Safeguarding, Child Protectionand Safer Recruitment Policy

Date of publication: May 2014

Date of review: May 2015

Updated: 06.01.2015 (PM/EE)

Updated: 08.02.2015 (PM/EE)

Updated: 13.02.2015 (EE)

Updated: 27.03.2015 (EE)

Updated and reviewed May 2015 (PM/EE)

Updated: 13.08.15 (LC)

This policy should be read in conjunction with Alpha Plus Group’s Safeguarding Policy, “Keeping Children Safe in Education” and ‘’ACM Staff Code of Conduct’’

Sir John Ritblat

Chairman of the Governors, Alpha Plus Group

Dated: 27th March 2015

Introduction

Abbey College Manchester aims to provide a safe supportive and controlled environment in which children and young people are encouraged to pursue high academic and personal goals as happy and secure individuals. The College expects that its staff will be alert to the needs of its students including their need for protection; they will put the interests of children and young people first at all times in line with the Education (Independent School Standard)(England) (2014). The College will have regard to and comply with the following policies:

Keeping Children Safe in Education (March 2015) (KCSIE)

Working together to Safeguard Children (2015)

This policy is one of a series in the college’s integrated safeguarding portfolio. Printed copies of this policy are available to parents on request. For the purposes of this policy ‘children’ or‘students’ refers to everyone under the age of 18 (inaccordance with KCSIE March 2015). However, the policy applies to all students in our care where appropriate.

Our core safeguarding principles are:

  1. The College’s responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children is of paramount importance.
  2. Safer children make more successful learners.
  3. College staff and governors will be involved in policy development and review. We will respond to any comments made by parents or students.

Policies will be reviewed annually, unless an incident or new legislation or guidance suggests the need for an interim review.

Child Protection Statement:

We recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all students. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children and young people are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children and young people receive effective support, protection and justice. The procedures contained in this policy apply to all staff and governors and are consistent with those of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (Manchester Safeguarding Children Board).

Policy Principles:

  1. The welfare of the child is paramount.
  2. All children, regardless of age, gender, ability, culture, race, language, religion or sexual identity, have equal rights to protection.
  3. All staff have an equal responsibility to act on any suspicion or disclosure that may suggest a child is at risk of harm
  4. Students and staff involved in Child Protection issues will receive appropriate support

Policy Aims and Procedures for Child Protection

  1. To provide all staff with the necessary information to enable them to meet their Child Protection responsibilities.
  2. To ensure consistent good practice.
  3. To demonstrate the College’s commitment with regard to Child Protection to students, parents and other partners
  4. To contribute to the College’s Safeguarding Portfolio

Terminology

“Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children” refers to the process of protecting children from abuse or neglect, preventing the impairment of health or development, ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care and undertaking that role so as to enable those children to have optimum life chances and to enter adulthood successfully.

“Child protection” refers to the processes undertaken to protect children who have been identified as suffering, or being at risk of suffering significant harm.

“Staff” refers to all those working for or on behalf of the College, full time or part time, in either a paid or voluntary capacity.

“Child” refers to all young people who have not yet reached their 18th birthday.

“Parent” refers to birth parents and other adults who are in a parenting role, for example step-parents, foster carers and adoptive parents.

“APG” refers to The Alpha Plus Group Policies

“ACM” refers to Abbey Manchester Policies

Context

The Education (Independent School Standards) (England) (Regulations 2014) require proprietors of independent schools to have arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children who are Students at the College.

Research suggests that around 10per cent of children will suffer some form of abuse, and disabled children are three times more likely to be abused. Due to their day-to-day contact with students, college staff are uniquely placed to observe changes in children’s behaviour and the outward signs of abuse. Children may also turn to a trusted adult in college when they are in distress or at risk. It is vital that college staffare alert to the signs of abuse and understand the procedures for reporting their concerns.

The requirements of the NMS (National Minimum Standards) underpin the college’s Child Protection Policy in relation to Under -16 students in lodgings (Host family Accommodation)

Key Personnel and Agencies

The Designated Senior Person for Child Protection is the Deputy Principal,Patricia McQuade

Contact details:Tel: 0161 817 2700

E mail:

The Deputy Designated Person is the Head of Upper Sixth (Humanities) Marc Cronin

Contact details: Tel: 0161 817 2700

E mail:

The nominated Child Protection Governor is the Director of Alpha Plus (Colleges),Jenny Aviss

Contact details:Tel: 02074876000

E mail:

The Principal of Abbey College Manchester is Liz Elam

Contact details: Tel: 0161 817 2700

E mail:

The Manchester Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) is Majella O’Hagan

Contact details: Tel: 0161 274 6211

E mail:

The Manchester Safeguarding Children Board:

E mail:

Website:

Contact details for children’s social care to which children in need and children at risk should be referred are

