CHILD PROTECTION

We believe this policy relates to the following legislation:
 

• Children Act 1989
• Education Act 2002
• Sexual Offences Act 2003
• Children Act 2004
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• Education and Inspections Act 2006
• Children and Young Persons Act 2008
• Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations 2009
• Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (No. 2) Regulations 2009
• Equality Act 2010
• Education Act 2011
• Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
• Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015

 
The following documentation is also related to this policy:
 

• Dealing with Allegations of Abuse against Teachers and other Staff: Guidance for Local Authorities, Headteachers, School Staff, Governing Bodies and Proprietors of Independent Schools (DfE)
• Keeping Children Safe in Education: Statutory Guidance for Schools and Colleges (DfE 2014)
• Mental Health and Behaviour in Schools: Departmental Advice (DfE 2014)
• Information Sharing 2015 (HM Government)
• What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused 2015 (HM Government)
• Working Together to Safeguard Children: A Guide to Inter-agency Working to Safeguard and Promote the Welfare of Children

 
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and take account of the information contained in the DfE documents 'Working Together to Safeguard Children' and 'Keep Children Safe in Education: Statutory Guidance for Schools and Colleges (DfE 2015)' as the safety and protection of children is of paramount importance to everyone in this school.
 
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is best defined as:
 
'protecting children from maltreatment; preventing impairment of children's health or development; ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes'. (Keep Children Safe in Education: Statutory Guidance for Schools and Colleges (DfE 2015))
 
We believe that all children have the right to be safe in our society. Therefore, we recognise that we have a duty to ensure arrangements are in place for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children by creating a positive school atmosphere through our teaching and learning, pastoral support and care for both pupils and school personnel, training for school personnel and with working with parents.
 
 
We want all our children to achieve their full potential by:
 

• being as physically and mentally healthy as possible;
• experiencing good quality education opportunities;
• living in a safe environment;
• learning and working in a safe environment;
• experiencing emotional well being;
• feeling loved and valued;
• receiving support from a network of reliable and affectionate relationships;
• learning to look after themselves;
• coping with everyday living;
• having a sense of identity and a positive image of themselves;
• developing their confidence and their interpersonal skills

 
We recognise that the safety and protection of pupils is the responsibility of all school personnel and volunteers as they are in a unique position to notice injuries, marks or bruises when children are undertaking certain activities which might indicate a child has been abused. We believe that we must report and investigate all injuries for the safety and protection of the children in our care.
 
We acknowledge that children can be harmed physically, emotionally, sexually or by neglect. It is our duty to report any concerns that we have of child abuse as the health, safety and protection of all children is paramount. We are aware that if abuse is suspected by another child then child protection procedures will be applied to both children.
 
We are aware that female genital mutilation (FGM) affects girls particularly from North African countries and it is illegal to allow girls to undergo this practice either in this country or abroad. Therefore it is our duty to report any concerns that we have about girls at risk of FGM to the police and social services.
We will inform the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) of any allegations of abuse by any member of the school personnel whether they took place on the school premises or elsewhere and of the action taken in respect of these allegations.
 
We will also inform LADO of any person connected to the school who is considered to be unsuitable to work with children.
 
We have a duty to safeguard children, young people and families from violent extremism. We are aware that there are extremists groups within our country who wish to radicalise vulnerable children and to involve them in terrorism or in activity in support of terrorism. Periodic risk assessments will be undertaken to reduce this risk and all school personnel concerns will be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
 
We are committed in establishing and maintaining an ethos where children and parents feel secure in being able to talk confidently to school personnel about any concerns or fears they may have knowing that they will be taken seriously.
 
We will ensure that the curriculum deals with safeguarding through activities and opportunities in PSHE/Citizenship that will equip the children with the necessary skills and awareness to stay safe from abuse.
 
We are committed in establishing and maintaining correct procedures and checks for safer recruitment for all new staff, supply staff, contractors, volunteers and governors and the establishment of sound working relationships with parents and support agencies.
 
We will ensure that all school personnel and governors receive basic level one safeguarding training at least once every three years.
 
We have a duty to ensure that under no circumstances will we disclose to a parent any information held on a child if this would put the child at risk of significant harm.
 
We wish to work closely with the School Council and to hear their views and opinions on safeguarding as we acknowledge and support Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child that children should be encouraged to form and to express their views.
 
