Child Protection & Safeguarding Statement Policy
Revision/Review History
| Version | Date | Comments | Review Date |
| 15 | Spring 2018 | Amended, approved and issued | Summer 2018 |
| 14 | Autumn 2017 | Amended, approved and issued | Autumn 2018 |
| 13 | Autumn 2016 | Amended, approved and issued | Autumn 2017 |
| 12 | Spring 2015 | Amended, approved and issued | Autumn 2016 |
| 11 | Autumn 2014 | Amended, approved and issued | Autumn 2015 |
| 10 | Autumn 2013 | Approved and issued (no amendments) | Autumn 2014 |
| 9 | Summer 2012 | Approved and issued (no amendments) | Autumn 2013 |
| 8 | April 2011 | Amended, approved and issued | May 2012 |
| 7 | May 2010 | Amended, approved and issued | May 2011 |
| 6 | June 2009 | Amended, approved and issued | July 2010 |
| 5 | July 2008 | Approved, no amendments and issued | July 2009 |
| 4 | June 2007 | Approved and issued | June 2008 |
| 3 | June 2006 | Approved and issued | June 2007 |
| 2 | November 2005 | Approved and issued | June 2006 |
| 1 | September 2005 | First draft |
Child Protection:
1. Introduction
1.1 St John’s CE (A) Primary School is committed to safeguarding and implements a whole school preventative approach to managing safeguarding concerns so that the health, safety and wellbeing of all our children are of paramount importance to all who work in our school. Our children have the right to protection, regardless of age, gender, race, culture or disability. They have a right to be safe in our school both inside and outside of the school premises.
1.2 In our school we respect our children. The atmosphere within our school is one that encourages all children to do their best. We provide opportunities that enable our children to take and make decisions for themselves and achieve their potential.
1.3 Our teaching of Personal, Social and Health education and citizenship, as part of the National Curriculum, helps to develop appropriate attitudes in our children and makes them aware of the impact of their decisions on others. We also teach them how to recognise different risks in different situations, and how to behave in response to them.
1.4 We recognise that safeguarding incidents could happen anywhere and all staff should be alert to possible concerns raised in this school and implement a whole school preventative approach.
1.5 All staff are aware of ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education (2016)’.
1.6 The Governing Board will ensure that St John’s CE (A) Primary School has arrangements in place to safeguard and promote the welfare of all pupils and will work together with other agencies to identify, assess and support those children who are suffering or likely to suffer harm.
2. Aims and Objectives
2.1 This policy ensures that all staff in our school are clear about the actions necessary with regard to a child protection issue. It’s aims are:
- To support the child’s development in ways that will foster security, confidence and independence.
- To provide an environment in which children and young people feel safe, secure, valued, respected, feel confident, and know how to approach adults if they are in difficulties, believing they will be effectively listened to.
- 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 packages for those children.
- To emphasis the need for good levels of communication between all members of staff when dealing with child protection issues.
- To develop a structured procedure within the school, which will be followed by all members of staff including permanent, temporary, support staff, governors, volunteers, contractors and external providers.
- To develop a structured procedure within school, which will be followed by all members of the school community in cases of suspected abuse or when dealing with a child protection issue.
- To develop and promote effective working relationships with other agencies, especially the Police and Social Services.
- To ensure that all adults within our school who have substantial access to children have been checked as to their suitability for that access.
3. Types of abuse and neglect
3.1 Physical Abuse
This is when children are hurt or injured by others eg. by hitting, shaking, squeezing or biting. Some things to look for are:
– unexplained injuries, bruises or marks
– fear, watchfulness, over anxiety to please
– small, round burns or bite marks
– frequent absences from school
3.2 Sexual Abuse
This is when others use children to meet their own sexual needs. This might include sexual activity involving the child or showing the children pornographic material on videos or the internet. Some things to look for are:
– comments about sexual activity
– sexual knowledge or comments which are not what you would expect from a child of their age
– sexual behaviour which is not what you would expect from a child of their age
– unexpected reactions of fear or wariness to people
– repeated urinary or genital infections
– pregnancy/sexually transmitted diseases
3.3 Emotional Abuse
This is when children are persistently denied love and affection. Children will suffer if they are always shouted at, made to feel stupid, rejected, used as scapegoats or live in a violent environment. Some things to look for are:
– unexplained gifts or money
– withdrawn, anxious behaviour, lack of self-confidence
– self-harm and eating disorders
– demanding or attention-seeking behaviour
– unwillingness to communicate
– repetitive, nervous behaviour such as rocking, hair twisting or scratching
- All members of staff through staff training are aware of the indicators of peer-on-peer abuse, such as those in relation to bullying, gender-based violence, sexual assaults and sexting.
