Safeguarding
If you are concerned about a young person and would like to let us know please email us at safeguarding@melbury.merton.sch.uk
“It could happen here”
At Melbury College we recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all pupils.
We make every effort to provide an environment in which children and adults feel safe, secure, valued and respected, and feel confident to talk if they are worried, believing they will be effectively listened to.
We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice. Child protection forms part of the school’s safeguarding responsibilities. We expect all staff, governors and volunteers to share this commitment to safeguarding our pupils.
We follow the Merton Children’s Safeguarding Partnership procedures and have several policies and procedures in place which contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy.
Victoria Ferguson Beckie Kern
Designated Safeguarding Lead Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
and Prevent Lead/First Aid Lead and Designated Teacher for Mental Health and Wellbeing
email: vferguson@melbury.merton.sch.uk email:bkern@melbury.merton.sch.uk
Other members of the Safeguarding Team across our sites include:-
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Melbury College |
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Carla Chandler, Executive Headteacher at Melbury College – DSL and Designated Teacher for LAC |
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Keith Shipman – Nominated Governor for Safeguarding |
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Sophie Lawrence – Safer Schools Police Officer, Melrose and Whatley |
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Eliza Peterson Gilbert – Safer Schools Police Officer, Canterbury Campus |
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James Holmes – Chair of Governors |
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Melrose School |
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Danielle Evans, Melrose Secondary School – DSL |
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Marc Norbury, Melrose Primary School - DSL |
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Whatley Campus |
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Emily Leonard, Headteacher, Whatley Campus – DSL |
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Muniza Khan, Assistant Headteacher, Whatley Campus – DSL |
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Lavender Campus |
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Jessica Husaini, Headteacher, Lavender Campus – DSL |
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Rhiannon Dillon, Assistant Headteacher/SENCO, Lavender Campus – DSL |
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Canterbury Campus |
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Andre Costa, Assistant Headteacher/SENCO, Canterbury Campus – DSL |
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Cobham Court / Bespoke |
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Nigel Hill, Headteacher, Alternative Education – DSL |
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Please download and print our Safeguarding Leaflets for Canterbury Campus, Lavender Campus, Cobham Court and Melrose School
Policies/docs/Safeguarding/Melrose_Safeguarding_Leaftlet_Printable_pub.pdf
- Safer Recruitment Policy 2023
- Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy 2023
- Low Level Concerns 2021
- Harmful Sexual Behaviour
- Supporting Pupils at School with Medical Conditions
Online Safety
Click on or print out our Top Tips for Parents posters to find out more about these online safety platforms
Cost of Living Support
We know that many families are going through a tough time and as a school we want to do everything we can to help you and your child. If you’re struggling with your finances, please get in touch to let us know, as there may be things we can suggest which will help.
Let us know if you’re in financial difficulty – please contact your trusted member of staff
Canterbury Campus Cobham Court/Worsfold House
Canterbury Road Haslemere Avenue
Morden Mitcham
Surrey Surrey
SM4 6PT CR4 3PR
Tel: 020 8241 2005 Tel: 020 8685 9743
Email: canterburyoffice@melbury.merton.sch.uk Email: nhill@melbury.merton.sch.uk
Lavender Campus Melrose Primary
Tamworth Farm Recreation Grounds Church Road
London Road Mitcham
Mitcham Surrey
Surrey CR4 3BE
CR4 3LB
Tel: 020 3848 8780 Tel: 020 8138 5280
Email: lavenderoffice@melbury.merton.sch.uk Email: aaddy@melbury.merton.sch.uk
Melrose Secondary Whatley Campus
Church Road Whatley Avenue
Mitcham Raynes Park
Surrey London
CR4 3BE SW20 9NS
Tel: 020 8646 2620 Tel: 020 3011 4551
Email: melroseoffice@melbury.merton.sch.uk Email: whatleycampus@melbury.merton.sch.uk
Contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Family Hub
Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB)
You don’t have to be a UK citizen to get support from your local CAB, you just need to be a resident of the local area. The CAB can help you with:
- Getting benefits or organising other financial support
- Accessing support for essential costs (food, bills, rent)
Visit the Citizens Advice website or contact your local branch to book an appointment.
