Whole-School Policy on Child Protection

SCHOOL: Fleetwood High School

A.Named staff/personnel with specific responsibility for Child Protection
Academic Year / Designated Senior Lead & ‘Back-Up’ or Deputy DSL / Nominated Governor
2014/2015 / Gemma Trickett / Kim Whitehouse / Sally Nightingale

B.Training for Designated Staff in School (DSLs should refresh their training every 2 years KCSIE 2015)

Name of Staff Member / Governor / Date when last attended CP Training / Provided by Whom (e.g. LCC, Governor Services)

C. Whole School Child Protection Training (all staff should receive induction and "regular" updated training KCSIE 2015) Lancashire Safeguarding Children Board Best practice guidance for education states that minimally this should be every 3 years and best practice is annually.

Who attended (e.g. all teaching and welfare / support staff, Governors, volunteers) / Date / Training Delivered by

D. Safer Recruitment Training in line with KCSiE 2015 at least one person on any recruitment and selection panel has to have undertaken Safer Recruitment training (LCC recommends this is updated every 5 years)

Name of Staff Member / Governor / Date when attended / Provided by Whom (e.g. LCC, Governor Services, on line training )
E.Review dates for this policy (annual review required KCSIE 2015)
Review Date / Changes made / By whom

FLEETWOOD HIGHSCHOOL

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

1.PURPOSE OF THE POLICY

Fleetwood High School fully recognises the contribution it can make to protect children and support students in school. In ensuring the successful delivery of its mission statement "Achievement for All through personal best" it fully embraces the "Every Child Matters" agenda which puts student safety and well being at the heart of what schools do.

There are three main elements to our child protection policy providing:

(a) Prevention:

Creating a positive school atmosphere, teaching and pastoral support to pupils where children have opportunities to have a voice and that their wishes and feelings are listened to and taken into account.

(b) Protection:

By following agreed procedures, ensuring staff are trained to recognise possible signs and symptoms of abuse and are trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to child protection concerns.

(c) Support:

To pupils and school staff and to children who may have been abused.

This policy applies to all students, staff, governors and visitors to Fleetwood High School.

2.SCHOOL COMMITMENT

We recognise that for all our students, high esteem, confidence, supportive friends and clear lines of communication with a trusted adult helps prevention. Our school will therefore:

  • Establish and maintain an ethos where students feel safe, secure and are encouraged to talk and are listened to.
  • Ensure that all students know that there are adults in school who they can approach if they are worried or in difficulty.
  • Include in the curriculum activities, (in particular in PHSE and Citizenship) opportunities to equip students with the skills and knowledge of how to stay safe from abuse. Students should be confident in this so that they can where necessary take responsibility for their own safety. (Child abuse often takes place during school holidays and weekends when students have no school based adult to confide in. PSHCE aims to empower students to be able to seek areas of help confidently at such times. The schools PSHCE co-ordinator will monitor this aspect and liaise closely with the Designated Senior Person.

3.ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1All adults working with or on behalf of children have a responsibility to protect children. There are, however, key people within schools and the LEA who have specific responsibilities under child protection procedures. The names of those carrying these responsibilities for the current year are: Miss Trickett - senior designated person and in MrsTrickett's absence: Head Teacher and Miss Whitehouse.

3.2It is the role of the senior designated person to ensure the area child protection procedures are followed within the school, and to make relevant referrals to the named agencies according to the guidance given. Additionally, it is their role to ensure all staff employed within the school are aware of the schools internal procedures, to advise staff and to offer support to those requiring this.

3.3The roles and responsibilities of the named governor responsible for child protection are to ensure that the school has an effective policy, that area child protection procedures are complied with, and to support the school in this aspect. It is important that governors are not given details relating to specific child protection situations to ensure confidentiality is not breached. The named Governor is Paul O Connor .

3.4The LEA child protection officer, Mary Aurins, provides advice, support and training to the school and to the schools named person. They can also make referrals to the Area Child Protection Committee and can raise concerns about procedures on behalf of the school.

4.PROCEDURES

4.1We will follow the procedures set out in the document produced by the Lancashire Child Protection Committee. ‘Where it is believed that a child is suffering from, or is at risk of significant harm, we will follow the procedures set out in the document produced by Lancashire Safeguarding Children Board (2011).

