CLARENDON ROAD

PRIMARY SCHOOL

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Policy Review: This policy will be reviewed by the Governors on an annual basis.
Date of Issue: September 2013 / Date of Last Review: February 2017
Signed: / (editions made)
Signed:
Headteacher / Chair of FGB
Date: / Date:
To be reviewed: / February2018

CONTENTS

  1. Introduction
  1. Statutory Framework
  1. The Designated Senior Person
  1. The Governing Body
  1. School Procedures
  1. When to be Concerned
  1. Dealing with a Disclosure
  1. Confidentiality
  1. Making a Referral
  1. Communication with Parents
  1. Record Keeping
  1. Allegations Involving Staff / Volunteers
  1. Salford Telephone Numbers
  1. Equality of Opportunity

Appendices:

Appendix 1: Indicators of Harm

Appendix 2: Wider Policy Checklist

Appendix 3: Salford Thresholds of Need

Appendix 4: Parent Summary

Appendix 5: Record of Concern

  • INTRODUCTION
  • Safeguarding is defined as protecting children from maltreatment, preventing impairment of health and/or development, ensuring that children grow up in the provision of safe and effective care and optimising children’s life chances
  • This Child Protection Policy forms part of a suite of documents and policies which relate to the safeguarding responsibilities of the school.
  • In particular this policy should be read in conjunction with the Safer Recruitment Policy, Safeguarding Policy, Preventing Radicalisation and Extremism Strategy, Behaviour Policy, and Anti Bullying Policy.

Purpose of a Child Protection Policy

  • To inform staff, parents, volunteers and governors about the school’s responsibilities for safeguarding children.
  • To enable everyone to have a clear understanding of how these responsibilities should be carried out.

School Staff & Volunteers

  • School staff and volunteers are particularly well placed to observe outward signs of abuse, changes in behaviour and failure to develop because they have daily contact with children.
  • All school staff and volunteers will receive safeguarding children training, so that they are knowledgeable and aware of their role in the early recognition of the indicators of abuse or neglect and of the appropriate procedures to follow. This training is refreshed every three years. It is good practice for the Designated Safeguarding Lead to deliver an annual update. Temporary staff will be made aware of the safeguarding policies and procedures by the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Mission Statement

  • Establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk, and are listened to when they have a worry or concern.
  • Establish and maintain an environment where school staff and volunteers feel safe, are encouraged to talk and are listened to when they have concerns about the safety and well being of a child.
  • Ensure children know that there are adults in the school whom they can approach if they are worried.
  • Ensure that children who have been abused will be supported in line with a child protection plan, where deemed necessary.
  • Include opportunities in the PSHE curriculum for children to develop the skills they need to recognise and stay safe from abuse.

Implementation, Monitoring and Review of the Child Protection Policy

The policy will be reviewed annually by the governing body. It will be implemented through the school’s induction and training programme, and as part of day to day practice. Compliance with the policy will be monitored by the Designated Safeguarding Lead and through staff performance measures.

  • STATUTORY FRAMEWORK
  • This policy has been developed in accordance with the principles established by the Children Acts 1989 and 2004; the Education Act 2002, and in line with government publications:
  • ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ 2013
  • Revised Safeguarding Statutory Guidance 2 ‘Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families’ 2000
  • ‘What to do if You are Worried a Child is Being Abused’ 2003
  • The guidance reflects, ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ September 2016
  • Schools are also expected to ensure that they have appropriate procedures in place for responding to situations in which they believe that a child has been abused or are at risk of abuse – these procedures should also cover circumstances in which a member of staff is accused of, or suspected of, abuse.
  • Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education (DfES 2006) places the following responsibilities on all schools:
  • Schools should be aware of and follow the procedures established by the Salford Safeguarding Children Board
  • Staff should be alert to signs of abuse and know to whom they should report any concerns or suspicions
  • Schools should have procedures (of which all staff are aware) for handling suspected cases of abuse of pupils, including procedures to be followed if a member of staff is accused of abuse, or suspected of abuse.
  • A Designated Safeguarding Lead should have responsibility for co-ordinating action within the school and liaising with other agencies
  • Staff with designated responsibility for child protection should receive appropriate training.
  • Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education (DfES 2006) also states:

‘All parents need to understand that schools and FE colleges have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children who are their pupils or students, that this responsibility necessitates a child protection policy and procedures, and that a school or FE college may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare’.

