FLORA GARDENS PRIMARY SCHOOL

Transcription

1 FLORA GARDENS PRIMARY SCHOOL Child Protection Policy Written by: SLT Approved by: Curriculum, Pupils and Parents Committee Date: Review date: Autumn 2014 Names of designated CP Officers: Marta Vass Sonia Birch-Woodcock 1

2 CHILD PROTECTION 1. SCHOOL STATEMENT ON PUPIL SAFETY AND WELFARE The governors recognise that children have a fundamental right to be protected from harm and that pupils cannot learn effectively unless they feel secure. The governors will, therefore, provide a school environment, which promotes selfconfidence, a feeling of worth and the knowledge that pupils concerns will be listened to and acted upon. The governors will ensure that the school carries out its statutory duties to report suspected abuse following agreed Area Child Protection Committee procedures and to assist Social Services Department acting on behalf of children in need or enquiring into allegations of child abuse. 2. AIMS OF POLICY DEFINITIONS: To raise awareness of all school staff of the importance of child protection, and of their responsibilities for identifying and reporting actual or suspected abuse; To ensure pupils and parents are aware that the school takes child protection seriously and will follow the appropriate procedures for identifying and reporting abuse and for dealing with allegations against staff; To promote effective liaison with other agencies in order to work together for the protection of all pupils; To support pupils development in ways which will foster security, confidence and independence; To integrate a child protection curriculum within the existing curriculum, allowing for continuity and progress through all the Key Stages; To take account of policies in related areas such as discipline and bullying. a) Neglect - The persistent or severe neglect of a child which results in impairment of health or development b) Physical Abuse - Actual or likely physical injury to a child, or failure to prevent physical injury or suffering c) Sexual Actual or likely exploitation of a child by involvement in sexual activities without informed consent or understanding, or that violate social taboos or family roles d) Emotional actual or likely severe adverse effects on the emotional and behavioural development of a child by persistent or severe emotional illtreatment, inappropriacy, or rejection e) Potential abuse situations where children may not have been abused but where social and medical assessments indicate a high degree of risk that they might be abused in the future, including situations where another child in the household has been abused, or where there is a known abuser 2

3 Signs of possible abuse include (There are not exhaustive or necessarily indicative of abuse) a) Neglect constant hunger or tiredness; frequent lateness or absence, poor personal hygiene, untreated medical problems; running away, stealing, low self-esteem b) Physical - unexplained injuries/bruises; improbable or evasive excuses, untreated injuries; fear of treatment or medical help, fear of physical contact, fear of going home, over aggressive or defensive tendencies, fear of removing clothes, bites, lashes, facial injuries, including haemorrhages behind eye. c) Sexual - Tendency to cling, tendency to cry, genital itching, acting like a baby, distrust of familiar adults, wetting and/or soiling, fear of undressing, throat infections, depression, fearful/panic attacks. d) Emotional Physical, emotional, developmental delay; over-reaction to mistakes; tearful, fear of losing, fear of parents being contacted, stealing, thumb-sucking, rocking, anxiety, Munchausen Syndrome by proxy (If a parent of child deliberately fabricates or induces illness in that child). Signs may include; perceived illness, doctor shopping, enforced illness, fabricated illness, poisoning e.g. with salt, induced seizures, suffocation, bleeding, rashes, tampering with vomit/urine. Child may exhibit unusual or unnaturally prolonged illness; symptoms/signs have a temporal association with mother s presence, mother unusually at ease in hospital environment, multiple illnesses/similar symptoms in family, unexplained death of siblings. 3. PRINCIPLES FOR INTERVENTION TO PROTECT CHILDREN The governors will ensure that the principles identified below, many of which derive from the Children Acts 1989 and 2004, form the basis of the school s child protection policy and procedures and are followed by all staff. All children have a right to be protected from abuse; Child abuse occurs in all cultures, all religions and all social classes; Staff must be sensitive to the many differing factors which may need to be taken into account depending upon the child s cultural and social background; It is important to ensure that the child has the opportunity to express his/her view and is listened to carefully; The prime concern at all stages must be the safety and welfare of the child. Where there is a conflict of interests between the child and parent, the interests of the child must be paramount; Children who have been abused need the same care and sensitivity regardless of whether they have been abused by a parent, carer or a stranger; The responsibility to refer children thought to be at risk rests with the individual who identifies the concern and will follow the Flora Gardens Reporting Procedure guidelines. The concept of working in partnership with those who hold parental responsibility for a child must provide a framework for procedures; and 3

