and young people. The day will consist of children and young people from a variety of school settings and services delivering presentations and activities on issues that impact them, such as: Anxiety, LGBT and mental health etc. and advising how they would like professionals to support them in this area. This is the third year we have run this unique event in Cheshire West and Chester, and is focussed on the child’s voice, their thoughts, views and experiences, which will enable practitioners to learn and fully understand how to best support children and young people. There is a maximum of 40 places available for professionals, as the pupils will join professionals on their table to discuss topics being presented. Therefore, places will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. Lunch and refreshments will be provided on the day. As this event is FREE, non-attendance will result in a £50 cancellation charge.
We ask that professionals attending bring information about their service to display and distribute. If you are unable to attend but would like to send information about your service, please contact us directly on the SCiE email address.