Microsoft word - safeguarding policy

Named personnel with designated responsibility for Safeguarding Dates of Staff training and details of course title and training provider ‘Show mercy to those on earth, and Allah will show mercy to you. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "He is not of us who does not have mercy on SCHOOL COMMITMENT Paradise Primary School is committed to Safeguarding and Promoting the Health, Safety and Welfare of all of its pupils. Each pupil’s welfare is of paramount importance. We recognise that all children have a right to be protected from abuse, and that, children who are abused or neglected may lack confidence and find it difficult to develop a sense of self worth. They will suffer from low self-esteem and will not view the world in a positive way. Whilst at school, their behaviour and ability to form relationships may be challenging. We recognise that some children who have experienced abuse may harm others and will therefore always strive to take a well-balanced and sensitive approach to support all of our pupils. SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITY Every child entering our school setting becomes the responsibility of all the Adults around them. Our duty towards their welfare and safety becomes an Islamic obligation for which we will be held accountable. At Paradise School, we endeavour to: • Create and maintain an ethos where our pupils feel safe, secure, and comfortable and are • Ensure that all pupils are aware that there are trusted adults in the school to whom they can confide in any unhappy, worried, unsafe circumstances. • Equip our children with skills and knowledge to keep themselves safe from harm through our Paradise Primary pays full regard to current DCSF guidance ‘Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education’ Jan 2007. We ensure that all appropriate measures are applied in relation to everyone who works in the school who is likely to be perceived by the children as a safe and trustworthy adult. Our Safer recruitment practice includes scrutinising applicants, verifying identity and academic or vocational qualifications, obtaining professional references, checking previous employment history and ensuring that a candidate has the health and physical capacity for the job. We also undertake interviews and, where appropriate, undertake List 99 and lastly do Criminal Records Bureau checks. We will ensure that: • An enhanced CRB is obtained for all new appointments. • An up to date single central record detailing a range of checks carried out on our staff is • All new appointments to our school workforce who have lived outside the UK will be subject to additional checks as appropriate • Our school ensures that supply staff & volunteers have undergone the necessary checks • Identity checks must be carried out on all appointments to our school workforce before the • Where a CRB check is pending for adults working with children, a “List 99 Check” is conducted so as to permit the member of staff to work alongside children under close supervision of another member of staff Safe Practice/Staff conduct Paradise Primary will comply with the current Safe Practice guidance to be found in Kirklees Safeguarding Procedures at www.kirkleessafeguardingchildren.co.uk Safe working practice ensures that pupils are safe and that all staff: • are responsible for their own actions and behaviour and should avoid any conduct which would lead any reasonable person to question their motivation and intentions • work in an open and transparent way;(especially when working with individual pupils) • should be conscious of the position of trust they hold in respect of the children • discuss and/or take advice from school management over any incident which may give rise • record any incidents or decisions made; • be aware of confidentiality policy • are aware that breaches of the law could result in criminal or disciplinary action being Supporting Children 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 ie. Phsce etc. The school ethos which promotes a 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 they are valued and not to be blamed for any abuse which has occurred. Liaison with other agencies that support the pupil such as social services etc. Ensuring that, where a pupil on the child protection register leaves, their information is transferred to the new school immediately and that the child's social worker is informed. Partnership with Parents The school shares a purpose with parents to educate and keep children safe from harm and to have their welfare promoted. We are committed to working with parents positively, openly and honestly. We ensure that all parents are treated with respect, dignity and courtesy. We respect parents’ rights to privacy and confidentiality and will not share sensitive information unless we have permission or it is necessary to do so in order to protect a child. Paradise Primary School will share with parents any concerns we may have about their child unless to do so may place a child at risk of harm. There may be exceptional circumstances when the school will discuss concerns with Social Care and/or the Police without parental knowledge (in accordance with Child Protection procedures).Our statement to Parents about our Child Protection Policy is; “Our first concern will always be the welfare of your child. As a care Provider for your child, I am required to follow Local Safeguarding Board procedures. As a carer for your child I will at all times try to share with you any concerns I may have about your child. However, there may be times when I have to talk to Social Care before I talk to you.” Partnerships with others Our school recognises that it is essential to establish positive and effective working relationships with other agencies who are partners in the Kirklees Safeguarding Children Board. Confidentiality “Where there is a concern that the child may be suffering or is at risk of suffering significant harm, the child’s safety and welfare must be the overriding consideration. “ In any case of a possible child protection issue all adults involved must recognise the primary importance of maintaining confidentiality at all stages of the procedure. However, we ensure that all staff understand that they must never ‘promise’ to a child confiding