KEY CONTACTS WITHIN SCHOOL MARCH 2010
DESIGNATED
CHILD PROTECTION CO-ORDINATOR
NAME:
MRS
MAUREEN SUMMERILL
CONTACT
NUMBERS: 0191 4132113 Ext 211
EMAIL: msummerill@rytoncs.co.uk
DEPUTY
DESIGNATED CHILD PROTECTION CO-ORDINATOR
NAME:
MR
STEPHEN WILLIAMSON
CONTACT
NUMBERS: 0191 4132113
EMAIL: swilliamson@rytoncs.co.uk
NOMINATED
GOVERNOR FOR CHILD PROTECTION
NAME:
MR DAVE
CAMPBELL
CONTACT
NUMBERS: Please make contact via the
school
KEY CONTACTS WITHIN LOCAL AUTHORITY
SAFEGUARDING
MANAGER – EDUCATION IS ABLE TO PROVIDE ADVICE AND CONSULTANCY
NAME:
FRANCES
EWART
CONTACT
NUMBERS: 0191 4338012
EMAIL: francesewart@gateshead.gov.uk
REFERRAL
TO SOCIAL CARE SERVICES – REFERRAL AND ASSESSMENT TEAM, CIVIC CENTRE
Where
there is IMMEDIATE concerns for the safety and welfare
of a child or young person contact:
During office hours - Tel:
0191 4332515
Out
of office hours - Tel: 0191
4770844 (Emergency Duty Team)
If
urgent action is required in any situation contact the Police
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
KEY
CONTACTS
INDEX
1.
PURPOSE
2.
INTRODUCTION
3.
IDENTIFICATION AND PROCEDURE
4.
SCHOOLPOLICY AIM
5.
FRAMEWORK
6.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
7.
PROCEDURES
8.
TRAINNG AND SUPPORT
9.
PROFESSIONAL CONFIDENTIALITY
10. RECORDS AN
DMONITORIONG
11. ATTENDANCE AT
CASE CONFERENCES AND CORE GROUPS
12. SUPPORTING
STUDENTS AT RISK
13.
14. USE OF SCHOOL
PREMISES BY OTHER ORGANISATIONS
15. WHISTLE BLOWING
16. POLICY REVIEW
AND MONITORING
17. RELATED
POLICIES AND DOCUMENTS
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
All staff must be aware of the procedures to be followed in cases
of suspected child abuse. The latest guidance is contained in the ‘GATESHEAD
INTERAGENCY CHILD PROTECTION GUIDELINES’, which is available from the Deputy
Head teacher, Heads of Year, Millennium Centre Library and on the
The policy that follows takes account
of our statutory duty and our pastoral responsibilities and refers to the
procedures to be followed.
‘Because of their day-to-day contact
with individual children throughout the school terms, teachers and other school
staff are particularly well placed to observe the outward signs of abuse,
changes in behaviour or failure to develop.’
(Working together under the Children
Act 1989)
The overriding principle of the
Children Act 1989 is that the welfare of children is paramount.
1. PURPOSE
An effective whole school child
protection policy is one which provides clear direction to staff and others
about expected behaviour when dealing with child protection issues. An
effective policy also makes explicit the school’s commitment to the development
of good practice and sound procedures. This ensures that child protection
concerns, referrals and monitoring may be handled sensitively.
2 . INTRODUCTION
Ryton Comprehensive takes seriously its
responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children and young
people in its care.
There are three main elements to our
child protection policy:
This policy applies to all students, staff,
governors, volunteers and visitors to Ryton Comprehensive.
This school recognises it is an agent
of referral and not of investigation
3. IDENTIFICATION AND PROCEDURE
The guidance and procedures in this
section take account of the latest guidance from DfES (0027/2004) ‘Safeguarding
Children in Education’ and takes account of our statutory and our pastoral
responsibilities.
Because of our day to day contact with
our students we are particularly well placed to recognise signs of abuse,
changes in behaviour and failure to develop.
Categories of Abuse
Abuse and neglect may be caused by
someone directly inflicting harm on a child or by failing to act to prevent
such harm.
