At Sandhill View Academy we are always concerned about the health and well-being of our pupils. We know school life can be difficult and we are always standing by to help with any troubles that are stopping you from enjoying your time at Sandhill View. If you have any worries and need to talk at anytime (even during the holidays) then we’re here to help you. Speak directly to your tutor during term time, or message us using the confidential student support form here.
Safeguarding at Sandhill View
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is of paramount importance and is everyone’s responsibility within Sandhill View Academy & The Aspire North East Multi Academy Trust.
It is the responsibility of every member of staff, volunteer and regular visitor to our trust to ensure that they work in a way that will safeguard and promote the welfare of all of the pupils within the trust. This includes the responsibility to provide a safe environment in which children can learn.
We recognise that staff within our Trust play a particularly important role as they are in a position to identify concerns early and provide help for children to prevent concerns from escalating. All staff are advised to maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned. When concerned about the welfare of a child, staff members must always act in the best interests of the child.
The health and safety of the whole school community is paramount at all times. The Governing Body, Head teacher and all staff take their responsibilities very seriously. We adhere strictly to our Safeguarding & Child Protection policy.
Our school leads for student safeguarding are Mrs A. Johnston and Mrs A. O’Donell.
For specific issues and online guidance please look below to find the relevant advice.
The Safeguarding Team at Sandhill View Academy
Do You Need Support?
Operation Encompass
The purpose of Operation Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in a domestic abuse incident. Following an incident at home, children will often arrive at school distressed, upset and unprepared for the day.
Sunderland City Council, Northumbria Police and nominated Key Adults in school will be working together to make sure that school staff are made aware of an incident early enough to support pupils in school.
Why has Operation Encompass being introduced in Sunderland?
Operation Encompass was initially launched in Plymouth in February 2011 to address a shortcoming in the early sharing of information with schools. Since then several pilots have been set up across the UK, including the North East, and has proved to very successful in providing appropriate support in a timely manner. Pilots across the UK have reported positive outcomes for many children and young people.
Sunderland City Council, Northumbria Police and all schools in the city are taking part in the scheme, to help provide additional new support which will benefit children and young people in Sunderland and improve multi-agency sharing of information.
How will it work?
Schools across Sunderland will nominate two members of staff who will be known as Key Adults. All Key Adults will attend specific training to the role in preparation for Operation Encompass.
Each morning a police officer will review all domestic abuse incidents that occur outside of school but which might have had an impact on a child attending school the following day. Where children were present, witnessed or involved in a domestic abuse incident and aged between 4 and 16 years old, the officer will send this information to the Council’s Initial Contact and Referral Team who will then send this information in a secure format to the named Key Adult in the child’s school. The Key Adult will check their emails every day and the staff in contact with those pupils will then be in an informed position to support them in a way that is right for the child.
This information will be shared on school days during school term and, when incidents occur on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or over a holiday period, the police will contact the Council the following Monday.
All new parents will be sent a letter from their child’s school informing them about Operation Encompass.
Operation Encompass, please contact your school or visit http://www.operationencompass.org/
Operation Encompass at Sandhill View Academy
Together for Children works with children, young people and families in Sunderland. If you’re a child or young person in Sunderland and need help outside of school hours there are people who can help, including Together for Children.
If you have a safeguarding concern about a child or young person, please contact Children’s Safeguarding on 0191 561 7007.
Please note, this number should only be used during the following hours: Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 5.15pm and Friday, 8.30am to 4.45pm.
If you are ringing out of hours (evenings and weekends) please contact our Emergency Duty Team on 0191 520 5560.
You can find more information here.
Further Information, Advice & Resources
Below you will find a wide range of resources, links and websites that you can use to find help or support for a variety of issues that may be troubling you. Don’t forget you can always speak to an adult member of staff in school about any of these issues, we are always here to help and support you.
General Safeguarding Contacts and Advice
Health Advice
Advice on Bullying
Advice on Staying Safe Online
