CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Ratified: 24th June 2014

Next Review: June 2015

The Governors and Staff of Worsley Bridge Primary School recognize that the safety and general well being of the children is considered of utmost importance. The children have the right to protection, regardless of age, gender, race, culture or disability. They have a right to be safe at school.

The atmosphere within the school is one that encourages all children to do their best. Opportunities are provided that enable the children to take and make decisions for them. Our teaching of personal, social, health education and citizenship, as part of the National Curriculum, helps to develop appropriate attitudes in children and makes them aware of the impact of the decisions on others. We also teach them how to recognise different risks in different situations and to behave in response to them.

While we aim to help each child fulfil his/her full potential and provide a happy, stimulating environment, we must be aware of the possibility that some children may be suffering from the effects of abuse - be that physical, emotional, sexual or neglect.

We have a pastoral responsibility towards the pupils in our school and a duty to assist the LA Social Services, that act on behalf of children in need or enquire into allegations of child abuse. In order to fulfil these duties it is our policy to follow the procedures for handling suspected cases of abuse of any child at Worsley Bridge School.

Aims and Objectives

To support the child’s development in ways that will foster security, confidence and independence, ensuring that the ECM five outcomes are achieved.  To raise the awareness of both teaching, non-teaching staff and volunteers, of the need to safeguard children and of their responsibilities in identifying and reporting possible cases of abuse  To provide a systematic means of monitoring children known or thought to be at risk of harm  To emphasis the need for good levels of communication between all members of staff  To develop a structured procedure within the school, this will be followed by all members of the school community in cases of suspected abuse. 1  To develop and promote effective working relationships with other agencies, especially the Police and Social Services  To ensure that all adults within our school who have access to children have been checked as to their suitability and have an enhanced CRB disclosure as well as a List 99 check.  The school implements recruitment procedures as recommended in Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment 2007

Child Protection Procedures at Worsley Bridge School

It is our duty as teachers and staff at Worsley Bridge School to be alert to signs of child abuse and play a role in helping to protect any child from abuse.

The designated member of staff to whom you may take any concerns of child abuse is the Child Protection Co-ordinator (CPC), Mrs Jacky Pike (Head Teacher.) In her absence Mrs Freemantle (Inclusion Manager) or Mr Irwin (Deputy Head Teacher) should be informed. Mr. Stephen Powell is the designated Child Protection Governor and will be informed of any incidents concerning Child Protection.

They undertake training and refresher training at 2year intervals. All other staff undertake training and refresher training at 3 yearly intervals.

All of our procedures are in line with Bromley and London Child Protection Procedures 2007.  All members of staff develop their understanding of the signs and indicators of abuse and need.  All members of staff know how to respond to a pupil who discloses abuse.  All staff are kept updated on safeguarding issues.  All staff are aware of any immediate/urgent action required to assist the child eg emergency medical treatment.  All parents and carers are made aware of the school’s safeguarding procedures. This policy is included in the school’s brochure.  All staff are responsible for reporting concerns regarding a colleague’s behaviour [see Whistle Blowing Procedures]  All staff have a copy of this policy. Supply staff are alerted to this section in the supply handbook  Governors receive regular reports about child protection and safeguarding matters.

Responsibilities

 The designated teachers adhere to the London Child Protection Procedures 2007 and the Bromley Safeguarding Children Board with regard to referring a child if there are concerns about possible abuse.  Written records of concerns about a child are kept even if there is no need to make an immediate referral [cause for concern forms are kept in each classroom and body maps are kept in the school office]  These records are kept confidentially and securely in the head teacher’s office. They are kept separately from the pupil records.  If a child is subject to a Child Protection Plan and is absent from school a trained member of staff will telephone the home on day 1 as part of first day calling. If there is no reply from the home and/or there are concerns for the child’s wellbeing Social Care and Education Welfare are contacted.

Confidentiality

 We recognise that all matters relating to Child Protection are confidential.

2  The Head Teacher or the Designated Teacher will disclose information about a pupil to staff on a ‘need to know ‘basis only.  All staff must be aware that they have a professional responsibility to disclose information with other agencies in order to safeguard children.  All staff must be aware that they cannot promise a child to keep secrets. They must inform the child that it may be necessary to inform other people.  All child protection records are kept in the Head Teacher’s office separate from pupil records.

Supporting Children

 We recognise that a child who is abused or witnesses violence may find it difficult to develop and maintain a sense of self worth. We recognise that a child in these circumstances may feel helpless and humiliated and may feel self blame.  We recognise that the school may provide the only stability in the lives of children who have been abused or who are at risk of harm.  We accept that research shows that the behaviour of a child in these circumstances may range from that which is perceived to be normal to aggressive or withdrawn.  If a child comes to an adult to report an incident or make a disclosure it should be dealt with great tact and sympathy  The school has a responsibility to record a child’s response or information given openly by the child.  We are aware of not asking leading questions and not to suggest reasons or people.  When with the child it is important to listen and not to interrupt  Children with SEN may be especially vulnerable to abuse and extra care should be taken to interpret correctly apparent signs of abuse and neglect.