There are four categories of abuse and
neglect. These are categories under which a child’s name may be placed on the
Child Protection register.
a) Neglect – failure to protect a child from
exposure to any kind of danger, including cold or starvation, or extreme
failure to carry out important aspects of care resulting in the significant
impairment of the child’s health or development, including non-organic failure
to thrive.
b) Physical Injury – actual or likely injury to a child
or failure to prevent physical injury (or suffering) to a child, including
fabricated or induced illness.
c) Sexual Abuse - actual or likely exploitation of a
child or adolescent. The child may be dependent and/or developmentally
immature.
d) Emotional Abuse – actual or likely severe adverse effect
on the emotional and behavioural development of a child caused by persistent or
severe emotional ill treatment or rejection.
Signs which may indicate child abuse
Physical Abuse such as:
Bruises, lacerations and burns which
may be apparent particularly when children change clothes for P.E. P.E. staff
are in a particularly strong position to notice possible signs of abuse. They
should also be aware of the children, who for no particular reason, decide that
they will not change in front of other students and who may be trying to hide
marks on their body.
Physical Neglect such as:
Inadequate clothing, poor growth,
hunger
Emotional abuse such as:
Excessive dependence or attention
seeking
Sexual Abuse such as:
Children may exhibit signs or it may
lead to substantial behaviour change including precocity or withdrawal.
These signs can do no more than give
reason for suspicion; they are not in themselves proof that abuse has occurred.
However, we should be alerted to such signs.
Procedure
It is essential that all staff
(teaching and non teaching) familiarise themselves with agreed procedures.
Often the first sign that a child is being abused is when they make a
disclosure to a member of staff. In addition staff may see signs which cause
them concern. In both cases staff should seek information from the child with
tact and sympathy. It is essential that staff deal with any disclosures by a
child in the following way. If you are teaching ask for cover so there is no
delay.
a)
Listen – do not comment upon what has
been said and do not suggest an alternative explanation for the child or young
person’s worries.
b)
The child / young person should feel
that he/she is believed.
c)
Do not pass judgement.
d)
Do not promise any particular course of
action.
e)
If the child or young person asks for
confidentiality they should be told sensitively that staff
have a responsibility to refer cases of alleged abuse or neglect to the
appropriate agencies for their own sake. They should be reassured that the
matter will be disclosed only to those people who need to know about it.
f)
Do not rush the child/young person. It
may haven taken a great deal of courage to make the disclosure.
g)
All cases of suspected abuse or neglect
must be reported to the designated teacher with specific responsibility for
Child Protection. If he/she is not available the Head teacher should be
informed. If neither is available, the Head of Year will take the necessary
course of action. Staff must not take it upon themselves to decide what course
of action should be taken. On no account should they contact outside agencies
such as Police or Social Services.
It is important to note that schools
have no brief to investigate allegations of abuse, it is our duty to be aware
of the signs and pass on any concerns we may have to the appropriate agencies.
No member of staff should attempt to question a child about the suspected
abuse, as this could prejudice any future investigation. Our function is to
listen but not to make comments or offer explanations/solutions.
What to do next
a)
Make an immediate, careful record of
what has been said using the child’s words wherever possible
b)
Inform the Designated Child Protection
Co-ordinator. They will make the decision based on the evidence (plus possible
further discussion with child where appropriate) whether the Assessment and
Referral team should be informed.
c)
Record in writing the fact that you
have made a referral to the Designated Child Protection Co-ordinator
Remaining caring and supportive of the
child
If you have immediate concern for the
safety of a child, you must take all necessary steps to ensure their safety.
This may mean in exceptional circumstances making a referral to the Police or Social
Services. As soon as this is done, the school’s policy on child protection must
be followed. Apart from extremely rare occasions staff should not take it upon
themselves to decide what course of action should be taken. Staff should not
contact agencies.
NB: Staff should be aware that schools
have no brief to investigate allegations of abuse but do have a duty to be
aware of signs and pass on any concerns they have to appropriate agencies.
4. SCHOOL POLICY AIM
a)
We recognise that for our students, high
self esteem, confidence, supportive friends and clear lines of communication
with a trusted adult helps to prevent abuse. Our school will therefore:
b)
Establish and maintain an environment
where students feel safe and secure, are encouraged to talk, and are listened
to
c)
Ensure that students know that there
are adults within school who they can approach if they are worried or are in difficulty
d)
Include in the curriculum activities
and opportunities for PSHE, which equip students with the skills they need to
stay safe from abuse. Further information can be obtained from the school’s
PHSE co-ordinator (Mrs C.Dunn).
e)
Include in the curriculum materials
which will help students develop realistic attitudes to the responsibilities of
adult life, particularly with regard to child care and parenting skills.
f)
Ensure that wherever possible every
effort will be made to establish effective working relationships with parents
and colleagues from partner agencies
The policy does not stand alone and
needs to be seen as part of an holistic approach to
keeping children safe. The policy needs to be read in conjunction with other
related policies as listed at the end of this document.
