Child Protection Policy & Procedures

Transcription

1 Child Protection Policy & Procedures This policy was approved and ratified by the Governing Body of Altwood Church of England School on 21 st October 2014 Responsibility of Sue Witney (SLT) and Bob Miles (Safeguarding Governor) Signed: Sheila Baker Date: Chair of Governors Signed: Neil Dimbleby Date: Headteacher This policy will be reviewed in October 2015

2 CHILD PROTECTION POLICY AND PROCEDURES 1.0 Context Altwood Church of England School fully recognises the contribution it makes to Child Protection, in partnership with the wider brief of Every Child Matters and Safeguarding Children in Education. Our work in this area reflects fully our belief that each of us is made in the image and likeness of God and as such we are precious and should be treated with respect. Abuse of any sort is wholly wrong. We will do everything we can to promote and protect the rights of the individual. Our policy applies to all staff and volunteers working in the school, community education staff and governors. Learning support advisers, raising attainment team, mid-day supervisors, secretaries as well as teachers can be the first point of disclosure for a child. All staff need to be aware that an allegation of child abuse or neglect may lead to a criminal investigation, so no member of staff should do anything that may jeopardise a police investigation, such as asking a child leading questions or attempting to investigate the allegations of abuse. 2.0 Aims and Objectives There are 3 main aims to our policy: 2.1 Prevention through the teaching and pastoral support offered to pupils. 2.2 Procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse. Due to our day to day contact with children, school staff are well placed to observe the outward sign of abuse. 2.3 Support to pupils who may have been abused. 3.0 Prevention 3.1 We recognise that high self esteem, confidence, supportive friends and good lines of communication with a trusted adult assists prevention. 3.2 The school will therefore establish and maintain an ethos where children feel secure and are encouraged to talk, and are listened to; 3.3 Ensure children know that there are adults in the school whom they can approach if they are worried or are in difficulty; 3.4 Include in the curriculum activities and opportunities, as well as in the PSHEE programme, which equip students with the skills they need to stay safe from abuse and to know to whom to turn for help; 3.5 Include, in the curriculum, material which will help children develop realistic attitudes to the responsibilities of adult life, particularly with regard to child care and parenting skills.

3 4.0 Guidelines 4.1 We will follow the procedures set out in Interagency Procedures produced by RBWM Child Protection Committee Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children in Need. In line with this, within school there are red forms available in the Staff Room for staff to alert the designated Child Protection member of staff. 4.2 The School will ensure it has a designated senior member of staff, who has undertaken the necessary training courses, currently provided by RBWM. 4.3 Recognise the role of the designated teacher and assistant designated teacher and arrange support and training. 4.4 Ensure every member of staff and every governor knows - the name of the designated person and her role - that they have an individual responsibility for referring child protection concerns, using the proper channels and within the timescales set out 4.5 Ensure that members of staff are aware of the need to be alert to signs of abuse and know how to respond to a pupil who may tell of abuse 4.6 Ensure that parents have an understanding of the responsibility placed on the school and staff by setting out obligations in any parental interview involving related child protection matters. 4.7 Provide training for all staff so that they know i) their personal responsibility ii) the red alert form procedure iii) the need to be vigilant in identifying cases of abuse iv) how to support a child who tells of abuse. 4.8 Notify the local Social Services team if - it should have to exclude a pupil on the child protection register either for a fixed term or permanently - if there is an unexplained absence of a pupil on the child protection register of more than 2 days duration from school (or one day following a weekend) in line with the DfE circular to alert the Education Welfare Service or the Social Services Department when pupils on the child protection register are absent. 4.9 Work to develop effective links with relevant agencies and co-operate as required with their enquiries regarding child protection matters including attendance at initial case conferences, core groups and child protection review conferences Keep written records of concerns about children (noting the date, event and action taken) even where there is no need to refer the matter to social services immediately Ensure all records are kept secure and in locked locations Adhere to the procedures set out in the school s Personnel Manual when an allegation is made against a member of staff.

4 4.13 Ensure the criminal background of applications for vacant posts are checked in accordance with DfE circular 11/95 Misconduct of Teachers and Workers with Children and Young People Designate a governor for child protection who will oversee the school s Child Protection policy and practice. 5.0 Supporting the Pupil at risk 5.1 We recognise that children who are abused or witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self worth and to view the world as benevolent and meaningful. They may feel helplessness, humiliation and some sense of self blame. 5.2 This school may be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives of children at risk. Nevertheless, when at school their behaviour may be challenging and defiant or they may be withdrawn. 5.3 The school will endeavour to support the pupil through: a) The content of the curriculum to encourage self esteem and self motivation (as in Section 2.00). b) The school ethos which provides a positive supportive and secure environment and gives pupils a sense of being valued (as in Section 2.00). c) The school s behaviour policy is aimed at supporting vulnerable pupils in the school. All staff will agree on a consistent approach which focuses on the behaviour of the offence committed by the child but does not damage the pupil s sense of self worth. The school will endeavour to ensure that the pupil knows that some behaviour is unacceptable but he/she is valued and not to be blamed for any abuse which has occurred. d) Liaison with other agencies who support the student such as Social Services, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, the Educational Psychology Service, Behaviour Support Services and the Education Welfare Service. e) Keeping records and notifying Social Services as soon as there is a recurrence of a concern. 5.4 When a pupil on the Child Protection register leaves, we will transfer information to the new school immediately and inform the Child Review Manager (RBWM). 6.0 Responsibilities The designated Child Protection named person is Mrs S Witney, Director of Student Support and she is assisted by Mrs L Friend and Mrs D Miller. All staff have a responsibility to inform Mrs S Witney of any concerns, or Mrs Friend/Mrs Miller in her absence. For more serious cases, Mrs S Witney will inform Mr N Dimbleby, Headteacher as a matter of urgency. Mrs J Woodruff (Headteacher s PA) is responsible for keeping the Child Protection file up to date and in a locked place.

5 We recognise that statistically children with behavioural difficulties and disabilities are most vulnerable to abuse. The acting SENCO, who is also the Head of Resource and support staff will be particularly sensitive to signs of abuse and will liaise with Mrs S Witney when necessary. Mr R Miles is the designated Governor for Child Protection. 7.0 Links with other policies Home School Agreement Rewards and Sanctions Equal Opportunities SEND policy Anti-Bullying Policy Attendance Policy Social Inclusion Managing Serious Incidents Review Date: October 2015

6 PRACTITIONER HAS CONCERNS ABOUT CHILDS WELFARE Has concerns Practitioner completes red referral form and hands immediately to Mrs Witney, or Mrs Friend or Mrs Miller in Mrs Witney s absence. If these people are not available, see any other member of the Senior Leadership Team. COMMUNICATION VIA IS NOT PERMITTED No longer has concerns Mrs Witney will discuss concerns with child report to be written Decision made as to whether to inform parents or not by Mrs Witney Mrs Witney refers to LA s Social Care, following up in writing within 48 hours Social Worker and Manager acknowledge receipt of referral and decide on course of action within 1 day No further child protection action, although may need to act to ensure other services are provided Parents to be informed of issue Social Care may be informed to ascertain any other referrals Report to be written and kept in Child Protection file Arrangements to be considered by Mrs Witney for child safety at the end of the day if necessary Report given to Mrs Woodruff for Child Protection file