We as a school community have a commitment to promote equality. Therefore, an equality impact assessment has been undertaken and we believe this policy is in line with the Equality Act 2010.
 
We believe that 'everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding children'. Therefore, we believe it is essential that this policy clearly identifies and outlines the roles and responsibilities of all those involved in the procedures and arrangements that is connected with this policy.
 
We believe it is essential that this policy clearly identifies and outlines the roles and responsibilities of all those involved in the procedures and arrangements that is connected with this policy.
 
 
Aims
 

• To have in place procedures to ensure that we meet our responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children from abuse.
• To ensure that all school personnel are aware of what action to take when dealing with a child protection issue.        
• To create and provide a learning environment that is safe, secure, warm and welcoming for children combined with sound security systems and procedures.
• To establish and maintain an ethos where children and parents feel secure in being able to talk confidently to school personnel about any concerns or fears they may have knowing that they will be taken seriously.
• To establish and maintain procedures for safer recruitment and to establish and maintain sound working relationships with parents and support agencies.
• To ensure compliance with all relevant legislation connected to this policy.
• To work with other schools and the local authority to share good practice in order to improve this policy.

 
Responsibility for the Policy and Procedure
 
Role of the Governing Body
 
The Governing Body:

• has in place a child protection policy and other related procedures;
• has appointed a senior member of staff to act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead;
• has nominated a governor to liaise with the child protection officer;
• has delegated powers and responsibilities to the Headteacher to ensure everyone connected with the school is aware of and complies with this policy;
• has in place safe recruitment procedures, including appropriate use of reference checks on new staff and volunteers;
• has in place procedures to deal with allegations of abuse against members of staff and volunteers;
• nominated the Chair of Governors in liaison with the Local Authority to deal with any allegations of abuse made against the Headteacher;
• has undertaken appropriate training about the ways of safeguarding children which will be updated every three years;
• will ensure that the Designated Safeguarding Lead attends appropriate refresher training every two years;
• will ensure that the Headteacher, school personnel and volunteers undertake safeguarding training every three years;
• will annually review all safeguarding policies and procedures;
• will receive termly reports from the Headteacher on safeguarding pupils in the school;
• will receive immediate reports of any weaknesses to this policy;
• will receive an annual report from the Headteacher on safeguarding pupils in the school;
• has responsibility for the effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of this policy;
• has the responsibility for ensuring that the school complies with all equalities legislation;
• has nominated a designated Equalities governor to ensure that appropriate action will be taken to deal with all prejudice related incidents or incidents which are a breach of this policy;
• has responsibility for ensuring funding is in place to support this policy;
• has responsibility for ensuring this policy and all policies are maintained and updated regularly;
• has responsibility for ensuring all policies are made available to parents;
• has the responsibility of involving the School Council in the development, approval, implementation and review of this policy;
• has nominated a link governor to visit the school regularly, to liaise with the Headteacher and the Designated Safeguarding Lead and to report back to the Governing Body;
• has responsibility for the effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of this policy.

 
Role of the Headteacher
 
The Headteacher will:
 

• ensure the implementation of this policy, all procedures and other related policies;
• ensure everyone connected with the school is aware of this policy;
• work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead and nominated governor for child protection;
• nominate a deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead;
• provide adequate resources for the designated teacher to undertake his/her role;
• ensure Disclosure and Barring Service checks are undertaken for everyone working with children in the school;
• ensure that all school personnel and volunteers are able to highlight improvements to the safeguarding policies and procedures;
• ensure that all new staff undertake training in child protection procedures;
• create and provide a learning environment that is safe, secure, warm and welcoming for children combined with sound security systems and procedures;
• establish an environment  where children feel safe to talk and a culture where school personnel listen to children;
• not promise confidentiality to any child but always act in the interests of a child;
• have in place effective anti-bullying strategies;
• encourage pupils to assess risks to themselves;
• ensure school personnel are constantly encouraging pupils to assess risks to themselves;
• ensure that there is a smooth transition of responsibilities and information when a new Designated Safeguarding Lead takes over the role;
• regularly report to the governing body and keep them updated;
• undertake training in safeguarding and child protection;
•  provide leadership and vision in respect of equality;
• make effective use of relevant research and information to improve this policy;
•  provide guidance, support and training to all staff;
•  provide support to school personnel when dealing with a traumatic child protection situation;
• monitor the effectiveness of this policy;
• report annually to the governing body on the effectiveness of the policy.

