SAFEGUARDING AND CHILD PROTECTION POLICY Approved by the Governing Body: September 2020 Responsible member of SLT and Designated Senior Leader: Scott Sanderson Responsible member of by the Governing Body: Sheila Mansell/Nick Caddick The policy applies to all staff Next review: August 2021 1 Content Safeguarding Policy Statement Page 3 Key personnel Page 4 Key Contacts Page 5 Terminology Page 6 1. Introduction Page 7 2. Policy Aims Page 9 3. Responding to Safeguarding and Child Protection Concerns Page 10 4. Designated Safeguard Lead (DSL) Page 16 5. Responding to Disclosures of Abuse Page 17 6. Allegations against staff Page 20 7. Roles and Responsibilities Page 21 8. Referring Concerns to Social Services Page 21 9. Duty to Report concerns about the management of safeguarding Page 22 10. Monitoring and Review Page 22 Appendix 1 – Sexual Abuse by Young People Page 23 Appendix 2 – Female Genital Mutilation Page 25 Appendix 3 – Domestic Abuse Page 27 Appendix 4 – Radicalisation and Extremism Page 28 Appendix 5 – Resources Page 30 Appendix 6 – Allegations Against Adults Who Work with Children Page 31 Appendix 7 – Mental Health Page 32 Appendix 8 – County Lines Page 33 2 Safeguarding Policy Statement Alton School (“the School”) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All pupils have the right to be protected from all types of harm and abuse. This Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy (“this Policy”) forms a fundamental part of our approach to providing excellent pastoral care for all pupils, including young people who may be over the age of 18 years. Raising a Concern Are you worried a child may be at risk of harm? Speak directly to the school’s DSL or to one of the DDSLs (see p.4 below) If you are still concerned, or you are unable to contact one of the school’s Safeguarding Team, please contact: Children’s Services at Hampshire County Council on 0300 555 1384 or the out-of-hours service on 0300 555 1373 The Children’s Commissioner on 020 7783 8330 NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 ([email protected]) Staff should call the NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline if they feel their concerns are not being taken seriously by the school or that safeguarding practice at the school is inadequate or is not working properly 0800 028 0285 3 SAFEGUARDING TEAM AND KEY PERSONNEL The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) are: Scott Sanderson – Director of Middle School - Contact details: email: [email protected] Telephone: 01420-82070 Pim Grimes- (Director of Prep School) - Contact details: email: [email protected] Telephone: 01420-82070 Cathy Short – Deputy Nursery Manager EYFS - Contact details: email: [email protected] Telephone: 01420-82070 The Deputies and named members of staff are: Elaine Molyneux: email: [email protected] Nursery Kevin Scowcroft: [email protected] Prep School Elizabeth Inglis: [email protected] Director of Upper School The Nominated Safeguarding and Child Protection Governors are: Mrs Sheila Mansell and Mr Nicholas Caddick - Contact through the Clerk to the Governors: email: [email protected] Tel: 01420 82070 The Chair of Governors is: Mr Clive Hexton - Contact through the Clerk to the Governors: email:[email protected] Tel: 01420 82070 The Headmaster is: Mr Karl Guest - Contact details: email: [email protected] Telephone: 01420-82070 4 KEY CONTACTS WITHIN THE LOCAL AUTHORITY HAMPSHIRE CHILDREN SERVICES REFERRAL INTO CHILDREN’S SOCIAL CARE Where schools have URGENT and IMMEDIATE concerns for the safety and welfare of a child or young person during office hours telephone: Child Protection Services 0300 555 1384 (parent/general line) Professionals Line 01329 225379 To make URGENT referrals OUT OF OFFICE HOURS after 5pm or at weekends 0300 555 1373 Safeguarding advisors / Local Authority Designated Officers (LADOs) (Concerns with staff) The two Hampshire County Council LADOs are Barbara Piddington & Mark Blackwell, based in the Safeguarding Unit. The LADOs cover separate districts of the county, but each will cover for the other during periods of leave or absence. Fiona Armfield may provide cover in times of absence in her role as LADO for specialist and residential provision. Barbara Piddington covers:- East Hampshire, Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Hart and Rushmoor. Mark Blackwell covers:- Basingstoke, Eastleigh, New Forest, Test Valley and Winchester. The LADOs can be contacted on telephone number: 01962 876364 SURREY CHILDRENS SERVICES Phone: 0300 470 9100 Out of hours phone: 01483 517898 to speak to our emergency duty team. Email: emails are dealt with during normal office hours For concerns for a child or young person: [email protected] For concerns for an adult: [email protected] SMS: 07527 182 861 (for the deaf or hard of hearing) VRS: Sign Language Video Relay Service Fax number: 01483 519862 The LADO can be contacted on 0300 123 1650* or [email protected]. West Sussex Children’s Services Phone 01403 229900 (Monday – Friday between 9.00am and 5.00pm) Out of Ours phone: 03302226664 to speak to Emergency Duty Team. If the Emergency Duty Team line is unavailable and you need to report an emergency safeguarding concern, please call 07711 769657. This number does not accept texts. 