Support will be given to all pupils by:

 Encouraging self esteem and self assertiveness while not condoning aggression or bullying.  Promoting a safe, caring and positive environment within the school.  Liaising and working together with all other support services and those agencies involved with the safeguarding of children.  Notifying Social Care as soon as there is a significant concern.  Providing continuing support to a pupil about whom there have been concerns who leaves the school, by ensuring that appropriate information is forwarded to the pupil’s new school under confidential cover.  Establish and maintain an ethos where children feel secure and encouraged to talk and are always listened to.  Ensure all children know there is an adult in the school whom they can approach if they are worried or in difficulty.  Include in the curriculum opportunities for PSHE and Citizenship which equip children with the skills they need to stay safe from harm and to know whom they should turn to for help.

Supporting Staff

 We recognise that staff working in the school who have become involved with a child who has suffered harm, or appears to be likely to suffer harm, may find the situation stressful and upsetting.  We will support such staff by providing an opportunity to talk through their anxieties with the Designated Teacher and to seek further support as appropriate.  Staff to be informed of any outcomes and reports on any updates concerning the child.

3 Allegations against Staff

 We understand that a pupil may make an allegation against a member of staff.  If such an allegation is made , the member of staff receiving the allegation will a)take the allegation seriously b) ensure that child is safe and supported and c) inform the Head Teacher as soon as possible .The member of staff should then accurately record what they have been informed /observed.  The Head Teacher on all such occasions will discuss the content of the allegation with the Local Authority Designated officer.  If an allegation is made against the Head Teacher then the Chair of Governors must be informed and they will discuss the allegation with the Local Authority designated Officer.  The School will follow both the London and Bromley’s Safeguarding Children’s Boards protocols for managing allegations.

Safer Recruitment  The School will implement their responsibilities for safer recruitment strategies as recommended in Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment 2007.  This will include appropriate training for Head Teacher and others who recruit and select staff and volunteers. These staff will attend the NCSL Safer Recruitment training.  As part of the Safer Recruitment process all staff being offered positions within the school will have their offers made subject to a DBS.  These checks will be renewed every three years.

Parental Involvement

 Parents will be made aware of the policy and may require cases to be referred to the investigative agencies in the interest of the child.  If a case of suspected abuse is referred the school will continue to inform parents of the educational progress of the child.  Parents can be contacted using the school landline phone.

Bullying, Racism, Health and Safety and First Aid

 The policy on anti - bullying will be set out in a separate policy and acknowledges that to allow or condone bullying may lead to consideration under safeguarding procedures.  The policy on racist incidents will be set out in a separate policy and acknowledges that repeated racist incidents may lead to consideration under safeguarding procedures.  The Health and Safety policy and First Aid policy also will be set out in separate documents and they reflect the consideration we give to the protection of the children both within the school environment and when away from the school.  When on an educational visit the group leader will assume the role by proxy of safeguarding officer. All risk assessments prior to the visit will follow Bromley’s procedures.  People, who do not work regularly with children from the school, will need to have a CRB to work with the children.

E-safety

 See separate school policy  As with all forms of harm and abuse, there is no exhaustive list of signs or indicators to watch out for. These can include: 4 Changes in a child’s behaviour, demeanor, physical appearance and presentation, language progress.

 If you are concerned that a child’s safety is at risk because you suspect someone is using communication technologies, (such as social networking sites) to make inappropriate contact with the child. a) Report to and discuss with nominated officers and contact parents. b) Advise the child on how to terminate the communication and save all evidence. c) Contact CEOP http:www.ceop.gov.uk d) Consider the involvement police and social services. e) Inform the e-safety officer.  Children should be confident in a no –blame culture when it comes to reporting inappropriate incidents involving the internet or mobile technology: they will be able to do this without fear.

Common assessment Framework

 The CAF is designed as an assessment tool to facilitate early intervention and co-operation between agencies to improve outcomes for children with additional needs. You might use a CAF:  If you are concerned about how the child is progressing in terms of health, welfare, behaviour, learning or any other aspect of their well-being.  You receive a request from a child or parent/carer for more support.  You are concerned about the child’s appearance or behaviour, but their needs are unclear or are broader than the school can address.  You may want to use the CAF to help you identify the needs of the child and /or to pool the knowledge and expertise with other agencies to support the child better.

Training

Safeguarding Children – J. Pike, D. Irwin, F. Freemantle. All staff – Safer Recruitment.

5 Are you concerned about a child?

These are the 3 simple steps to follow if you have concerns about a child:

1. Make observations of any physical marks or if a child discloses to you, listen sympathetically and ask low key questions

2. Record any information or details as soon as possible and as accurately as possible and complete a Child Protection Form/concern form

3. Discuss your information with the Child Protection Officer (Jacky Pike)

6 The Child Protection Officer will then decide on any further action

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