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Safeguarding bulletin
Dear Parents and Guardians,
This is an update from the safeguarding team where we want to share information on several key issues currently affecting young people both locally in West Sussex and nationally in the UK. These topics have emerged through local safeguarding briefings, national reporting and content that we discuss with pupils in the PSHE programme. We hope this information will support you in continuing important conversations at home and knowing where to access support if needed.
Current Affairs, Social Media and Fake News
We encourage our pupils to be engaged with what is happening in the world, to watch the news and read newspapers. This has the benefit of educating our pupils about current affairs and nurture critical thinking when assessing complicated world events. Some news items can naturally have a negative impact on children. Pupils here at Lancing for instance, have been discussing their concerns around what they are reading in relation to the Epstein Files – an issue that is important for all to be aware of, but is not without distressing content. Many pupils are also exposed to news through social media, where complex and sensitive topics can be presented without context or accuracy. On top of this, misinformation, conspiracy theories, and graphic or sensationalised content can cause anxiety and confusion for young people. In a recent PSHE lesson to the junior year groups, we discussed this issue, presenting the below research from InternetMatters.org which highlighted the impact the news (and fake news) is having on children.
- 61% of children who consume news on social media say they’ve seen a story that worried or upset them in the past month. Algorithms can exacerbate this.
- 47% of children and young people say that seeing news content on social media gives them new problems to think about. Many also feel overwhelmed by this content.
- 27% of children say they’ve believed a fake or AI-generated news story. This can leave children feeling embarrassed, confused or less trusting in the news.
Developing critical thinking and knowing where to turn to for support in school is key – but in addition to that, below are some tips and advice on how you can help your children at home.
How parents can help:
- Ask open questions about what your child has seen or heard online.
- Help them identify trusted, reliable news sources.
- Discuss how algorithms and social media can amplify extreme or misleading content.
- Encourage breaks from distressing news when needed.
Support and advice:
- Explaining the News to Our Kids | Common Sense Media
- 7 tips on how to help your child discuss and understand upsetting news – BBC Bitesize
- UK Safer Internet Centre
- Childline (for young people): 0800 1111
Online Safety: The OMG App
We are aware of increasing use of the OMG app among young people in the UK. This is a dating App for under 18s. Local Authorities have shared concerns around this app and have asked schools to inform families so that you can monitor accordingly. Like many social networking and messaging platforms, OMG enables users to communicate with individuals they may not know offline. Such platforms can present risks, including inappropriate contact, pressure to share personal information, or exposure to harmful content.
At Lancing College, online safety is addressed through PSHE lessons, assemblies, and other avenues of pastoral support, but parental engagement remains vital.
How parents can help:
- Take an active interest in the apps and platforms your child uses.
- Encourage strong privacy settings and age-appropriate use.
- Reinforce that personal details, images, or locations should not be shared outside friendship groups.
- Reassure your child that they can talk to you or a trusted adult if something online feels wrong.
Support and advice:
- NSPCC Online Safety
- Internet Matters
- CEOP (to report online grooming or exploitation)
- West Sussex Safeguarding Children Partnership
Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)
The government has released a policy paper outlining a strategy to build a safe society for Women and Girls. This policy can be read here. Although it is of course recognised that violence can occur between two people of any gender, the statistics cannot be ignored that the large majority of the time violence is towards a woman and from a man.
Last academic year, pupils had a lecture on VAWG and how we can take an all-school approach to reduce the precursing behaviours that create a culture that allows misogyny to breathe. Tackling the low-level behaviour to create a culture that will not accept misogyny is key, therefore we train all staff and encourage all pupils to challenge sexist attitudes, sexual jokes and “locker room banter”. There will be a further lecture on this again this year for all pupils in addition to a parents PSHE session in the second half the Lent Term:
PSHE for Parents: Dads and sons tackling VAWG
Presenter: Gary Bird, Assistant Head (safeguarding) and Teacher of Psychology
When/where: Thursday 12 March, 5pm, Megarry Room
If you have any concerns around this topic, The life centre is a charity in West Sussex that provides support for those that have experienced unwanted sexual experiences. Details of the charity can be found here.
How parents can help:
- Talk openly about consent, boundaries, and respectful relationships.
- Challenge harmful language or stereotypes when they arise.
- Reassure young people that abuse is never acceptable and that help is available.
Support and advice:
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
- Victim Support West Sussex
- The Life Centre West Sussex
- Lucy Faithfull Foundation – Preventing child sexual abuse
Support at Lancing College
A reminder that there are plenty of avenues of support here at the college for our pupils. Housemasters/housemistresses, Assistant HMMs, Matrons, Tutors, Domestic Assistants, Teachers, School Counsellors, Health Centre manager and nurses, Safeguarding team, Chaplain, Peer Supporters, House Captains and Prefects – all are readily available for pupils. Please do continue to liaise with your child’s HMM if you have any pastoral concerns. Once again, the triangulation of information between school, pupil and parents is key in order to address concerns and celebrate successes. I hope your children have a restful Half Term break.
Yours,
Gary Bird
Assistant Head (safeguarding) and DSL