Safeguarding

Introduction

1. The protection of children is the proper concern of everyone in a position to help. Primary responsibility for the care and protection of children rests with their parents, but a range of services is available to help them with this task.
2. All agencies with staff who are in direct contact with children and families must be involved in any school issue affecting the pupil.
3. The safety and protection of children is of paramount importance to all those involved in

Education.

1. Children can develop a special and close relationship with teaching and non-teaching staff, and view them as significant and trustworthy adults. It is not surprising therefore those children, if they have been abused, may confide or disclose to a teacher or other member of staff.
2. School staff are also in a unique position to notice any change in demeanour or circumstances. There is the opportunity to notice injuries, marks or bruises when children are doing PE, games or swimming which might indicate a child has been abused.
3. The School takes account of the government guidance in Safeguarding Children and Safer

Recruitment in Education, and follows the procedures laid down in that document.

1. All staff appointed to the School will be subject to enhanced CRB checks (DBS checks from January 2013) and information will be sought from the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly the Independent Safeguarding Authority) where it is deemed necessary. All those who have regular contact with the school including governors and parent volunteers will also be subject to CRB clearance.

Aims

1. To set out procedures for ensuring that the School meets its responsibility for safeguarding students from abuse.
2. To protect staff against allegations of abuse. The School has adopted the Local Authority Code of Conduct for school staff accused of child abuse. All staff will adhere to this code of conduct in line with national guidelines and supported by the ACPC (Allied Child Protection Consultants).

Procedures

Reporting to the designated teacher

1. Any concerns about students must be discussed with the designated teacher, Mr M Brunker or their named deputy in their absence, Miss C Bowtell as soon as possible and at least by the end of the teaching session.

Recording information

1. Staff should:
   1. make some brief notes at the time or immediately afterwards; record the date, time, place and context of the disclosure or concern, recording facts and not assumption and interpretation. Notes must be signed and dated;
   2. observed injuries and bruises are to be recorded on the Body Map;
   3. note the non-verbal behaviour and the key words in the language used by the student (do not translate into “proper terms”);
   4. keep these original notes and pass them to the designated teacher.
2. The School will follow up all referrals to Social Care within 24 hours in writing.

Support

Students and families

1. The School recognises that children who are abused or who witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self-worth and to view the world in a positive way. School may be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives of children at risk.
2. Therefore, the School will endeavour to support students through:
   1. the curriculum to encourage self-esteem and self-motivation;
   2. the School ethos, which promotes a positive, supportive and secure environment and which gives all students and adults a sense of being respected and valued;
   3. the implementation of behaviour management policies;
   4. a consistent approach, which recognises and separates the cause of the behaviour from that which the student displays;
   5. regular liaison with other professionals and agencies who support students and their families;
   6. a commitment to develop productive, supportive relationships with parents, whenever it is in the student’s interests to do so; and
   7. the development and support of a responsive and knowledgeable staff group trained to respond appropriately in child protection situations

Staff

1. Receiving a disclosure or observing signs of abuse can be very distressing. All staff should discuss their feelings with the designated teacher or other senior member of staff.
2. Incidents of a child protection nature can affect staff not directly involved. Meetings should be used to support staff in this situation.
3. Members of staff may be asked to attend a strategy meeting. You will need to take any information the school may hold.
4. You may be required to attend a child protection case conference for which you should provide a report.
5. The designated teacher will be available to support and advise you.
6. Any member of staff who is concerned about involvement in child protection issues can discuss the matter with the Head.

Confidentiality

1. Staff have the professional responsibility to share relevant information about the protection of children with other professionals particularly investigating agencies. If a student confides in a member of staff and requests that the information is kept secret, it is important that the member of staff tells the child sensitively that he/she has a responsibility to refer the matter to the designated teacher for the child’s own sake. At the same time, the child should be reassured that the matter will be only be disclosed to the designated teacher, who will then decide on appropriate action. Staff who receive the information about children and families in the course of their work should have the information only within professional context. Child protection records should be kept securely locked.
2. Personal information about all students and their families is regarded by those who work in this school as confidential. All staff will aim to maintain this confidentiality. All records relating to child protection incidents will be maintained by the designated teacher and only shared as is consistent with the protection of children.

Parents

1. Parents play an important role in protecting their children from abuse. The School is required to consider the safety of the student and should a concern arise professional advice will be sought prior to contacting parents.
2. The school will work with parents to support the needs of their child.
3. The school aims to help parents understand that the school, like all others, has a responsibility for the welfare of all students and has a duty to refer cases to the Social Services in the interests of the child.

When a pupil transfers to another school

1. If the student is on the child protection register, their Social Worker will be contacted by the designated teacher and informed of the transfer.
2. When the child changes schools within the authority, child protection records will be passed on to the designated teacher at the receiving school.
3. When the child is moving to another authority, information will be passed onto the next school’s designated teacher. Case conference minutes are not transferred but the date, name of chair, LA and outcome will be included on the records transferred.

Training

1. The School has a commitment to training and attendance at inter-agency child protection meetings. Time will be given to enable this commitment to be met. However it is the responsibility of the individual to notify the appropriate senior member of staff to ensure cover.
2. The designated teacher will be expected to cascade learning to the wider staff group via meetings etc.

Case conferences and core group meetings

1. In each case the School will assign the appropriate member of staff to attend a child protection case conference. Where possible the member of staff will be accompanied by the designated teacher but this may not always be possible. You should prepare a report presenting this to the case conference chair at the start of the meeting. The Chair will gather all information and assess the risks. You will be asked for your view in respect of registration.
2. If a child’s name is placed on the local Child Protection Register a core group will be agreed. All core group members meet regularly (at least monthly) to monitor and progress the child protection plan and core assessment. Attendance at these meetings will be given priority.
3. The designated teacher will be available to advise and support you.
4. Where no registration has taken place schools may be asked to monitor it is your responsibility to ask for clarity about information required, timescales, and reporting methods.