Manchester Contact Centre Tel: 0161 234 5001 or (concerns regarding a child or family) or The Contact Centre Children’s Social Care Tel:0161 255 8250

Roles and responsibilities

The Designated Senior Person:

  1. Is appropriately trained undergoing updated Child Protection training every two years
  2. Acts as a source of support and expertise to the College community
  3. Has an understanding of LSCB procedures and should liaise with the Local Authority (Manchester) and work with other agencies in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children 2013
  4. Liaises with the Principal to inform her of any issues and on-going investigations and keeps written records of all concerns, ensuring that such records are stored securely and flagged, but kept separate from the student’s general file
  5. Refers cases of suspected abuse to the LADO or Police as appropriate
  6. Notifies the LADO if a child with a child protection plan is absent for more than two days without explanation
  7. Ensures that when a student with a Child Protection Plan leaves the college, their information is passed to their new school/college and the student’s Social Worker is informed
  8. Attends and/or contributes to Child Protection conferences
  9. Co-ordinates the college’s contribution to Child Protection Plans
  10. Develops effective links with relevant statutory and voluntary agencies
  11. Liaises with the Principal to ensure that all staff sign to indicate that they have read and understood at least Part One of KCSIE and that they have read and understood The Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
  12. Liaises with the Principal to ensure that the Child Protection Policy is updated annually
  13. Liaises with the Nominated Governor and the Principal(where the role is not carried out by the Principal) as appropriate
  14. Encourages a culture (among all staff) of listening to children and taking account of their wishes and feelings, in any measures to protect them (KCSIE 2014)

The Deputy Designated Person(s) is appropriately trained and, in the absence of the Designated Person (in liaison with the Principal), carries out those functions necessary to ensure the on-going safety and protection of students. In the event of the long-term absence of the Designated Person, the deputy will assume all of the functions above in liaison with the Principal.

The Governing Body will, with the Principal, consider how children may be taught about Safeguarding, including e safety. This will be done through teaching and learning opportunities as part of providing a broad and balanced curriculum (KCSIE March 2015)

The Governing Body ensures that the College has:

  1. A DSP for Child Protection who is a member of the Senior Leadership Team and who has undertaken training in inter-agency working, in addition to basic Child Protection training.
  2. A Child Protection Policy and procedures that are consistent with LSCB requirements, reviewed annually and made available to parents on request.
  3. Procedures for dealing with allegations of abuse made against members of staff including allegations made against the Principal.
  4. Procedures in place to handle allegations against other children
  5. Safer recruitment procedures that include the requirement for statutory checks on staff’s suitability to work with children.
  6. A training strategy that ensures all staff, including the Principal, receive Child Protection training, with refresher training at three-yearly intervals. The DSP will receive refresher training at two-yearly intervals
  7. Arrangements to ensure that all temporary staff and volunteers are made aware of the college’s arrangements for Child Protection.

The Governing Body nominates a member (normally the chair) to be responsible for liaising with the Local Authority and other agencies in the event of an allegation being made against the Principal.

The Principal:

  1. Ensures that the Child Protection Policy and procedures are implemented and followed by all staff.
  2. Allocates sufficient time and resources to enable the DSP and Deputy to carry out their roles effectively, including the assessment and support of students and attendance at strategy discussions and other necessary meetings.
  3. Ensures that all staff feel able to raise concerns about poor or unsafe practice and that such concerns are handled sensitively and in accordance with the whistleblowing procedures
  4. Ensures that students’ safety and welfare are addressed through the curriculum.
  5. Ensure that there is cover if the DSP or Deputy is absent.
  6. Keeps a record of staff attendance at Child Protection Training.
  7. Makes the Child Protection Policy available to parents

Good Practice Guidelines

To meet and maintain our responsibilities towards ourstudents we need to agree standards of good practice.

Good practice includes:

  1. Treating all students with respect
  2. Setting a good example by conducting ourselves appropriately
  3. Involving students in decisions that affect them
  4. Encouraging positive, respectful and safe behaviour among students
  5. Being a good listener
  6. Being alert to changes in students’ behaviour
  7. Recognising that challenging behaviour may be an indicator of abuse
  8. Reading and understanding the College’s Child Protection Policy and guidance documents on wider safeguarding issues, for example bullying, behaviour, physical contact and information-sharing
  9. Asking the student’s permission before initiating physical contact such as assisting with dressing, physical support during PE or administering First Aid
  10. Maintaining appropriate standards of conversation and interaction with and between students and avoiding the use of sexualised or derogatory language
  11. Being aware that the personal and family circumstances and lifestyles of some students lead to an increased risk of abuse
  12. Applying the use of reasonable force only as a last resort and in compliance with College and LSCB procedures.

Abuse of Trust

The Alphaplus Group’s Code of Ethical Practice sets out our expectations of staff.