 
 
Role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead
 
The Designated Safeguarding Lead will:
 

• ensure the implementation of this policy;
• ensure everyone connected with the school is aware of this policy;

• work closely with the Headteacher and the nominated governor;
• be trained in child protection policy procedures;
• renew training every two years in order to;

 

• understand the assessment process
• understand the procedures of a child protection case conference and child protection review conference
• understand the specific needs of children in need
• understand the specific needs of children with special educational needs and those of young carers
• have in place a secure and accurate record system of all concerns and referrals

 

• take the lead in dealing with child protection issues and in deciding what steps should be taken;
• raise awareness of the need to protect pupils who might be vulnerable to radicalisation and involvement in terrorism;
• raise awareness that female genital mutilation (FGM) affects girls particularly from North African countries and it is illegal to allow girls to undergo this practice either in this country or abroad;
• ensure that all concerns regarding FGM and vulnerability to radicalisation are reported;
• keep a confidential Child Protection Register of all those pupils known to be at risk and only if it is confirmed by social services that the child is at risk;
• ensure all confidential child protection information is stored securely in central place;
• inform parents that information is kept on their children;
• ensure that no information will disclosed to a parent if this would put a child at risk of significant harm;
• be trained in working with all agencies;
• familiarise school personnel with the policy and procedures;
• investigate and deal with all cases of suspected or actual problems associated with child protection;
• ensure parents are aware that referrals about suspected abuse or neglect may be made;
• make child protection referrals;
• record all child protection referrals;
• co-ordinate action within the school;
• liaise and seek advice from the Local Authority Designated Officer when the need arises;
• liaise with social care and other agencies;
• record the transfer of all child protection files of any pupil leaving to join another school by keeping the following record:

Date of Transfer
Child's Name
D.o.B.
Means of Transfer
Destination
Records received by
Electronically
Special/Recorded Delivery
Direct Handover

 provide support for any child at risk;

• not promise confidentiality to any child but always act in the interests of a child;
• act as a source of advice within the school;
• help create a culture within the school of listening to children;
• keep up to date will all new guidance on safeguarding children;
• keep all school personnel up to date with any changes to procedures;
• organise appropriate training for school personnel and governors;
• ensure all incidents are recorded, reported and kept confidential;
• keep all paperwork up to date;
• report back to the appropriate school personnel when necessary;
• ensure that there is a smooth transition of responsibilities and information when a new Designated Safeguarding Lead takes over the role;

• annually review the policy with the Headteacher.

 
Role of the Nominated Governor
 
The Nominated Governor will:
 

• work closely with the Headteacher and the Designated Safeguarding Lead;
• ensure policies and systems fulfil all safeguarding and child protection responsibilities and are consistent with Local Authority guidelines and Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures;
• ensure that everyone connected with the school is aware of this policy;
• or the Chair of Governors take responsibility for taking action according to Local Authority procedures where there are allegations against the Headteacher;
• ensure recruitment of school personnel and volunteers is in line with the Safe Recruitment policy;
• undertake safeguarding training every three years.

 
Role of the Local Authority
 
The Local Authority will:
 

• be responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children by working in partnership with schools and other organisations;
• establish a Local Safeguarding Children Board;
• appoint the chairperson to the Local Safeguarding Children Board;
• appoint other members to the Local Safeguarding Children Board;
• have in place a Local Authority Designated Officer;
• ensure the Local Safeguarding Children Board is run effectively;
• ensure schools undertake their responsibilities for the safeguarding of children;
• have excellent links with local organisations;
• provide advice, information and guidance to families in the Local Authority.

 
Role of the Local Authority Designated Officer
 
The Local Authority Designated Officer will:
 

• ensure safeguarding procedures are correctly applied and implemented throughout the Local Authority;
• provide advice, information and guidance to personnel in the Local Authority;
• provide advice, information and guidance to families in the Local Authority;
• be responsible for updating the Local Authority policy for safeguarding and child protection;
• provide training and meet the training needs of schools and other organisations;
• work closely with Social Services, the Police, Health professional and all other agencies;
• be the key link to Social Services or the Police during and following formal investigations;
• monitor the progress of cases to ensure that they following the appropriate procedures;
• keep up to date with all changes in legislation;
• will be the Local Authority representative on the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

 
Role of School Personnel & Volunteers
 
School personnel and volunteers must:
 

