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Staying Safe

Children

in Care

Bullying, cyber bullying and staying safe online

Bullying

Bullying is when someone is deliberately hurtful to you over time and makes you feel sad or upset.

Bullying can happen to anyone at any age. Being bullied at school, home or online might involve someone pushing you, hitting you, calling you names, teasing you or writing or saying things about you.

If this happens to you, immediately discuss it with:

  • Your class teacher
  • Your Independent Review Officer
  • Your designated teacher
  • Your carer or keyworker
  • Your social worker
  • Another trusted adult.

They will take action to protect you and deal with the behaviour that has caused you concern.


Cyber Bullying

Cyber bullying is when a person is mean or threatens someone online or through a mobile phone. It is against the law to bully someone in this way and if someone is being nasty or threatening you something can be done.

What should I do?

  • You can speak to the same people that you would if you were being bullied (page 15)
  • Don’t reply to any messages you receive as this may encourage the bullies
  • Keep a copy of any abusive messages, texts, postings or emails that you were sent and when they were sent.
  • Never give out any personal details online like your name or date of birth, even the school you go to can help them find information about you
  • Change your online nickname or ID
  • Block email and complain to host website.

For more help and advice visit


Staying safe online

City of Wolverhampton Council has an Internet Safety Policy in order to ensure the safety of all children and young people in care when using internet, social media and mobile devices.

Responsible adults and staff looking after you will agree with you clear ground rules on the safe use of internet and put measures in place to ensure your safety. For example, computers and mobile devices with Internet access must be located in a publicly accessible in a bedroom or similar private area.

When sending a picture to a friend, boyfriend or girlfriend... think! Would you be happy if it was shown to anyone in your school, your teachers or your carers? If you wouldn’t – don’t send it!


Remember

It’s easy for people to lie about who they are online or by mobile phone

  • don’t give out personal information about yourself to someone you haven’t met in real life
  • don’t send picture messages or emails to someone you haven’t met in real life
  • if you get an email from someone you don’t know in real life don’t answer it
  • if you ever see anything that upsets you tell a trusted adult
  • never arrange to meet up with someone you haven’t met in real life
  • it is a good idea to use a nick name and your real age.

What is abuse?

Child abuse can mean a lot of different things like:

  • neglect
  • physical abuse
  • emotional abuse
  • sexual abuse.

It's not always easy to know if you or someone you know is being abused. BUT the important thing to remember is that no-one has the right to hurt you or make you do anything that feels wrong.

If you’re worried or want to talk more about abuse you could talk to:

  • Your social worker
  • Your carer or keyworker
  • Your class or designated teacher
  • Your nurse
  • Your counsellor or CAMHS worker
  • Another trusted adult.