Citizens Advice Merton and Lambeth (Mitcham Office) Open Monday-Friday for pre
326 London Road booked appointments and
Mitcham information support
Surrey (latter is available 10am-3pm)
CR4 3ND
Tel: 0808 278 7831 Merton Adviceline (freephone) 10am-4pm
Citizens Advice Merton and Lambeth (Morden Office) Open Monday, Wednesday and
Crown Parade Thursday for information
7 Crown Lane support and pre-booked
Morden appointments (latter is available
SM4 5DA 10am - 3pm)
Tel: 0808 278 7821 Merton Adviceline (freephone) 10am-4pm
(Located in Morden Library within Merton Civic Centre)
Citizens Advice Centres are also available in Croydon, Sutton and Wandsworth
Family Hub
Merton are currently in the process of setting up Family Hubs – a new way of bringing together all the support a family needs.
For information of when hubs will open please go to:
https://www.merton.gov.uk/communities-and-neighbourhoods/family-support-and-parenting/hubs#
For information on available national centres please go to:
https://www.nationalcentreforfamilyhubs.org.uk/
Check you’re paying the right amount of tax
Make sure you’re on the right tax code. If you aren’t, you might be due a refund. Use the Money Saving Expert’s free tax code calculator to find out.
Claim any benefits you’re entitled to
Use one of these benefits calculators to determine whether there are any benefits you could be claiming:
- Turn2us
- Policy in Practice
- Support for migrant families – use this calculator if you are a migrant family, or if you have no recourse to public funds (meaning you’re not entitled to the majority of welfare benefits)
You may be able to get benefits paid early if you need cash urgently – this is known as ‘a short-term benefit advance’. You will need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) office who is handling your claim. Local offices are:
Mitcham Job Centre
Boundary House, 317-321 London Rd, Mitcham CR4 4YF Phone: 0800 169 0190
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9am-5pm
Wednesday 10am-5pm
Sunday Closed
Check you’ve received all the government’s cost-of-living payments
The government’s cost-of-living payments are available for those receiving certain benefits or tax credits. You don’t need to apply for these – if you’re eligible the money should go straight into your account.
If you think you’re due a payment but haven’t received one, report a missing payment to the government.
Be aware of scams! If you receive any emails, texts or phone calls asking you to fill in an application form or asking for your bank details to receive a cost-of-living payment, do not talk to them or send a reply. Get more information on cost-of-living scams on the Money Saving Expert’s website.
Find out what help you can get with your energy bills
Take a look at these resources from the British Gas Energy Trust and the Money Saving Expert.
Check if your child is entitled to free school meals (FSM)
If your child is eligible for FSM you need to get them registered. This will allow them to get a free meal at school and, as a school, we’ll get extra funding (known as the pupil premium) to support your child’s learning.
Go to this government website to check if your child is eligible. If they are, or if you’re not sure, please contact your campus reception for The Pupil Premium form. Within this form are details regarding free school meals.
See what other support you can get from your local authority
https://www.merton.gov.uk/council-tax-benefits-and-housing/benefits/local-welfare-support-scheme
Local authorities have many schemes that you might be eligible for, including:
- The Holiday Activities and Food Programme – access to food and activities over the school holidays. Note that if your child is eligible for free school meals (see above), they’ll also qualify for this programme
- Help with transport to school
- Help with school uniform costs
Get free or low-cost food
If you’re worried about not having enough food to feed your family, you’re not alone. There are
a number of places offering support.
- If you have a child under 4, and meet the eligibility criteria, you may be entitled to healthy start food vouchers
- Find your local food bank: Bankuet, The Independent Food Aid Network, the Trussell Trust, or your local community fridge or contact:
Merton’s Community Fridge Food Relief
Morden Baptist Church Morden Library within Merton Civic Centre
Crown Lane 116 London Road
Morden Morden
SM4 5BL SM4 5AX
Tel: 020 3417 0476 Tel: 07982 707166
Dons Local Action Group The Salvation Army Wimbledon
8 Waterside Way 109 Kingston Road
London London
SW17 0HB SW19 1LT
Tel: 020 3301 4511 Tel: 020 8542 3023
- Use food waste apps and websites like Olio (for free food and household items from your local community), Too Good To Go (for low-cost food from local restaurants), or Low Price Foods (food that has passed its best-before date, but is still safe to eat)
- Become a member of a community shop. These organisations sell food to their members at a reduced price. Some shops are free to join if you meet certain criteria, and others ask for a small contribution. Find out if there’s one near you by checking these websites: Community Shop, Your Local Pantry, Community Grocery
- Get more tips on free and cheap meals from Which
Free hygiene products
- Every Melbury Campus offer free period products or other hygiene products, these can be requested explain how pupils or parents can access them here
- Food banks may offer free toiletries and sanitary products. Check with your local food bank to see what’s available – please see above for information on local food banks.