The school is committed to good
practice and sound procedures.
The purpose of the policy, therefore,
is to ensure that the child protection policy is understood by all staff so
that referrals are handled according to procedure and in a sensitive and
professional which protects children and allows their needs to be met.
5. FRAMEWORK
Child protection is the responsibility
of all adults and especially those working with children. The development of
appropriate procedures and monitoring of good practice are the responsibilities
of Gateshead Local Safeguarding Board (LSCB) www.gatesheadcyptrust.co.uk
6. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
All adults working with or on behalf of
children have a responsibility to protect them. There are however key people
within schools and the Local authority who have specific responsibilities under
child protection procedures. The names of those carrying out these
responsibilities for the current year are listed on the cover sheet of this
document.
It is the role of the Designated Child
Protection Co-ordinator to ensure that all of the child protection procedures
are followed within the school and to make appropriate, timely referrals to
Gateshead Social Care services in accordance with school procedures. If for any
reason the designated Child protection
Co-ordinator (see cover sheet) is unavailable, a Deputy Child Protection Co-ordinator has been identified who will
act in their absence (see cover sheet). Additionally, it is the role of the
Designated Child protection Co-ordinator to ensure that all staff employed
including temporary staff and volunteers within the school are aware of the
school’s internal procedures, to advise staff and to offer support to those
requiring this.
The Governing Body and school
leadership team are responsible for ensuring that the school follows safe
recruitment processes. As part of the school’s recruitment and vetting process,
enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), DfES List 99 and other statutory lists
and local intelligence checks will be sought on all staff that have substantial and unsupervised access to children.
The role of the Nominated Governor for
Child Protection, Dave Campbell is to ensure that school has an effective
policy, that the LSCB guidelines are complied with www.gatesheadcyptrust.co.uk
and to support the school in this aspect. Governors must not give details
relating to individual child protection cases or situations to ensure
confidentiality is not breached.
The Designated Child Protection
Co-ordinator and the Head teacher provide an annual report for the governing
body detailing any changes to policy and procedures: training undertaken by all
staff and governors and other relevant issues.
Safeguarding Manager – Education (Tel:
0109 4338012) is available to offer advice, support and training to the
school’s Designated Child Protection Co-ordinator.
7. PROCEDURES
All action is taken in line with the
following guidance:
a)
b)
“Safeguarding Children in Education”
DfES/0027/2004
c)
“What To Do If You Are Worried A Child Is
Being Abused” (published by Department of Health, DfES, Department of Culture
Media and Sports, Home Office, Office of Deputy Prime Minister and the Lord
Chancellor’s Department”
d)
Working Together to Safeguard Children
(2006, Department of Health)
Staff
are kept informed about child protection responsibilities and
procedures through induction, briefings and awareness training. There may be
other adults in the school who rarely work unsupervised, more usually working
alongside members of the school staff. However the Head teacher will ensure
they are aware of the school’s policy and the identity of the school’s
Designated Child Protection Co-ordinator.
Any member of staff, volunteer or
visitor to the school who receives a disclosure of abuse, an allegation or
suspects that abuse may have occurred must report it immediately to the
school’s Designated Child Protection Co-ordinator (see cover sheet) or in their
absence to the Deputy Designated Child Protection Co-ordinator (see cover
sheet). In the absence of either of the above the incident should be reported
to the most senior member of staff
The Designated Child protection
Co-ordinator or their deputy will immediately refer cases of suspected abuse or
allegations to Gateshead Social Care by telephone and in accordance with LSCB
procedures.
The telephone referral to Gateshead
Referral and assessment team will be confirmed in writing within 48 hours.
Essential information will include the student’s name, address, date of birth,
family composition, reason for referral, whether the child’s parents are aware
of the referral, the name of the person who initially received the disclosure
plus any advice given. The written confirmation must be signed and dated by the
referrer. Where possible the Inter – agency referral form ,
Confirmation of Referral Form should be used.