4 All agencies receiving information in the context of a child protection enquiry must treat it as CONFIDENTIAL. They must only disclose the information to those who need to know. 4. RESPONSIBILITIES OF HEAD/DESIGNATED TEACHER Governors will ensure that the school has identified a Designated Teacher for child protection and that the Head/Designated Teacher undertakes the following responsibilities: To ensure all staff are familiar with school and Borough guidelines for identifying and reporting abuse, including allegations of abuse against staff; To ensure the school operates an effective child protection policy; To ensure all staff receive foundation training in child protection; To be responsible for overseeing the co-ordination of action and liaison with other agencies and support services over child protection issues; To assist the Social Services Department in enquiring into allegations of child abuse. This will include ensuring the school is represented at child protection case conferences and that information about the child is provided as required; To follow as appropriate recommendations made by the Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) and the Pan London Child Protection Procedures. To be aware of the Every child matters document and the What to do if you re worried a child is being abused documents (See further reading at end of policy) To support and advise staff on child protection issues generally. To ensure they have had up to date training To ensure the attendance and development of children on the child protection register is monitored by the CP Officer. To disseminate relevant information between agencies to the appropriate staff To ensure that the CP Officer completes CP records and sends on to new schools (where relevant) To ensure that accurate and secure child protection records are maintained, in chronological order. 5. RESPONSIBILITIES OF SCHOOL STAFF a) Governors recognise that all school staff have a responsibility to identify and report suspected abuse and to ensure the safety and well being of the pupils in their school. In doing so they should follow the Flora Gardens Child Protection Reporting Procedure guidelines. They may also seek advice and support as necessary from the Head/Designated Teacher/SLT.. b) Staff are expected to provide a safe and caring environment in which children can develop the confidence to voice ideas, feelings and 4

5 opinions. Children should be treated with respect within a framework of agreed and understood behaviour. c) All school staff are expected to: Be able to identify signs and symptoms of abuse Follow the Flora Gardens Child Protection Reporting Procedure guidelines Follow the relevant guidelines from Social Services Department and if necessary the London Area Child Protection Procedures Know to whom and how to report allegations against other school staff following the guidelines issued by Hammersmith & Fulham Children s Services. d) The CP Officer is expected to: Monitor and report, as required, on the welfare, attendance and progress of pupils on the Borough s Child Protection Register; and Keep clear, dated, factual and confidential records of child protection concerns. DEALING WITH DISCLOSURES 1. Stay calm and sympathetic. LISTEN to what you are told without displaying shock or disbelief. Be observant and attentive without being judgmental Do not probe or put words into the child s mouth accept what is said If you can, take notes, and invite the child to help you to be as accurate as possible. 2. Re-assure the child that it was right to tell, that you are sympathetic, that they are not alone, others have suffered in this way, that you are glad they spoke up. DO NOT make promises that you may not be able to keep e.g. everything will be alright or I won t tell anyone, do not promise confidentiality to adults or children (You have a duty to refer) 3. Respond calmly and openly, do not ask leading questions What did he do then? or interrogate. Ask open questions, which will encourage a secure and sympathetic environment for the child, e.g. Anything else to tell me? Yes? And?. Do not criticise the perpetrator or be judgmental Do not ask the child to repeat it all for another member of staff Take notes and check them with the child Explain what you have to do next and who you have to talk to, (Head, Designated Teacher, SMT or Learning Mentor). Keep in contact with the pupil and, if a Social Services interview is to follow, see that the child has a support person present if they wish (this may be the class teacher, designated teacher or Learning Mentor). 4. Record keeping, disclosure and referral process: Please see appendices of this policy for actual formats 5