- All staff are aware through staff training of the necessary procedures to follow to prevent peer-on-peer abuse, as outlined in the school’s ‘Anti-Bullying Policy’.
- All staff are aware through staff training of the behaviours linked to drug taking, alcohol abuse, truancy and sexting, and will understand that these put pupils in danger.
- Staff members due to staff training are aware of the effects of a pupil witnessing an incident of abuse, such as witnessing domestic violence at home.
3.4 Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
“Female genital mutilation”, commonly referred to as FGM, is defined as the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or any other injury to the female genital organs.
All staff are alert to the possibility of a girl being at risk of FGM, or already having suffered FGM. If staff members are worried about someone who is at risk of FGM or who has been a victim of FGM, they are required to share this information with the DSL who will alert social care and/or the police.
3.5 Keeping Children Safe in Education
‘Keeping Children safe in education 2016’, Part 1 has been covered again in staff training day in September 2017. Additional topics were covered and information given on:
– Peer-on Peer abuse
– So-called Honour-based violence
– Staff understanding extremism and radicalisation.
– Understanding the additional safeguarding vulnerabilities of learners with SEN and disabilities and how those barriers can be overcome.
3.5 CSE
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a form of sexual abuse. Children in exploitative situations and relationships receive something such as gifts, money and/or affection as a result of performing sexual activities or others performing sexual activities on them.
CSE is a hidden crime, young people often trust their abuser and don’t understand that they are being abused.
CSE can occur through the use of technology.
3.6 Neglect
This is where no one meets children’s basic needs for food, warmth, protection, education and care including health care. Some things to look for are:
– the child’s clothes are often dirty, scruffy or unsuitable for the weather
– no one seeks medical help when a child is ill or hurt
– the child is smelly and dirty
– the child is left alone or with unsuitable carers
– the child is thin, pale, lacking in energy
– lots of accidents happen to the child
– the child is exposed to dangers in the home environment with medication, needles or drugs left around
4. Legal Framework
4.1 Legislation
- Children Act 1989
- Children Act 2004
- Education Act 2002
- The Education (Health Standards) (England) Regulations 2003
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
- School Staffing (England) Regulations 2009 (as amended)
- Equality Act 2010
- Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
- The Education (School Teachers’ Appraisal) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended)
- Children and Families Act 2014
- Sexual Offences Act 2003
- The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 (as amended)
- Data Protection Act 1998
- The Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations 2009
4.2.1 Statutory guidance
- HM Government (2014) ‘Multi-agency practice guidelines: Handling cases of Forced Marriage’
- DfE (2015) ‘Working together to safeguard children’
- DfE (2015) ‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused’
- DfE (2015) ‘Information sharing’
- DfE (2015) ‘The Prevent duty’
- DfE (2016) ‘Keeping children safe in education’
- DfE (2016) ‘Disqualification under the Childcare Act 2006’
- DfE (2017) ‘Child sexual exploitation’
- DfE (2017) ‘Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools and colleges’
5. Procedure
5.1 There is a named person in our school who is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) along with the Home School Link Worker, both of which have annual and on-going training. The Headteacher may delegate this responsibility in some circumstances to a member of the leadership team in their absence. There is a Governor responsible for safeguarding the Chair of Governors.
5.2 Keeping safe in education 2016 emphasises ‘Early Help’ and that staff need to be able to identify learners who need this support. At St John’s, Nursery home visits are undertaken and good communication is encouraged with our Early Years Parents/Carers. Parents/Carers are invited into school regularly and staff identify children who would benefit from ‘Early Help’.
