Topics for this month:

‘Run, Hide, Tell’ – Counter Terrorism Police

Counter Terrorism Police are asking for the support to remind learners to remember three words that could save their life. Youngsters are being asked to read Run, Hide, Tell advice, which explains what to do in the event of a firearms or weapons attack. There is no specific intelligence to show that providers, colleges, universities etc. are being targeted, and the chances of being caught up in a terrorist incident or weapons attacks are extremely low. But sadly, we have seen lethal assaults can be carried out anywhere.

The police message is simple:

If anyone gets caught up in a firearms or weapons attack, police advice is:

Run to a place of safety. This is a far better option than to surrender or negotiate. If there is nowhere to go then…
Hide, it’s better than to confront. Remember to turn your phone to silent and turn off vibrate. Barricade yourself in if you can. Then finally, and only when it is safe to do so…
Tell the police by calling 999.

Click here for the run hide tell leaflet

County Lines – Police Mapping Data

The BBC reports that police data shows drug crimes in England and Wales have fallen by more than 50,000 in the past five years. However, the national averages hide a major shift in where drug crimes are being committed. London, the West Midlands and Liverpool are the biggest exporters of county lines drug crime, according to NCA analysis, with increasingly diverse areas targeted by the gangs, from large towns to rural communities.

In London, 30 out of 36 areas saw either a decrease or no significant change in recorded drug crime over the past five years. Moving outside of the capital, in the South East and East of England, there were 74 small towns and villages that bucked the trend and saw increases in drug crime. In Liverpool drug crime has fallen by nearly 20%, but 15 miles away in Chester it increased by 40%.

The push from drug gangs to find new markets within easy commuting distance of their home cities where competition for market share may be lower than in their base is sometimes called county lines. Click on the interactive map to show which areas are being targeted by county lines operations: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48343369

Social Media – A guide for staff who are working with young people

Childnet International, UK Safer Internet Centre and School Improvement Liverpool have produced an essential guide for all staff members to consider when using social media and protecting their own professional reputations.  As of September 2019, 202 educational staff working with young people have received Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) Prohibition Orders for the misuse of social media/technology in the last 3 years. Please find the guide attached to this email and share it with relevant staff to understand what not to do when working with young people.

Click here for more information

New Guidance

New guidance has been issued in September 2019 which includes:

  • Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills settings
  • Keeping Children Safe in Education – All staff, irrespective of their roles, must read, understand and be aware of their roles and responsibilities and the duty of care that they have, when working with children and young people. Part 1 (attached) outlines this information.

The guidance is attached for your information.

Click here for more information on safeguarding in the early years

Click here for more information on keeping children safe in education

ChildLine – ‘online and on the phone anytime’

ChildLine is a counselling service provided by the NSPCC for children and young people up to their 19th birthday in the United Kingdom. ChildLine deals with any issue which causes distress or concern, common issues dealt with include child abuse, bullying, mental illness, parental separation or divorce, teenage pregnancy, substance misuse, neglect, and psychological abuse.

There is a toolbox on the ChildLine website which has resources available for children and young people to use, as well as games, videos, an art box and message boards – were users can log in and track how they are feeling with a journal. The information given is between the user and a ChildLine Counsellor who will then offer the right support and advice that may help. On occasions depending on an individual’s safety and situation, ChildLine may have to share information with the Police and Social Services to best protect each young person.

You can talk to ChildLine about anything, no problem is too big or too small. Over half of all mental ill health starts by age 14 and 75% develops by age 18.

Call free on 0800 1111 or get in touch online. Whatever the worry, it is better out than in, ChildLine are there to support you and help you find ways to cope.

https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/

World Mental Health Day – 10th October 2019

World Mental Health Day is an opportunity for all of us to raise awareness of mental health issues and advocate against social stigma. Our mental health is just like our physical health: everybody has it and we need to take care of it. Mental health problems affect around one in four people in any given year. They range from common problems, such as depression and anxiety, to rarer problems such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

The theme of this year’s event is suicide and suicide prevention. Every year close to 800,000 people globally take their own life and there are many more people who attempt suicide. Every suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities and has long-lasting effects on the people left behind. It’s the leading cause of death among young people aged 20-34 years in the UK and is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds globally. The suicide rate for young females is now at its highest rate on record and in the UK, men are three times more likely to take their own lives.

There are a number of charities and organisations that are there to listen and to help anyone who is suffering from ill mental health and need support, such as:

You can call for free on 116 123 to speak to a Samarian, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You don’t have to feel suicidal to get in touch as 1 in 5 people who contact Samaritans feel suicidal. If you feel like you are struggling to cope and if you feel any of the following, contact the Samaritans and speak to someone who can help, even if what you are feeling is not on the list below.


Signs to look out for:

  • Lacking energy or feeling tired
  • Feeling exhausted all the time
  • Experiencing ‘brain fog’, find it hard to think clearly
  • Finding it hard to concentrate
  • Feeling restless and agitated
  • Feeling tearful, wanting to cry all the time
  • Not wanting to talk to or be with people
  • Not wanting to do things you usually enjoy
  • Using alcohol or drugs to cope with feelings
  • Finding it hard to cope with everyday things and tasks
  • Experiencing ‘burn out’

https://www.samaritans.org/

Mind provides information on a range of topics including:

  • types of mental health problems
  • where to get help
  • medication and alternative treatments
  • advocacy

and will look for details of help and support in the person’s own area.

Contact details:

Call on: 0300 123 3393 between 9am and 6pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays)

Text on: 86463

Email: [email protected]

https://www.mind.org.uk/

Papyrus is a national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. You can contact Papyrus if you feel suicidal or if you are worried about someone else by contacting HOPELINEUK:

Call: 0800 068 4141

Text: 07786209697

Email: [email protected]

Opening hours:

Monday – Friday: 9am – 10pm

Weekends: 2pm – 10pm

Bank Holidays: 2pm – 10pm