Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy
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SAFEGUARDING & CHILD PROTECTION POLICY & PROCEDURE MAT Version 1.2 Name of John McNally policy writer Last updated September 2019 Review date September 2020 Approved by 3 October 2019 Directors Record of Alterations Version 1.0 Original 1.1 Amendments ‐ Change of name LADO/ Prevent Coordinator LA 1.2 Amendments ‐ Annual update in accordance with KCSIE 2019. Updated to reflect trust’s Decision Making & Accountability Framework. Additional guidance on child criminal exploitation, sexual violence, sexual harassment, serious violence and ‘upskirting.’ Teachers to follow DfE guidance when teaching pupils about online safety. References to the use of risk assessments. SHARE MAT Policy for SAFEGUARDING Thornhill Community Academy Every academy in our trust has its own Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure, to ensure the specific needs of the setting but a common template has been introduced based on the ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education 2019’ to ensure all statutory requirements are met and directors can fulfil their safeguarding responsibilities. There are key people within the trust who have specific responsibilities under Safeguarding procedures: Director responsible for Safeguarding: Lucy Rawlinson Local Academy Governor responsible for Safeguarding: Sahera Patel Responsibility within our academy: Nicola Holmes Academy Designated Deputy Nominated Principal / Chair of Student name Safeguarding Safeguarding Safeguarding Headteacher Governors Managers / Lead Designated Governor Pastoral Lead(s) Leaders Thornhill Nicola Holmes Sahera Patel Matthew Burton Vic White Community Mary Kennedy Rachel Crowther Academy Ben Stephenson Lynn Marsden Fatema Mulla Claire Keen Sarah Summersall- Amanda Griffiths Frith Deirdre Stevens Christine Austwick Amanda Griffiths Claire Keen Dates of Staff training and details of course title and training provider: Academy Whole Academy Designated Safeguarding Lead and Safer Recruitment in deputies Education training Thornhill Safeguarding training The Designated Safeguarding Lead Safer Recruitment Community delivered by Kirklees Schools and all deputies undertake a DSL training delivered by Academy Safeguarding Officer delivered refresher course delivered by Kirklees LA to relevant to all staff in January 2018. Kirklees Schools Safeguarding staff in May 2018. Officers annually. They also Prevent training delivered by undertake at least one relevant Kirklees Prevent team to all Level 3 course annually. staff in June 2019. Annual safeguarding refresher delivered to all staff by the Designated Safeguarding Lead in September 2019. 2 CONTENTS Section 1 Our Commitment Section 2 Providing a Safe and Supportive Environment 2.1 Safer Recruitment and Selection 2.2 Safe Practice 2.3 Safeguarding Information for Students 2.4 Partnership with Parents 2.5 Partnership with Others 2.6 Training and Staff Induction 2.7 Support, Advice and Guidance for Staff 2.8 Academy Policies 2.9 Child or Student Information 2.10 Roles and Responsibilities Section 3 Identifying Children who are Suffering or Likely to Suffer Significant Harm 3.1 Definitions 3.2 Specific Safeguarding Issues 3.3 Child Sexual Exploitation 3.4 The Criminal Exploitation of Children (CCE), including ‘county lines’ 3.5 Female Genital Mutilation and ‘Honour Based’ Violence 3.6 Carrying Knives/Offensive Weapons and Gang Culture 3.7 Preventing Radicalisation 3.8 Online Safety 3.9 The Sending of Indecent Images from One Person to Another Through Digital Media Devices Section 4 Taking Action to ensure that children are safe at academy and at home 4.1 Concerns that staff must immediately report 4.2 Responding to disclosure 4.3 Action by the Designated Safeguarding Lead 4.4 Action following a Child Protection Referral 4.5 Recording and Monitoring 4.6 Supporting the Child and Partnership with Parents Section 5 Allegations regarding Person(s) working in or on behalf of SHARE MAT (including Volunteers) Appendices Appendix 1 – Flowchart Appendix 2 – Proformas Appendix 3 – Contacts - Kirklees Local Authority processes and contacts are set out in this appendix Appendix 4 – Definitions Introduction The policy makes reference to, and is compliant with: West Yorkshire Consortium Safeguarding Children Procedures (see link from Kirklees Safeguarding Children Partnership website at www.kirkleessafeguardingchildren.co.uk or go direct to the manual at: http://www.proceduresonline.com/westyorkscb/ “Working Together to Safeguard Children’ (July 2018) which is statutory guidance to be read and followed by all those providing services for children and families, including those in education”. “What to do if you are worried a child is being abused” (2015) “Keeping Children Safe in Education” (2nd September 2019) which is the statutory - guidance for Academies and Colleges. “Information Sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers (July 2018) “The Prevent Duty Departmental, advice for Academies and child care providers” (June 2015). 