Responsibilities

The Governors

1. The Governing Body will appoint a named governor to liaise with the School’s designated teacher on safeguarding students issues.
2. The Governors will also appoint a designated teacher for safeguarding students and ensure that he/she is trained and receives further updating at least every two years.
3. The Governing Body will receive and consider annually a report from the Head on safeguarding students in the School.
4. The named governor will determine appropriate training (in liaison with the designated teacher) for the Governing Body.
5. The Governing Body will determine any changes to the School’s policies and procedures as appropriate.
6. The Governing Body is responsible for reviewing and amending the policy as appropriate.

The Headteacher

1. The Head is responsible for the implementation of the policy and ensuring that the outcomes are monitored. The Head will report annually to the governors on the working of the policy.

The designated teacher

1. The designated teacher for child protection is: Mr M Brunker, Deputy Headteacher, Pastoral
2. Their deputy or the person to contact in their absence is: Miss C Bowtell
3. The designated teacher is responsible for ensuring that all cases of suspected or actual problems associated with child protection are investigated and dealt with.
4. The designated teacher will ensure that she is aware of the latest national and local guidance and requirements and will keep the Head and staff informed as appropriate.
5. The designated teacher will ensure that appropriate training for staff is organised annually.
6. The designated teacher will liaise with the Governing Body’s nominated governor for safeguarding students.

The staff

1. All staff, including supply teachers and other visiting staff (e.g. school nurses) and those supporting school trips, will be informed of the designated teachers’ names and the school’s policy for the protection of children:
   1. During their first induction to the school
   2. Through the staff/personnel handbook
   3. Information given at reception on request
   4. Whole staff training at the start of each academic year
2. All staff need to be alert to the signs of harm and abuse. They should report any concerns if not immediately, as soon as possible, that day to the designated teacher or named deputy. If in any doubt they should consult with the designated teacher.
3. All relevant national and local procedures will be made available for staff reference and is located in the front office.

Equal opportunities

1. All staff and governors with responsibilities under this policy must take into account the equal opportunities policies when discharging their duties.

Monitoring and review

1. The designated teacher will monitor the working of the policy and will report as required to the Headteacher.
2. The Head will report to the governors annually on the working of the policy.

Obtaining advice

1. Advice of any aspect of Child Protection can be sought from the Child Protection Team.
2. Head of Safeguarding: Paula Whitehead (01522 554 061)
3. LADO: Paul Fisher (01522 554 674) and Rachel Powis (01522 554 668)
4. Customer Service: 01522 782 111

Date of next review

• May 2019

• The School’s designated Senior Person is: Mr Mark Brunker
• The School’s nominated Governor is: Mr Ian Fytche (who refers to the professional expertise of Chief Inspector Ian Ford former Parent Governor)
• The School’s Chair of Governors is: Mr Stephen Dharamraj
• The School’s Headteacher is: Mr Jonathan Maddox

Appendix 1: Child Protection

Staff Guidance - Procedures to be followed

1. Members of staff who suspect abuse of a child should report their suspicions to the designated teacher. The designated teacher, in consultation with the Head, will determine whether the social services and in some instances, the police will be notified. It is the role of the police to investigate this type of incident.
2. Information is received from primary schools, other schools, parents, the social services and various other sources. The weekly forum meeting to be used to pass on relevant details. Where it is thought that the social services are not aware of the case they will be informed.
3. Risk register. A confidential register will be maintained of all those students known to be at risk. Names will be entered on the register if it is confirmed by social services that the child is actually at risk.
4. Where a child is known to be at risk, the named member of staff will inform the relevant pastoral staff and members of the leadership team.
5. Staff who organise educational visits should publish the names of those students involved and seek information about any involvement of social services.
6. The named member of staff who will, when possible, attend any reviews called by the Social services.

Procedures in respect of child abuse

Abuse exists where children under the age of seventeen years have been physically or emotionally abused or severely neglected. Abuse of children who are over five years of age is likely to be noticed by the school staff and health workers or education welfare officers. It is essential, therefore that all those whose work brings them into contact with children and their families know the signs of child abuse and are aware of the procedures that they must follow to safeguard the child.

The Education Service in general, and this School in particular, has the role of recognising and responding to potential indicators of abuse and neglect, all other action should be taken by those with statutory powers to help the child. Early contact and close liaison with such agencies is therefore regarded as essential by the school. In the event of an actual or suspected case of child abuse by adults, parents, teachers or any other adult. It is the responsibility of school staff to report this to the designated teacher (or Head) as soon as possible. The designated teacher is responsible for ensuring that children are identified and the appropriate agency involved. It is important that if staff overhear children discussing ‘abuse’ or ‘neglect’ that this information is relayed for investigation.

Staff leading school visits, particularly residential ones, should provide a list of those children taking part to the designated teacher to ensure that they are made aware of all essential information relating to the students in their care.

Indicators of abuse and neglect

• Injuries: Bruises or abrasions especially about the feet, head, genitals or other parts of the body where they would not normally be expected to occur given the age of the child. Damage or injury to the mouth of a child e.g. bruises or cut lips.
• Bite marks.
• Burns and/or scalds especially small circular burns (often cigarette burns). Bilateral injuries such as two black eyes – this rarely occurs accidentally. Fractures in children under two years old.
• Poisoning and other misuse of drugs
• Repeated minor injuries and/or self harming
• Lethargy.
• Withdrawal. Wariness. Passivity.
• Frozen awareness.
• An unkempt, dirty appearance.
• Developmental retardation without a medical condition. Over-solicitous behaviour towards adults.
• Failure to thrive or grow without an underlying medical condition.