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STANWELL SCHOOL |
YSGOL STANWELL |
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CHILD PROTECTION POLICY |
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Stanwell School recognises its pastoral responsibility towards its pupils and accepts the premise that all pupils have a fundamental right to be protected from harm. Children cannot learn effectively unless they feel secure.
This policy has been drawn up in accordance with the All Wales Child Protection Procedures. The school has a designated senior member of staff with specific responsibility for Child Protection and a governor with designated responsibility for Child Protection.
Main elements of the policy:-
a) Prevention through teaching and pastoral support offered to pupils;
b) Procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse. Our day to day contact with children means that school staff are well placed to observe the outward signs of abuse;
c) Support to pupil who may have been abused.
Our policy applies to all staff and volunteers working in the school and governors. Learning support assistants, mid-day supervisors, caretakers, secretaries as well as teachers can be the first point of disclosure for a child. Concerned parents may also contact school governors.
Child Protection raises issues of confidentiality which are understood by staff and they recognise the duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils and comply with the All Wales Child Protection Procedures.
Child Protection issues are included in the school’s INSET programme both for the staff with specific responsibilities in this area and for the whole school staff. Staff are aware that the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000 establishes a criminal offence of the abuse of trust affecting teachers and others who are in relationships of trust with 16-18 year olds.
The school has a separate Anti-Bullying policy and bullying is part of the active tutorial programme organised by the Year Tutors.
Senior staff liaise regularly with outside agencies such as E.W.O. Social Services, School Doctor, Police and Pupil Support Services and, when appropriate, contribute to case conferences. The school recognises it has a statutory duty under the Children Act 1989 to assist Social Services Departments in investigating suspected child abuse.
The school applies for enhanced police checks on all staff working with pupils including ancillary staff.
Both the Child Protection Coordinator and the Governor with responsibility for Child Protection have regular access to appropriate training.
Prevention
We recognise that high self-esteem, confidence, supportive friends and good lines of communication with a trusted adult help prevention.
The school will therefore:-
a) Establish and maintain an ethos where children feel secure and are encouraged to talk, and are listened to;
b) Ensure children know that there are adults in the school whom they can approach if they are worried or in difficulty;
c) Include in the curriculum activities and opportunities for PSE which equip children with the skills they need to stay safe from abuse and to know to whom to turn for help;
d) Include in the curriculum material which will help children develop realistic attitudes to the responsibilities of adult life, particularly with regard to childcare and parenting skills.
Procedures
We will follow the procedures set out in guidance produced by our Local Safeguarding Children Board which are in line with the All Wales Child Protection Procedures.
The school will:-
a) Ensure it has a designated senior member of staff, who has undertaken the appropriate training provided by the local authority as a minimum;
b) Recognise the role of the designated person and arrange support and training.
c) Ensure every member of staff and every governor knows:-
- The name of the designated person and their role;
- That they have an individual responsibility for referring child protection concerns using the proper channels and within the timescale agreed with the Local Safeguarding Children Board;
- How to take forward those concerns where the designated person is unavailable.
d) Ensure that members of staff are aware of the need to be alert to signs of abuse and know how to respond to a pupil who may tell of abuse;
e) Ensure that parents have an understanding of the responsibility placed on the school and staff for child protection;
f) Provide training for all staff so that they know:
- Their personal responsibility;
- The agreed local procedures;
- The need to be vigilant in identifying cases of abuse; and
- How to support a child who tells of abuse.
g) Notify the local social services team if:-
- A pupil on the child protection register is excluded either for a fixed term or permanently;
- There is an unexplained absence of a pupil on the child protection register of more than two days duration from school (or one day following a weekend)
h) Work to develop effective links with relevant agencies and co-operate as required with their enquiries regarding child protection matters including attendance at initial case conferences, core groups and child protection review conferences
i) Keep written records of concerns about children (noting the date, event and action taken), even where there is no need to refer the matter to social services immediately
Ensure all records are kept secure and in locked locations;
a) Adhere to the procedures set out in the Welsh Assembly Government guidance circular when an allegation is made against a member of staff;
b) Ensure the criminal background of applicants for vacant posts are checked in accordance with Welsh Assembly Government guidance circular “Child Protection: Preventing Unsuitable People from working with Children in the Education Sector41”, and
c) Designate a governor for child protection who will oversee the school’s child protection policy and practice.
Supporting the Pupil at Risk
Children who are abused or witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self worth and to view the world as benevolent and meaningful. They may feel helplessness; when at school their behaviour may be challenging and defiant, or they may be withdrawn.
The school will endeavour to support the pupil through:-
a) The content of the curriculum to encourage self esteem and self motivation
b) A school ethos which:-
- Promotes a positive, supportive and secure environment;
- Gives pupils a sense of being valued
c) The school’s behaviour policy is aimed at supporting vulnerable pupils in the school. All staff will agree on a consistent approach which focuses on the nature of the offence committed by the child but does not damage the pupil’s sense of self worth. The school endeavours to ensure that the pupils know that some behaviour is unacceptable but s/he is valued and not to be blamed for any abuse which has occurred;
d) Liaison with other agencies who support the pupil such as Social Services, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, the Educational Psychology Service, Behaviour Support Services and the Education Welfare Services;
e) Keeping records and notifying Social Services as soon as there is a recurrence of a concern.
When a pupil on the child protection register leaves, we will transfer information to the new school immediately and inform Social Services.
Bullying
Our policy on bullying is set out in a (separate document/the school’s behaviour policy) and is reviewed annually by the governing body.