THE DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD

The Designated Safeguarding Leadin this school is:

  • The Head Teacher: Mrs Emma Ford

A Deputy DSL should be appointed to act in the absence/unavailability of the DSP.The Deputy Designated Person for Child Protection in this school is:

  • The Deputy Headteacher: Miss Rachel Kelly

Designated Safeguarding Person:

  • The Inclusion Leader: Mrs Christine Clarke
  • The Learning Mentor: Mrs Angela Hicks

ROLE OF THE DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD (EXTRACTS FROM KCSIE 09/16)

Governing bodies, proprietors and management committees should appoint an appropriate senior member of staff, from the school or college leadership team, to the role of designated safeguarding lead. The designated safeguarding lead should take lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection. This should be explicit in the role-holder’s job description. This person should have the appropriate status and authority within the school to carry out the duties of the post. They should be given the time, funding, training, resources and support to provide advice and support to other staff on child welfare and child protection matters, to take part in strategy discussions and inter-agency meetings – and/or to support other staff to do so – and to contribute to the assessment of children.

Manage referrals

The designated safeguarding lead is expected to:

  • Refer cases of suspected abuse to the local authority children’s social care as required;
  • Support staff who make referrals to local authority children’s social care;
  • Refer cases to the channel programme where there is a radicalisation concern as required;
  • Support staff who make referrals to the channel programme;
  • Refer cases where a person is dismissed or left due to risk/harm to a child to the disclosure and barring service as required; and
  • Refer cases where a crime may have been committed to the police as required.

Work with Others

The designated safeguarding lead is expected to:

  • As required, liaise with the “case manager” (as per Part four) and the designated officer(s) at the local authority for child protection concerns (all cases which concern a staff member); and
  • Liaise with staff on matters of safety and safeguarding and when deciding whether to make a referral by liaising with relevant agencies. Act as a source of support, advice and expertise for staff.

Training

The designated safeguarding lead (and any deputies) should undergo training to provide them with the knowledge and skills required to carry out the role. This training should be updated at least every two years. The designated safeguarding lead should undertake Prevent awareness training. In addition to the formal training set out above, their knowledge and skills should be refreshed (this might be via e-bulletins, meeting other designated safeguarding leads, or simply taking time to read and digest safeguarding developments) at regular intervals, as required, but at least annually, to allow them to understand and keep up with any developments relevant to their role so they:

•Understand the assessment process for providing early help and intervention, for example through locally agreed common and shared assessment processes such as early help assessments;

•Have a working knowledge of how local authorities conduct a child protection case conference and a child protection review conference and be able to attend and contribute to these effectively when required to do so;

•Ensure each member of staff has access to and understands the school or college’s child protection policy and procedures, especially new and part time staff;

•Are alert to the specific needs of children in need, those with special educational needs and young carers

•Are able to keep detailed, accurate, secure written records of concerns and referrals;

•Understand and support the school or college with regards to the requirements of the prevent duty and are able to provide advice and support to staff on protecting children from the risk of radicalisation;

•Obtain access to resources and attend any relevant or refresher training courses; and

•Encourage a culture of listening to children and taking account of their wishes and feelings, among all staff, in any measures the school or college may put in place to protect them.

Raise Awareness

The designated safeguarding lead should:

•Ensure the school or college’s child protection policies are known, understood and used appropriately;

•Ensure the school or college’s child protection policy is reviewed annually (as a minimum) and the procedures and implementation are updated and reviewed regularly, and work with governing bodies or proprietors regarding this;

•Ensure the child protection policy is available publicly and parents are aware of the fact that referrals about suspected abuse or neglect may be made and the role of the school or college in this; and

•Link with the local lscb to make sure staff are aware of training opportunities and the latest local policies on safeguarding.

Child protection file

Where children leave the school or college ensure their child protection file is transferred to the new school or college as soon as possible. This should be transferred separately from the main pupil file, ensuring secure transit and confirmation of receipt should be obtained.

Availability

During term time the designated safeguarding lead (or a deputy) should always be available (during school or college hours) for staff in the school or college to discuss any safeguarding concerns. Whilst generally speaking the designated safeguarding lead (or deputy) would be expected to be available in person, it is a matter for individual schools and colleges, working with the designated safeguarding lead, to define what “available” means and whether in exceptional circumstances availability via phone and or Skype or other such media is acceptable. It is a matter for individual schools and colleges and the designated safeguarding lead to arrange adequate and appropriate cover arrangements for any out of hours/out of term activities.

THE GOVERNING BOARD

The Governing Board has overall responsibility for ensuring that there are sufficient measures in place to safeguard the children in their establishment. It is recommended that a nominated governor for child protection is appointed to take lead responsibility. The nominated governor for child protection is: Mr John Jenkinson

CHAIR OF THE GOVERNING BOARD

In particular the Governing Boardmust ensure:

