POLICY DEVELOPMENT, CONSULTATION and REVIEW

This policy was developed in consultation with the Devon Local Safeguarding Children Board and approved by the SLT and the nominated governors in Nov 09. It has been circulated to all staff and governors.

The Maynard School's safeguarding policy and procedures were approved by the ISI inspection in Jan 2010.

Introduction

Safeguarding is defined as protecting children from maltreatment, preventing impairment of health and/or development, ensuring that children grow up in the provision of safe and effective care and optimising children's life chances.

This Child Protection Policy forms part of a suite of documents and policies which relate to the safeguarding responsibilities of the school. In particular, this policy should be read in conjunction with the Staff Recruitment Policy, Internet Safety Policy, Health and Safety Policy and Anti Bullying Policy.

The Maynard School fully recognises its responsibilities for safeguarding children.

Our policy applies to all staff, governors and volunteers working in the school.

There are five main elements to our policy:

Procedures

We will follow the procedures set out by the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and take account of guidance issued by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).

The school will:

• Ensure it has two Senior Designated Members of Staff (SDMS)who have undertaken the Devon Safeguarding Children Board (DSCB) Two day Level 3 Multi-Agency Safeguarding Children training and who undertake to update their training at least every 2 years (see Appendix 1: Safeguarding Training Record);
• Ensure it has a nominated governor responsible for safeguarding children;
• Ensure every member of staff (including temporary and supply staff and volunteers) and the governing body knows the name of the SDMS and their role;
• Ensure all staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse and responsibility for referring any concerns to the SDMS ( see Appendix 2: Some Characteristics of Abused Children)
• Ensure that parents have an understanding of the responsibility placed on the school and staff for child protection by setting out its obligations in the school parent-pupil handbook;
• Develop effective links with relevant agencies and co-operate as required with their enquiries regarding safeguarding matters including attendance at strategy meetings, initial case conferences, core group and child in need review meetings;
• Ensure that the duty of care towards its pupils and staff is promoted by raising awareness of illegal, unsafe and unwise behaviour and assist staff to monitor their own standards and practice;
• Be aware of and follow procedures set out by the DSCB where an allegation is made against a member of staff or volunteer;
• Ensure safer recruitment practices are always followed.

Our procedures will be reviewed annually by the SLT and nominated governors and up-dated in accordance with current legislation.

Our policy, procedures and practice will be audited annually by the Devon LSCB and any necessary deficiencies will be remedied without delay.

When staff join our school they will be informed of the safeguarding children arrangements in place. They will be given a copy of this policy and told who the SDMS is and who acts in their absence.

The induction programme will include basic safeguarding information relating to signs and symptoms of abuse, how to manage a disclosure from a child, when and how to record a concern about the welfare of a child.

All volunteers and regular visitors to our school will be told where our policy is kept and given the name of the SDMS.

Responsibilities

The Governing Body will nominate a member to be responsible for Safeguarding Children and liaise with the SDMS in matters relating to Safeguarding. It will ensure that Safeguarding Policies and procedures are in place, available to parents and reviewed annually.

The Headteacher will ensure that the Safeguarding Policies and procedures are fully implemented and followed by all staff and that sufficient resources are allocated to enable the SDMS and other staff to discharge their responsibilities with regard to Safeguarding.

The SDMS will co-ordinate action on safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children within the school ensuring that all staff, volunteers and visitors to the school know who the SDMS is and who acts in his/her absence, they are aware of their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse and of their responsibility to report and record any concerns.

• Referring a child to social services within 24 hours of a disclosure or suspicion of abuse. Referrals should be made in writing, following a telephone call. (see Appendix 3: Guidelines for Senior Designated Member of Staff on making referrals to social services)
• Keeping written records of concerns about a child even if there is no need to make an immediate referral.
• Ensuring that all such records are kept confidentially and securely, separate from pupil records, until the child's 25th birthday, and are copied on to the child's next school or college.
• Ensuring that an indication of further record-keeping is marked on the pupil records.
• Liaising with other agencies and professionals.
• Ensuring that either they or the class teacher attends case conferences, core groups, or other multi-agency planning meetings, contributes to assessments, and provides a report which has been shared with the parents.
• Ensuring that any pupil currently with a child protection plan who is absent without explanation for two days is referred to their key worker's Social Care Team.
• Organising child protection induction and update training every 3 years, for all school staff (see Appendix 3 Safeguarding Training Records).
• Meeting with the governor responsible for safeguarding for a termly update on safeguarding issues.
• Providing, with the governor responsible for safeguarding, an annual report for the governing body, detailing any changes to the policy and procedures; training undertaken by the SDMS, and by all staff and governors; number and type of incidents/cases, and number of children with child protection plans (anonymised)

Managing a Disclosure

Teachers and other staff in schools are in a unique position to observe children's behaviour over time and often develop close and trusting relationships with pupils. If a child discloses directly to a member of staff, the following procedures will be followed:

• Listen carefully to what is said.
• Ask only open questions such as:
  • ‘How did that happen?’
  • ‘What was happening at the time?’
  • ‘Anything else you want to tell me?’
• Do not ask questions which may be considered to suggest what might have happened, or who has perpetrated the abuse, e.g. 'Did your Dad hit you?'
• Do not force the child to repeat what he/she said in front of another person.

Following a disclosure, the member of staff should talk immediately to the SDMS and complete a written record.

Information Sharing & Confidentiality

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

The Headteacher or SDMS will disclose any information about a pupil to other members of staff on a need to know basis only.

All staff must be aware that they cannot promise a child to keep secrets which might compromise the child's safety or well being.

