Topics for this month:

Staying safe as lockdown restrictions ease

Despite restrictions easing on 19th July, we all need to do our bit to keep ourselves and others safe from COVID-19.  So, what can you do?

Get double vaccinated!

  • One of the most important things you can do is to get both doses of the COVID-19 vaccination. Whilst the vaccine doesn’t offer 100% protection against the virus – no vaccine can – it does reduce the chance of you catching or spreading the virus. If you do contract coronavirus, you’re significantly less likely to become seriously ill or die than if you were unvaccinated.
  • Vaccination appointments are now available to anyone over the age of 18. Vaccination is fast, safe and effective. You can book your vaccine appointments online through the NHS website or through a walk-in centre! You need to get both doses in order to get the full protection the jab offers.

Keep wearing your face mask!

  • Though wearing face masks and coverings are no longer required by law, the government is recommending that people wear face coverings in crowded places like public transport. Continuing to wear a face mask is a sensible and easy precaution to take to avoid passing COVID-19 to other people. Many establishments, including major supermarket chains, will be continuing to encourage customers to wear face masks and we will be encouraging our learners and employers to do the same whilst JTM staff are visiting/working with you.

Stay at home when you’re asked to!

  • It may feel inconvenient and frustrating but self-isolating is an incredibly important step we can all take to avoid passing the virus on to other people.
  • If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 – namely a new, continuous cough, a fever or loss of your taste or smell – then you need to self-isolate and stay at home.
  • If you start feeling unwell, stay at home and book a PCR test online. You can have one sent to your home or book to go to a testing site.
  • You should also self-isolate if anyone in your household has symptoms or tests positive, or if you are told to by Test and Trace.

Spend time with loved ones but take precautions

  • Spending time with other people is important for our mental health and overall well-being. But catching COVID-19 is sure to put a downer on a fun day with friends. When meeting up with people, take some precautions to stay safe.
  • Avoid mixing with lots of people, socialising close together or staying together for long periods of time. Spending time outdoors is still the safest way to socialise.

Get tested!

  • As well as ordering PCR tests when you have symptoms, it’s also a good idea to use lateral flow test kits twice a week and we encourage all of our staff to do this to keep everyone safe.
  • The tests can pick up an asymptomatic infection and give you a result in 30 minutes which can help you avoid unknowingly passing COVID-19 on to anyone else.
  • You can get lateral flow test kits online or from your pharmacist.

For further information, please visit:  https://patient.info/news-and-features/19th-july-staying-safe-as-covid-19-restrictions-ease?xnpe_tifc=bDBsb.B_hFe.hkn7hkn7hypJRfn-bD1DbDQL4dHAxdbD4GllxF4_tfPNOInAxDYd4Db84DU_4FENrFojxuoDbIVZ4fxZh.LshIoT&utm_source=exponea&utm_campaign=PA%20Newsletter%2073rd%20edition%2020/07/2021&utm_medium=email

Mental health support- CAMHS

Liverpool’s mental health services are here to help when children and young people find it hard to cope with family life, training, or the wider world. Please view the poster attached by CAMHS with further information regarding support services.

Domestic abuse

Domestic abuse and violence are a crime, it is when there is violent, abusive, or bullying behaviour or actions towards another person often a partner or former partner to scare and control them. It can happen at home or outside the home and at any time, and anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, sexuality, or background.

Domestic violence is a major contributor to ill health, it has serious consequences on your mental and physical health, including sexual health. This can include injuries, temporary or permanent disabilities, depression and sometimes self- harming that leads onto suicide. Domestic violence affects one’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours and can significantly impact one’s mental stability. Increased anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms are commonly observed among survivors of domestic violence.

Recognise domestic abuse

Does your partner, ex-partner or someone you live with:

  • cut you off from family and friends and intentionally isolate you?
  • bully, threaten, or control you?
  • take control of your finances?
  • monitor or limit your use of technology?
  • physically and/or sexually abuse you?

Domestic abuse is not always physical violence. It can also include:

  • coercive control and ‘gaslighting’
  • economic abuse
  • online abuse
  • threats and intimidation
  • emotional abuse
  • sexual abuse

If you believe that you are a victim of domestic abuse, there are signs that you can look out for including:

  • being withdrawn, or being isolated
  • having bruises, burns or bite marks on you
  • having your finances controlled, or not being given enough to buy food, medication or pay bills
  • not being allowed to leave your house, or stopped from going to college or work
  • having your internet or social media use monitored, or someone else reading your texts, emails, or letters
  • being repeatedly belittled, put down or told you are worthless
  • being pressured into sex or sexual contact
  • being told that abuse is your fault, or that you’re overreacting

Get help and support

All forms of domestic abuse are not acceptable in any situation.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse and feel frightened of, or controlled by, a partner, an ex-partner or family member, it is important to remember that it is not your fault and there is no shame in seeking help.

It may seem like a difficult step to take, but there is support available and #YouAreNotAlone.

Free, confidential support and advice is available to victims and their concerned family members or friends, 24 hours a day.

Respect – Men’s Advice Line

The Men’s Advice Line is a confidential helpline for all men experiencing domestic violence by a current or ex-partner. They provide emotional support and practical advice and can give you details of specialist services that can give you advice on legal, housing, child contact, mental health, and other issues.

Freephone 0808 8010327

Website: www.mensadviceline.org.uk

National Domestic Abuse helpline

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is a freephone 24-hour helpline which provides advice and support to women and can refer them to emergency accommodation. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is run by Refuge.

