Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
At Dunottar we recognise that the welfare of the child is paramount and takes seriously our responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children and young people in our care.
An agreed definition of safeguarding is:
‘All agencies take all reasonable measures to ensure that the risks of harm to children’s welfare are minimised. Where there are concerns, all agencies take action to address those concerns, working to agreed local policies and procedures in full partnership with other local agencies’ - Joint Chief Inspectors’ report 2002.
Promoting welfare involves ‘creating opportunities to enable children to have optimum life chances in adulthood’ – Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (Government guidance 2000).
This policy has been developed in accordance with the guidelines in “Safeguarding Children in Education” (DfES publication ref 0027/2004) and “Every Child Matters” (2003), “What to do if You are Worried a Child is Being Abused” (2003), the Surrey Area Children Protection Committee Procedures and the DCSF Working Together to Safeguard Children: A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children 2010. When appointing staff the guidelines in “Safer Recruitment and Selection in Education Settings” (DfES 2006) will be used.
The Trustees will act in accordance with Section 175 (or Section 157, for Independent Schools) of the Education Act 2002 and the supporting statutory DCSF guidance, Working Together to Safeguard Children: A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children 2010 to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in this school.
Policy
There are three main elements to our Child Protection Policy:
1. Prevention – by providing an environment in which the pupils feel safe, secure, valued and respected promote a culture which makes this school a safer place to learn
2. Protection – by following agreed procedures, ensuring staff are trained and aware of their responsibilities in identifying and reporting possible cases of abuse.
3. Support – to pupils and to staff.
All children have the right to be safeguarded from harm or exploitation whatever their
• race, religion, first language or ethnicity
• gender or sexuality
• age
• health or disability
• political or immigration status
Trustees, staff and volunteers in this school understand the importance of working in partnership with children, their parents/carers and other agencies in order to promote children’s welfare.
The purpose of this policy is to:
• afford protection for the students at Dunottar
• enable staff and volunteers to safeguard and promote the welfare of children
This policy applies to the Headteacher, all staff (including supply and peripatetic staff), volunteers, governors or anyone working on behalf of Dunottar.
The School ensures that:
1. All members of the Board of Trustees understand and fulfil their responsibilities, which include annual review of policies and procedures. The CPLO meets annually with the Trustee responsible for Child Protection currently Nick Pinks, and provides the Trustees with an Annual Report on Safeguarding which is also approved by the SSCB.
2. Designated teachers from the Senior Leadership Team are trained in the task of overseeing all child protection matters within the school. Currently the CPLO is Lindsay Hale; in the Junior Department, Lisa Caley has lead responsibility for the Early Years Foundation Stage. The CPLO, the EYFS Co-ordinator and the Head of the Junior Department all undertake Safeguarding Training every two years.
3. All members of staff, volunteers and trustees are aware of their individual responsibility for the protection of children in their care and are informed of the names of the CPLO and the other CP Officers through information displayed on relevant notice boards.
4. On induction and every three years, all staff, including the Head, are trained on how to respond to a pupil who discloses abuse and what to do if they are worried about a pupil. All staff are required annually to read Guidance for Safer Working Practice for Adults who work with Children and Young People in Education Settings DCSF March 2009. Part time and voluntary staff are made aware of the school’s Child Protection arrangements. (See also the Dunottar Safeguarding Guidelines and Staff Code of Conduct).
5. A good accurate record-keeping system is maintained and this information is kept secure and separate from other school records.
6. For the Early Years Foundation Stage, Ofsted is informed of any allegations of serious harm or abuse by any person living, working, or looking after children at the premises (whether that allegations relates to harm or abuse committed on the premises or elsewhere), or any other abuse which is alleged to have taken place on the premises, and of the action taken in respect of these allegations.
7. For the EYFS, Ofsted is informed of the above, as soon as is reasonably practicable, but at the latest within 14 days.