The school will always undertake to
share our intention to refer a child to Social Care Services with the parents
or carers unless to do so could place the child at greater risk or impeded a criminal
investigation. On these occasions advice will be taken from Gateshead Social
Care Services or Gateshead Police.
A statement in the school’s prospectus
will inform parents and carers about our school’s duties and responsibilities
under child protection procedures. Parents can obtain a copy of the school
child protection policy on request. It is also available on the school website.
www.rytoncs.co.uk
8. TRAINING AND SUPPORT
The headteacher and all other staff who
work with children will undertake appropriate child protection awareness
training to equip them to carry out their responsibilities for child protection
effectively, that is kept up to date by refresher training at three yearly
intervals as set out in Safeguarding Children in Education (DfES 0027/2004)
The school will ensure that the
Designated Child Protection Co-ordinator also undertakes training in inter-
agency working that is provided by the LSCB and refresher training at two
yearly intervals to keep knowledge and skills up to date. Temporary staff and
volunteers who work with children in school will be made aware of the school’s
arrangements for child protection and their responsibilities (DfES 0027/2004).
Support will be available from the headteacher
in the first instance and from members of the school’s leadership team where
ether are concerns about queries about child
protection.
All staff should have access to advice
and guidance on the boundaries of appropriate behaviour and conduct. These
matters form part of staff induction and are referred to in the staff handbook
on the school intranet
9. PROFESSIONAL CONFIDENTIALITY
Confidentiality is an issue which needs
to be discussed and fully understood by all those working with children, particularly
in the context of child protection. The only purpose of confidentiality in this
respect is to benefit the child. A member of staff must never guarantee
confidentiality to a student nor should they agree with a student to keep a
secret, as where there is a child protection concern this must be reported to
the Designated Child Protection Co-ordinator and may require further
investigation by the appropriate authorities.
Staff will be informed of relevant
information in respect of individual cases regarding child protection on a
‘need to know’ basis only. Any information shared with a member of staff in
this way must be held confidentially to themselves.
10. RECORDS AND MONITORING
Well – kept records are essential to
good child protection practice. Our school is clear about the need to record
any concern held about a child or children within our school, the status of
such records and when these records should be passed over to other agencies.
Any member of staff receiving a
disclosure of abuse or noticing signs or indicators of abuse, must make an
accurate record as soon as possible noting what was said or seen, putting the
event in context, and giving the date, time and location. All records will be
dated and signed and will include the action taken.
These file notes are kept in a
confidential file and stored in the filing cabinet of the Designated Child
Protection Co-ordinator’s office. In the same way notes must be kept of any
student who is being monitored for child protection reasons.
If a student transfers from the school,
these files will be copied for the new establishment and forwarded to the
student’s new school marked confidential and for the attention of the receiving
school’s Designated Child Protection Co-ordinator.
11.ATTENDANCE AT CHILD PROTECTION
CONFERENCES AND CORE GROUP
It is the responsibility of the
Designated Child Protection Co-ordinator to ensure that school is represented
or a report is submitted to any child protection conference called for children
on their school roll or previously known to them. Whoever attends should be
fully briefed on any issues or concerns the school has and be prepared to make
decisions on registration at the end of the conference.
When a child is made subject to a Child
Protection Plan it is the Designated Child Protection Co-ordinator’s
responsibility to ensure that the child is monitored regarding their school
attendance, welfare and presentation. If the school are part of the Core Group
then the Designated Child Protection Co-ordinator. Should ensure
that school is represented at all meetings: that there is a record of
attendance and issues discussed. All concerns about the child protection
plan and/ or the child’s welfare should be discussed and recorded at the core
group meeting unless the child is at risk of significant harm. In this case the
Child Protection Co-ordinator must inform the child’s key worker immediately
and then record that they have done so and the actions agreed
12. SUPPORTING STUDENTS AT RISK
a)
Our school recognises that children who
are abused or who witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of
self – worth or view the world as appositive place.
b)
This school may be the only stable,
secure and predictable element in the lives of children at risk. Nevertheless,
whilst at school their behaviour may still be challenging and defiant or they
may be withdrawn.
c)
School will endeavour to support
students through:
d)
The curriculum to encourage self –
esteem and self motivation.
