Safeguarding (Child Protection) Policy
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This policy has been approved for operation within Jamea Al-Kauthar.
Date of last review / January 2017Date of next review / January 2018- Updated September 2016
Review period / 1 year
Approved by / Fazl Wadee
CONTENTS
1. Purpose……………………………………………………………………..... / 52. Aims……………………………………………………………………...... / 5
3. Introduction………………………………………………………………….. / 7
4. Terminology………………………………………………………………..... / 8
5. The Jamea Commitment……………………………………………………... / 9
6. Key Personnel………………………………………………………………... / 10
7. Role of the Designated Senior Person(s)…………………………………….. / 11
8. Role of the Head teacher…………….………………………………………. / 13
9. Role of Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB)..……………………… / 13
10. Role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) ………………….. / 14
11. Role of Staff…………………………………………………………………. / 15
12. Recognising Abuse…………………………………………………………... / 16
13. Recognising Extremism and Radicalisation………………………………… / 19
14. ‘Honour Based’ Violence...……………………………..…………………... / 21
15. Forced Marriage……………………………………………………………... / 22
16. Female Genital Mutilation…………………………………………………… / 22
17. Child Abuse Linked to ‘Possession’, ‘Jinn’ and ‘Witchcraft’……………… / 23
18. Further Information………………………………………………………….. / 23
19. Children Who May be Particularly Vulnerable ……………………………... / 24
20. Taking action: key points……………………………………………………. / 25
21. Taking action: disclosures of abuse………………………………………….. / 27
22. Taking action: initial cause of concern………………………………………. / 28
23. Taking action: notifying parents……………………………………………... / 28
24. Taking action: referral to children’s social care……………………………... / 29
25. Taking action: reporting directly to child protection agencies……………… / 30
26. Taking action: children with sexually harmful behaviour…………………… / 30
27. Taking action: ensuring confidentiality ……………………………………... / 31
28. Allegations…………………………………………………………………… / 32
29. Support for staff who has been suspended…………………………………... / 36
30. Records and Monitoring …………………………………………………….. / 36
31. Attendance at Child Protection Conferences……………..………………….. / 37
32. The Multi-Agency Assessment and Referral Form……….…………………. / 38
33. Safer Recruitment………………………………………….………………… / 40
34. External Speakers and Charities………………………….………………….. / 41
35. Visitors………………………………………………………………………. / 41
36. Training and Support………………………………………………………… / 41
37. Missing Child Policy………………………………………………………… / 44
Appendix 1: Safe Working Practices……………………………………………. / 46
Appendix 2: Whistleblowing Procedure………………………………………… / 51
Appendix 3: Multi-Agency Referral Form………………….…………………… / 53
1. Purpose
1.1 This effective whole Jamea Child Protection Policy is one, which provides clear direction to staff and others about expected codes of behaviour in dealing with child Protection issues, and the action which must be taken if there are concerns about the safety or well-being of any child. This effective policy also makes explicit Jamea Al Kauthar's commitment to the development of good practice and sound procedures. This ensures that child protection concerns and referrals may be handled sensitively, professionally and in ways which support the needs of the child.
2. Aims
2.1 The primary aim:
JAK aims to provide pupils with relevant information, skills and attitudes to help them to resist abuse and prepare for the responsibilities of adult life including home and family. Together with these skills we hope that pupils will feel confident they can confide in staff on issues of neglect, abuse and deprivation.
2.2 The secondary aims are:
§ to inform and advise any adults that work in or on behalf of Jamea Al Kauthar of the need for child protection and of their responsibilities in identifying and reporting possible case of abuse.
§ to monitor children who have been identified as 'at risk'.
§ to ensure that everyone is aware of the required levels of communication between staff in actual, suspected or potential child protection situations.
§ this policy is intended to give clear guidance to all staff with procedures to follow if a child discloses abuse or a member of staff suspect’s abuse.
§ to identify safe working practices (Appendix 1) for all adults working with children.
§ to integrate a child protection curriculum into the existing curriculum allowing continuity and progression through all stages of education.
§ to operate this policy in line with the stated values of Jamea Al Kauthar.
§ to review the Jamea procedures and improve the way the child protection issues are managed.
2.3 Statutory Framework
In order to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, the school will act in accordance with the following legislation and guidance:
§ The Children Act 1989
§ The Children Act 2004
§ Education Act 2002 (section 175)
§ Local Safeguarding Children Board Inter-agency Child Protection and Safeguarding Children Procedures (Electronic)
§ Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education (DfES 2006)
§ Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfE March 2015)
§ Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE September 2016)
§ The Education (Pupil Information) (England) Regulations 2005
§ Dealing with Allegations of Abuse Against Teachers and Other Staff (DfE 2011)
§ Guidance on Prevent Duty (September 2015)
Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfE 2016) requires all schools to follow the procedures for protecting children from abuse which are established by the Lancashire Safeguarding Children Board.
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.
Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE September 2016) places the following responsibilities on all schools:
§ Schools should be aware of and follow the procedures established by the Local 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 Senior Person (referred to in ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE, September 2016) as Designated Safeguarding Lead') should have responsibility for co-ordinating action within the school and liaising with other agencies
§ Staff with the designated safeguarding lead should undergo updated child protection training every two years
Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE September 2016) also states:
“Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professionals should make sure their approach is child-centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.
…Governing bodies and proprietors should ensure there are appropriate policies and procedures in place in order for appropriate action to be taken in a timely manner to safeguard and promote children’s welfare. This should include:
• an effective child protection policy; and
• a staff behaviour policy (sometimes called the code of conduct)
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. These policies, along with Part one of KCSIE and information regarding the role of the designated safeguarding lead, should be provided to all staff on induction. The child protection policy should describe procedures which are in accordance with government guidance and refer to locally agreed inter-agency procedures put in place by the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB), be updated annually (as a minimum), and be available publicly either via the school or college website or by other means.”