5.3 If a member of staff has a concern they must be discussed with the DSL or Deputy DSL and/or another member of the SLT and record of concern must be completed and passed to the same person. Action points are also recorded on the record of concern. All child protection and welfare concerns will be recorded and kept in line with the ‘Stoke on Trent, Safeguarding Board Guidance’.
5.4 The school has a filter system and regular monitoring for on-line safety. Children are taught about safeguarding including e-safety, through teaching and learning opportunities as part of providing a broad and balanced curriculum.
5.5 It is accepted by all staff that abuse is abuse and should never be tolerated or passed off as ‘banter’ or ‘part of growing up’
5.6 The virtual Headteacher is responsible for the progress of looked after children.
5.7 The Chair of Governors is the named Child Protection Governor; the Vice Chair in their absence. All Governors have an enhanced DBS check.
5.8 This policy is on the school’s website.
5.9 If any teacher suspects that a child in their class may be a victim of abuse, they must inform the DSL about their concerns. Abuse can be of a sexual, emotional or physical nature or neglect. All staff may raise concerns directly with social care service.
5.10 Any action that the DSL takes when dealing with an issue of child protection must be in line with the procedures outlined in the LA Child Protection guidelines.
5.11 The schools DSL & Deputy DSL works closely with the Social Services department and the Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) when investigating any allegations of abuse. All parties involved handle such investigations in a sensitive manner, but the interest of the child is of paramount importance. The school will maintain accurate records of staff induction, staff training and termly updates.
5.12 Any safeguarding allegations against another pupil will be referred to Social Services.
5.13 If a child alleges abuse, the school usually makes a referral without communicating with parents first.
5.14 If a child protection referral is made, a member of staff will attend all case conferences involving pupils.
5.15 We regard all information relating to individual child protection issues as confidential, and we treat this accordingly. We only pass information on to appropriate persons on a need to know basis.
5.16 If staff have safeguarding concerns about adults in the school they should be passed onto the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Alternatively adults can make a referral themselves by telephoning 01782 232200 if they are worried about a child or young person and think they may be the victim of neglect or abuse.
5.17 We require all adults employed in school to have an up-to-date DBS check in order to ensure that there is no evidence of offences involving children or abuse. This includes school governors and volunteers.
5.18 There may be times when adults in our school, in the course of their duty, use physical intervention to restrain children. This is referred to in the Physical Restraint Policy.
5.19 The Child Protection Co-ordinator and senior staff in the school receive training to raise their awareness and knowledge of agreed local child protection procedures as well as child sexual exploitation and female genital mutilation.
5.20 If there is a concern about the Headteacher, then the matter is referred to the Chair of Governors.
6. Monitoring and Review
6.1 The Governing Board regularly reviews any incidents reported to them by the Headteacher. This policy is reviewed annually by the Governing Board who may amend/change and add to the policy.
6.2 All staff receive regular training in Child Protection. Level 1 training is undertaken by all staff on a staff training day every 3 years. Additional training takes place at staff professional development meetings regularly looking at the Stoke-on-Trent Safeguarding Children’s Board website. Some members of staff receive level 2 or 3 training in specific areas eg. domestic violence, mental health, drugs abuse.
Safeguarding Statement:
This policy has been developed in accordance with the principles established by the Children Act 1989, and in line with government publications:
– Keeping Children Safe in Education 2016
– Stoke-on-Trent Children & Young People’s Plan 2016 – 2020
– Working Together to Safeguard Children March 2015
– The NSPCC whistle blowing helpline number is 0800 028 0285
The Governing Board takes seriously its responsibility under section 175 of the Education Act 2002 to safeguard 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 may be suffering harm.
All the staff at St John’s provide a caring, positive, safe and stimulating environment that promotes the social, physical and moral development of the individual child.
We recognise that all adults, including temporary staff, volunteers and governors, have a full and active part to play in protecting our pupils from harm, and that the child’s welfare is our paramount concern.
Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy – Version 15 – Spring 2018