e)
The school ethos which promotes a positive,
supportive and secure environment and which gives all students and adults a
sense of being respected and valued
f)
The implementation of the school’s
behaviour management policies
g)
A consistent approach agreed by all
staff which will endeavour to ensure that the student knows that some behaviour
is unacceptable but s/he is valued.
h)
Regular liaison with other agencies and
professionals who support students and their families
i)
A commitment to develop productive,
supportive relationships with parents, whenever it is in the child’s best
interests to do so
j)
The development and support of a
responsive and knowledgeable staff group, trained to respond appropriately in
child protection situations.
k)
Recognition that statistically children
with behavioural difficulties and disabilities are most vulnerable to abuse so staff who work in any capacity with children with profound
and multiple disabilities, sensory impairment and/or emotional or behavioural
problems will need to be particularly sensitive to signs of abuse.
l)
Recognition that in a home environment
where there is domestic violence, drug or alcohol abuse ,
children may also be vulnerable and in need of support or protection.
This policy should be considered
alongside other related policies in school. These are the policy for teaching
of PSHE, the policy for management of students’ behaviour, the anti- bullying
policy and the Health & safety Policy.
13. SAFE SCHOOL, SAFE STAFF
It is essential that the high standards
of concern and professional responsibility adopted with regard to alleged child
abuse by parents are similarly displayed when members of staff are accuse of
abuse..
Only authorised agencies may
investigate child abuse allegations (Social Care Services, the Police or
possibly the NSPCC). Whilst it is permissible to ask the child(ren)
simple non- leading questions to ascertain the facts of the allegation, formal
interviews and the taking of statements is not.
The procedure to be followed in the
event of an allegation being made against a member of staff is set out in
Chapter 10 of Gateshead LSCB Interagency Procedures,’ Dealing with Allegations
of Abuse Against a Person who Works with Children’.
The headteacher or other Senior leader should in the first instance contact the Safeguarding
Manager – Education (Tel: 0191 4338012). Through discussion and consultation a
decision will be made whether to refer to Gateshead Social care Services
The Nominated member of the Governing
Body must take responsibility for liaising with the Safeguarding Manager if an
allegation is made against the headteacher.
If for any reason it is decided that a
referral to Gateshead Social Care Services is not appropriate, it will be
necessary to address matters in accordance with the school’s disciplinary
procedures in liaison with the school’s HR advisor.
14. USE OF SCHOOL PREMISES BY OTHER ORGANISATIONS
Where services or activities are
provided separately by another body, using the school premises, the Governing
Body will seek assurance that the body concerned has appropriate policies and
procedures in place in regard to safeguarding children and child protection.
15. 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 about the attitude or actions of colleagues. If
necessary they should speak to the nominated ‘whistle – blowing ‘ governor who is Adrian Hinchcliffe
or the Safeguarding manager – education.
16. POLICY REVIEW AND MONITORING
a)
The Governing Body is responsible for
ensuring the annual review of this policy
b)
Ensuring the list of key contacts on
the cover sheet is kept up to date
c)
The governing body must ensure there
are procedures in place for regular monitoring and evaluation of the
implementation of this policy. The school will publish the policy for parents
and carers after each annual review.
17. RELATED POLICIES AND DOCUMENTS
School Policies
School
Documents
Local Authority Documentation
Government Documentation
Reviewed by M. Summerill July 2007
Approved by Governors Curriculum Sub
Committee on 9th October 2007
Reviewed by M. Summerill July 2008
Approved
by Governors Curriculum Sub Committee on March 31st 2009.
|
This policy meets the following criteria |
Yes |
No |
|
Gender Equality |
√ |
|
|
Race equality |
√ |
|
|
Disability Policy |
√ |
|
|
Date approved by Governing Body |
31.3.09 |
|
Reviewed by M. Summerill March 2010
|
This policy meets the following criteria |
Yes |
No |
|
Gender Equality |
Yes |
|
|
Race equality |
Yes |
|
|
Disability Policy |
Yes |
|
|
Date approved by Governing Body |
18.5.10 |
|
|
Compiled by: M Summerill |
|
Signed:
Original version is signed by Adrian Hinchcliffe
(Chair of |
|
Approved by
Governors on the Curriculum Committee of Governing Body on 18 May 2010 |
Date of next review May 2011