in them “NOT TO TELL ANYONE”. The child will be reassured that we will try our best to help him/her. We ensure that all Child protection information is kept locked separately to their personal files and will only be accessible to the child protection officer and Head. Our school will endeavour to keep up to date and accurate information in order to keep children safe and provide appropriate care for them the school requires accurate and up to date information regarding: • names and contact details of all persons with parental responsibility • emergency contact details (if different from above) • details of any persons authorised to collect the child from school. In emergencies other • any relevant court orders in place including those which affect any person’s access to the child (e.g. Residence Order, Contact Order, Care Order, Injunctions etc.), where informed by outside agencies and family members. • if the child is or has been on the Child Protection Register or subject to a care plan • name and contact details of G.P. • any other factors which may impact on the safety and welfare of the child Teachers and other adults in school are well placed to observe any physical, emotional or behavioural signs which indicate that a child may be suffering significant harm. The relationships between staff, pupils, parents and the public which foster respect, confidence and trust can lead to disclosures of abuse, and/or school staff being alerted to concerns. Definitions As in the Children Acts 1989 and 2004, a child is anyone who has not yet reached his/her 18th birthday. Harm means ‘ill-treatment’ or impairment of ‘health’ or ‘development’; Ill-treatment includes sexual abuse and other forms of ill-treatment which are not physical. Health includes physical and mental health; Development means physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development; Abuse and Neglect are forms of maltreatment. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm or failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting; by those known to them, or, more rarely, by a stranger. They may be abused by an adult or adults or another child or children. Hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child Involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities. They can include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual online images, watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways. Emotional Abuse is the PERSISTENT emotional ill treatment of a child which harms their emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond the child’s developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to: • Provide adequate food and clothing, shelter (exclusion from home, abandonment etc) • Protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger • Ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate caretakers) • Ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs. Taking action to ensure that children are safe at school and at home It is not the responsibility of the school staff to investigate welfare concerns or determine the truth of any disclosure or allegation. All staff, however, has a duty to recognise concerns and maintain an open mind. Accordingly all concerns regarding the welfare of pupils will be recorded and discussed with the designated senior person with responsibility for child protection (or another senior member of staff in the absence of the designated person) prior to any discussion with parents. • any suspicion that a child is injured, marked, or bruised in a way which is not readily attributable to the normal knocks or scrapes received in play • any explanation given which appears inconsistent or suspicious • any behaviours which give rise to suspicions that a child may have suffered harm (e.g. • any concerns that a child may be suffering from inadequate care, ill treatment, or • any concerns that a child is presenting signs or symptoms of abuse or neglect • any significant changes in a child’s presentation, including non-attendance • any hint or disclosure of abuse from any person • any concerns regarding person(s) who may pose a risk to children (e.g. living in a household Remember that it is not a member of staff’s responsibility to investigate an allegation of abuse further once they have reported it to the appropriate person. Ensure that staff behaviour does not place pupil or staff at risk of harm or of allegations of harm. e.g. Never work alone in a room with the door closed. FOR ALL STAFF IT IS ESSENTIAL TO FOLLOW A STANDRD PROCEDURE IN THE EVENT OF CONCERNS ARISING ABOUT A CHILD PROTECTION ISSUE. Any staff member who has a general concern about the welfare of a child must OBSERVE, RECORD and DISCUSS this concern with SMT or child protection officer who will give advice on best course of action. Disclosures or information may be received from pupils, parents or other members of the public. School recognises that those who disclose such information may do so with difficulty, having chosen carefully to whom they will speak. Accordingly all staff will handle disclosures with sensitivity ensuring that the needs’ of the child remains the priority and that such information cannot remain confidential. In the circumstances where there are clear indicators of child abuse or when a child tells you something staff must: • RECORD (make accurate notes using the child’s words, make note of disclosure location and description of any injuries seen , sign and date the recording • REPORT (Inform the designated child Protection officer) • Reassure the child and tell the child that they have done the right thing by telling you. • Ask leading questions (questions should be of ‘open’ nature eg. ‘Can you tell me what happened?’ rather than ‘Did x hit you?’ • Use your own words to describe things • Investigate (only elicit enough information to pass on to the designated person) • I am interested • I am available • I will not lie or be dishonest • I will not be shocked • I may need to tell someone to get some help • I cannot keep secrets Action by the Designated Senior Person (or Deputy child Protection person in their absence) Following any information raising concern, the senior designated person will consider: • any urgent medical needs of the child • making an enquiry to find out if the child is subject to a Child Protection Plan by ringing • discussing the matter with other agencies involved with the family • consulting with appropriate persons e.g. Safeguarding Officer, Social Care • the child‘s wishes • wherever possible, to talk to parents, unless to do so may place a child at risk of significant harm, impede any police investigation and/or place the member of staff or others at risk • whether to make a child protection referral to social care because a child is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm and if this needs to be undertaken immediately • not to make a referral at this stage • if further monitoring is necessary • if it would be appropriate to undertake an assessment (e.g. CAF) and/or make a referral for All information and actions taken, including the reasons for any decisions made, will be fully documented. All referrals to social care will be accompanied by a standard referral form. Action following a child protection referral The designated senior person or other appropriate member of staff will: • make regular contact with the Social worker involved to stay informed • wherever possible, contribute to the Strategy Discussion • provide a report for, attend and contribute to any subsequent Child Protection Conference • if the child or children are placed on the Child Protection Register, contribute to the Child Protection Plan and attend Core Group Meetings and Review Child Protection Conferences • where possible, share all reports with parents prior to meetings • where a child on the child protection register moves from the school or goes missing, immediately inform the key worker in Social Care Where an allegation is made against a member of staff or volunteer working in or on behalf of the school then the matter will be overseen by SMT and the child protection officer. Procedure • The person who has received an allegation or witnessed an event will immediately inform SMT • If an allegation is made against the Head/SMT, the matter will be reported directly to the Chair • Protective measures will be taken by SMT to secure the immediate safety of children. • The concerned staff member will not be approached at this stage, unless if immediate safety of • SMT will need to investigate and clarify any information regarding the allegation and the Chair • SMT will consult the Local Authority Designated Officer (Phil Holmes) in order to determine if it is appropriate for the allegation to be dealt with by the school or if there needs to be a referral to social care/police investigation. • The needs of pupils, parents and staff will be supported. It is essential that all allegations are investigated thoroughly and in line with agreed procedures. We will follow the same procedures as defined in this policy and will always follow the Kirklees Safeguarding Children Board procedures that can be accessed at www.kirkleessafeguardingchildren.co.uk • the school has a child protection policy and procedures in place that are in accordance with local authority guidance and locally agreed inter-agency procedures, and the policy is made available to parents on our website and a copy can be requested from the school office; • the school operates safe recruitment procedures and makes sure that all appropriate checks are carried out on staff and volunteers who work with children; • the school has procedures for dealing with allegations of abuse against staff and volunteers that comply with guidance from the local authority and locally agreed inter-agency procedures; • a senior member of the school’s leadership team is designated to take lead responsibility • staff undertake appropriate child protection training; • they remedy, without delay, any deficiencies or weaknesses regarding child protection • a governor is nominated to be responsible for liaising with the LA and /or partner agencies in the event of allegations of abuse being made against the head • where services or activities are provided on the school premises by another body, the body concerned has appropriate policies and procedures in place in regard to safeguarding children and child protection and liaises with the school on these matters where appropriate. • they review their policies and procedures annually. • the policies and procedures adopted by the Governing Body or Proprietor are fully • sufficient resources and time are allocated to enable the designated person and other staff to discharge their responsibilities; and • all staff and volunteers feel able to raise concerns about poor or unsafe practice in regard to children, and such concerns are addressed sensitively and effectively in a timely manner in accordance with agreed whistle blowing policies. Senior Member of Staff with Designated Responsibility for Child Protection will: • act as a source of support , advice and expertise within the educational establishment; • recognise how to identify signs of abuse and when it is appropriate to make a referral to • have a working knowledge of how Kirklees Safeguarding Children Board operate, the conduct of a child protection case conference and be able to attend and contribute to these; • ensure that all staff have access to and understand the school’s child protection policy; • ensure that all staff have induction training; • keep detailed accurate secure written records and/or concerns • obtain access to resources and attend any relevant or refresher training courses at least • fully comply with the school’s policies and procedures • attend appropriate training • inform the designated person of any concerns Appendix 1 - CONTACTS Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) Phil Holmes Safeguarding Officer (Learning & Schools) Eunice Cox (Children Missing Education) Maggie Featherstone Nick Bartholemew (Special Schools & CME) Duty and Assessment Team (Duty Social Workers): Check children subject of Child Protection Plan Kirklees Safeguarding Children Board www.kirkleessafeguardingchildren.co.uk Safe Practice in Physical Education in Schools Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education (DfES 2006) Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfES 2010) What to do if you’re worried a child is being Abused www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/safeguarding

Source: http://www.paradiseschool.org.uk/policies/SafeguardingPolicy.pdf