All college staff are aware that inappropriate behaviour towards students is unacceptable and that their conduct towards students must be beyond reproach.

In addition, staff should understand that, under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, it is an offence for a person over the age of 18 to have a sexual relationship with a person under the age of 18, where that person is in a position of trust, even if the relationship is consensual. This means that any sexual activity between a member of the College staff and a student under 18 may be a criminal offence, even if that student is over the age of consent.

Children who may be particularly vulnerable

Some children may have additional or complex needs that may require targeted support from a range of services. In some cases, children may need immediate intervention or highly specialist services to prevent significant harm or serious risks to their health or welfare.It is important to understand that this increase in risk is due more to societal attitudes and assumptions, and child protection procedures that fail to acknowledge children’s diverse circumstances, rather than the individual child’s personality, impairment or circumstances. Many factors can contribute to an increase in risk, including prejudice and discrimination, isolation, social exclusion, communication issues and reluctance on the part of some adults to accept that abuse can occur.

To ensure that all of our students receive equal protection, we will give special consideration to those who are:

  1. Disabled or have special educational needs
  2. Living in a domestic abuse situation
  3. Affected by parental substance misuse
  4. Asylum seekers
  5. Living away from home
  6. Vulnerable to being bullied, or engaging in bullying
  7. Living in temporary accommodation
  8. Live transient lifestyles
  9. Living in chaotic and unsupportive home situations
  10. Vulnerable to discrimination and maltreatment on the grounds of race, ethnicity, religion or sexuality
  11. Involved directly or indirectly in sexual exploitation, prostitution or child trafficking
  12. Do not have English as a first language
  13. At risk of female genital mutilation (FGM) or forced marriage.
  14. In danger of Radicalisation

This list provides examples of additionally vulnerable groups and is not exhaustive. In Abbey College Manchester, “Special consideration” includes the support of international agents and a Chinese Liaison worker who can translate documents and speak with students.

Helping children to keep themselves safe

Children are taught to understand and manage risk through our personal, social and health education (PSHE) lessons and through all aspects of college life. Our approach is designed to help children to think about risks they may encounter and with staff work out how those risks might be overcome. Discussions about risk are empowering and enabling for all children and promote sensible behaviour rather than fear or anxiety. Children are taught how to conduct themselves and how to behave in a responsible manner. Children are reminded regularly about e-safety and tackling bullying procedures. The College continually promotes an ethos of respect for children, and all our students are encouraged to speak to a member of staff in confidence about any worries they may have.

Support for those involved in a Child Protection issue

Child abuse is devastating and can also result in distress and anxiety for staff who become involved. We will support students, their families and our staff by:

  1. Taking all suspicions and disclosures seriously
  2. Nominating a link person who will keep all parties informed and be the central point of contact.
  3. Where a member of staff is the subject of an allegation made by a student , separate link people will be nominated to avoid any conflict of interest
  4. Responding sympathetically to any request from students or staff for time out to deal with distress or anxiety
  5. Maintaining confidentiality and sharing information on a need-to-know basis only with relevant individuals and agencies
  6. Storing records securely
  7. Offering details of helplines, counselling or other avenues of external support
  8. Following the procedures laid down in our whistleblowing, complaints and disciplinary procedures
  9. Co-operating fully with relevant statutory agencies.

Complaints Procedure

Our complaints procedure will be followed where a student or parent raises a concern about poor practice that initially does not reach the threshold for Child Protection action. Poor practice examples include unfairly singling out a student or attempting to humiliate them, bullying orbelittling a student or discriminating against them in some way. Complaints are managed by Senior Staff, the Principal and Governors. Complaints from staff are dealt with under the College’s Complaints Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures. The Complaints Policy is on the College website and may be requested in writing.

Complaints from staff are dealt with under the Alpha Plus Group Complaints, Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures (Alpha Pus Group Policy 10) (ACM policies 4.1)

If there are concerns about a colleague

Staff who are concerned about the conduct of a colleague towards a student are undoubtedly placed in a very difficult situation. They may worry that they have misunderstood the situation and they will wonder whether a report could jeopardise their colleague’s career. All staff must remember that the welfare of the student is paramount. The college’s whistleblowing code (APG Policy 12) enables staff to raise concerns or allegations in confidence and for a sensitive enquiry to take place. All concerns of poor practice or possible child abuse by colleagues should be reported to the Principal. Complaints about the Principal should be reported to the Director of Colleges.

Staff who are the subject of an allegation

When an allegation is made against a member of staff set procedures must be followed. The Principal must be informed of all allegations against members of staff or volunteers. In the absence of the Principal the Director of Colleges must be informed.

Allegations involving the DSP must be reported directly to the Principal (not via the DSP). In the absence of the Principal the Director of Colleges must be informed.

Allegations involving the Principal should be reported directly to the Director of the Colleges (not via the Principal).