6 Child protection records are kept in a locked office, the keys to which are held by the designated child protection officer. Staff are aware that they must make a written record of child protection issues and events immediately (copies of the format should be available in the classrooms at all times and in the staff room). Timely and immediate action is the priority, and therefore typing is not necessary. These records must be signed and dated and handed directly to a designated child protection coordinator. If the child protection officer is unavailable in class or in a meeting, these can be disturbed for a child protection case. If the child protection officer is offsite, a Senior Leader is to be found immediately. Child protection records must not be made in the child s curriculum file and are kept separately; these files are marked by a coloured label. Child protection records must not be saved on a shared file on the computer, or ed (unless this is done through a secure password protected when requested by the Local Authority or social worker). It is the responsibility of the child protection officer to inform the parents that a disclosure has been made. The Head teacher will attend or lead this where necessary. This meeting should take place before the referral is made to the social worker. 6. APPOINTMENT OF STAFF Governors will, when appointing staff, take account of the guidance issued by the Children s Services Department s HR Section and observe the following safeguards: That documentation sent out to potential candidates will make it clear that child protection is a high priority of the school and that rigorous checks will be made of any candidate before appointments are confirmed; That all references will be taken up and verified by telephoning referees; That a reference will always be obtained from the last employer; That at interview candidates will be asked to account for any gaps in their career/employment history; That candidates will be made aware of systems established within the school for retaining duty rotas, work diaries and records of access to pupils (residential schools); and LBH&F HR Department checks against the DCSF list 99 register and the similar list maintained by the Department for Health will be followed through for any staff appointed and regular helpers. CRB checks are compulsory. The Criminal Records Bureau checks all staff, regular helpers and volunteers. 7. ALLEGATIONS AGAINST STAFF 6

7 a. Governors recognise that because of their daily contact with children in a variety of situations, including the caring role, teachers and other school staff are vulnerable to accusations of abuse. b. Governors further recognise that, regrettably, in some cases such accusations may be true. The governors, therefore, expect all staff to follow the Children s Services Procedures for Dealing with Allegations of Abuse Against School Staff. c. Where appropriate, governors will seek advice and support from the Children s Services HR Department when an allegation is made against a teacher or other member of staff. 8. STAFF CONTACT WITH PUPILS a. In order to minimise the risk of accusations being made against staff as a result of their daily contact with pupils, governors will ensure, through the Head, that all staff are aware of and follow Council Guidelines on the Use of Control and Physical Restraint by Staff together with guidance given in Section 8 of the Education Department pamphlet entitled Child Protection: A Practical Guide for All Staff Working in Education Establishments. b. Governors will also ensure, through the Head, that staff follow the Children s Services Guidance and Procedures for School Visits. 9. STAFF TRAINING AND SUPPORT a. Governors recognise the importance of child protection training for all school staff who have contact with children. b. Governors expect the Head/Designated Teacher to ensure that all school staff receive foundation training in child protection and that new staff have an induction meeting at which they are given an induction pack including school policy on Child Protection, procedures and guidelines. c. The Head is also expected to ensure that all staff receive regular support in respect of child protection work and know which senior member of staff to refer to for advice in the absence of the Designated Teacher. 10. CURRICULUM The governors believe that the school curriculum is important in the protection of children. They will aim to ensure that curriculum development meets the following objectives (these are often met through the PSHE and citizenship curriculum): Developing pupil self-esteem; 7

