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Parents & Carers

  • Safeguarding Information
    For Parents And Carers

Buttercups Training is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners and expects all staff to share this commitment.

We are committed to provide a secure environment for learners, where learners feel and are kept safe. Wherever possible, we explain to learners how to recognise when they are at risk and exactly how to get help when they need it. Upon enrolment learners will receive our What is Safeguarding? leaflet so that they are aware of how to report safeguarding and welfare concerns to us.

Buttercups Training's key safeguarding objectives are to:

  • Promote a safe environment for all of our learners to learn and achieve
  • Actively promote the welfare of learners
  • Identify any learners who may be experiencing abuse or harm in the workplace, at home, or in relationships
  • Take appropriate action to ensure learners' safety (Child and Adult Protection)
  • Identify people who are experiencing or likely to experience significant harm, or are at risk of being drawn into radicalisation/terrorism

Parents and carers are encouraged to access our Learner Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy to better understand our statutory responsibilities in regard to safeguarding, child protection and the protection of adults with additional needs who are learning with Buttercups.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT YOUR CHILD

If learners, parents or carers have any safeguarding/welfare concerns during office hours, they should contact a member of the Buttercups Training Safeguarding and Welfare Team on: 

01159 374 936

If you have a concern outside of office hours then please contact the Buttercups Training Designated Safeguarding Lead, Andreas Blackwood on: 

07483038898

Alternatively, you can also contact your Local Authority, out of hours Social Care number, for any concerns relating to a child under 18, which you can find by putting in the postcode of where you are reporting from on the following website https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse-to-local-council

If you child is experiencing abuse or has a welfare concern then you can visit the Stay Safe section of the Buttercups Training website, where you will find lots of useful information and links to external support services for help and advice.

Please view the Buttercups Training Child Protection for Children in Training and Apprenticeships – Information for Parents and Carers leaflet for further information

EXTREMISM, RADICALISATION AND THE PREVENT DUTY

At Buttercups Training we respond to the threat of radicalisation and extremism through our Learner Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and Procedure and our Prevent Policy and Procedure.

Through the government’s Prevent Strategy we are responding to our duty as an education provider to show due regard to the safety of our learners. We want to ensure that our learners are able to protect themselves and others from the threat of radicalisation and extremism and know who to report concerns to if they are worried.

WHAT CAN I DO AS A PARENT/CARER TO PROTECT MY CHILD FROM RADICALISATION AND EXTREMIST INFLUENCES?

As a parent/carer, you are the most important person in keeping your child safe.

Unfortunately, there has been an increase in the radicalisation of children and young people by extremists using online and social media platforms. Making your child aware of the dangers of being approached online and how they can keep themselves safe online is very important.

The following website has been developed by the Department of Education and Home Office in order to provide parents with practical advice, support and resources to protect children from extremism and radicalisation:

www.educateagainsthate.com/parents/

Parents can access the protecting your child from extremism leaflet below:

EHA Parents Booklet 2018

If you have concerns about your child relating to extremism and radicalisation, you can receive support and advice from your local police by calling 101. They will treat the matter with total confidence and will do all they can to help to prevent your child turning to behaviour that breaks the law.

E-SAFETY

Buttercups Training has an E-Safety Policy which learners are able to access in their learner handbook. The purpose of the policy is to safeguard activity on electronic devices and the internet, in addition to raising awareness of how to stay safe online. As a parent or carer you play a key role in helping your child to stay safe online and you may find the following resources useful:

www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents
www.saferinternet.org.uk/parents-and-carers

BULLYING

Buttercups Training will promote an antibullying ethos amongst the staff and learner community and reinforce the Bullying and Harassment Policy with new and existing staff and learners.

Please visit the following website for more information:

www.bullying.co.uk/advice-for-parents/

If your child is being bullied in the workplace then you may find the following governmental guidance useful:

www.gov.uk/workplace-bullying-and-harassment

CYBERBULLYING

Cyberbullying is any form of bullying which takes place online and/or through e-devices such as smartphones and tablets.

Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or malicious content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behaviour.

You may find the following resource useful:

www.saferinternet.org.uk/cyberbullying-advice-parents-and-carers

MENTAL HEALTH

Mental ill health can affect anyone, at any time, at any point in their life. If your child is struggling with their mental health then this can be very worrying for you as a parent or carer.

Keeping yourself informed on how to best support your child as well as any professional support your child may need is important and may help you understand what your child is going through:

www.youngminds.org.uk/parents-survival-guide/

CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

Buttercups Training takes all instances of exploitation extremely seriously, and involves the police and other agencies where necessary. As a parent or carer, you are in a good position to recognise some of the risks and vulnerabilities children and young people face as they grow up, as well as what you can do to help protect them. You may find the following resource useful:

www.parentsprotect.co.uk/what-is-child-sexual-exploitation

CHILD CRIMINAL EXPLOITATION

Criminal exploitation is also known as 'county lines' and is when gangs and organised crime networks exploit children to sell drugs. Often these children are made to travel across counties, and they use dedicated mobile phone ‘lines’ to supply drugs. For more information and who to contact if you are concerned about your child, please visit the following websites:

www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-is-county-lines
www.childrenssociety.org.uk/worried_about_your_child_being_criminally_exploited