Child Protection Policy

INTRODUCTION

Unless otherwise stated this college policy includes Early Years and out-of-school care.

This policy will be updated and amended without delay if deficiencies or weaknesses in child protection arrangements are discovered. It will also be reviewed annually.

This policy has been developed in accordance with the principles established by the Children Act 1989; and in line with the following government publications:

“Working Together to Safeguard Children” 2006
“Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families” 2000
“What to do if you are worried a Child is being Abused” 2003
DfES guidance "Safeguarding Children & Safer Recruiting in Education”
Sussex Child Protection & Safeguarding Procedures (Produced by West Sussex Local Safeguarding Children Board)

The Governing Body takes seriously its responsibility under section 157 of the Education Act 2002 to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils; and to work together with other agencies to ensure adequate arrangements within the College to identify, assess and support those children who are suffering harm.

Shoreham College fully recognises its responsibilities for child protection. All pupils at the College must be able to grow up and work in a safe and caring atmosphere. All members of staff (academic or non-academic), governors and volunteers, must remain vigilant for any signs of abuse of children. Abuse may be physical, emotional, neglect, sexual or harassment because of race, religion and/or gender. It includes bullying of any kind whether perpetrated by adults or pupils.

All staff believe that our College should provide a caring, positive, safe and stimulating environment that promotes the social, physical and moral development of the individual child.

Our policy applies to all staff (academic or non-academic) governors and volunteers working in the College. The aims of our policy are:

To establish a safe environment that will 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 and respected, and feel confident and know how to approach adults if they are in difficulties, believing that they will be effectively listened to.
To raise awareness of all teaching and non-teaching staff of the need to safeguard children and their responsibilities in identifying and reporting possible cases of abuse.
To have in place and implement systematic procedures for identifying, monitoring and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse or children at risk of harm.
To contribute to assessments of need and support packages for pupils who have been abused.
To emphasise the need for good levels of communication between all members of staff.
To develop and promote effective working relationships with other agencies, especially the police and social care.
To ensure that all adults within the College who have substantial access to children have been checked as to their suitability by operating safe recruitment procedures (including CRB checks and compliance with Independent School Standards Regulations).

PROCEDURES

The College follows the procedures set out by the West Sussex LSCB. As such we will ensure that:

all members of the Governing Body understand and fulfil their responsibilities.
The Designated Members of Staff for child protection have received the initial designated member of staff training and subsequent refresher course every two years delivered through the Safeguarding Unit.
They are:
the Deputy Headmaster, Mr G.Harrison, or (in the case of an EYFS or KS 1/2 pupil) the Assistant Head teacher EYFS, KS1/2, Mrs K.Stokes
in their absence, the Headmaster Mr J.Stearns.
The nominated governor responsible for child protection is Mr P.Booth.
All members of staff, including part-time and voluntary staff who work with children, are provided with child protection training every 3 years.
The College ensures every member of staff, volunteer and governor knows the name of the designated members of staff responsible for child protection and their role.
The College ensures all members of staff, volunteers and governors understand their responsibilities:
in being alert to the signs and symptoms of concern, see appendix 1
how to respond to a pupil who discloses abuse and
their responsibility for referring any concerns to the relevant designated member of staff responsible for child protection.
The College ensures that all parents and carers are made aware of the responsibility placed on the College and staff with regard to child protection by publication of the College's Child Protection Policy. The College believes that its primary responsibility is to protect the pupils in its care and will take appropriate action to do so.
The College will ensure that our selection and recruitment of staff meet the requirements as set down in Safer Recruitment guidance; by operating safe recruitment procedures (including CRB checks and compliance with Independent School Standards Regulations)
The College will ensure that at least one member of each interview panel has completed the safer recruitment course
College procedures will be regularly reviewed and updated without delay if deficiencies or weaknesses in child protection arrangements are discovered.
All new members of staff will be given a copy of the College child protection policy.
The College will seek assurance from other organisations that staff employed by them and working with College pupils on another site have carried out appropriate child protection checks and have relevant procedures in place (for example on work experience).
The College has developed procedures to follow where an allegation is made against a member of staff or volunteer.