8 Developing communication skills; Informing about all aspects of risk; Developing strategies for self-protection; Developing a sense of the boundaries between appropriate and inappropriate behaviour in adults; Developing non-abusive behaviour between pupils. 11. CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS a. Governors recognise that children with special educational needs may be especially vulnerable to abuse and expect staff to take extra care to interpret correctly apparent signs of abuse or neglect. Indications of abuse will be reported as for other pupils. b. In line with the recommendations in DfES Circular 10/95 the governors will provide a school environment in which pupils with special educational needs feel confident and able to discuss their concerns. Whenever possible, pupils will be given the chance to express themselves to a member of staff with appropriate communication skills eg the Learning Mentor. The designated teacher member of staff will work with the special educational needs coordinator to identify pupils with particular communication needs. 12. CONFIDENTIALITY Governors accept that child protection raises issues of confidentiality, which should be clearly understood by all staff. The governors expect all staff to follow the guidance on confidentiality contained in the Children s Services Practical Guide for all Staff Working in Educational Establishments. 13. RECORD KEEPING AND REPORTS a. Governors expect the CP Officer to maintain high quality signed and dated child protection records as set out in the Flora Gardens Child Protection procedures, which separate fact, allegation, hearsay and opinion and which clearly indicate decisions and action taken. These records may in some cases be required in court proceedings. Guidance on record keeping for staff is contained in the Practical Guide for Staff already referred to. b. Governors further expect the CP Officer to assist the Social Services Department by providing information for child protection case conferences as required and in the form prescribed by the London Child Protection Committee. 14. COMMUNICATION WITH OUTSIDE AGENCIES Schools are not investigating agencies and it is essential that child protection issues are addressed through agreed procedures. However, schools continue to play a role after referral and need to develop strong links with partners agencies particularly social care. 8

9 Flora Gardens recognises the importance of multi-agency working and will ensure that staff are able to attend all relevant meetings including case conferences, core groups and strategy meetings. The CP Officer will contact social workers about children. 15. MONITORING PUPILS ON THE CHILD PROTECTION REGISTER Governors expect the Head to ensure that the CP Officer monitors closely the welfare, progress and attendance of pupils on the Child Protection Register and will provide information as required by the Social Services. 16. COMMUNICATING POLICY TO PARENTS AND PUPILS a. The governors expect parents and pupils to be informed that the school has a child protection policy and is required to follow the Borough Guidelines for reporting suspected abuse to the Social Services Department. b. Pupils and parents should know how the school s child protection system works and with whom they can discuss any concerns. They should also be made aware of local or national telephone helplines. 17. MONITORING AND EVALUATING EFFECTIVENESS OF SCHOOL S POLICY. The governors require the Head to report to them annually on the effectiveness of the school s child protection policy and on associated issues in the school over the preceding year. A copy of the report will be sent to the Director of Children s Services. 9

10 18. CHILD PROTECTION IN RELATION TO OTHER SCHOOL POLICIES This child protection policy should be read in conjunction with the school s policies on behaviour and discipline, anti-bullying and use of restraint and race equality policies. FURTHER READING What to do if you re worried a child is being abused DOH 2003 Every child matters DfES 2003 London Child Protection Procedures, 3 rd edition 2007 Appended to Policy: 1. Hammersmith & Fulham Contact & Assessment Service: Safeguarding Children in H & F Schools Protecting Children from Abuse Possible Indicators of Abuse Dealing with child protection concerns in H&F Schools Referring Child Protection Concerns Guidelines for Safe Practice Pro-forma for child protection cases Referral process flow-chart 2. Flora Gardens Reporting Procedures 3. Flora Gardens Child Protection Recording Pro-forma Child Protection Recording Form Date: Place: Those present: Time: Child s name Date of Birth Class Anything said (in child s own words) (continue on separate sheet if necessary) 10

11 Conversation with another child Conversation with an adult Observation (continue on separate sheet if necessary) Describe behaviour Through play Reported to: Observer signature CP Officer signature Date and time: Known to Social Services Allocated social worker name Contact phone number CP Officer s additional information Action taken Date 11

12 Review / update Date HT signature CP officer signature Time & date: Time & date: 12