8. In the event of a disclosure of abuse, the school (usually the CPLO) will contact the Surrey Safeguarding Children’s Board within 24 hours. (tel: 03456 009 009 or out of hours urgent referrals: 01483 517898). If an allegation concerns the Headmistress, the person receiving the allegation should immediately inform the chair of Trustees without notifying the Headmistress first. In case of serious harm, the police should be informed from the outset.
9. Our selection and recruitment of all staff and volunteers, who have substantial contact with children, includes Criminal Records Bureau checks. Staff employed before April 2002 have been checked against List 99. We take child protection seriously and keep it in mind throughout the recruitment process.
10. Through our lettings policy, that organisations or individuals working with children on our site have their own Child Protection Policy.
11. We develop and promote effective working relationships with other agencies, especially Social Services, the Police, contributing to interagency enquiries and Child Protection Conferences as appropriate.
12. We make parents aware of the School’s child protection responsibilities and point out the publishing of the Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies on the School website.
13. Ensures that any deficiencies or weaknesses in child protection arrangements are remedied without delay.
14. Ensures that safeguarding procedures are in place to promote the pupils in the school. (See separate Safeguarding Policy).
15. Deals appropriately with allegations or concerns about the Head, staff or volunteers, in accordance with Government guidance. (See Compaints Procedure)
16. We will provide a safe environment for children and young people by:
• valuing them, listening to and respecting them;
• involving them in decisions which affect them;
• ensuring that all staff and volunteers are aware of and committed to the safeguarding policy and child protection procedures and understand how to recognise signs of possible abuse and the procedures for dealing with abuse. (See Safeguarding Guidance Booklet issued to all staff– Appendix B)
• providing staff with guidance to ensure that their behaviour and actions do not place pupils or themselves at risk or harm or of allegations of harm to a pupil (for example, in one-to-one tuition).
• ensuring that appropriate child protection checks and procedures are made for any staff employed by another organisation who work with the school’s pupils on another site;
• sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving children and their parents/carers appropriately;
• recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made;
• adopting a code of conduct for all staff and volunteers. (Appendix B)
• providing effective management through induction, support and training;
• ensuring staff and volunteers understand about ‘whistle blowing;’*
• dealing appropriately with allegations/concerns about staff or volunteers, in accordance with Government guidance;*
• reporting to the ISA (within one month of leaving the school) any person, whether employed, contracted, a volunteer or student, whose services are no longer used because he or she is considered unsuitable to work with children. (PO Box 181, Darlington DL1 9FA – tel: 0300 123 1111).
17. Our policy and procedures are updated annually.
Rationale
At Dunottar School we recognise that high self-esteem and self-confidence help keep children safe. Through the curriculum, particularly through the PSHE programme, we include activities to equip them with the skill of personal safety, passing on information that is appropriate to their ages and levels of development. We ensure that the pupils have clear lines of communication with trusted adults and set up a network of people they can go to for help when they are worried or are in difficulty. In addition, through the curriculum, we include material which will help the pupils develop realistic attitudes to the responsibilities of adult life, particularly with regard to childcare and parenting skills.
The School encourages working practices that aim to protect staff from misunderstanding or malicious accusations.
Every effort is made to establish the most effective working relationships with parents and colleagues from other agencies.
Confidentiality
We recognise that all matters relating to child protection are confidential. The Headmistress or CPLO will disclose any information about a pupil to other members of staff on a “need to know” basis only. Staff are aware that they have a professional responsibility to share information with other agencies in order to safeguard children. In addition they are aware that they cannot promise a child to keep secrets which might compromise the child’s safety or wellbeing. We always work as much as possible in partnership with parents but, where appropriate, in line with current child protection procedures, we may also have to share our concerns with Social Services or other agencies.
Dunottar School recognises fully its responsibilities for child protection and the contribution it can make to protect children and young people and to support pupils in school.
Revised and updated November 2011
Related Documents:
*Appendix A : Dunottar Safeguarding Guidance Booklet – available on request
Appendix B: Staff Code of Conduct – available on request
Complaints Procedures – available on the website
Guidance for Safer Working Practice for Adults who work with Children and Young People in Education Settings DCSF March 2009.