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 College may be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives of children at risk. When at College their behaviour may range from that which is perceived to be normal, to aggressive and defiant, or they may be withdrawn. The College will endeavour to support the pupil through:

encouraging self-esteem and self assertiveness through the content of the curriculum (including PSHE), as well our relationships, whilst not condoning aggression or bullying.
The College ethos, which promotes a positive, supportive and secure environment and gives pupils a sense of being valued.
The College behaviour policy, which is aimed at supporting vulnerable pupils in the College. The College 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.
The College anti-bullying policy.
Liaison and working together with all other support services and those agencies involved in the safeguarding of children.
Notifying the assessment team as soon as there is a significant concern.
Ensuring that continued support is provided to a pupil about whom there have been concerns who leaves the College by forwarding (under confidential cover) their medical records to the new school as a matter of priority.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The designated members of staff are to be responsible for:

Referring a child if a disclosure has been made or if there are suspicions of abuse, to the Social Care Assessment team, and acting as a focal point for staff to discuss concerns. A written record of the referral will be sent to the assessment team by the end of the working day the referral is made.
The designated members of staff will keep written records of concerns about children, even where there is no need to refer the matter immediately, and will ensure that all records are kept securely, separate from the main pupil file and in locked locations. These will be kept in a locked filing cabinet in the office of the relevant designated member of staff.
Liaise with other agencies and professionals the contact details for agency involvement are to be found within Appendix 2
Ensure that they, the relevant assistant head or the class teacher attends child protection conferences, core groups or other multi-agency planning meetings, contributes to assessments, and provides a report which has been shared with the parents.
The College will notify the pupil's key worker's social care team if there is an unexplained absence of more than two days of a pupil who is subject to a child protection plan.
Organise child protection training for all College staff.
Providing, with the Headmaster, an annual report for the Governing Body, detailing any changes and reviews of relevant policy and procedures; training undertaken by the DMS and by all staff and Governors: number and type of incidents/cases, and number of children subject to a child protection plan (anonymised).
Act as a source of advice, support and expertise within the College and be responsible for coordinating action regarding referrals by liaising with all relevant agencies over cases of abuse and allegations of abuse, regarding both children and members of staff.
Ensure each member of staff has access to and is aware of the College's child protection policy. This is essential in respect of staff that are part-time or work with more than one school; such as visiting personal advisors, trainee teachers and supply teachers.
Liaise with the Headmaster to inform him/her of any issues and ongoing investigations and ensure there is always cover for the role.
Ensure the College's child protection policy is updated and reviewed annually and work with the designated governor for child protection regarding this.
Where children leave the College roll, ensure their file is transferred to the new school as soon as possible. If a child leaves and the new school is not known, the pupil tracking officer should be alerted so that these children can be included on the database for lost pupils.
Encourage parents to read the copy of the child protection policy in order to alert them to the fact that the College may need to make referrals. Raising parents’ awareness may avoid later conflict if the College does have to take appropriate action to safeguard a child.

Designated members of staff also have an important role in ensuring all staff and volunteers receive appropriate training. They should:

have received training in how to identify abuse and know when it is appropriate to refer a case, together with a working knowledge of how LSCBs operate and the conduct of a child protection case conference, and be able to attend and contribute to these when required.
Attend any relevant or refresher training courses and then ensure that any new or key messages are passed to other staff, volunteers and governors.

Make themselves known to all staff, volunteers and governors (including new staff and supply teachers) and ensure those members of staff have had training in child protection. This should be relevant to their needs to enable them to identify and report any concerns to the designated member of staff immediately.

The designated governor is to be responsible for:

Ensuring that the College has a child protection policy and procedures in place, which are consistent with West Sussex Local Safeguarding Children Board.
Ensuring that an annual item is placed on the governor’s agenda to undertake a review of the College’s child protection policies and procedures and the efficiency with which the related duties have been discharged. To include training undertaken by the DMS, other staff and governors, the number of incidents/ cases (anonymised) and the place of child protection in the College curriculum.
Be familiar with the provisions of “Working Together to Safeguard Children” and local child protection procedures.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The College recognises that all matters relating to child protection are confidential.
The Headmaster or designated member of staff will disclose any information about a pupil to other members of staff on a need-to-know basis only (guidance in booklet "What to do if You are Worried a Child is being Abused" DoH 2003 www.doh.gov.uk).
All staff must be aware that they have a professional responsibility to share information with other agencies in order to safeguard children.
All staff must be aware they cannot promise a child to keep secrets which might compromise the child's safety or wellbeing.
We will always undertake to share our intention to refer a child to Children's Services with their parents/carers unless to do so could put the child at greater risk of harm, or impede a criminal investigation. If in doubt we will consult with the duty manager at the assessment team at this point.

