Child Protection Policy
Greenfylde Church of England First School
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
INTRODUCTION
This policy should be taken as part of the overall strategy of the school and operated within the context of our vision, aims and values as a Church of England School.
The designated teacher for Child Protection is the Headteacher Mr John Jeffery and in his absence, Mrs Andrea Jones. Should both Mr Jeffery and Mrs Jones be absent, the matter should then be referred to another member of the senior management team.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
Greenfylde Church of England First School strives to educate all its pupils within an environment where the Christian traditions of learning, truth, justice, respect and community are promoted. Consequently the overall aim of this policy is to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children in our care. In situations where child abuse is suspected, our paramount responsibility is to the child.
This will be achieved by:
* Continuing to develop awareness in all staff of the need for Child Protection (particular care should be taken with children with disabilities and SEN) and their responsibilities in identifying abuse.
* Ensuring that all staff are aware of referral procedures within the school.
* Monitor children who have been identified as 'at risk'.
* Ensuring that outside agencies are involved where appropriate.
* Ensuring that key concepts of Child protection are integrated within the curriculum especially via PSHE.
* Create an environment where children feel secure, have their viewpoints valued, are encouraged to talk and are listened to.
SCHOOL PROCEDURES
1. Any member of staff with an issue or concern relating to Child Protection (it should be made clear to pupils that CONFIDENTIALITY CANNOT BE GUARANTEED IN RESPECT OF CHILD PROTECTION ISSUES) should immediately discuss it with the Headteacher. Allegations of child abuse must always be given the highest priority and referred immediately to the Headteacher.
2. The Headteacher will then decide on an appropriate course of action (based on ACPC guidelines).
3. Information for parents/carers will be published in the School prospectus and in the first termly newsletter telling them that the staff are required to follow the procedures laid down by the Area Child Protection Committee (see Appendix One).
4. Allegations against school staff. Teachers must protect themselves especially when meeting on a one to one basis with students and staff should bear in mind that even perfectly innocent actions can sometimes be misconstrued (please refer to the Schools Physical Restraint Policy). Teachers who hear an allegation of abuse against another member of staff should report the matter immediately to the HEADTEACHER so that ACPC and DFEE circular 10/95 procedures can be followed. If the allegation is against the Headteacher it should be taken directly to the Deputy Headteacher and through them to the Chair of Governors.
DEALING WITH DISCLOSURES OF ABUSE
If a child chooses to tell a member of staff about possible abuse there are a number of things that should be done to support the child:
* stay calm and be available to listen
* listen with the utmost care to what the child is saying
* question normally without pressurising
* don't put words into the child's mouth but note the main points carefully
* keep a full record : date, time, what the child did, said, etc
* reassure the child and let them know they were right to inform us
* inform the child that this information will know have to be passed on
* immediately inform the Headteacher, or when absent, Mrs Jones.
For types of Child Abuse and their symptoms please refer to Appendix Two.
MONITORING AND RECORD KEEPING
It is essential that accurate records be kept where there are concerns about the welfare of a child. These records should then be kept in secure, confidential files, which are separate from the child's school records. It is important to recognise that regulations published in 1989 do not authorise or require the disclosure to parents of any written information relating to Child Protection. Although the preferred practice is for parents to be informed of and agree to any referral being made (unless it relates to Sexual Abuse).
Staff must keep the Headteacher informed of:
* poor attendance & punctuality
* concerns about appearance and dress
* changed or unusual behaviour
* concerns about health and emotional well being
* deterioration in educational progress
* discussions with parents about concerns relating to their child
* concerns about home conditions or situations
* concerns about pupil on pupil abuse (including serious bullying)
When there is suspicion of significant harm to a child and a referral is made, as much information as possible should be given about the nature of the suspicions, the child and the family. Use of previous records (if available) may prove to be particularly useful in this respect.
NB Any referral to Social Services by telephone must be confidentially noted, a record being made of the Social Worker and the time at which the call is made. If parents have not been informed about (or if they have agreed to) the referral being made this must be reported to Social Services.
Reports may be needed for Child Protection Case conferences or the criminal/civil courts. Consequently records and reports should be:
* factual (no opinions)
* non-judgemental (no assumptions)
* clear
* accurate
* relevant
THE ROLE OF THE DESIGNATED TEACHER
* To ensure that all staff know the Headteacher is responsible (and in his absence Mrs Jones) for Child Protection issues.
* To refer promptly all cases of suspected child abuse to the local social services department or the police child protection team. If a parent arrives to collect the child before the social worker has arrived then it must be remembered that we have no right to prevent the removal of the child. However, if there are clear signs of physical risk or threat, the Police should be called.
* To organise as and when necessary, regular training on Child Protection within the School.
* To ensure that all staff know about and have access to ACPC guidelines.
* To co-ordinate action where child abuse is suspected.
* To facilitate and support the development of a whole school policy on Child Protection.
* To attend case conferences or nominate an appropriate member of staff to attend on his behalf.
* Maintain records of case conferences and other sensitive information in a secure confidential file and to disseminate information about the child only on a 'need to know basis'.
* To pass on records and inform the key worker when a child who is on the Child Protection register leaves the school. The custodian of the register must also be informed.
* To raise staff awareness and confidence on child protection procedures and to ensure new staff are aware of these procedures.
* To keep up to date with current practice by participating in training opportunities wherever possible.
APPENDIX ONE
Information for parents/carers published in the School prospectus and in the first termly newsletter:
"The School is committed to promoting the health and welfare of all pupils and if staff see signs that suggest that one of the pupils may have been the victim of abuse (or is at risk of abuse) staff will follow the procedures laid down by the Area Child Protection Committee. N.B. Such action in no way infers that any parent/carer or other individual is being accused of wrongdoing. A full version of the School?s Child Protection policy is available on request."