  • Child protection policy and procedures are in place and effective
  • Safe recruitment procedures are in place and effective
  • Appointment of a Designated Safeguarding Lead who is a senior member of school leadership team
  • Relevant safeguarding children training for school staff/volunteers is attended
  • Safe management of allegations against staff
  • Deficiencies or weaknesses in safeguarding arrangements are remedied without delay
  • A member of the FGB (usually the Chair) is nominated to be responsible in the event of an allegation of abuse being made against the Head Teacher. (To be contacted in writing marked confidential to the school.)
  • Safeguarding policies and procedures are reviewed annually and information provided to the local authority about them and about how the above duties have been discharged.
  • SCHOOL PROCEDURES – STAFF RESPONSIBILITES
  • If any member of staff is concerned about a child he or she must inform the Designated Senior Person.
  • The member of staff must record information regarding the concerns on the same day. The recording must be a clear, precise, factual account of the observations. (pro forma attached)
  • The Designated Safeguarding Lead(DSL) will decide whether the concerns should be referred to Salford’sBridge Safeguarding Team. If it is decided to make a referral this will be done with prior discussion with the parents, unless to do so would place the child at further risk of harm. The school reserve the right to contact Bridge for advice on an anonymous basis at any time.
  • Particular attention will be paid to the attendance and development of any child about whom the school has concerns, or who has been identified as being the subject of a child protection plan and a written report will be kept.
  • If a pupil who is/or has been the subject of a child protection plan changes school, the DSL will inform the social worker responsible for the case and transfer the appropriate records to the DSL at the receiving school in a secure manner, and separate from the child’s academic file.
  • The Designated Safeguarding Leadis responsible for making the senior leadership team aware of trends in behaviour that may affect pupil welfare. If necessary, training will be arranged.
  • All teachers will complete a weekly ‘Green Record’ to note any small signs or issues that may occur in a child’s life, e.g. unkempt appearance, deterioration in behaviour.
  • WHEN TO BE CONCERNED
  • All staff and volunteers should be aware that the main categories of abuse are:
  • Physical abuse
  • Emotional abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Neglect
  • All staff and volunteers should be concerned about a child if he/she presents with indicators of possible significant harm – see Appendix 1 for details.
  • Generally, in an abusive relationship the child may:
  • Appear frightened of the parent/s or other household members e.g. siblings or others outside of the home
  • Act in a way that is inappropriate to her/his age and development
  • (full account needs to be taken of different patterns of development and different ethnic groups)
  • Display insufficient sense of ‘boundaries’, lack stranger awareness
  • Appear wary of adults and display ‘frozen watchfulness’
  • Radicalised thoughts or beliefs shared with peers or adults
  • DEALING WITH A DISCLOSURE

If a child discloses that he or she has been abused in some way, the member of staff / volunteer should:

  • Listen to what is being said without displaying shock or disbelief
  • Accept what is being said
  • Allow the child to talk freely
  • Reassure the child, but not make promises which it might not be possible to keep
  • Not promise confidentiality – it might be necessary to refer to Children’s Services: Safeguarding and Specialist Services
  • Reassure him or her that what has happened is not his or her fault
  • Stress that it was the right thing to tell
  • Listen, only asking questions when necessary to clarify
  • Not criticise the alleged perpetrator
  • Explain what has to be done next and who has to be told
  • Make a written record (see Record Keeping)
  • Pass the information to the Designated Safeguarding Lead without delay

Support

Dealing with a disclosure from a child, and safeguarding issues can be stressful. The member of staff/volunteer should, therefore, consider seeking support for him/herself and discuss this with the Designated Senior Person.

  • CONFIDENTIALITY

Safeguarding children raises issues of confidentiality that must be clearly understood by all staff/volunteers in schools.

  • All staff in schools, both teaching and non-teaching staff, have a responsibility to share relevant information about the protection of children with other professionals, particularly the investigative agencies (Children’s Services: Safeguarding and Specialist Services and the Police).
  • If a child confides in a member of staff/volunteer and requests that the information is kept secret, it is important that the member of staff/volunteer tell the child in a manner appropriate to the child’s age/stage of development that they cannot promise complete confidentiality – instead they must explain that they may need to pass information to other professionals to help keep the child or other children safe.
  • Staff/volunteers who receive information about children and their families in the course of their work should share that information only within appropriate professional contexts.
  • The DSL will consult with the Referral and Initial Assessment Team (BRIDGE) in the following circumstances:
  • When you remain unsure after internal consultation as to whether concerns exist
  • When there is disagreement as to whether child protection concerns exist
  • When you are unable to consult promptly or at all with the DCPO or Deputy.

Consultation is not the same as making a referral but should enable a decision to be made as to whether a referral to BRIDGE or the Police should progress.

MAKING A REFERRAL

A referral involves giving Children’s Services BRIDGE Team or the Police information about concerns relating to an individual or family in order that enquiries can be undertaken by the appropriate agency followed by any necessary action.

Step 1

Call 0161 603 4500 to advise the BRIDGETeam that a referral is being made. It is never appropriate to send information without first making this telephone call. It is on the basis of the information shared, that a decision will be made with the agreement of the referrer as to the best way to proceed with the referral.