Any member of staff (academic or non-academic) governor, volunteer or adult within the Shoreham College community (such as a partner of a member of staff) must follow the following action in regard to; concerns, suspected or actual abuse.

Report what they know or suspect to the relevant designated member of staff immediately (if he/she is the alleged abuser, report to the next in line).
Make a note of the discussion (within 24 hours) and pass this to the relevant designated member of staff.

In the case of a clear disclosure of abuse being made, staff must remember that:

Theirs is a listening role; do not interrupt the child if he or she is freely recalling significant events. If questions are needed to clarify understanding, they should be framed in an open manner in order to not lead the child in any way.
They should normally only ask: WHO, WHERE, WHEN?
They must report orally to the relevant designated member of staff immediately.
They make a note of the discussion, as soon as is reasonably practicable (within 24 hours) to pass on to the relevant designated member of staff. The note should record the time, date, place and people who were present as well as what was said, using the child’s own words.
Care must be taken not to make assumptions about or try to interpret what the child is saying.
Their note of the discussion may need to be used in any subsequent court proceedings.
They MUST NOT give undertakings of absolute confidentiality.
Their responsibility in terms of referring concerns ends at this point, but they may have a future role in terms of supporting or monitoring the child, contributing to an assessment or implementing child protection plans.
They have a common law duty of confidence and any information should be on a strictly need-to-know basis between staff.

SUPPORTING STAFF

The College recognises that staff working in the college who have become involved with a child who has suffered harm, or appears to be likely to suffer harm, may find the situation stressful and upsetting.
The College will support such staff by providing an opportunity to talk through their anxieties with one of the designated members of staff and to seek further support as appropriate.

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST STAFF

All staff should take care not to place themselves in a vulnerable position with a child, thus placing pupils or themselves at risk of harm or of allegations of harm to a pupil (e.g. one to one coaching or tuition, conveying a pupil by car, or inappropriate communication with a pupil - see the College Physical Intervention guidelines, the Contact policy and the Intimate Care policy). It is always advisable for interviews or work with individual children or parents to be conducted in view of other adults.
All staff should be aware of the College's Behaviour Management Policy.
The College understands that a pupil may make an allegation against a member of staff.
If such an allegation is made, the member of staff receiving the allegation will immediately inform the Headmaster.
The Headmaster on all such occasions will discuss the content of the allegation with the local authority designated officer (LADO).
If the allegation made to the member of staff concerns the Headmaster, the person receiving the allegation will immediately inform the Chair of Governors, who will consult as in v. above, without notifying the Headmaster first.
Suspension of the member of staff, excluding the Headmaster, against whom an allegation has been made, needs careful consideration, and the Headmaster will seek the advice of the LADO and the human resources advisor.
In the event of an allegation against the Headmaster, the decision to suspend will be made by the Chair of Governors with advice as in vii. above

If the allegation of abuse is made against a member of staff then Shoreham College will follow the procedures above as detailed in the publication ‘SUSSEX CHILD PROTECTION AND SAFEGUARDING PROCEDURES JULY 2006, SECTION 8.21 "PROCEDURES FOR MANAGING ALLEGATIONS AGAINST PEOPLE WHO WORK WITH CHILDREN" SECTION UPDATED DECEMBER 2007. See Appendix 3.

WHISTLEBLOWING

The College recognises 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, where they exist, about the management of child protection, which may include the attitude or action of colleagues. If necessary, they should speak in the first instance, to the AEO (Children's Safeguarding).

