Child Protection Policy and Guidance

Introduction

There is a legal mandate for Child Protection. Central government guidance, local procedures and the school policy provide the framework for action to protect children from abuse. All staff have a part to play in putting these into practice.

The school must be active in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all pupils.

• All reasonable measures must be taken to minimise risks of harm to children's welfare
• All appropriate actions must be taken to address concerns about the welfare of a child, in full partnership with local agencies.

Staff have a commitment to the care and welfare of all children in school with child protection given high priority. Staff are encouraged to adopt an open and accepting attitude towards pupils and to promote a listening climate within the school environment. The school has a clear commitment to working closely with other agencies involved in the protection of children.

Aims

• Ensure that the schools statutory duties are fulfilled
• To ensure all staff are aware of the agreed policy and procedure
• To provide training for staff to be able to identify signs and symptoms of abuse
• To provide a regular update of procedures and to inform new staff of the school's policies and procedures
• To develop effective channels for communication and consultation
• To develop and maintain a confidential record system on child protection issues
• To develop and review the school's Child Protection Policy annually
• To ensure that school is represented at case conferences and related meetings

Everyone will fulfil their duty to ensure the school co-operates with the reporting and investigating of child protection issues. The school will follow procedures identified in the following policies:

• Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) Guidance (May 2004)
• Child Protection – Managing Allegations and Concerns (Nove 2003) Dudley LEA

The main 9 duties are:

• Policy and procedures in place and known
• Safe personnel recruitment
• Procedures for dealing with allegations of abuse against staff and volunteers
• A designated person on the staff for child protection
• All staff trained in basic awareness
• Weaknesses remedied without delay
• Annual review of policies

Role of the Child Protection Co-coordinator (CPCO)

The designated CPCO is responsible for:

• Developing liaison and links with Social Services
• Receiving concerns from staff about potential or actual abuse and giving appropriate advice and support
• Making referrals to Social Services of children about whom there is a Child Protection Concern
• Consulting Social Services about particular concerns
• Assisting in the referral of children 'in need' who may not necessarily be in immediate risk of significant harm
• Ensuring the school is represented at case conferences and assisting anyone else involved in preparing for case conferences
• Maintaining of records within the school of children at risk or on the Child Protection Register
• Ensuring dissemination of information about children at risk to those who need to know, maintaining relevant confidentiality
• Co-ordinating the dissemination of up-to-date information to all staff
• Ensuring that the school covers aspects of personnel safety
• Arranging training for staff every three years and further training for the CPCO

Role of Staff

All staff have a responsibility to promote the welfare of children in their care by providing a safe environment in which pupils feel secure and valued. This environment should provide an atmosphere of trust in which children have the confidence to share problems. It is the responsibility of all staff to be aware of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and act on any concerns. It is not the responsibility of staff to interrogate or investigate at length.

Possible Indicators of abuse

Definitions have shifted in emphases/detail over the years. There are current definitions used to categorise a child who is placed on the Child Protection Register.

A child may be placed on the Child protection Register under one of the four single categories or one of the mixed categories where this is appropriate. Multiple categories must not be used to cover all eventualities. The reason for registration must always be identified in the protection and Assessment Plan for the child.

Categories for Abuse

Neglect:
The persistent or severe neglect of a child, or the 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

Physical Injury:
Actual or likely physical injury to a child, or failure to prevent physical injury (or suffering) to a child including deliberate poisoning, suffocation and Munchausen's Syndrome by proxy.

Sexual Abuse:
Actual or likely sexual exploitation of child or adolescent. The child may be dependent and/or developmentally immature.

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. All abuse involves some emotional ill treatment. This category should be used where it is the main or sole form of abuse.

Responding to Child Initiated Concern

Should a pupil confide in a teacher or other member of staff it is essential to treat the information seriously. If confidentiality is requested by the child it is important NOT to promise that any information given will be kept confidential without losing the trust of the child. Listen carefully to what the child has to say and reassure him/her they have done the right thing in talking to you. Record the conversation and inform the CPCO. The record should include, date, time, place as well as what was said.

Referral Procedure

Concern raised
A concern may be raised:

• By the child themselves
• By another member of staff
• By signs or symptoms observed personally
• By another child or pupil

Record Incident/information
It is essential to record the information immediately however small or insignificant. For this purpose please use the Child Protection Incident Report. See Appendix 3. (Also refer to Appendix 1 and 2)

Consult CPCO
The report needs to be communicated to the CPCO as soon as possible. Confidentiality of the information needs to be priority. Please hand the incident report to the CPCO as soon as possible. This will also enable you to discuss your concerns. At DJ's we will provide cover for any member of staff to record concerns or incidents immediately.

Collating Evidence
It is the responsibility of the CPCO to collate any information. The decision to contact parents/carers will be made by the CPCO.

If the information constitutes sufficient evidence to support referral, the local ACPC procedures will be implemented. If the information is not sufficient to support referral, then any evidence will be stored in the Child Protection Records.

Allegations of Abuse Against Staff

Allegations or concerns against staff are infrequent but need to be treated as seriously as any other concern. Staff who hear or suspect an allegation of abuse should report the matter immediately to the CPCO.

Further Information and Supporting Documentation

• Safeguarding Children In Education (DfES Sept 2004) ref 0027/2004
• Appointments of staff – ref 0278/2002
• Dudley ACPC Child protection Procedures (May 2004)
• Child Protection – Managing Allegations and Concerns (Nove 2003) Dudley LEA
• Dudley's Child Protection Designated Officer – Funbir Jaspal/Paul James