MARTONGATE PRIMARY SCHOOL SAFEGUARDING POLICIES INTRODUCTION Our safeguarding policies outline the ways in which we ensure the safety and well-being of the pupils who attend Martongate primary School. It is updated annually and all staff are expected to be aware of its implications for the work that they do in school. This and all associated Safeguarding policies are saved to a Safeguarding file in the staff shared area of the server (policies file). SINGLE LIST The school maintains a single list detailing the checks that have to be carried out for all employees and volunteers who help in school. This document is kept in the school office and as an important part of our child protection procedures. Office staff are required to keep this up to date at all times. STAFF CODE OF CONDUCT There are two versions of the code of conduct, one that covers all paid employees and a slightly amended one for volunteer helpers. This document provides a guide for adults working in schools (including staff, governors, volunteers and visitors) about acceptable and desirable conduct to protect both adults and pupils. It refers to and complements other policies and guidance which all employees are expected to be familiar with. All adults who work with children in school are required to read and sign it to accept the terms under which we expect them to work. SAFE RECRUITMENT This school is committed to the safeguarding of pupils and this policy is an important part of these procedures. As the people that work in school have a major role in ensuring that safe practices are a part of our culture, the recruitment policy must ensure that the candidates who are encouraged to apply are vetted appropriately and that the selection procedures ensure that the staff who are recruited are of the highest possible calibre. A number of staff and governors have completed the online safer recruitment training and has ensured that the school complies with the guidance contained in the Statutory Guidance published 2007. ANTI BULLYING At Martongate Primary School we aim to create a friendly environment where we all feel safe, secure and happy. We believe that bullying behaviour is unacceptable and our school aims to eliminate it when it occurs. If parents have any concerns or information which might help the school to eradicate bullying, we would ask them to pass on that information immediately. BEHAVIOUR Schools are social communities which are most effective when the members of the community share common values which can be expressed and discussed. At Martongate School we aim to create a caring, co-operative and happy working environment, where respect, consideration and courtesy exist between all members. Our expectations of ourselves and of others as members of the school are agreed and explicit. We encourage a positive working relationship between staff, parents and pupils. We encourage all parents to support the school s behaviour policy in the same way that we will 1
support the parent s high expectations of their children s behaviour. CHILD PROTECTION The Child protection policy is reviewed annually to ensure that it is up to date and current with recent changes to national and local legislation and procedures. Its aim is to protect children from harm and to promote pupils self esteem and confidence. ALLEGATIONS AGAINST STAFF It is imperative that everyone who deals with allegations of abuse maintains an open and enquiring mind. It is also essential that all the agencies concerned act in a manner and at a speed commensurate with the nature and level of the concern once suspicions are brought to their attention. Working Together points out that the police have a duty to investigate criminal offences committed against children and such investigations should be carried out sensitively, thoroughly and professionally. The school s policy details the steps that should be taken to ensure confidentiality, a thorough investigation takes place and that appropriate action is taken to ensure the protection of the child and the rights of the staff member. RESTRAINING PUPILS The school has a policy for the restraining of pupils which is based upon Section 93 of the Education and Inspections Act (2006) and the DCSF Use of Force Guidance issued in 2007. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that there is clear an unambiguous guidance to assist staff in maintaining the safety of pupils and staff. It is important that pupils are aware that force might be used to prevent serious breaches of school discipline or serious damage to property and staff need to be aware of what their rights and responsibilities are in terms of safeguarding. LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN (LAC) Children and young people become Looked After either if they have been taken into Care by the local authority, or have been Accommodated by the local authority (a voluntary care arrangement). Most LAC will be living in foster homes but a smaller number may be in a children s home, living with a relative or even be placed back at home with their natural parent(s). The Children Act places a duty to safeguard looked after children, to promote their educational achievements and to ensure that they are able to achieve to and reach their full potential. In order to expedite this, the school will ensure that Personal Education Plans (PEPs) are in place for all Looked After Children. The teachers are all made aware of these children and this is taken into account when teachers are planning work, reviewing progress and dealing with behaviour issues. INTIMATE CARE There are occasions where a child s needs are such that they may need an adult to see to either medical or personal care of an intimate nature. At times like these the member of staff should make every attempt to ensure both the modesty of the child and the need to protect themselves from any allegation of harm. Intimate care can be defined as care tasks of an intimate nature, associated with bodily functions, body products and personal hygiene which demand direct or indirect contact with or exposure of the genitals. Examples include care associated with continence and menstrual management as well as more ordinary tasks such as help with washing or bathing. Children's dignity will be preserved and a high level of privacy, choice and control will be provided to them. Staff behaviour is open to scrutiny and staff work in partnership with parents/carers to provide continuity of care to children. SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS Our aim is to identify children with Special Educational Needs as early as possible and as quickly as is consistent with thoroughness, so that their needs are met as effectively as 2
