Children’s Safeguarding Policy

A Summary

June 2011

Children’s Safeguarding Policy – A summary

Section One - General Introduction

This document is a summary of a comprehensive document reviewed in May 2011 and will be issued to all staff in June2011. The policy makes reference to statutory policies within the school and staff are expected to have full understanding of these.

It is the duty of a school to establish good practice in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in their care. This document has been developed to provide a comprehensive guide to the procedures within Whitfield and Aspen School to ensure all aspects of Every Child Matters1are achieved.The school gained Safe Schools Accreditation in September 2009.

“Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfES, 2006) offers a clear distinction:

‘Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined for the purposes of this guidance as:

  • protecting children from maltreatment
  • preventing impairment of children’s health or development
  • ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.’

‘Child protection is a part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. This refers to the activity which is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are at risk of suffering, significant harm.’ The inference is that safeguarding and child protection are different, but part of a single continuum. Safeguarding activity is universal and based on prevention of harm and the promotion of wellbeing of all children, while child protection deals with identified risk.

The Child Protection & Safeguarding Handbook for Schools – Ann Raymond 20093

Every Child Matters laid down the five outcomes that are seen as the key to a child’s well-being throughout their education

These outcomes are:

  • Being healthy
  • Staying safe
  • Enjoying and achieving
  • Making a positive contribution
  • Achieving economic well-being.

It is the duty of a school to provide appropriate education for all children to meet their individual needs as well as providing the environment for learning to take place within which children feel safe. This policy deals with all those aspects to enable the guidelines developed by the Dfes2to be achieved.

Whitfield and Aspen School has developed an Equal Opportunities Policy4 and Race Equality Policy5. These policies have been developed to ensure all children and adults are not discriminated against in any form and give opportunity for all children to develop their potential educationally, emotionally and socially and staff to develop professionally.

Two main principles that support this are that:

The school is committed to changing attitudes and opinions; changing the behaviour of people towards each other; improving access to learning opportunities and levels of achievement for all groups and individuals.

“Whitfield and Aspen School is committed to an inclusive ethos based on respect for, and celebration of, ethnic diversity. The school strives to prepare all pupils for living in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic society. The school will strive to promote race equality in all dimensions of the school's life and community.

In line with these policies the school has produced the following:

Whitfield & Aspen School - Statement of Equality6

This school recognises the equality in rights and status of all pupils within. It recognises that all children have a variety of needs and will support them in meeting those needs and promoting the philosophy of inclusive learning.

All those connected with the school are expected to adhere to this statement as it is felt that this is fundamental to the protection and well being of all within our school.

In addition all those working within school have adopted the following Dignity at Work Policy7 which states:

“Whitfield School and Aspen is an organisation with many individuals and groups contributing, in diverse ways, to its work. The purpose of this policy is to state a commitment to develop a culture of personal and organisational integrity and professionalism, in which dignity and respect are valued, and unacceptable behaviour is identified and dealt with quickly, fairly and sensitively.

Section Two- Duty of Care

A school has the duty of care for all those attending school. This is defined in the term loco parentis: i.e. the legal responsibility to take on some of the functions and responsibilities of a prudent parent.

Duty of Care is the duty which rests up[on and individual or organisation to ensure all reasonable steps are taken to ensure the safety of a child or young person involved in any activity or interaction for which that individual or organisation is responsible. Any person in charge of, or working with children and young people in any capacity is considered, both legally and morally to owe them a duty of care.8

This means that adults should:

  • understand the responsibilities, which are part of their employment or role, and be aware that sanctions will be applied if these provisions are breached
  • always act, and be seen to act, in the child’s best interests
  • avoid any conduct which would lead any reasonable person to question their motivation and intentions
  • take responsibility for their own actions and behaviour.

The school has therefore developed a Medical Needs Policy9 in line with DfES guidelines10

This lays down guidelines and procedures to ensure that medication is controlled andchildren are not at risk in any way.

The extract below gives the basis upon which the policy has been developed.

“Definition:

Children who have medical conditions, which, if not properly managed, could limit their access to education, are regarded as having medical needs.

This definition does not apply to the majority of children who have a short-term condition that requires a course of medication. The above definition therefore applies to conditions such as epilepsy, asthma etc. It also applies to children requiring support for feeding and toileting needs.