All staff will have access to the Child Protection policy and will work within it.

A copy of the policy will be made publically available via the schools website or by other means

The Headteacher should ensure that:

  • the policies and procedures adopted by the Governing Body or Proprietor, particularly concerning referrals of cases of suspected abuse and neglect, are fully implemented and followed by all staff;
  • s/he will be the case manager and liaises with the LA designated officer (LADO) in the event of allegations of abuse being made against a member of staff or volunteer
  • s/he receives appropriate child protection training which is regularly updated
  • s/he will ensure that sufficient resources and time are allocated to enable the staff to discharge their responsibilities, will help to create an environment where all staff and volunteers feel able to raise concerns about poor or unsafe practice in regard to children and will address any concerns sensitively and effectively in a timely manner in accordance with the agreed whistle blowing policies.
  • The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) should ensure that: there is always cover for this role including arrangements for any out of school provision that the school is responsible for and how managers contact the DSL if they are not in school at the time.

Managing referrals

The DSL will:

  • Act as a source of support, advice and expertise to staff on matters of safety and safeguarding and when deciding whether to make a referral by liaising with relevant agencies
  • Refer all cases of suspected abuse to the local authority children’s social care
  • Liaise with the headteacher or principal to inform him or her of issues ongoing enquiries under section 47 of the Children Act 1989 and police investigations

Training

The DSL will access appropriate training carried out every two years in

order to:

  • 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’s child protection policy and procedures, especially new and part time staff
  • Be alert to the specific needs of children in need, those with special educational needs and young carers
  • Be able to keep detailed, accurate, secure written records of concerns and referrals
  • Obtain access to resources and attend any relevant or refresher training courses
  • 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
  • They will also undertake other relevant training commensurate with their role, in line with LSCB best practice guidance, this will be minimally 1 other multi agency course within their 2 year refresher period.

Raising Awareness

The DSL will ensure the school or college’s policies are known and used

appropriately:

  • Ensure the school or college’s child protection policy is reviewed annually 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 in this.
  • Link with the LSCB to make sure staff are aware of training opportunities and the latest local policies on safeguarding
  • Where children leave the school or college ensure their child protection file is copied for any new school or college as soon as possible (LSCB best practice guidance is that this is within 15 working days of the child going off role) but transferred separately from the main pupil file, ensuring secure transit and confirmation of receipt should be obtained. School will retain the original CP file in line with National Record Office guidelines along with a record of when and to which establishment the copy was sent. Minimally this will be for all children until their 25th Birthday.
  • Other adults in school rarely work unsupervised or alongside members of the school staff. However, should there be a need for this (eg visiting peripatetic teachers), Miss Trickett will ensure they are aware of the school's policy.
  • A statement in the school prospectus will inform parents and carers about our school's duties and responsibilities under the child protection procedures.

Prevent Duty

Preventing Radicalisation in school

Building resilience in our young people and the promotion of fundamental British values is at the heart of preventing radicalisation. We do this by providing a safe place in which children can discuss controversial issues, and we give them the knowledge and confidence to challenge extremist beliefs and ideologies. Our work in assemblies and PSHCE helps children understand that Islam is a peaceful religion and educates them on all different religions, beliefs and british values.

Our new prevent duty, is carried out under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, which legally requires us to take steps to prevent pupils from being drawn into terrorism. We take this duty seriously and carry out the four main actions responsibly, namely: risk assessment, working in partnership, staff training and IT policies. If we assess a child as at risk, we will refer to the Channel Programme, which focuses on providing support at an early stage to people who are identified as being vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism.

In terms of training, we await delivery of WRAP training for our staff. (Workshop to Raise Awareness of Prevent). In terms of internet safety, we ensure suitable filters are in place to keep children away from extremist materials, in keeping with Lancashire guidelines.

We recognise that we play a vital role in keeping children safe from harm, including from the risks of extremism and radicalisation, and in promoting the welfare of children in our care.