• recognise that child protection is their main responsibility;
• treat children’s welfare with utmost importance;
• be aware of the background of the children in their care;
• be made aware of this policy and all other safeguarding policies and procedures during induction, the school personnel handbook and training;
• receive basic level 1 training at least once every three years;
• be aware of the name of the Designated Safeguarding Lead;
• be trained in identifying signs of harm and abuse;
• be aware of the effects of abuse and neglect on children;
• undertake training on responding to a child;
• be alert at all times to the signs of abuse namely physical, emotional, sexual or  neglect;
• know how to report any suspected case of harm or abuse;
• report any concerns that they have about girls at risk of FGM;
• report any concerns that they have about pupils who may be vulnerable to radicalisation;
• establish a school and classroom environment  where children feel safe to talk and where school personnel listen to children;
• provide opportunities through the curriculum to address relevant issues and topics in order to promote their safety and well-being;
• encourage pupils to assess risks to themselves;
• report any concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or the deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead;
• know what to do if a child makes a disclosure;
• not promise confidentiality to any child but always act in the interests of a child;
• receive support and counselling if they feel distressed from being involved with a case or incident;
• be kept up to date with changes in procedures;
• be prepared to attend a Strategy Meeting;
• be prepared to attend a Child Protection Case Conference;
• ensure that they conduct themselves correctly at all times and do not put themselves at risk;
• be aware of the Safer Recruitment processes and checks;

•  implement the school’s equalities policy and schemes;
•  report and deal with all incidents of discrimination;
•  attend appropriate training sessions on equality;
• report any concerns they have on any aspect of the school community.

 
Role of Pupils
 
Pupils must be made aware of:
 

• basic safeguarding procedures in school such as visitors signing in and wearing visitor badges;
• how to assess risk to themselves;
• how to keep themselves safe.

 
Role of the School Council
 
The School Council will be involved in:
 

• determining this policy with the Governing Body;
• discussing improvements to this policy during the school year;
• reviewing the effectiveness of this policy with the Governing Body

 
Every year the School Council will ask the views of all pupils by issuing a questionnaire and asking:
 

• Do they feel safe in school?
• Are they aware of basic safeguarding procedures in school?
• Are pupils aware of how to keep themselves safe?
• Do they know who to go to if they are concerned about their own safety or that of others?
• Are they are aware of e-safety?
• Do they know how to keep themselves safe outside school?
• Do they know how to keep themselves safe when using the internet?

 
Role of and Partnerships with Parents
 
Parents are:
 

• asked to work hard with the school to establish excellent home-school relationships;
• aware that we have a responsibility for the welfare of all our pupils;
• aware that we have a duty to involve Social Services or any other agency if we have any concerns about a child;
• aware that under certain circumstances we will involve an agency without informing them if we think that by so doing we will place the child at even greater risk;
• aware that they will be kept up to date with all our actions.

 
Annually we will ask parents if:
 

• they have any concerns about the safety of their child when in school;
• they feel enough time is given for children to learn how to keep safe;
• they know who talk to if they have any concerns;
• they feel their views are listened to and acted upon.

 
The Designated Safeguarding Lead:
 

• will ensure that parents are aware of this policy;
• will respect parents and children’s need for privacy;
• will respect families from different backgrounds and cultures as long as it does not put the child at risk;
• when making a referral will share all information with parents unless it places the child at risk.

 
Role and Partnership with Agencies
 
We work in close partnership with all school agencies as the safety and protection of children is of paramount importance to everyone in this school.
 
Reporting Concerns
 
If a pupil makes a disclosure then the member of the school personnel must:
 

• listen to the pupil;
• remain calm;
• offer reassurance;
• not ask the pupil to remove or adjust clothing if bruises are observed;
• not ask leading questions;
• let the pupil speak freely;
• accept what has been told them without challenge;
• not offer opinion or criticize or lay blame;
• reassure the pupil at the end of the disclosure telling them that they have done the right thing;
• not promise confidentiality but inform them that other people need to be told;
• record accurately and factually what the child has said in note form;
• record observed injuries or bruises on a map of the body;
• submit a completed critical incident sheet to the designated person who will seek advice from the Local Authority Designated Officer;

 
If a member of the school personnel suspects that a child may be a victim of abuse then they must:
 

• record accurately and factually what they have seen in note form;
• submit a completed critical incident sheet to the designated person;

 
The Designated Safeguarding Lead will then:
 