Principles: The school recognises that there are many conditions affecting children in school and positively welcomes children into school. The inclusive approach of Whitfield and AspenSchool enables pupils to take a full part within school activities.

This school encourages children with medical needs to achieve their potential in all aspects of school life by having a clear policy that is understood by school staff, pupils and parents, the Governing Body and the local education authority.

The school encourages children to take responsibility for their own medication where possible and appropriate.

Duty:

It is the duty of the governing body to develop and the Headteacher to implement the policy for children with medical needs and to ensure appropriate detailed procedures are in place. Within Aspen the initial delegation of this responsibility is to the Headteacher (AEN).

Teachers and other school staff have a common law duty to act as any reasonably prudent parent would to make sure that pupils are healthy and safe on school premises (or on off-site activities). (This duty might extend to the administration of medicines or taking emergency action. i.e. rectal valium.)

However, there is no legal or contractual duty on teachers or staff to administer medicine or supervise a pupil taking it.

The LEA should recognise that staff taking any action as indicated above do so in a voluntary capacity and the LEA takes full responsibility for this action and to ensure that a procedure is in place to support staff.”

When considering a child’s medical needs, guidelines have been developeddefining Whitfield & Aspen School’s approach to working with children with medical conditions11. The initial paragraph states that:

As a school which is committed to inclusive education, our approach is to accept children with medical conditions, including epilepsy, which may require medication/treatment to be administered on-site. Many schools will not accept such children unless they have medically qualified staff available on-site and some teaching unions advise against non-medical staff being involved in the administration of any treatment or medication. This is because staff are particularly vulnerable in these situations, with regard to complaints or even legal action by parents/carers.* Accepting such children, especially at Aspen, therefore requires a high degree of trust and co-operation between school staff and parents. If this relationship breaks down for any reason, the vulnerability of staff is increased.

These procedures recognise that communication between parents/cares and staff is essential along with a common understanding of why action is taken when meeting a child’s medical needs.

It is recognised that in recent years some children have been entering school with high level medical care needs. It is important that these children are protected and provided for by medically trained staff and the school is provided this support and not expected to carry out duties that will put the child or staff at risk. The school will accept children who have a designated 24 hour medical care plan providing that appropriate trained medical carers are provided. The responsibility for this lies with the health authority. Without this cover the school will not accept the child on to their roll. Likewise if accepted and the support is temporarily unavailable the school will not allow the child to attend for that day.

First Aid Policy and Guidelines12

First Aid is an essential part of Safeguarding children. The policy gives clear guidance how to act in an emergency.

First Aid Sites

Station 1 – School Office

Station 2 – Medical Room

Station 3 – Aspen Pool

Station 4 – School Hall

Station 5 – SMILE Centre

All first aid outfits to be maintained at a level compliant with the health and safety (first-aid) regulations 1981 and KCC advice. School office should be informed if items need to be replaced. First Aid boxes are available in every classroom.

Designated first-aiders holding first aid at work certificates

Mr A Lamb (Headteacher)

Mrs Mary Coffey (Deputy Aspen)

Mrs Christine McGagh (Reception/Admin Assistant –Aspen)

Mrs Sue Glanville (Deputy Office Manager)

Mrs Paula Lucas(Snr TA (VI) Aspen)

Ms Louisa Maddocks(Teacher – PE Coordinator)

Mrs Jane Uyl (LSA Aspen)

Mrs Celia German(Teacher – Roots Nursery)

Ms Sophie Budgen(Teacher)

Mrs Jo Hammond(TA)

Ben Doble (Admin Assistant)

Accident reporting

All accidents must be reported as outlined in the health & safety procedures.

Any accident where a casualty becomes distressed, badly cut, grazed or bruised or if there is any suspicion of a fractured bone it should be reported to:

-The head or deputy head

-A designated first-aider

-Parents/relative

-Accident Book/form HS157 (April 2009)completed and filed in the office

Injuries to adults

Any accident to staff or other adults must be reported to the head or deputy head.

(see health and safety policy)

Health & Safety:13

The welfare of all working within the school is subject to an up to date Health and safety policy.

The governors, headteacher, teachers and support staff at WhitfieldSchool all have responsibility within the Framework provided by Kent County Council Education Authority for safe working practices and compliance with Health and Safety legislation and LEA policies. The headteacher is required by the director of education to prepare, publish and update as necessary a school statement of arrangements for the carrying out of the appropriate safety policies.

