Child protection policy

 

Introduction

 

This policy has been developed in accordance with the principles established by the Children Act 1989; and in line with the following:

 

“Working Together to Safeguard Children” 2006

 

“Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families” 2000

 

“What to do if you are worried a Child is being Abused” 2003 ^[1]

 

Safeguarding Children in Education Guidance 2004 ^[2]

 

The school takes seriously its responsibility under section 175 of the Education Act 2002 to safeguard ^[3] and promote the welfare of children; and to work together with other agencies to ensure adequate arrangements within our school to identify, assess, and support those children who are suffering harm.

 

We recognise that all staff ^[4] and the management team have a full and active part to play in protecting our pupils from harm, and that the child’s welfare is our paramount concern.

 

All staff believe that our school should provide a safe, caring, positive and stimulating environment that promotes the social, physical and moral development of the individual child.

 

The aims of this policy are:

 

• To support the child’s development in ways that will foster security, confidence and resilience.
• To provide an environment in which children and young people feel safe, secure, valued and respected, feel confident and know how to approach adults if they are in difficulties.
• To raise the awareness of all teaching and non-teaching staff of the need to safeguard children and of their responsibilities in identifying and reporting possible cases of abuse.
• To provide a systematic means of monitoring children known or thought to be at risk of harm, and ensure we, the school, contribute to assessments of need and support plans for those children.
• To acknowledge the need for effective and appropriate communication between all members of staff in relation to safeguarding pupils.
• To develop a structured procedure within the school that will be followed by all members of the school community in cases of suspected abuse.
• To develop effective working relationships with all other agencies, involved in safeguarding children.
• To ensure that all adults within our school who have access to children have been checked as to their suitability through up to date Criminal Record Bureau clearance for staff from the UK or equivalent clearance for staff from Romania or other countries.

 

Procedures

 

Our school procedures for safeguarding children will be in line with “Working Together to Safeguard Children” and the Romanian law (please see  http://www.dreptonline.ro/legislatie/legea_protectiei_copilului.php  for information on Romanian Child Protection procedures and agencies).

 

We will ensure that:

 

• The school understands and fulfils its safeguarding responsibilities.
• All members of staff are provided with opportunities to receive training by the Designated Senior Person in order to develop their understanding of the signs and indicators of abuse every three years.
• All members of staff know how to respond to a pupil who discloses abuse and the procedure to be followed in appropriately sharing a concern of possible abuse or a disclosure of abuse.
• All parents/carers are made aware of the school’s responsibilities in regard to child protection procedures through publication of the school’s Child Protection Policy, and reference to it in our prospectus/brochure.
• Our selection and recruitment policy includes all checks on staff suitability including Criminal Records Bureau checks for UK based teachers and equivalent checks for Romanian staff and teachers from other nations.   
• Our procedures will be annually reviewed and up-dated.
• All adults, new to our school will be made aware of the school’s policy and procedures, the name and contact details of the Designated Senior Person.
• Children’s rights will be represented by an Advocate in the school, currently the School Psychologist / Counsellor. 
• Adults should respect the children’s rights as they are presented in Romanian law.
• Any concerns should be placed in writing, dated and signed by the adult raising the concern. This should be kept by the Designated Senior Person.

 

Responsibilities

 

We understand that our responsibility to safeguard children requires that we all appropriately share any concerns that we may have about children. 

 

The Designated Senior Person, currently the Principal of the school, is responsible for:

 

• Ensuring that detailed and accurate written records of concerns about a child are kept even if there is no need to make an immediate referral.
• Ensuring that all such records are kept confidentially and securely and are separate from pupil records, with a front sheet listing dates and brief entry to provide a chronology.
• Ensuring that an indication of further record-keeping is marked on the pupil records.
• Acting as a focal point for staff concerns and liaising with other agencies and professionals.
• Ensuring that all school staff are aware of the school’s CP policy and procedures, and know how to recognise and refer any concerns.
• Keeping themselves up to date with knowledge to enable them to fulfil their role.

 

Supporting Children

 

We recognise that a child who is abused, who witnesses violence or who lives in a violent environment, or may suffer emotional abuse or neglect may feel helpless and humiliated, may blame him/herself, 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 the development of self-esteem and resilience in every aspect of school life including through the curriculum.
• Promoting a caring, safe and positive environment within the school.
• Liaising and working together with all other Romanian support services and those agencies involved in the safeguarding of children.
• Providing continuing support to a pupil (about whom there have been concerns) who leaves the school by ensuring that such concerns and school medical records are forwarded under confidential cover to the Principal at the pupil’s new school as a matter of urgency, a photocopy of these records should be kept in a confidential file.
• Having access, or being referred to, the Welfare Services department within school.

 

Confidentiality

 

We recognise that all matters relating to child protection are confidential.

 

The Principal or Designated Senior Person will disclose personal information about a pupil to other members of staff on a need to know basis only.

 

However, all staff must be aware that they have a professional responsibility to share information with other agencies in order to safeguard children.

 

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

 

 

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 Designated Senior Person and to seek further support.

 

We understand that staff should have access to advice on the boundaries of appropriate behaviour. The document “Guidance on Safe Working Practices for the Protection of Children and Staff in Education Settings” provides advice on this and the circumstances, which should be avoided in order to limit complaints against staff of abuse of trust, and/or allegations of physical or sexual abuse. These matters form part of staff induction and are referred to in the staff handbook.

 

                       

Allegations against staff

 

All school staff should take care not to place themselves in a vulnerable position with a child. It is always advisable for interviews or work with individual children or parents to be conducted in view of other adults.

 

All staff should be aware of the school’s behaviour/discipline policy. This can be found on the School’s server.

 

We understand that a pupil may make an allegation against a member of staff. If such an allegation is made, the member of staff receiving the allegation will immediately inform the Principal or the most senior teacher if the Principal is not present.

 

If the allegation made to a member of staff concerns the Principal, the person receiving the allegation will immediately inform the Executive Director without informing the Principal first.

 

Suspension of the member of staff against whom an allegation has been made needs careful consideration.

 

Whistle blowing

 

We recognise that children cannot be expected to raise concerns in an environment where staff fails to do so.

 

All staff should be aware of their duty to raise concerns about the attitude or actions of colleagues. Concerns should be raised directly with the Principal, the Executive Director or the Designated Senior Person

 

Physical Intervention/Positive Handling

 

Our policy on physical intervention/positive handling by staff is set out separately, as part of our Behaviour Policy. It complies with DfES guidance on positive handling strategies (2001) and circular 10/98, ‘The Use of Force to Control or Restrain Pupils’. This guidance states that staff must only ever use physical intervention as a last resort, e.g. when a child is endangering him/herself or others and that, at all times it must be the minimal force necessary to prevent injury to another person.

 

Such events should be recorded and signed by a witness.

 

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

 

Anti-Bullying

 

Our policy on the prevention and management of bullying is set out in a separate policy and acknowledges that to allow or condone bullying may lead to consideration under child protection procedures. Our Anti-Bullying policy can be found in the School’s server.

 

Prevention

 

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

 

The school community will therefore:

 

Establish and maintain an ethos, which is understood by all staff, which enables children to feel secure and encourages them to talk knowing that they will be listened to.

 

Ensure that all children know there is an adult in the school whom they can approach if they are worried or in difficulty.

 

Provide across the curriculum, opportunities which equip children with the skills they need to stay safe from harm and to know to whom they should turn for help.

 

Health & Safety

 

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

 

Policy Review

 

The school management is responsible for ensuring the annual review of this policy in accordance with changes in UK and Romanian law.