Safeguarding at OMG Independent School – Every Young Life Matters
At OMG Independent School, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive and nurturing environment where young people aged 11–18 can thrive, achieve and feel valued.
We recognise that our pupils may face a range of challenges and vulnerabilities. Our staff work closely with pupils, families and external professionals to promote safety, wellbeing, emotional resilience and positive outcomes both in school and beyond.
Safeguarding extends to all aspects of school life, including:
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Physical and emotional wellbeing.
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Mental health and emotional regulation.
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Online safety and digital wellbeing.
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Attendance and engagement.
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Positive relationships and behaviour.
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Community safety and independence skills.
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Protection from abuse, neglect, exploitation and radicalisation.
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Domestic abuse and its impact on children and young people.
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Supporting pupils to understand risk, make safe choices and develop resilience.
All staff receive regular safeguarding training and have a duty to act on any concerns relating to a pupil’s welfare or safety. Where appropriate, we work in partnership with Children’s Services, health professionals and other agencies to ensure pupils receive the support they need.
Early Help
At OMG Independent School, we believe that providing support at the earliest opportunity can make a significant difference to a young person’s wellbeing and outcomes.
Early Help is a collaborative approach that aims to identify and address emerging needs before they escalate.
Our staff work closely with pupils, families and external agencies to provide timely support, guidance and intervention. This may include support with attendance, emotional wellbeing, mental health, family circumstances, behaviour, social development or other factors that may affect a young person’s education and welfare.
Where additional support is required, we may work with local authority services, health professionals and other specialist agencies to ensure pupils and families receive the help they need.
Prevent Duty and Channel
OMG Independent School is committed to safeguarding pupils from all forms of harm, including the risk of radicalisation and extremism. As part of our statutory Prevent Duty, we work to protect young people from being drawn into terrorism or extremist ideologies.
Through our curriculum, pastoral support and safeguarding practices, we help pupils to:
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Develop critical thinking skills.
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Build resilience to harmful influences.
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Understand and respect different beliefs, cultures and viewpoints.
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Stay safe online.
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Recognise and report concerns.
Staff receive regular Prevent training and are vigilant to signs that a young person may be vulnerable to radicalisation. Where concerns are identified, appropriate safeguarding procedures will be followed. In some circumstances, referrals may be made to Channel, a voluntary multi-agency programme that provides early intervention and support to individuals who may be vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. Channel focuses on safeguarding and support rather than criminalisation and works with families and professionals to reduce risk and build resilience.
Domestic Abuse Support
Domestic abuse can affect children and young people directly or indirectly and can have a significant impact on emotional wellbeing, behaviour and educational outcomes.
If you are worried about domestic abuse at home, or if someone is hurting, threatening or controlling you or someone you care about, please speak to a trusted member of staff.
You can also access confidential support through:
If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the Police.
Need to Talk to Someone?
Sometimes you may not feel at risk but simply need someone to listen. If you are feeling worried, upset, anxious, lonely, overwhelmed or struggling with your mental health, support is available.
Speak to:
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Your teacher.
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A trusted member of staff.
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A member of the school safeguarding team.
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A parent or carer.
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A mentor.
You can also access confidential support through:
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Childline – call 0800 1111.
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Shout – text “SHOUT” to 85258.
Remember, asking for help is a positive step and there will always be someone available to support you.
Got a Safeguarding Concern
If you have any concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child, or if a pupil makes a disclosure, please contact a member of our safeguarding team immediately.
Concerns can be raised:
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In person with a member of staff.
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By telephone through the school office on 0208 159 3838.
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By email to safeguarding@omg.school.
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Through any reporting systems used within school.
Our Safeguarding Team
Designated Safeguarding Lead:
Ms Victoria Early
Email: v.early@omg.school
Phone: 07388 174 363
Deputy DSL:
Miss Yamna Saeed
Email: y.saeed@omg.school
Phone: 07741 295 284
Deputy DSL:
Luke McCormick
Email: l.mccormick@omg.school
Phone: 0208 159 3838
Deputy DSL:
Manasse Owoo
Email: m.owoo@omg.school
Phone: 0208 159 3838
Deputy DSL:
Nadine Bradley
Email: n.bradley@omg.school
Phone: 07818 289 352
Deputy DSL:
Jason Caicedo
Email: j.caicedo@omg.school
Phone: 0208 159 3838
School Reception Phone: 0208 159 3838
Safeguarding Main Email: safeguarding@omg.school
Or you can reach out to:
Tower Hamlets LADO: 020 7364 0677, 07903 238827
Tower Hamlets MASH: 020 7364 3444 / 5601 / 5606
Tower Hamlets Early Help: 020 7364 5006
Scan QR Code to report a concern
Policies and Guidance
Please download the following documents for more information:
Useful Websites
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Childline.