- Find the cheapest disposable sanitary products on Sanitary Saver
Replace or repair household items at a low cost or for free
Check if you can get broken household goods replaced or repaired by your local community.
- Get free household goods on Freecycle
- Get help with DIY repairs at a Repair Cafe
Find a warm space to beat the chill
Some community spaces open their doors to provide a safe and warm space for a few hours. Many also offer hot drinks and WiFi.
Find a warm space on:
NHS SLP CAMHS Crisis Line
During school hours school staff (and alongside young people if they are willing to speak) can now use the CAMHS Crisis line to support with immediate risk assessments, safety planning, guidance and support for any pupils presenting with mental health, self-harm or suicidal ideation concerns (unless immediate life threatening then 999). If the young person is already under a CAMHS team, it is recommended the allocated clinician is contacted first.
The SLP CAMHS Crisis Line leaflet explains how to get help in a crisis. Please also see SLP CAMHS Crisis poster for young people and parents
If your enquiry relates to safeguarding or mental health and is urgent, please contact the below:
Childline: 0800 1111
Samaritans: 116 123
LB Merton Safeguarding: 020 8545 4226 or 020 8545 4227 (out of hours: 020 8770 5000)
Merton Domestic Violence advice
Keeping Your Child Safe
Below are links to websites which provide parents/carers with useful information, advice and support.
Support and tips to help you keep children safe.
Help your children get the most out of the Internet, safely
Government advice and trusted resources to help safeguard students from radicalisation and extremism
Honest and useful advice for parents and guardians around drugs and alcohol
Practical advice and tips on supporting your child with their mental health
Information and support for anyone suffering from an eating disorder and those supporting them.
KEEPING YOUR CHILD SAFE ONLINE
Parents and carers may be concerned regarding online apps or websites their children are using. The following websites offer guidance for parents to support your children staying safe online.
- https://nationalonlinesafety.com/guides
A helpful guide for parents to the apps and websites your child may be using. This is regularly updated and includes details of a wide variety of platforms. - https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers
Providing, advice, guidance and resources to parents to help keep your child safe online. - https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
Online safety guides to help keep children safe online. - https://parentzone.org.uk/
Tools and advice to help parents and carers keep up in the digital age.
- https://www.internetmatters.org/
Online support for parents and families including a live chat function for parents to access support quickly. Additional support around setting up parental controls for your broadband.
Dangers of Vaping : Advice from the Metropolitan Police
As a Schools Police Team we have recently been made aware of vapes containing high levels of chemicals that have caused some children to lose consciousness resulting in hospitalisation.
The particular brand of vape that these children have been using is called a Cali Pen or Cali Bar but it is unlikely to be restricted to just these brands.
As you may be aware, vapes have not been tested medically to determine either short-term or long-term effects on the health of users. There are many products that are unregulated coming into the UK and being sold illegally to children. In other parts of London, some of these vapes have been found to contain dangerous and addictive drugs such as ‘spice’ and high levels of THC, the psychoactive chemical found in cannabis.
The effect of inhaling vapes are unpredictable and it can be very easy to accidentally take a large dose of an unknown chemical.
Selling any vape to a person under the age of 18 is illegal, although by their bright colours and names sounding like something you would purchase in a sweet shop, these products are appear marketed at children. Sadly, the use of vapes by children is now becoming very common. The majority of even regulated vapes contain high levels of nicotine ensuring that their users will become dependent upon them.
Please educate your children on the dangers of using vapes and the potential unknown short-term and long-term effects on their health.