3 Section 1 Our Commitment This policy applies to all adults, including volunteers, working in our trust or on behalf of the individual academy. Everyone working in our trust shares an objective to help keep children and young people safe by contributing to: providing a safe environment for children and young people to learn and develop in the academy setting; and identifying children and young people who are suffering or likely to suffer significant harm, and taking appropriate action with the aim of making sure they are kept safe both at home and in our academy setting. Thornhill Community Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all of its children and young people. All children and young people on roll are classified as a child for the purposes of safeguarding. Each child’s welfare is of paramount importance. We recognise that some children may be especially vulnerable to abuse. We recognise that children who are abused or neglected may find it difficult to develop a sense of self-worth and to view the world in a positive way. Whilst at academy, behaviour may be challenging. We recognise that they may exhibit concerning behaviours and at times this may impact on other children either directly or indirectly. We will always take a considered and sensitive approach in order that we can support all of our children. Professional Behaviour of all staff All staff (teaching, support, volunteers and contractors) are responsible for the safeguarding of children. Occasionally, a child or young person may develop an infatuation with an adult who works with them. In this situation the adult should deal with this situation as sensitively and appropriately, to maintain the dignity and safety of all concerned. They should remain aware, however, that such infatuations carry a high risk of words or actions being misinterpreted and should therefore make every effort to ensure that their own behaviour is above reproach. If a situation such as this arises it must be referred to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). (Safer Working Practices Guide for adults that work with children and young people) (October 2015). Where a person aged 18 or over is in a specified position of trust, it is an offence for that person to engage in sexual activity with or in the presence of that child, or to cause or incite that child to engage in or watch sexual activity. (Sexual Offences Act 2003). (In a position of trust is referring to an individual who works at an educational establishment where the child is on roll). All adults who work with, and on behalf of children are accountable for the way in which they exercise authority; manage risk; use resources; and safeguard children and young people. (Safer Working Practices Guide for adults who work with children and young people) (October 2015). If you suspect a breach of the Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure, it is your responsibility to report this to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or the Deputy in academy, or follow the SHARE MAT Whistleblowing Policy. It is in the interest of all staff, if working on a one to one basis with a child, to be in an area where they can be seen, to reduce the risk of allegations being made against them. Members of staff must not be friends with children and young people on social media sites (with the exception of parent/child relationships) and it is advisable to ensure your security settings are such that students or their parents are unable to see your personal information. Members of staff must ensure their behaviour on social media sites do not bring their professionalism or the academy’s name into disrepute. 4 Child Anti-bullying Protection policies Staff Conduct Online Safety Curriculum Attendance Managing allegations Behaviour Safeguarding Management against staff Health and safety Building design Safe recruitment & Transport to Whistle blowing and from selection Academy Section 2 Providing a Safe and Supportive Environment 2.1 Safer Recruitment and Selection The trust pays full regard to DfE guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (September 2019). We ensure that all appropriate measures are applied in relation to everyone who works in the academy trust who is likely to be perceived by the children as a safe and trustworthy adult including e.g. volunteers, staff employed by contractors and governors. Safer recruitment practice includes scrutinising applicants, verifying identity academic and vocational qualifications, obtaining professional references,