• further investigate and keep records of this investigation;
• decide whether to take this referral further or to monitor the situation;
• inform the person making the initial referral of his/her decision;
• prepare in readiness for a case conference/core group meeting the following information on the child:

 

• attendance and punctuality data
• academic achievement
• child’s behaviour and attitude
• relationships and social skills
• appearance and presentation
• any known incidents in or outside school
• school contact with parents/carers

 
If a parent makes a disclosure to school then the Designated Safeguarding Lead:
 

• should meet with the parent taking down all details;
• will assure the parent that the school will take the matter seriously;
• that he/she will have to take advice from the Local Authority Designated Officer about the disclosure;
• will get back to the parent when a decision has been taken and how to proceed.

 
Recording Information
 
School personnel and volunteer helpers are asked to record any concern or incident in the following way:
 

• Date
• Time
• Place
• Nature of the concern

 

• All facts
• Observed injuries and bruises
• Note the actual words of the child
• Sign the notes and hand to the DT

 

 
Support
 

• We will ensure that support mechanisms are in place for any child that is at risk in order to build their self-esteem and confidence;
• School personnel and volunteer helpers who feel distressed from being involved with a case or incident will receive support and counselling.

 
Confidentiality and Security of Information
 

• It is imperative that confidentiality is observed at all times as the protection of the child is paramount.
• School personnel have a professional responsibility to share information with other professionals who are investigating a case.
• A child, when confiding information to a member of staff, must be made aware that for the child’s own sake this information cannot be kept secret.
• The child must be reassured that the information will only be shared with the designated teacher who will decide what will happen next.
• All child protection records are regarded as confidential and will be kept in a secure place.

 
Case Conferences and Core Group Meetings
 
The Designated Safeguarding Lead will attend:
 

• all Child Protection Case Conferences with the  appropriate member of staff;
• all Core Group meetings once a child has been placed on the Child Protection Register.

 
Pupils Transferring to another School
 
The following procedures will take place if a pupil, on the child protection register, transfers to another school:
 

• the case social worker will contacted by the Designated Safeguarding Lead;
• child protection records will be passed on to the Designated Safeguarding Lead at the receiving school only if that school is in the same Local Authority;
• if the child is moving to another Local Authority, then information will only be passed on with outline details of case conferences but not minutes of conferences.

 
Training
 
Training organised by the Local Safeguarding Children Board will take place for school personnel, volunteer helpers and governors:
 

• on induction to the school
• during NQT induction
• throughout the academic year

 
All school personnel must undertake appropriate training every three years in:
 

• child protection issues
• restraint training
• recognising signs of abuse
• handling disclosures

 
All school personnel:
 

• have equal chances of training, career development and promotion
• receive training on induction which specifically covers:

 

• All aspects of this policy
• Keeping Children Safe
• Working Together to Safeguard Children
• Female Genital Mutilation
• Safeguarding pupils who are vulnerable to extremism
• Child Sexual Exploitation
• Listening to Pupils
• The Safe Use of the Internet and Social Media
• Equal opportunities
• Inclusion

 

• receive periodic training so that they are kept up to date with new information
• receive equal opportunities training on induction in order to improve their understanding of the Equality Act 2010 and its implications.

 
Dealing with Allegations against School Personnel, School Volunteers, the Headteacher or another Pupil
 
See policy
 
Safer Recruitment
 
See policy
 
Raising Awareness of this Policy
 
We will raise awareness of this policy via:
 

• the School Handbook/Prospectus
• the school website
• meetings with parents such as introductory, transition, parent-teacher consultations and periodic curriculum workshops

• school events

• meetings with school personnel
• communications with home such as weekly newsletters and of end of half term newsletters
• reports such annual report to parents and Headteacher reports to the Governing Body

• information displays in the main school entrance.

 
Equality Impact Assessment
 
Under the Equality Act 2010 we have a duty not to discriminate against people on the basis of their age, disability, gender, gender identity, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.
 
This policy has been equality impact assessed and we believe that it is in line with the Equality Act 2010 as it is fair, it does not prioritise or disadvantage any pupil and it helps to promote equality at this school.
 
Monitoring the Effectiveness of the Policy
 
The practical application of this policy will be reviewed annually or when the need arises by the coordinator, the Headteacher and the nominated governor.
 
A statement of the policy's effectiveness and the necessary recommendations for improvement will be presented to the Governing Body for further discussion and endorsement. (See Policy Evaluation)