Our approach to preventing peer on peer on abuse, including child on child sexual violence and sexual harassment

We will undertake pre-planning, training for staff and implement an effective peer on peer abuse policy to help us develop the foundation for a calm, considered and appropriate response to any reports.

We understand the best responses to peer-on-peer abuse are based on a whole setting approach to safeguarding and child protection and we will involve our whole community in this.

Systems are in place, well promoted throughout our setting, and understandable and accessible for our pupils to confidently report abuse, sexual violence and sexual harassment, knowing their concerns will be treated seriously, and that they can safely express their views and give feedback.

As part of our commitment to our pupils, we have identified the following deputy DSL’s, who are not part of our settings senior leadership team, as staff in our setting, pupils can report peer on peer abuse too, if they choose not to report directly to a member of the senior leadership team.

All staff in our setting will undertake training in how to respond to peer on peer abuse, including reports of sexual violence or sexual harassment. Our DSL will undertake training to manage a report.

We accept the most effective preventative education programme will be through a whole setting approach that prepares pupils for life in modern Britain. Our setting has a clear set of values and standards, and these will be upheld and demonstrated throughout all aspects of Millbrook life. This is underpinned by our behaviour policy and pastoral support system, and by our planned programme of evidence-based content delivered through the whole curriculum. Our programme is developed to be age and stage of development appropriate. The DSL will support teachers in their delivery of this part of our curriculum. We recognise good practice allows children an open forum to talk through things. Such discussions can lead to increased safeguarding reports. Children will be made aware of the processes to raise their concerns or make a report and how any report will be handled. This will include processes when they have a concern about a friend or peer. All staff are aware of how to support children and how to manage a safeguarding report from a child.

The DSL will consider if external support or intervention is necessary as part of our approach to sexual violence and sexual harassment. We recognise specialist organisations can offer a different perspective and expert knowledge.