CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Broughton Community Infant School fully recognises its responsibilities for child protection.

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

All who work in our school are concerned about the welfare and safety of our pupils and we work to create a culture of security for our pupils in order to enable them to feel valued, listened to and to know that their wishes and feelings are respected.

This policy will be used in conjunction with The Buckinghamshire Child Protection Committee 'Working Together: A Multi-Agency Code of Practice" (and the Education Department Child Protection Policy and Procedures Sept. 1999).

The Designated Teacher

The Designated Teacher for Child Protection is Mrs C Williams

In her absence Mrs S Hughes is the Deputy Designated Teacher.

 

The Designated Governor for Child Potection is Mrs A Lake.

 

The role of the Designated Teacher is to:

  • Ensure that Buckinghamshire Child Protection Code of Practice and the Education Department Policy & Procedures are followed in School by undertaking the following:
  • Ensure that all staff including temporary and supply staff and volunteers and members of the Governing Body know the name of the Designated Person for child protection.
  • Ensure that all staff and members of the Governing Body receive training in Child Protection issues.
  • Develop an effective working relationship with other agencies.Make referrals where child abuse is likely to occur, or is suspected or disclosed.
  • Attend Case Conferences, or to ensure that the appropriate member of staff attends, and is aware of the purpose and procedure of the Child Protection conference.
  • Ensure that a report is prepared for conference and to take part in core groups as is required. Meet with the Education Welfare Officer for the School to monitor children at risk and meet with Social Workers or representitives from other outside agencies when appropriate.
  • Ensure that safe recruitment practices are always followed thus checking the suitability of all adults working with children.
  • Ensure, by means of adult training, that our pupils are equipped with skills needed to keep them safe (eg through PSHE) and that they know there are adults in school whom they can approach if they are worried.

School Procedures

  • If any member of staff is concerned about a child, he or she must inform the Designated Teacher immediately. The member of staff should make notes about the concerns as quickly as possible and the recording must be factual and precise.
  • The Designated Teacher will decide whether an immediate referral is necessary. She may decide to seek advice initially from the Education Welfare Service or from Social Services. After a verbal referral has been made to Social Services, the Designated Teacher will advise the Education Welfare Service of the action taken. This should then be followed by a written report confirming the telephone conversation.
  • If so advised by Social Services, the school will inform parents/carers if a referral to Social Services has been made by the school.
  • Particular attention will be given to the attendance and development of any child who has been identified as at risk or who is in receipt of a Child Protection Plan.
  • The Designated Teacher will inform Social Services of any significant change affecting any child who is in receipt of a Child Protection Plan.
  • The school will inform Social Services of any unexplained absence of a pupil in receipt of a child protection plan.
  • The school must ensure that parents have an understanding of the responsibility placed on school personnel, for child protection, by setting out its obligations in the school prospectus and via the school web site.

When to be concerned

  • When a child has frequent or untypical injuries, not normally associated with the explanation offered.
  •  When a child exhibits untypical behaviour, his or her progress at school alters dramatically or attitude changes.
  • When a child indulges in sexual behaviour, either verbal or non-verbal that is unusually explicit or inappropriate to his or her age.
  • When there is any unexplained absence of a child who is known to be at risk or who is in possession of a Child Protection Plan.

Dealing With A Disclosure ("Working Together" Section 4)

If a child discloses that he or she has been abused, the member of staff should:

  • Listen to what the child says without displaying shock or disbelief and accept what is being said.
  • Allow the child to talk freely.
  • Reassure the child but not make promises which may not be possible to keep.
  • Do not promise confidentiality - it may well be necessary to tell Social Services.
  • Reassure the child - it is not his or her fault.
  • Stress that it is right to tell.
  • Listen, do not ask direct or leading questions.
  • Do not criticise the perpetrator - the child may well still love him or her.
  • Explain what you have to do next (i.e. 'I'm going to tell Mrs W what you have told me")

Record Keeping ("Working Together" Annex 1 And 3

 

When abuse is disclosed or suspected, the member of staff should:

  • Make brief notes as soon as possible giving quotes if they can be recalled. Dates and times should be recorded. These notes must not be destroyed, even if a more detailed report is written later. They may be needed by the Court
  • Draw a diagram to indicate any marks or injuries observed.

Support

Dealing with Child Protection is always difficult and stressful. Members of staff should consider seeking support for themselves, initially from the Designated Teacher.

 

It is crucial to support pupils who have been abused in accordance with their agreed child protection plan.

Child Protection Conferences (Full Details to be Found in "Working Together" Section 8)

The Designated Teacher will usually attend the Case Conference and help with preparation of the report.

Allegations Involving a Member of School Staff

Where an allegation is made against a colleague, immediate advice must be sought. The County Child Protection Guidelines must be followed. The Headteacher should be informed immediately (unless the allegation involves her, in which case a nominated Governor should be involved) and Disciplinary Procedures will be considered also. In such cases, the Head of Pupils, Students and Families, who is the Designated Senior Officer for the Local Education Authority, will be consulted.

Other information

We recognise that children who are abused or witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self worth. They may feel helplessness, humiliation and some sense of blame. The school may be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives of children at risk. When at school their behaviour may be challenging and defiant or they may be withdrawn. The school will endeavour to support the pupil through:

  • The content of the curriculum.
  • The school ethos which promotes positive, supportive and secure environment and gives pupils a sense of being valued.
  • The school behaviour policy which is aimed at supporting vulnerable pupils in the school. The school will ensure that the pupil knows that some behaviour is unacceptable but that they are valued and not to be blamed for any abuse which has occurred.
  • Liaison with other agencies that support the pupil.
  • Ensuring that when a pupil who has been in receipt of a child protection plan leaves the school, their information is transferred to the new school immediately and that the child's social worker is informed.