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NSPCC.
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Kooth.
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Childnet.
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Internet Matters.
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Educate Against Hate.
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The 2 Johns.
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CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command).
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YoungMinds.
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The Mix.
Frequently asked questions
Online Safety
This can also be called ‘internet safety’, ‘online safety’ or ‘web safety’. E-safety is often defined as the safe and responsible use of technology.
This includes the use of the internet and also other means of communication using electronic media (eg text messages, gaming devices, email etc).
Please contact the school if you need any advice on Online Safety.
School ICT System Links and DFE Guidance
OMG Education Independent School uses Lightspeed Filtering and Monitoring solutions, to support Safer Internet Practises in school.
Schools in England (and Wales) are required “to ensure children are safe from terrorist and extremist material when accessing the internet in school, including by establishing appropriate levels of filtering” . Furthermore, the Department for Education’s statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ obliges schools and colleges in England to “ensure appropriate filters and appropriate monitoring systems are in place. Children should not be able to access harmful or inappropriate material from the school or colleges IT system” however, schools will need to “be careful that “over blocking” does not lead to unreasonable restrictions as to what children can be taught with regards to online teaching and safeguarding.”
It is important to recognise that no filtering systems can be 100% effective and need to be supported with good teaching and learning practice and effective supervision.
Help for Families
Our pupils are growing up in a world of ever-changing technology. While we feel that the use of technology is a largely positive aspect of modern life, we cannot ignore the risks that can be associated.
Throughout school we aim to teach children:
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about the impact of cyber-bullying and what to do if they have been affected.
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to be vigilant when communicating online recognising that people may not always be who they say they are and to be sensible about what they share.
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to tell an adult they trust if something is upsetting them.
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to question the reliability of information given through a web based source.
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to search responsibly for information while using internet browsers.
We understand that much of our pupil's use of the internet will occur at home, away from the school filters.
Below are a list of useful websites, advice and resources that you may find helpful when navigating the issue of online safety with your child.
Useful resources and links
Thinkuknow http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Thinkuknow is an education programme from the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Command. Since 2006, it aims to ensure that everyone has access to this practical information – children, young people, their parents and carers and the professionals who work with them.
Internet Matters https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/esafety-leaflets-resources/
A comprehensive web resource with a wide array of tips and advice on how to navigate the online world with your child. Some of their guidance we attach below but you can find even more by visiting the link.
National Online Safety https://nationalonlinesafety.com/resources/platform-guides/
National Online Safety's mission is to make the internet a safer place for children. They aim to do this by equipping school staff, parents and children with the knowledge they need to understand online dangers and how best to react should an incident arise. The link above provides up to date information about a wide variety of social media apps and platforms your child might be using.
NSPCC http://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/share-aware/
The NSPCC are the first to admit that the internet is amazing. Children can play, learn, create and connect - opening up a whole world of exciting possibilities. But with the digital world changing all the time, how can you make sure your child’s staying safe? That’s where the NSPCC come in. Whether you’re an online expert or you’re not sure where to start, their tools and advice will help you keep your child safe.
Childnet http://www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers
Childnet International is a registered UK charity that aims to make the internet a safe place for children and young people. Packed with resources it is a great resource for parents.
CEOP http://ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) is part of the National Crime Agency and their website can be used to report if you are worried about online abuse or the way someone is communicating online.
BBC https://www.bbc.com/ownit
The BBC have a website and app called Own It. The website has a lot of content for children to help them navigate their online lives, and the free smartphone app comes with a special keyboard which can intervene with help and support in the moments that children need it the most.
SafetoNet https://safetonet.com/
SafeToNet is technology that educates children “in-the-moment” as they use their device. It is a safeguarding assistant that helps them become responsible and safe digital citizens. Its power lies in a smart keyboard that detects risks in real-time. It steers children away from trouble by filtering harmful outgoing messages before they can be sent and any damage can be done.
A guide to Apps & Social Media
The number of apps and social media channels your child could be exposed to grow all the time, as does an app's functionality.
We recommend you visit Net Aware to read the latest and most current advice on over 70 apps to ensure you know what they do, how you can limit their features as well as recommended age restrictions. https://www.net-aware.org.uk/
Please contact the school for further advice and guidance on Online Safety.