What we do if there is a concern

If we have a concern about a particular pupil we will follow the school’s normal safeguarding procedures, including discussing with the school’s designated safeguarding lead, and where deemed necessary, with children’s social care. In Prevent priority areas, the local authority will have a Prevent lead who can also provide support.

We may also contact the local police force or dial 101 (the non-emergency number). They can talk to us in confidence about your concerns and help us gain access to support and advice.

The Department for Education has dedicated a telephone helpline (020 7340 7264) to enable staff and governors to raise concerns relating to extremism directly. Concerns can also be raised by email to . Please note that the helpline is not intended for use in emergency situations, such as a child being at immediate risk of harm or a security incident, in which case the normal emergency procedures should be followed.

Related documents: The Prevent duty: Departmental advice for schools and childcare providers , DFE June 2015

5TRAINING AND SUPPORT

Fleetwood High School will ensure that the senior designated person and supporting staff and the nominated governor for child protection attend training relevant to their role every two years. All staff will undertake awareness raising training during their induction into the school and periodically to refresh and update their knowledge.

6.PROFESSIONAL CONFIDENTIALITY

Confidentiality is an issue, which needs to be discussed and fully understood by all those working with children, particularly in the context of child protection. The only purpose of confidentiality in this respect is to benefit the child. A member of staff must never guarantee confidentiality to a student nor should they agree with the student to keep a secret, as where there is a child protection concern this must be reported to the named person and may require further investigation by appropriate authorities. This would lead to a breakdown in trust of adults by the student and could potentially compromise their wellbeing and safety.

Miss Trickett will invoke the local agreed guidelines and procedures, where there is a cause for concern.

Staff will be informed of relevant aspects in respect of child protection on a 'need to know basis' only. Any information shared with a member of staff in this way must be held confidentially to themselves.

7.RECORDS AND MONITORING

Well-kept records are essential to good child protection practice. Our school is clear about the need to record any concerns held about a child or children within our school, the status of such records and when these records should be passed over to other agencies.

A file note will be made of the concern raised and action taken. These file notes are kept in a confidential file, which is separate to other files, by Miss Trickett and Miss Whitehouse . In the same way notes which must be detailed must be kept of any student who is being monitored for child protection reasons.

If a student transfers from the school these files will be forwarded to the pupil's new school marked confidential and for the attention of the receiving school's child protection named person.

Where children leave, the school will ensure their child protection file is transferred to the new school or college as soon as possible and in accordance with LSCB best practice guidance, this will be within 15 working days of the child going off role. It is recognised that best practice is that there will be a verbal handover between the DSL and the DSL at the receiving school/college prior to the file transfer happening. This will be transferred separately from the main pupil file, ensuring secure transit and confirmation of receipt should be obtained.

8.ATTENDANCE AT CHILD PROTECTION CONFERENCES

Miss Trickett / Miss Whitehouse will attend all child protection conferences called in respect of a student or they may delegate this to a Head of Year.

9.SUPPORTING PUPILS AT RISK

9.1Our school recognises that children who are abused or who witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self-worth and to view the world in a positive way. This school may be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives of children at risk. Whilst at school, their behaviour may still be challenging and defiant.

9.2This school will endeavour to support students through:

(a)The curriculum to encourage self-esteem and self-motivation.

(b)The school ethos and its mission statement which promotes a positive, supportive and secure environment and which gives all students and adults a sense of being respected and valued.

(c)A commitment to develop productive, supportive relationships with parents and carers whenever it is in the child's interests to do so.

9.3This policy should be considered alongside other related policies in school. These are the policy for the teaching of PHSCE, the policy on sex and relationships education, the policy for management of students' behaviour, and the health and safety policy.

10.SAFE SCHOOL, SAFE STAFF

10.1The School Staffing Regulations require governing bodies of maintained schools to ensure that at least one person on any appointment panel has undertaken safer recruitment training.

10.2In line with part three of KCSiE 2015, governing bodies and proprietors will take steps to prevent people who pose a risk of harm from working with children by adhering to statutory responsibilities to check staff who work with children, taking proportionate decisions on whether to ask for any checks beyond what is required; and ensuring volunteers are appropriately supervised. The school or college should have written recruitment and selection policies and procedures in place.