AJ and Dean are our school counsellors at Milford Haven School, and they are here to support pupils. They provide a safe space for any young person to talk about any issues they may have such as mental health or anxiety.
At certain times in our lives, most of us could do with talking to someone about how we’re feeling. Speaking with friends or family can be helpful, but sometimes it is easier to talk to someone who is more impartial.
A Counsellor is someone who will listen to you very carefully, who will not judge you or tell you what to do.
Counselling is about helping you to work things out for yourself, making decisions and choices and helping you to look at things differently. It can help you feel better about yourself.
People talk about whatever matters to them and is worrying them. It could be lots of different things, including: family issues, parents, friendships, anxiety, loneliness, bullying, relationships, school issues, guilt, worry, self- esteem, confidence, anger, sadness, fear, bereavement, body image, self-harm, and lots more.
You can meet the Counsellor to find out if counselling is right for you. You can ask questions and see how you feel.
Then if you decide you would like to come back, the counsellor can book in some weekly sessions.
Counselling is voluntary – you will never be made to attend if you don’t want to. You have the choice to come or not. Whatever you decide will be OK.
If you think you would like to come for a chat then you can contact the school counsellor in the following ways:
If you think a child is in immediate danger ring 999.
You can also report your concern by emailing Milford Haven School directly via the following email: safeguarding@milfordhavenschool.co.uk
We know that the uncertainty around the coronavirus will be causing you all worry. We do hope that the decision to add to the safeguarding measures already here in place will provide you with reassurance that we are doing all we can to keep our children safe.
Milford Haven Secondary school fully recognises its responsibilities towards child protection and safeguarding pupils. We have an active role in protecting our pupils from harm and promoting their welfare. We recognise that we may be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives of children at risk, and so we endeavour to maintain an environment where pupils can feel secure, are encouraged to talk and are listened to. We aim to ensure that pupils can be supported through a school-wide ethos that promotes a positive, supportive and secure environment, valuing pupils’ independence, feelings and individuality.
The Safeguarding Policy and procedures in place are reviewed annually. All staff (including supply staff, volunteers and governors) must ensure that they are aware of these procedures. Parents and carers are welcome to read the policy which can be found below with other related policies.
Sometimes, we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a pupils’ welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with his/her parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the pupils’ welfare.
It is equally important to ensure that your child is safe online and there are a few things that are extremely important to know as a parent. National Online Safety (NOS) have prepared some very informative guides to help you understand the online world that your child could be a part of.
Miss J Reynolds
Miss M Squelch
Miss J Reynolds
Click here to read our ‘Child Protection in School Guidance for Parents/Carers’ Leaflet
Building resilience of young people and the promotion of fundamental British values is at the heart of preventing radicalisation. Schools can do this by providing safe places in which children can discuss controversial issues and be given the knowledge and confidence to challenge extremist beliefs and ideologies.
Schools play a vital role in keeping children safe from harm, including from the risks of extremism and radicalisation, and in promoting the welfare of children in their care.
We are committed to ensuring that students are safe when using the internet at Milford School.
If you feel like someone has acted inappropriately towards you online via any form of social media you should report it. Each of the main social media applications have ‘report abuse’ buttons which you can use but you can also contact the Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre (CEOP) using the link below.
It has been estimated that over 20,000 girls under the age of 15 are at risk of FGM in the UK each year, and that 66,000 women in the UK are living with the consequences of FGM. Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a growing cause of concern in schools.
FGM is child abuse and a form of violence against women and girls, and therefore it is dealt with as part of existing child and adult safeguarding/protection structures, policies and procedures. It is illegal in the UK to subject a child to female genital mutilation (FGM) or to take a child abroad to undergo the procedure – Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003. Despite the harm it causes, FGM practising communities consider it normal to protect their cultural identity. The age at which girls are subject to FGM varies greatly from shortly after birth to any time up to adulthood. The average age is 10 to 12 years.
Our staff are trained in dealing with FGM and are alerted to the following key indicators:
Any female child born to a woman or has a sister who has been subjected to FGM will be considered to be at risk, as much as other female children in the extended family. Any information or concern that a child is at risk of FGM will result in a child protection referral to Children’s Social Care.
The new mandatory reporting duty for FGM under the Serious Crime Act 2015, requires teachers in England and Wales to report known cases of FGM in under 18-year-olds to the police. Guidelines on mandatory reporting can be found here:
Further guidance on FGM can be found here:
Call the FGM helpline if you’re worried a child is at risk of, or has had FGM. It’s free, anonymous and they are available 24/7. Call them on 0800 028 3550, or email them at fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk
Child abuse can mean a lot of different things such as neglect, physical, emotional or 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.
Please remember – if you or someone you know is being abused in any way, then the most important thing to do is talk to someone about it.
You can call ChildLine on 0800 1111 or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 anytime or you can speak to Miss Emma Rees who is the School’s Designated Child Protection Officer, Social Services at Pembrokeshire’s Child Care Assessment Team on 01437 776322/25 or out of hours on 08708 509508, or call the Police if you or someone you know is in direct danger. If you wish to find out more information then go to www.childline.org.uk or www.nspcc.org.uk.
C Card is a multi agency scheme delivered in schools, colleges and youth settings throughout Pembrokeshire. The scheme provides free condoms to young people alongside sexual health advice, support, information and signposting to health services where necessary.
The C Card scheme is delivered by appropriately trained professional staff, including school nurses and youth workers.
The scheme is only available to young people over the age of 14. The C Card scheme operates within the criteria set by Fraser Guidelines. As such the confidentiality of all young people accessing the service will be protected including 14 and 15 year olds.
The Pembrokeshire C Card scheme is fully accredited by Public Health Wales via All Wales Sexual Health Network and meets their revised C Card scheme standards.