If you are aware of any shops selling vapes to children, please contact your Local Authority Licensing Team who will investigate these allegations. Similarly, if you are aware of anyone advertising vapes that contain illegal drugs, please contact your local police team or report this via Crimestoppers (please note that vapes containing CBD with a THC content of less than 0.2% are currently legal in the UK – but clearly not for children).
Kind regards,
Inspector Graham Norman
SW police Safer Schools Team
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Below are websites which provide support for young people on a range of different issues.
Free online counselling, coping toolkit, mood journal, tips and advice on a range of issues
Honest information about drugs and alcohol, support around peer pressure, what to do if you’re concerned about a loved one
Information and advice around internet safety, relationships, support to report nude images that have been shared online
Online or in-person counselling for young people aged 11-25 in Merton.
If you need help managing allegations against adults who work with children, please read the Procedures for contacting LADO
Other available services:
Action for children – www.actionforchildren.org.uk
Protect and support children and young people, providing practical and emotional care and support. They ensure their voices are heard, and campaign to bring lasting improvements to their lives
CAMHS Family lives - 0808 800 2222
CAMHS gotateenager – 0808 800 2222
A website for anyone with a teenager in their life. Join for parent-to-parent support, informal advice, useful information and a community of other parents dealing with the same issues as you. Information and support is offered on topics such as drugs and alcohol, bullying, boundaries, risky behaviours, sex, self-confidence and school.
CAMHS for Young People in Merton - 020 8254 8061
FISH - help you with any aspect of family life, click here for information poster
Can help you with any aspect of family life. Early Help Co-ordinators will offer advice and guidance to help you to find and access the supportive information and services that you need.
HOPE line UK - 0800 068 4141
Kooth.com – offers free confidential anonymous support http://www.kooth.com/
An online mental wellbeing community
MAOS -Merton Autism Outreach Service – 0208 640 1177
Merton Autism Outreach Service (MAOS) supports the inclusion of pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Social Communication Difficulties in mainstream settings. MAOS works in an advisory role with schools supporting staff in developing their understanding of ASD and sharing tools and strategies to enable pupils to access learning and social opportunities.
NSPCC Helpline - 0808 800 5000 www.nspcc.org.uk
We help to make more than 6.6 million children safer from abuse. We’ve developed new services to help families, campaigned to change laws, shared information about abuse and how to recognise it, and have developed new tools for children, parents and professionals.
National Domestic Abuse Hotline - 0808 2000 247
Off The Record - counselling based services if you live in Sutton, Merton or Croydon (aged between 11-25 years old) https://talkofftherecordonline.org/
Text-based online counselling and workshops for young people aged 11-25 in Croydon, Sutton and Merton.
Shelter - if you’re having issues https://www.shelter.org.uk/
Home is a human right. It's our foundation and it's where we thrive. Yet, every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
Shelter exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.
South London partnership CAMHs Crisis Line - 020 3228 5980
StepChange - for debt advice https://www.stepchange.org/
Whether it's to pay back what you owe with payments you can afford, write off your debts, or if all you need is some time and space to sort out your finances, we have the solution.
SWLSTG Mental Health Support Line - 0800 028 8000
The Mix – www.themix.org.uk – 0800 808 4994
The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people. We are here to help you take on any challenge you’re facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Talk to us via our online community, on social, through our free, confidential helpline or our counselling service.
Wimbledon Food Bank - https://wimbledon.foodbank.org.uk/
We provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK. Foodbank sessions at Pollards Hill Baptists Church will be changing from 12pm-1pm, new opening hours 1pm-2pm Wednesday and Friday.
Young Merton Together – teenage befriending service – 0208 685 2271
Young Minds – www.youngminds.org.uk – 0808 802 5544
We provide young people with tools to look after their mental health. Our website is full of advice and information on what to do if you're struggling with how you feel. We empower parents and adults who work with young people, to be the best support they can be to the young people in their lives. And we give young people the space and confidence to get their voices heard and change the world we live in. Together, we can create a world where no young person feels alone with their mental health.
Young Minds Crisis Messenger - SHOUT - provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK - If you need urgent help text YM to 85258
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger please call 999