possible and that each child may attain their full potential with full access to the curriculum and ensure that they are successfully integrated into the mainstream of our school. INTERNET ACCESS As part of the school s ICT programme, we offer pupils supervised access to the Internet. This allows pupils to access a wealth of information and messaging systems and is seen by the school as a very important tool to be used by teachers to fully implement our curriculum. We use a filtered gateway that filters out almost all potentially offensive material. Despite the high levels of supervision, we cannot guarantee though that children will never be able to access offensive material and ask parents to give their consent for children to use the facility. HEALTH AND SAFETY We aim to ensure that reasonable action is taken to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all persons using the premises at all times. ANTI RACISM Martongate Primary School is committed to an inclusive ethos based on respect for, and celebration of, ethnic diversity. The school strives to prepare all pupils for living in a multicultural and multi-ethnic society and promotes race equality in all dimensions of the school s life and community. We take positive action to eliminate racial discrimination and harassment, promote equality of opportunity for all members of the school community and promote good relations between people of different racial groups. Cultural and ethnic diversity are valued in the curriculum, in the school workforce, the governing body, the parental body and the student body. We will ensure that the culture and ethos of the school places equal value on the diverse racial faith and ethnic groups, cultural and linguistic heritage represented in our wider community. EQUALITIES An equal opportunities philosophy will be practised by all staff at Martongate Primary School. We expect that every pupil and teacher to contribute towards a happy and caring environment by showing respect for, and appreciation of, each other as individuals whatever their sex, colour, culture, origin or ability. Discrimination on the basis of colour, culture, origin, sex or ability is unacceptable in this school DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION In line with the Disability Discrimination Act, this school prepares and publishes a scheme for disability discrimination that seeks to ensure that no one with disabilities of any sort experiences any less favourable treatment by reason of their disability. The school is committed to ensuring equal access for pupils, visitors and staff. GUIDANCE FOR VOLUNTEERS Volunteer helpers are expected to read, and agree to the conditions of the guidance notes provided that enable them to operate within the school s high expectations. CRITICAL INCIDENTS Wherever possible we aim to reduce the likelihood of a critical incident occurring. Were a critical incident occur however this policy exists to clarify the management procedures to be put into operation in order to reduce the impact on individuals and the school community PSHCE The teaching of P.S.H.C.E. at Martongate aims to give all our children the information, skills, attitudes, values and beliefs to be able to make informed decisions about themselves and 3
their place in society. We will provide them with the skills to resist peer pressure and make decisions for themselves. CHILDREN WITH MEDICAL NEEDS In the event of a child missing lengthy periods of school due to illness, the school will take whatever steps are necessary to support the child s learning. The nature and degree of support will vary depending on circumstances. COMPLAINTS There is a procedure, based on the Council s complaints policy, which is open to all parents should they wish to make a complaint about any aspect of school life. The governors and staff see this procedure very much as a way of maintaining high standards of quality provision. It is the wish of the school that matters of complaint are dealt with at the earliest possible point with the co-operation and satisfaction of all concerned. EDUCATIONAL VISITS Teachers at Martongate are actively encouraged to arrange educational visits for the children in their classes. Visits both locally and outside the area enrich and extend the programmes of study across the national curriculum. However, with the organisation of visits comes the added and shared responsibility for the health and safety of all who are taking part; both children and adults. This policy outlines the steps that visit leaders should take to ensure the health and safety of pupils and adults when on an organised school vist. PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEOS Publishing images of pupils in local newspapers, school publications and on the school website can be motivating for the pupils involved, and provide a good opportunity to promote the work of the school. However, schools have a duty of care towards pupils, which means that pupils will remain un-identifiable by name except in local newspaper reports that may accompany photographs. We ask that parents consent to the school taking and using photographs and images of their children. We will never include the full name of the pupil alongside an image in our published material or website, or allow video recordings to be viewed by adults other than staff and / or governors of the school. Video recordings such as those of drama and music productions, Nativities, or sports and outside games may sometimes be shown to pupils, or adults employed by the school, as examples of good practice, or as a means of assessment and evaluation of school activities. However, the videoing of productions (e.g. Infant Nativity, Sports Activities or Y6 production) by other adults such as parents or grandparents, will only be allowed if no parent objects in writing beforehand. 1 ST AID Generally, staff deal with minor bumps and bruises "in loco parentis". If first aid is given, the person giving the attention (generally a certificated first aider) should record the type of injury in the incident book, which is kept in the medical room. Injuries of a more serious nature (e.g. fractures, cuts, head injuries) must be entered into the book and reported to parents by the class teacher. Teachers should also complete an accident form, available from the office, as soon as possible after the incident. If the accident occurs during a break time the member of staff on duty who first responds to the incident should complete the form. NB. For head injuries see additional guidance. Incidents caused by hazards or faulty equipment should be made known to a member of the Senior Management Team immediately. The member of staff should make the area safe or cordon it off. These incidents will be reported to the premises sub committee of the governors. 4
ADMINISTERING MEDICATION The school has adopted the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Health and Safety Policy in relation to the administration of medicines. Staff are recommended that generally they should not administer medicines, but as a caring school there may be instances where we can help. If a child needs medicine at school, please contact the office to discuss. WHISTLE BLOWING Martongate Primary School has adopted the council generic schools whistle blowing policy. We expect all employees to not only be completely professional in their work, but to also pass on any suspicions that they might have about another member of staff behaving in an inappropriate manner. SCHOOL POLICIES THAT SUPPORT SAFEGUARDING STAFF CODE OF CONDUCT CODE OF CONDUCT FOR VOLUNTEERS SAFE RECRUITMENT ANTI BULLYING BEHAVIOUR CHILD PROTECTION ALLEGATIONS AGAINST STAFF INTERNET ACCESS RESTRAINING PUPILS HEALTH AND SAFETY ANTI RACISM EQUALITIES LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN GUIDANCE FOR VOLUNTEERS CRITICAL INCIDENTS PSHCE COMPLAINTS EDUCATIONAL VISITS PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEOS COUNCIL S WHISTLE BLOWING POLICY FOR SCHOOLS INTIMATE CARE 1 ST AID ADMINISTERING MEDICATION SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS ACCESS FOR CHILDREN WITH MEDICAL NEEDS INCLUSION SECURITY DATA PROTECTION DRUGS Head Injuries Guidance 5