2.4 The document ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ – DFE, September 2016) MUST be read in conjunction with this policy and should be kept as an appendix to the school’s child protection policy.
2.5 All staff including volunteers must read and understand the policy especially Part 1 of the document ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ – DFE, September 2016
3. Introduction
3.1 Jamea Al Kauthar's Establishment purpose:
Jamea Al Kauthar was established to provide an opportunity to study the traditional sciences concurrently with secondary and further education in a safe, secure and happy environment.
The Deeni (Islamic) Ethos of Jamea Al Kauthar
"Seeking Knowledge is incumbent upon every Muslim." (Hadith)
The Jamea aims to encourage each student to discover their full potential and to develop it within a Deeni framework. The Jamea has high expectations of its students, not only academically but also islamically in standards of behaviour, appearance and courtesy both inside and outside the Jamea.
In a Deeni institution, the spirit of Islam should be at the heart of all aspects of Jamea life. The Islamic elements cannot be separated from other elements. They should encompass all aspects of the curriculum. The teacher/ student relationship is important and should be based upon respect and trust. The relations of teachers to each other and of students to their peers are equally crucial.
3.2 Jamea Al Kauthar recognises the contribution it can make to protect children and support students in Jamea.
3.3 There are three main elements to our Child Protection Policy.
§ PREVENTION by creating a positive school ethos, teaching and providing pastoral support to students.
§ PROTECTION by following agreed procedures; ensuring staff are trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to Child Protection concerns.
§ SUPPORT to students and Jamea staff and to children who may have been abused or who may have been involved in ensuring the well-being of the victim.
3.4 This policy applies to:
§ All members of Jamea Al Kauthar's community (trustees, teachers, administration staff, catering staff, and all other assistants).
§ To all adults from outside the Jamea who have close contact with pupils (mentors, careers offices, EWOs, support teachers and the social service department).
3.5 There are, however, key people within schools and the Local Authority who
have specific responsibilities under Child Protection procedures. For the reasons cited above all new staff will be fully inducted so that they are able to contribute towards safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. This includes ensuring new staff are:
§ aware of the school’s policies and procedures for promoting the wellbeing of young people
§ provided with adequate training on safeguarding issues; and
§ introduced to the Designated Senior Persons who have responsibility for safeguarding
4. Terminology
4.1 Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined for the purposes of this policy 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 (Keeping Children Safe in Education, DfE, 2016).
4.2 Child protection refers to the processes undertaken to protect children who have been identified as suffering, or being at risk of suffering significant harm (Children Act 1989).
4.3 Radicalisation refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and forms of extremism leading to terrorism (Prevent Strategy, Home Office, 2011).
4.4 Extremism is vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. We also include in our definition of extremism calls for the death of members of our armed forces, whether in this country or overseas (Prevent Strategy, Home Office, 2011).
4.5 An ideology is a set of beliefs (Prevent Strategy, Home Office, 2011).
4.6 Staff refers to all those working for or on behalf of the school, full time or part time, in either a paid or voluntary capacity.
4.7 Child refers to all young people who have not yet reached their 18th birthday.
4.8 Parent refers to birth parents and other adults who are in a parenting role, for
example step-parents, foster carers and adoptive parents or legal guardian.
5. The Jamea Commitment
5.1 Jamea Al Kauthar recognises that high self-esteem, confidence, peer support, and clear lines of communication with trusted adults helps all children, and especially those at risk of or suffering abuse.
5.2 Jamea Al Kauthar will therefore:
§ Establish and maintain an ethos where children feel secure and are encouraged to talk, and are listened to. Staff members are aware that children should not be ignored and as part of the Deeni Ethos ensure that students are supported in developing their personality. Students at Jamea Al Kauthar also have access to Independent Listeners, Child Care Line and Comments/suggestions/complaints box. (see section 5.3-5.4)
§ Ensure that children know that there are adults in the Jamea who they can approach if they are worried or are in difficulty. Students are encouraged to approach adults with their concerns. Assemblies on return from Holidays remind students that their concerns are important and that they should approach a member of staff if they are worried or in difficulty.
§ Include in the curriculum activities and opportunities which equip children with the skills they need to stay safe from abuse. The curriculum includes subjects such as PSCHE and Islamic Studies to raise student's awareness and builds confidence so the students have a range of contacts and strategies to ensure their own protection and to understand the importance of protecting others.
§ Include in the curriculum material that which will help children develop realistic attitudes to the responsibilities of adult life, particularly with regard to childcare and parenting skills.
§ Ensure that every effort will be made to establish effective working relationships with parents and colleagues from other agencies.
5.3 Independent Listeners
§ Here at the Jamea we understand that all our students may at times require personal and private consultations to help them deal with certain aspects of their lives.
§ To ensure that all their individual needs are fully met we have two independent listeners who are available to deal with their problems at all times. They are both upstanding members of the community and their details are as below:
Haleema Zinga: Tel: 07927308560
Farida Patel: Tel: 01524 383357
§ NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 / Child Line: 0800 1111
Muslim Youth Helpline: 0808 808 2008
Children’s Rights Director: 0800 528 0731
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5.4 Independent Advice
If you require independent advice you may phone the independent charity public concern at work on 0207 4046609 or the internet at www.pcaw.co.uk confidential advice will be given to you about how to raise a concern about serious malpractice at work.