Safeguarding Tips – Grooming
Our Safeguarding Library
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be building a Safeguarding Library, a growing collection of blog posts designed to help pupils, families, staff and visitors understand how we keep our academy community safe, and where to turn if you ever have a concern.
Why we’re doing this
Safeguarding sits at the heart of everything we do. Many of the young people we support come to us with complex medical, social, emotional or mental health needs, so making sure every pupil feels safe, heard and protected isn’t just a policy requirement, it’s central to our purpose as a school.
We want our Safeguarding Library to be more than a list of documents. Our aim is to make safeguarding information clear, accessible and genuinely useful, whether you’re a parent wanting to understand our processes, a member of staff looking for guidance, or a young person wanting to know who to talk to.
A bit about me:
I am the Academy-wide Safeguarding Lead and Centre Leader at Northfield
I have worked as a Designated Safeguarding Lead for the past 3.5 years, during which time I have supported and managed a wide range of safeguarding situations.
The purpose of this presentation is to provide you with key information about grooming and to help you understand how you can support and protect your child.
Grooming
Grooming is when someone builds a relationship with a child to gain their trust for the purpose of exploiting or harming them. This can happen online or in person and may involve manipulation, secrecy, or giving gifts and attention.
What Parents/ Carers need to know
- Grooming can happen to any child, but young people with SEMH needs may be more vulnerable due to needing support, attention, or validation.
- It often occurs online and can be difficult to spot.
- Early awareness helps prevent harm and keeps children safe.
- Emotional distress, anxiety, or changes in behaviour
- Loss of trust in adults and relationships
- Increased risk-taking or secrecy
- Exploitation or harm (emotional, financial, or sexual)
Signs to look out for
- Sudden changes in mood or behaviour
- Becoming secretive about online activity or new “friends”
- Receiving gifts, money, or unexplained items
- Spending more time online or isolating from family and friends
- Using language or discussing topics that seem inappropriate for their age
Relevant Online Platforms to be Aware of:
- Grooming can happen on many apps, games, and websites where young people communicate with others:
- Social media apps Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X (Twitter)
- Messaging apps WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, Discord
- Gaming platforms Roblox, Fortnite, Minecraft, PlayStation/Xbox chat
- Live streaming & video platforms YouTube, Twitch, TikTok Live
- Chat-based apps & forums Omegle (now closed but similar apps exist), Kik, Reddit, anonymous chat apps
Important Links
- Speak to the Designated safeguarding lead at your child’s centre or email safeguarding@jamesbridnley.org.uk
- CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) Report concerns online: www.ceop.police.uk
- NSPCC Helpline Free, confidential advice and support for parents 📞 0808 800 5000 🌐 www.nspcc.org.uk
- Childline (for young people) Support your child to access help directly 📞 0800 1111 🌐 www.childline.org.uk
- Police Call 101 for non-emergency concerns or 999 if a child is in immediate danger
- Online platforms Report harmful users directly through apps (e.g. Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok)