Section One – Safeguarding Children Policy
Section One – Safeguarding Children Policy
Wickham Court School is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for children, staff and visitors and promoting a climate where children and adults will feel confident about sharing any concerns which they may have about their own safety or the well-being of others.
The School’s Safeguarding Children policy (this document) draws upon duties conferred by S 27 Children Act 1989, 5175 of the 2002 Education Act and the DCSF guidance “Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruiting in Education” (DCSF 04217-2006) that came into force on 1 January 2007, “What To Do If You’re Worried A Child Is Being Abused”, the current DfES Circular (0027/2004) and procedures produced by the London Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC). The policy is applicable to all on and off-site activities undertaken by pupils whilst they are the responsibility of the School.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMMEDIATE ACTION
All adults working in this School (including visiting staff, volunteers and students on placement) are required to report instances of actual or suspected child abuse or neglect to the Designated Person with responsibility for child protection.
The Designated Person (CP) is: Mrs. B. Hunter/ Mrs. L. Harries
The Deputy Designated Persons (CP): Mrs. R. Daniels and Mrs. J. Clout
Early Years Designated Person (CP): Mrs. J. Flannery
The Designated Person is the focal point for School staff who have concerns about an individual child’s safety and the first point of contact for external agencies who are pursuing Safeguarding Children investigations. The Designated Person also co-ordinates the School’s representation at CP conferences and Core Group meetings and the submission of written reports for conferences. When an individual concern/incident is brought to the notice of the Designated Person, they will be responsible for deciding upon whether or not this should be reported to the designated Child Protection Officer at the appropriate Social Services Department as a safeguarding issue. Where there is any doubt as to the seriousness of this concern, or disagreement between the Designated Person and the member of staff reporting the concern, advice will be sought from the Deputy Designated Person or Proprietor.
In circumstances where a child has an unexplained or suspicious injury that requires urgent medical attention, the CP referral process should not delay the administration of First Aid or emergency medical assistance. If a pupil is thought to be at immediate risk because of parental violence, drunkenness or other incapacity or threats to remove the child during the School day, for example, urgent Police intervention will be requested.
Where it is suspected that a child might be at risk of significant harm, nothing will be said to the child’s parent/carer without the approval of the Designated Person and, as appropriate, the Social Services Department. Where a child sustains physical injury or is distressed as a result of reported chastisement or alleges that they have been chastised by the use of an implement or substance, this will immediately be reported for Social Services/ police investigation. Referrals to Social Services will be confirmed in writing, copied to the Proprietor.
All parents applying for places at this School are informed of our safeguarding policy.
Wickham Court School recognises the need to be alert to the risks posed by strangers or others (including the parents or carers of other pupils) who may wish to harm children in School or pupils travelling to and from School and will take all reasonable steps to lessen such risks.
VULNERABLE PUPILS
Particular vigilance will be exercised in respect of pupils who are included on the Child Protection Register and any incidents or concerns involving these children will be reported immediately to Social Services (and confirmed in writing; copied to the Proprietor). If the pupil in question is a “Looked after” child, this will also be brought to the notice of the Designated Teacher with responsibility for children in public care.
If a pupil discloses that they have witnessed domestic violence or it is suspected that they may be living in a household which is affected by family violence, this will be referred to the Designated Person as a child protection issue. The School acknowledges the additional needs for support and protection of children who are vulnerable by virtue of disability, homelessness, refugee/asylum seeker status, and the effects of substance abuse within the family, those who are young carers, mid-year admissions and pupils who are excluded from school.
We acknowledge that children who are affected by abuse or neglect may demonstrate their needs and distress through their words, actions, behaviour, demeanour, school work or other children. The School has a strong commitment to an anti-bullying policy and will consider all coercive acts and inappropriate child on child behaviour and sexual activity within a Child Protection context.
STAFF TRAINING
Whole-School in-service training on safeguarding issues will be organised on a yearly basis at least. All newly recruited staff (teaching and non-teaching) will be apprised of this policy and are encouraged to attend the Child Protection session.
• By 2010 all management staff must have received ‘Safer Recruitment’ training before employing new staff
• All CP officers must take part in the two-day training
• All staff must have updated CP training each year whenever possible
RECRUITMENT
Wickham Court School is committed to the process of becoming a Safe Organisation. Safe recruitment processes are followed and all staff recruited to the School will be subject to appropriate identity, qualification and health checks. References will be verified and Criminal Record Checks (CRB) will be completed before staff are appointed and commence their duties. This School will only use employment agencies which can demonstrate that they positively vet their supply staff and will report the misconduct of temporary or agency staff to the agency concerned. Staff joining the School on a permanent or temporary basis will be given a copy of this policy.
VOLUNTEERS
Any parent or other person/organisation engaged by the School to work in a voluntary capacity with pupils will be subjected to all reasonable vetting procedures and Criminal Records Bureau checks. Volunteers will work under the direct supervision of an established staff member and will be subject to the same code of conduct as paid employees of the School. Volunteers will at no time be given responsibility for the personal care of pupils. Voluntary sector groups that operate within this School, provide off-site services for our pupils or use School facilities will be expected to adhere to this policy or operate a policy which is compliant with the procedures adopted by the School.
STAFF CODE OF CONDUCT
All staff members (paid and voluntary) are expected to adhere to a code of conduct in respect of their contact with pupils and their families. Children will be treated with respect and dignity and no punishment, detention, restraint, sanctions or rewards are allowed outside of those detailed in the school’s Pupil Behaviour Policy. Whilst it would be unrealistic and undesirable to preclude all physical contact between adults and children, staff are expected to exercise caution and avoid placing themselves in a position where their actions might be open to criticism or misinterpretation. Where incidents occur which might otherwise be mis-construed, or in the exceptional circumstances where it becomes necessary to physically restrain a pupil for their own protection or others’ safety, this will be appropriately recorded and reported to the Head Teacher and parents. Any physical restraint used will comply with DfCSF guidance.
Except in cases of emergency, First Aid will only be administered by qualified First Aiders. If it is necessary for the child to remove clothing for First Aid treatment, there will, wherever possible, be another adult of the same gender present. If a child needs help with toileting, nappy changing or washing after soiling themselves, another adult should be present or within earshot. If a male member of staff is providing any form of intimate care to female pupils, a female colleague will be present. All First Aid treatment and non-routine changing or personal care will be recorded and shared with parents/carers at the earliest opportunity.
For their own safety and protection, staff should exercise caution in situations where they are alone with pupils. Other than in formal teaching situations; musical instrument tuition, for example, the door to the room in which the teaching, counselling or meeting is taking place should be left open. Where this is not practicable because of the need for confidentiality, another member of staff will be asked to maintain a presence nearby and a record will be kept of the circumstances of the meeting.
School staff should also be alert to the possible risks that might arise from social contact with pupils outside of the School. Home visits to pupils should only take place with the knowledge and approval of the Head Teacher. Visits/telephone calls by pupils to the homes of staff members should only occur in exceptional circumstances and with the prior knowledge and approval of the Head Teacher. Any unplanned contact of this nature or suspected infatuations or “crushes” will be reported to the Head Teacher. Staff will not disclose their personal telephone numbers and email addresses to pupils or parents.
COMPLAINTS/ALLEGATIONS MADE AGAINST STAFF
WICKHAM COURT School takes seriously all complaints made against members of staff. Procedures are in place for pupils, parents and staff to share any concern that they may have about the actions of any member of the School staff. All such complaints will be brought immediately to the attention of the Head Teacher (or Deputy Head Teacher), in order that they may activate the appropriate procedures. If the allegation concerns alleged minor physical mishandling or verbal abuse, this will normally be dealt with under the School’s Complaints Procedure.
If the allegation is of physical assault, the Head Teacher will take action in accordance with School’s Complaints Procedure, unless one of the following criteria applies;
• The allegation is one of actual bodily harm — i.e. an injury has necessitated
medical treatment.
• There is reason to suspect parental instigation or collusion.
• The allegation has been reported to the Police or Social Services by the parent.
• The child is Looked After in Public Care.
• The child’s name is included in the Child Protection Register.
• The child has a disability or Statement of Special Educational Needs.
• The member of staff concerned has been subject to previous complaints.
• The allegation is one of sexual abuse.
In these cases, advice will be sought from the Proprietor with a view to a Strategy Meeting or Discussion being held. This process will agree upon the appropriate avenue for the complaint and the time-scale for investigations.
In considering whether or not a referral to Social Services is appropriate, the Head Teacher may seek advice from the Proprietor or legal advisors. Parents should also be advised of their independent right to make a formal complaint to the Police. Temporary staff will be subject to the same procedures.
If the complaint concerns alleged abuse by the Head Teacher, this should be brought to the attention of the Deputy Designated Person, who will inform the Proprietor.
Staff who are formally disciplined for the mistreatment of pupils (or who resign before disciplinary action can be instigated), will be notified to the LEA and the Department for Education & Skills, for possible inclusion on their PoCAL consultative index.
RECORDS
Brief and accurate written notes will be kept of all incidents. This information may be shared with other agencies as appropriate. Parental consent will normally be sought before making a referral to Social Services, unless there is reason to suspect that doing so might place the child or a member of staff at further risk. The School will also take into account the views and wishes of the child who is the subject of the concern but staff will be alert to the potential dangers of colluding with “secrets”.
Child protection records are not open to pupils or parents. CP records are securely kept by the Designated Person, separately from educational records, and can only be accessed by the Designated Person, their Deputy and the senior managers of the School. Referrals made to Social Services will have copies sent, under confidential cover, to Social Services.
If a pupil is withdrawn from the School having not reached the normal age of transfer; due to a family move or any other reason, all efforts will be made to identify any new address and the School to which they are being admitted and to ensure that their educational records are sent without delay to that School. If the parent/carer fails to provide this information, an urgent referral will be made to the Education Welfare & Attendance Service in order that they might make further enquiries. If educational records are sent to this School concerning a child who is not registered by the parent, the records will be returned to the sending School with a note, advising them to refer to their LEA’s Education Welfare Service. A child’s name will only be removed from the School’s Admissions Register in accordance with the Pupil Registration Regulations or with the agreement of the Education Welfare & Attendance Service.
The content of CP Conference or Review reports prepared by the School will be shared with the parents/carer in advance of the meeting.
The School will maintain accurate records of those with Parental Responsibility and emergency contacts. Pupils will only be released to the care of those with Parental Responsibility or someone acting with their written consent.
Child Protection records will be sent to receiving Schools separately and under a confidential cover.
SAFETY IN THE SCHOOL
No internal doors to classrooms will he locked whilst pupils are present in these rooms.
Entry to School premises will be controlled by doors that are secured physically or by constant staff supervision. Authorised visitors to the School will be logged into and out of the premises. Occasional visitors such as a contractor or delivery person, will be accompanied by a member of staff while on the premises. Unidentified visitors will be challenged by staff or reported to the Head teacher or School office. Carelessness in closing the electronic gate will be constantly challenged.
The presence of intruders and suspicious strangers seen loitering near the School or approaching pupils, will be reported to the Police and the LEA with a view to alerting other local Schools through appropriate systems.
Parents, carers or relatives may only take still or video photographic images of pupils in school or on school organised activities with the prior consent of the school and then only in designated areas. Parents are required to sign a permission form on registration, declaring whether they will or will not permit their child to be photographed.
CURRICULUM
Wickham Court School acknowledges the important role that the curriculum can play in the prevention of abuse and in the preparation of our pupils for the responsibilities of adult life and citizenship. It is expected that all curriculum co-ordinators will consider the opportunities which exist in their area of responsibility for addressing personal safety issues. As appropriate, the Citizenship curriculum will be used to help pupils to keep safe and to know how to ask for help if their safety is threatened. As part of developing a healthy, safer lifestyle, pupils will be taught, for example;
• to recognise and manage risks in different situations and then decide how to behave responsibly;
• to judge what kinds of physical contact are acceptable and unacceptable;
• to recognise when pressure from others (including people they know) threatens their personal safety and well-being; including knowing when and where to get help;
• to use assertiveness techniques to resist unhelpful pressure.
All computer equipment and Internet access within the School will be subject to appropriate “parental controls” and Internet safety rules.
Wickham Court School will work with partners to promote “Healthy School” status through the curriculum with the aim of;
• promoting a school environment which encourages a healthy lifestyle for pupils;
• using the full capacity and flexibility of the curriculum to help pupils to achieve healthy lifestyles;
• ensuring that food and drink available across the school day, reinforces the healthy lifestyle message;
• providing high quality Physical Education and sport to promote physical activity;
• promoting an understanding of the full range of issues and behaviours which impact upon a lifelong health.
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS
It is our policy to work in partnership with parents or carers to secure the best for our children. We will therefore communicate as clearly as possible about the aims of this School;
• we will try to use clear statements in our brochures and correspondence.
• we will liaise with agencies in the statutory, voluntary and community sectors that are active in supporting families.
• we will be aware that we have parents/carers who do not have English as their first language.
• we will distribute the LEA’s leaflet for parents, “Protecting Children”.
• we will keep parents informed as and when appropriate.
COMPLAINTS & MONITORING
All complaints arising from the operation of this policy will be considered under the School’s Complaint Procedure.
The Management Team of the School will consider safeguarding issues and their implications for this policy on an annual basis. For this item, the Head Teacher will report upon levels of child protection referrals made by the School during the past year, training undertaken by School staff and any changes in legislation or national/local guidance
Updated June 09
Review on or before Sept 10