Freephone: 0808 2000 247

Website: www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk

How to Develop Healthy Habits on Screen Time – Ineqe Group

Children and young people being glued to the screen is not a new issue for parents, but the culture of entertainment and social interactions has changed so much over the last year that it is certainly a much bigger challenge.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, children’s lives have adapted to include much more screen time as a necessity for meeting their educational, social and entertainment needs. Therefore, in order to promote a better relationship with our screens and devices, the Ineqe Group have released a Family Activity pack. This is based on the very latest research and is full of fun and exciting ways to promote healthy screen time habits – for the whole family!

Visit the following link for more information: https://ineqe.com/2021/07/09/down-the-devices-how-to-develop-healthy-habits-on-screen-time/?utm_campaign=Ineqe%20Safeguarding%20Roundup&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=139399131&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9JBDZhaCTlY5Vowkvn-fko0DOoyI6lAqmjwlJa6nSn57LKY2j0A8hzAJeJZpGewTQyIpEEW9bPAPGhLSaCgTxZELK0UsB0Jm0lIKgz92GDA-VuZYI&utm_content=139399131&utm_source=hs_email

Cyberbullying

Bullying is not a normal part of childhood and should never happen in any form. Unfortunately, this is a common struggle for children and young people today, and advancing technology only increases the risk.

The long-term impact of cyberbullying on a young person’s physical and mental wellbeing can be profound. Cyberbullying, as with all bullying, can contribute to mental health disorders, substance misuse, and, in extreme cases, suicidal ideation. 

What to do if a Child or Young Person in Your Care is Being Bullied Online

Children and young people in your care may not use the word bullying to describe what is happening to them, so it’s important to listen if they mention things which are upsetting them or worrying them online. 

You can use the following advice if a child or young person describes an experience which sounds like, or is, online bullying:

  • Take the time to listen to them and try not to interrupt. It is important not to get angry or upset at the situation
  • Don’t stop them from accessing social media platforms or online games. This will likely feel like punishment and may stop them from confiding in you in the future 
  • Reassure the child or young person that things will change, and that they have done the right thing by telling you. This can help reduce any anxiety they might be feeling
  • Make sure the child or young person knows that it is not their fault and that they have done nothing wrong
  • As a parent or carer, it is important not to get involved or retaliate in cases of online bullying. This will likely make the situation worse for the child or young person
  • Talk to your child about what they would like to see happen. Involving them in how the bullying is resolved will help them feel in control of the situation

For more information, please visit: https://ineqe.com/2021/07/14/cyberbullying/

Monkey Web / App – Ineqe Safeguarding Group

Ineqe online safety experts have been alerted to an extremely dangerous website and app called ‘Monkey’, which allows users to have video calls with strangers.

The platform markets itself as ‘an alternative to Omegle, with a TikTok vibe’. Ineqe’s online safety experts reviewed and tested this platform and have found that it contains large amounts of inappropriate, disturbing, and harmful content transmitted via web cameras.

What is Monkey?

  • Monkey is an online video chat service that is similar to Omegle or Chat Roulette, with a TikTok style interface.
  • Users can talk to strangers from all over the world via webcam.
  • Once a conversation is finished, or one user wishes to leave the conversation or talk to someone else, they click ‘next’ and are presented with a new user who could be from anywhere in the world.
  • Users are asked to select their gender before meeting people.

What is the age rating?

The website states that all users must be over 18, but there is zero age verification. Users only have to tick a box to confirm that they are over 18. Google Play Age Rating: Parental Guidance.

The app is currently only available on Android devices.

Please visit Ineqe’s website to vie the article in full and read further information covering:

  • What the key functions of Monkey are
  • Key safeguarding concerns
  • Safety and privacy settings
  • Ineqe safety experts advice on ‘Top Tips for talking to your child about online risks’

Scam Calls

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) is warning the public to be vigilant of scam calls that appear to be coming from numbers similar to their own.

Commonly, the first seven digits (07nnnnn) match the victim’s own number. The calls impersonate well-known government organisations, or law enforcement agencies, and will ask the recipient of the call to “press 1” in order to speak with an advisor, or police officer, about unpaid fines or police warrants.

In May 2021, Action Fraud received 2,110 scam call reports where the caller’s number matched the first seven digits of the victim’s own phone number. Of these, 1,426 (68%) referred to HMRC or National Insurance. Victims have also reported receiving these types of calls, and messaging, via widely-used messaging apps, such as WhatsApp.

What you need to do

  • Government and law enforcement agencies will not notify you about unpaid fines or outstanding police warrants by calling or texting you. Do not respond to any calls or texts you receive about these.
  • Always take a moment to stop and think before parting with money or your personal information, it could prevent you from falling victim to fraud. Remember, it’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
  • If you receive a suspicious text message, you can report it by forwarding the message to 7726. It’s free of charge.
  • Suspicious telephone/mobile calls can be reported to Action Fraud via their website: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report-phishing

UK’s biggest parenting website ‘Netmums’ teams up with Counter Terrorism

Launched on Tuesday 6th July 2021 to promote ACT Early (actearly.uk) among mothers specifically, this is the first ever digital partnership focused on supporting Prevent’s work. As you will be aware, ACT Early aims to encourage family and friends to share concerns about a loved one being radicalised.

The partnership comes at a time when the number of children being arrested for terrorism offences increases at an unprecedented rate, and the partnership will help parents protect their children from terrorist grooming.

By focusing the partnership on reaching mothers, rather than family members more broadly, it will enable Netmums to create the best possible campaign for that audience, tailoring content to them and their specific needs and concerns. Netmums is an established and trusted brand with a strong presence among mothers.

We have attached to this bulletin two posters shared by Netmums for your information.

Please click here to see Netmum’s poster on extremism.