PHYSICAL INTERVENTION

The College guidelines on physical intervention by staff is set out in the College Behaviour Management policy and acknowledges that staff must only ever use physical intervention as a last resort, when a child is endangering him/herself or others, and that at all times it must be the minimal force necessary to prevent injury to another person.
Such events should be recorded and signed by a witness.
The College and its staff understand that physical intervention of a nature that causes injury or distress to a child may be considered under child protection or disciplinary procedures.

BULLYING

The College Anti Bullying policy is set out as a separate document.
It gives procedures for dealing with acts of abuse by one or more pupils against another pupil.
The College acknowledges that to allow or condone bullying may lead to consideration under child protection procedures.

PREVENTION

The College recognises that because of the day-to-day contact with children, the College and its staff are well placed to observe the outward signs of abuse. This allows us to play a significant part in the prevention of harm to our pupils by providing pupils with good lines of communication with trusted adults, supportive friends and an ethos of protection. The College will therefore:

establish and maintain an environment and ethos where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk and are listened to.
Ensure that all children know that there are adults in the College whom they can approach if they are worried or in difficulty.
Include opportunities across the curriculum (including PSHE) for children to develop the skills they need to stay safe from harm, and to know to whom they should turn for help.

This policy is adapted from the West Sussex "Draft Model Child Protection Policy".

GH September 2009

To be reviewed September 2010

Appendix 1 SIGNS OF ABUSE

PHYSICAL ABUSE

Common sites for physical injury

EYES - bruising, black (particularly both eyes)
SKULL - fracture or bleeding under skull (from shaking)
EARS - Pinch or slap marks, bruising
NECK -bruising, grasp marks
UPPER & INNER ARM - bruising, grasp marks
CHEST - bruising, grasp marks
BACK }
BUTTOCKS } Linear bruising. Outline of belt/buckles. Scalds/burns
THIGHS }
KNEES - grasp marks
GENITALS - bruising
SHOULDERS - bruising, grasp marks
MOUTH - torn frenulum
CHEEK/SIDE OF FACE - bruising, finger marks

EMOTIONAL ABUSE

Speech disorders
Constant self-depreciation
Over -reaction to mistakes
Fear of new situations
Feeling they deserve pain
Neurotic behaviour
Extremes of passive/aggressive behaviour

NEGLECT

Constant hunger
Poor hygiene and emaciation
Constant tiredness
Poor clothing
Untreated medical problems
No social relationships
Destructive tendencies

SEXUAL ABUSE

Overly affectionate or sexually precocious
Pain in genitals
Depression, self-mutilation, attempted suicide, anorexia
Regressing to younger behaviours
Isolated, withdrawn, poor concentration
Bed wetting, sexually explicit drawing

Appendix 2

LOCAL CONTACTS

Advice on Safeguarding matters

Strategic Health Authority Carol Maddocks 01293 778828

County Child Protection Advisor Brian Relph 01243 642420

Independent Reviewing Service Jenny Clifton 01243 753680

Probation / NOMS Nick Smart 01273 227979

Police Eddie Hick 01273 859086

Health:
Lorraine Smith (Designated Nurse) 07770 800247
Anne Wallace (Designated Doctor) 01243 815443

Education Rosemary Terry 01243 642315 / 07912298265

NSPCC Area Children’s Service Manager 01293 651842

District / Borough* Councils (Lead officers):
Adur (Natalie Brahma–Pearl) 01273 263347
Arun (Frank Hickson) 01903 737718
Chichester (Steve Hansford) 01243 534789
Crawley* (Phil Rogers) 01293 438462
Horsham (Chris Dier) 01403 215250
Mid Sussex (Karen Picksley) 01444 458166
Worthing* (Tim Everett) 01903 221302

In an emergency – Police / Fire / Health 999

If you are worried about a child
Children and Young People’s Services offices:
Adur 01273 268800
Arun 01903 738905
Chichester 01243 752999
Crawley 01293 895100
Horsham 01403 213100
Mid Sussex 01444 446100
Worthing 01903 839100
Out-of-Hours Service 01903 694422
Child Protection Register 01243 642476
Police 0845 60 70 999
National child protection helpline: 0800 800 500
Police/Fire/Health Emergency 999

Appendix 3

Allegations or concerns against staff and volunteers

Appendix 3

Allegations or concerns against staff and volunteers

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