5 LADO Contact: Lindsey Tunbridge-Adams Tel:03302223339 [email protected] Assistant LADO Contact: Claire Coles Tel: 03302223339 [email protected] Berkshire Children’s Services West Berkshire Council - Contact Advice and Assessment Service (CAAS) - 01635 503190 West Berkshire LADO – 01635 503090 Bracknell Forest - MASH - 01344 352005 Bracknell Forest LADO: [email protected] Tel: 01344 351572 Secure E-mail: [email protected] PARENTS The first contact for this school is ‘Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire and West Sussex’ In the case of emergencies contact the Police on 999 or 101 There are additional number for other agencies in the appendices Terminology Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined 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. Child Protection is a part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. It refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm. Staff refers to all those working for or on behalf of the school, full or part time, temporary or permanent, in either a paid or voluntary capacity. Child includes everyone under the age of 18. Parents refers to birth parents and other adults who are in a parenting role, for example step-parents, foster carers and adoptive parents. 6 1.1 Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy 1.1.2 This Policy and its implementation procedures set out the arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the School. They have been prepared in compliance with, and with regard to: • The Education Acts • Education (Independent Schools Standards) Regulations 2014 (as amended from time to time) • The Independent School Standards Guidance for independent schools April 2019 • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 • The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 • The Children Act 2004 • What to do if you’re worried a Child is being Abused March 2015 • Working Together to Safeguard Children July 2018 (A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children) • Keeping Children Safe in Education September 2020 • Disqualification under the Childcare Act 2006 September 2018 • Information Sharing: advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services July 2018 • DBS Referrals Guidance (as may be amended from time to time) • ISI Commentary on the Regulatory Requirements • National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools April 2015 • Teacher misconduct: regulating the teaching profession March 2014 (and related guidance) • Use of Reasonable Force in Schools July 2013 • Preventing and Tackling Bullying July 2017 • Mental Health and Behaviour in Schools November 2018 • Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) April 2017 • Prevent Duty Guidance, Channel Guidance, and Prevent Departmental Advice, 2015 • The use of social media for online radicalisation July 2015 • Teaching Online Safety in School June 2019 • Sexting in schools and colleges: responding to incidents and safeguarding young people UKCCIS • Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools and colleges May 2018 • Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education • When to call the police: guidance for schools & colleges NPCC 1.1.3 The School recognises and acts upon the legal duties set out in the above statutes, regulations and guidance, to protect its pupils (and staff) from harm, and to co-operate with other agencies in carrying out those duties and responding to safeguarding concerns. 1.1.4 This Policy is used in accordance with locally agreed inter-agency procedures, and specifically in accordance with Hampshire County Council local safeguarding partner guidance. The School will ensure that its safeguarding arrangements take into account local procedures and practice, including local criteria for action and protocol for assessment. 1.1.5 This Policy is addressed to all members of staff and volunteers at the School (temporary and permanent). Adherence to this Policy is mandatory