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
INTRODUCTION
This policy should be taken as part of the overall strategy of the school and operated within the context of our vision, aims and values as a Church of England School.
The designated teacher for Child Protection is the Headteacher Mr John Jeffery and in his absence, Mrs Andrea Jones. Should both Mr Jeffery and Mrs Jones be absent, the matter should then be referred to another member of the senior management team.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
Greenfylde Church of England First School strives to educate all its pupils within an environment where the Christian traditions of learning, truth, justice, respect and community are promoted. Consequently the overall aim of this policy is to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children in our care. In situations where child abuse is suspected, our paramount responsibility is to the child.
This will be achieved by:
* Continuing to develop awareness in all staff of the need for Child Protection (particular care should be taken with children with disabilities and SEN) and their responsibilities in identifying abuse.
* Ensuring that all staff are aware of referral procedures within the school.
* Monitor children who have been identified as 'at risk'.
* Ensuring that outside agencies are involved where appropriate.
* Ensuring that key concepts of Child protection are integrated within the curriculum especially via PSHE.
* Create an environment where children feel secure, have their viewpoints valued, are encouraged to talk and are listened to.
SCHOOL PROCEDURES
1. Any member of staff with an issue or concern relating to Child Protection (it should be made clear to pupils that CONFIDENTIALITY CANNOT BE GUARANTEED IN RESPECT OF CHILD PROTECTION ISSUES) should immediately discuss it with the Headteacher. Allegations of child abuse must always be given the highest priority and referred immediately to the Headteacher.
2. The Headteacher will then decide on an appropriate course of action (based on ACPC guidelines).
3. Information for parents/carers will be published in the School prospectus and in the first termly newsletter telling them that the staff are required to follow the procedures laid down by the Area Child Protection Committee (see Appendix One).
4. Allegations against school staff. Teachers must protect themselves especially when meeting on a one to one basis with students and staff should bear in mind that even perfectly innocent actions can sometimes be misconstrued (please refer to the Schools Physical Restraint Policy). Teachers who hear an allegation of abuse against another member of staff should report the matter immediately to the HEADTEACHER so that ACPC and DFEE circular 10/95 procedures can be followed. If the allegation is against the Headteacher it should be taken directly to the Deputy Headteacher and through them to the Chair of Governors.
DEALING WITH DISCLOSURES OF ABUSE
If a child chooses to tell a member of staff about possible abuse there are a number of things that should be done to support the child:
* stay calm and be available to listen
* listen with the utmost care to what the child is saying
* question normally without pressurising
* don't put words into the child's mouth but note the main points carefully
* keep a full record : date, time, what the child did, said, etc
* reassure the child and let them know they were right to inform us
* inform the child that this information will know have to be passed on
* immediately inform the Headteacher, or when absent, Mrs Jones.
For types of Child Abuse and their symptoms please refer to Appendix Two.
MONITORING AND RECORD KEEPING
It is essential that accurate records be kept where there are concerns about the welfare of a child. These records should then be kept in secure, confidential files, which are separate from the child's school records. It is important to recognise that regulations published in 1989 do not authorise or require the disclosure to parents of any written information relating to Child Protection. Although the preferred practice is for parents to be informed of and agree to any referral being made (unless it relates to Sexual Abuse).
Staff must keep the Headteacher informed of:
* poor attendance & punctuality
* concerns about appearance and dress
* changed or unusual behaviour
* concerns about health and emotional well being
* deterioration in educational progress
* discussions with parents about concerns relating to their child
* concerns about home conditions or situations
* concerns about pupil on pupil abuse (including serious bullying)
When there is suspicion of significant harm to a child and a referral is made, as much information as possible should be given about the nature of the suspicions, the child and the family. Use of previous records (if available) may prove to be particularly useful in this respect.
NB Any referral to Social Services by telephone must be confidentially noted, a record being made of the Social Worker and the time at which the call is made. If parents have not been informed about (or if they have agreed to) the referral being made this must be reported to Social Services.
Reports may be needed for Child Protection Case conferences or the criminal/civil courts. Consequently records and reports should be:
* factual (no opinions)
* non-judgemental (no assumptions)
* clear
* accurate
* relevant
THE ROLE OF THE DESIGNATED TEACHER
* To ensure that all staff know the Headteacher is responsible (and in his absence Mrs Jones) for Child Protection issues.
* To refer promptly all cases of suspected child abuse to the local social services department or the police child protection team. If a parent arrives to collect the child before the social worker has arrived then it must be remembered that we have no right to prevent the removal of the child. However, if there are clear signs of physical risk or threat, the Police should be called.
* To organise as and when necessary, regular training on Child Protection within the School.
* To ensure that all staff know about and have access to ACPC guidelines.
* To co-ordinate action where child abuse is suspected.
* To facilitate and support the development of a whole school policy on Child Protection.
* To attend case conferences or nominate an appropriate member of staff to attend on his behalf.
* Maintain records of case conferences and other sensitive information in a secure confidential file and to disseminate information about the child only on a 'need to know basis'.
* To pass on records and inform the key worker when a child who is on the Child Protection register leaves the school. The custodian of the register must also be informed.
* To raise staff awareness and confidence on child protection procedures and to ensure new staff are aware of these procedures.
* To keep up to date with current practice by participating in training opportunities wherever possible.
APPENDIX ONE
Information for parents/carers published in the School prospectus and in the first termly newsletter:
"The School is committed to promoting the health and welfare of all pupils and if staff see signs that suggest that one of the pupils may have been the victim of abuse (or is at risk of abuse) staff will follow the procedures laid down by the Area Child Protection Committee. N.B. Such action in no way infers that any parent/carer or other individual is being accused of wrongdoing. A full version of the School?s Child Protection policy is available on request."