The aim is to ensure that all reasonably practical steps are taken to secure the health, safety and welfare of all persons using the premises:

  • to maintain a safe and healthy working environment
  • to establish and maintain safe working procedures among staff and pupils
  • to promote occupational health and hygiene
  • to ensure sufficient information, instruction and supervision to enable all people working on site and pupils to avoid hazards and contribute positively to their own safety and health at work and to ensure that they have access to appropriate training as and when provided
  • to prevent fire as far as reasonably practicable, otherwise to control fire and to ensure safe and efficient evacuation of buildings
  • to lay down procedures to be followed in case of accident
  • to make arrangements for ensuring safety and absence of risks to health in connection with the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances
  • to provide and maintain adequate welfare facilities.

The policy outlines the roles and responsibilities of all staff and governors of the school, including the appointed Health and Safety representative.

  • It is the responsibility of the school to ensure that the following groups of persons working at the school follow safe working practices under the provisions of the Health and safety at Work Act.
  • All staff should be signed in at the school offices and should wear appropriate badges to identify them. Any adult not wearing a badge will be challenged as to their right to be on site.
  • The kitchen supervisor shall ensure that staff follow safety and hygiene rules to ensure that food is prepared and served without risk to health as detailed in the Food Hygiene Regulations of 1970 and 1990.
  • Where a member of staff becomes aware of a contractor creating hazardous conditions, the headteacher must be informed, and such action as necessary must be taken to prevent risk of injury.
  • The home/school liaison coordinator keeps a list of regular volunteer helpers in classes throughout the school. Class teachers should inform her of any changes in regular arrangements. A copy of the list is kept in the office for reference in an emergency.
  • The school completes a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check on all casual helpers in line with the latest guidance from DfE and the Vetting and Barring directive of 2010.

Fire Emergency - In the case of any outbreak of fire the buildings must be evacuated in accordance with school guidelines. Children in the main building will need to know how to open fire doors in their classrooms, and all children will need to know where alternative exits to the hall are and how to use them. All emergency exits, including those in mobile classrooms, must be kept clear at all times.

Bomb Alert - The police must be informed immediately if a bomb threat is made or suspicious parcel or envelope received. Any member of staff receiving a telephone call making such a threat should allow the caller to give the message without interruption, note the message exactly, note any clues as to the age and sex of the caller, peculiarities of speech or signs of emotion or intoxication, any background sounds.In the case of a bomb alert or other major emergency the headteacher or deputy head will decide the appropriate action as given in the full policy document.

Severe Weather - Should it be necessary to close the school for the day, the headteacher after consulting the site manager, will inform local radio stations, staff through the call process. In the event of a closure during the day the emergency parent contacts will again be used. The office will monitor visitors, and will keep an emergency checklist of which children are collected during the day, the time they are collected, and by whom.

Supervision of Children - Teacher supervision of children begins ten minutes before the start of the day, and continues for ten minutes at the end of the day. Duty rotas provide for one KS2 teacher to be on duty in the playground from 8.40, and a KS1 teacher from 8.45. Parents are asked not to send children to arrive before these times. The whistle is blown at 8.50 for the beginning of the KS2 day. All children stand still, and KS2 are sent to walk to their classes on the path clockwise around the building. KS1 children continue play until 8.55.

At the end of each session children must leave classrooms unless supervised by an adult. Children must gain permission from duty staff before coming into the building during break times.

If it is decided that it is too wet for outdoor break the duty teacher will send a messenger to the school secretary to use the class call system to show ‘15’, the code for wet playtime. All staff then remain with their classes, although for most classes pairing arrangements may be made to allow one teacher to supervise two classes while the other makes tea or coffee. Midday supervisors look after classes during wet lunchtimes. It is important that children have games and activities that they can sit down with during this time. The Safety Code states that all children should find an activity and sit down during wet breaks.

At the end of the day the KS1 classes are escorted at 3.05 to the gate by their teachers, and supervised until met by their carers. KS2 children should be dismissed promptly at 3.10, supervised through the cloakrooms and sent out in an orderly manner to the gate. The KS2 duty teacher supervises children leaving school on the school drive. Every child needs to understand that if they are not met as arranged they should return to wait in the entrance lobby and inform the office staff.