Record Keeping

Any member of staff receiving a disclosure of abuse from a child or young person, or noticing signs or symptoms of possible abuse, will make notes as soon as possible (within the hour, if possible) writing down exactly what was said, using the child's own words as far as possible. All notes should be timed, dated and signed, with name printed alongside the signature. Concerns should be recorded using the school's safeguarding children recording system.

All records of a child protection nature should be passed to the SDMS including case conference minutes and written records of any concerns.

Supporting Children

We recognise that a child who is abused or witnesses violence may feel helpless and humiliated, may blame themselves, and find it difficult to develop and maintain a sense of self worth.

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.

Our school will support all pupils by:

• Encouraging self-esteem and self-assertiveness, through the curriculum as well as our relationships, whilst not condoning aggression or bullying.
• Promoting a caring, safe and positive environment within the school.
• Liaising and working together with all other support services and those agencies involved in 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 copied under confidential cover to the pupil's new school or FE College and ensuring the school medical records are forwarded as a matter of priority.

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 SDMS and to seek further support as appropriate.

Safer Recruitment and Selection of Staff

The school has a written safer recruitment policy and procedures document. The statement is included in all job advertisements, publicity material, recruitment websites, and candidate information packs.

The recruitment process is robust in seeking to establish the commitment of candidates to support the school's measures to safeguard children and to deter, reject or identify people who might abuse children or are otherwise unsuited to work with them.

All selection panels will include at least one person who has successfully completed accredited safer recruitment training.

Allegations against staff

We understand that a pupil may make an allegation against a member of staff or a volunteer.

If such an allegation is made, the member of staff receiving the allegation will immediately inform the Headteacher.

The Headteacher on all such occasions will discuss the content of the allegation with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for allegations against staff.

If the allegation made to a member of staff concerns the Headteacher, the designated teacher will immediately inform the Chair of Governors who will consult with the LADO.

In case of serious harm, the police should be involved from the outset.

The school will follow the LA procedures for managing allegations against staff, a copy of which will be readily available in the school.

The school will consult with the LADO and if advised to do so, will report to the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) any person (whether employed, contracted, a volunteer or a student) and the GTC if applicable, whose behaviour in the context of safeguarding has given cause for concern. This will take place within one month of that person leaving the school.

Whistleblowing

We recognise that children cannot be expected to raise concerns in an environment where staff fail to do so. All staff should be aware of their duty to raise concerns, where they exist, about the attitude or actions of colleagues.

Complaints or Concerns expressed by Pupils, Parents, Staff or Volunteers

We recognise that listening to children is an important and essential part of safeguarding them against abuse and neglect. To this end any expression of dissatisfaction or disquiet in relation to an individual child will be listened to and acted upon in order to safeguard his/her welfare.

We will also seek to ensure that the child or adult who makes a complaint is informed not only about the action the school will take but also the length of time that will be required to resolve the complaint (see complaints policy and procedures) The school will also endeavour to keep the child or adult regularly informed as to the progress of his/her complaint.

Prevention

We recognise that the school plays a significant part in the prevention of harm to our pupils by providing them with good lines of communication with trusted adults, supportive friends and an ethos of protection.

The school will therefore:

• Establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk, and are always listened to;
• Ensure children know that there are adults in the school whom they can approach if they are worried or in difficulty;
• Include in the curriculum opportunities that equip children with the skills they need to recognise and stay safe from abuse.

Physical Intervention

Our policy on restraint of pupils is set out in a separate policy and acknowledges that staff must only ever use physical intervention as a last resort, and that at all times it must be the minimal force necessary to prevent injury or damage to property.

We understand that physical intervention of a nature that causes injury or distress to a child may be considered under safeguarding children or disciplinary procedures.

Abuse of Trust

We recognise that as adults working in the school, we are in a relationship of trust with the pupils in our care and acknowledge that it is a criminal offence to abuse that trust.

We acknowledge that the principle of equality embedded in the legislation of the Sexual Offenders Act 2003 applies irrespective of sexual orientation: neither homosexual nor heterosexual relationships are acceptable within a position of trust.

We recognise that the legislation is intended to protect young people in education who are over the age of consent but under 18 years of age.

Corporal Punishment

Under section 131 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, corporal punishment is prohibited for pupils at the Maynard School.

Bullying

Our policy on bullying is set out in a separate policy and acknowledges that to allow or condone bullying may lead to consideration under safeguarding children procedures. This includes all forms of bullying – disability, cyber, racist, homophobic and gender related.

E-safety

Our E-safety policy recognises that internet safety is a whole school responsibility (staff, pupils, parents).

Children and young people may expose themselves to danger, whether knowingly or unknowingly, when using the internet and other technologies. Additionally, some young people may find themselves involved in activities which are inappropriate or possibly illegal.

We therefore recognise our responsibility to educate our pupils, teaching them the appropriate behaviours and critical thinking skills to enable them to remain both safe and legal when using the internet and related technologies.

Health & Safety

Our Health & Safety policy, set out in a separate document, reflects the consideration we give to the safeguarding of our children both within the school environment and when away from the school when undertaking school trips and visits.

Contacts

Internal

Steve Smerdon
Designated Senior Member of Staff for Child Protection

Tricia Wilkes
Designated Senior Member of Staff for Child Protection

Mrs. Sarah Pritchard

Governor responsible for safeguarding children

Tom Hughes Parry

Bee Hughes
Accredited safer recruitment trained

External

Beverley Dubash
Lead Officer for Safeguarding Children in Education 01392 303983

NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000

 

A copy of this policy with appendices can be obtained from the school office.