NSPCC letter and consent form

Speak out. Stay safe.

Pooles Park Primary School

20th July 2021

Dear Parent/Carer

RE: NSPCC’s Speak out. Stay safe. online programme

I am pleased to tell you that this week we will be participating in the NSPCC’s Speak out. Stay safe. online programme.  This consists of an online assembly and supporting classroom based activities.  Speak out. Stay safe.  is a safeguarding programme available to all primary schools in the UK and Channel Islands.  It aims to help children keep themselves safe by understanding abuse in all its forms and to recognise the signs of abuse in a child friendly, interactive way. Children are taught to speak out if they are worried, either to a trusted adult or Childline.

The NSPCC have developed an online version of their Speak out. Stay safe. programme to help overcome some of the challenges that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has presented in relation to having external speakers in school.  In the online assembly, the Speak out. Stay safe. messages continue to be delivered in a fun and interactive way with the help of their mascot Buddy as well as special guest appearances from Ant and Dec.

We have studied the content of the materials and are extremely confident that they are appropriate for primary-school-aged children. By the end of the programme, we’re convinced children will feel empowered – knowing how they can speak out and stay safe. 

If you would like to know more about the Speak out. Stay safe. programme you can find information on the NSPCC website www.nspcc.org.uk/speakout or the safeguarding team would be happy to discuss any questions that you may have.

Feedback – NSPCC pupil online survey (for pupils in Key Stage 2 in England and Wales, Primary 5-7 in Northern Ireland and Primary 4-7 in Scotland)

The NSPCC would like to gather feedback from children in Key Stage 2 (Year 3 to Year 6) about the online assembly in order to gauge their understanding about the key messages of speaking out and staying safe.

This will be completely voluntary and children can still take part in the programme, even if they don’t take part in the survey.

All survey returns will be anonymous and confidential. However, if in the process of completing the survey e.g. through something a pupil said, a teacher became concerned for a pupil’s welfare we will follow our school’s safeguarding procedures.  

• If you would like your child to take part in the survey you do not need to do anything.

• However, if you do not want your child to take part in the survey please sign the slip below and return it to the school office or call the office to let them know. 

Adapted assembly for home use

The NSPCC has also developed an adapted version of their assembly for parents/carers to use at home with their children.This can be found here:Watch our Speak out Stay safe assembly at home | NSPCC.  With the help of celebrities, the film focuses on how a child can get support if they have any worries or concerns

To complement the assembly, there are some resources that can be used to enable further discussion whilst doing activities with your children.  These are hosted onthe NSPCC website www.nspcc.org.uk/activities.

Talking PANTS with your children

‘Talk PANTS’ is a simple way for parents to help keep children safe from sexual abuse – without using scary words or even mentioning sex.  The guide uses the rules of PANTS to teach children that their body belongs to them and them alone.  You can find out more and download the free resources at www.nspcc.org.uk/pants.

Childline Under 12’s Website

Childline also have a website with age appropriate advice for primary school children on topics such as bullying.  It also has games and other interactive tools. Your child can visit it at www.childline.org.uk/kids.

If you’d like to know more about the NSPCC’s work, or take a look at the wide range of information and advice which is available for parents and carers, please visit their website www.nspcc.org.uk/parents.

Support us while you shop

You may also be interested in the NSPCC’s new selection of BUDDY goodies available from the NSPCC shop at https://shop.nspcc.org.uk/collections/buddy which make perfect gifts for children – and all profits go to help keep children safe.

Yours sincerely,

Craig Taylor, Maggie Ryan, Jess Healy (Safeguarding Team)

——————————————————————————–

I do not consent to (Name of pupil) ______________________________________________

participating in the completion of the NSPCC Pupil Survey following the delivery of the Speak out. Stay safe. online assembly.

Signed:

______________________________________________

Parent/Carer

Date:    ___________________________________