The Richard Pate School

SAFEGUARDING (CHILD PROTECTION) POLICY 

The Richard Pate School will safeguard and promote the welfare of children who are at the school, in compliance with DCSF Guidance Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education and in accordance with Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Board inter-agency procedures.. The school aims to provide a secure and supportive environment for all of the children in its care and for the staff who work there.

Our policy applies to all staff, governors and volunteers working in the school. There are five main elements to our policy:

• Ensuring we practise safe recruitment in line with government guidance, including CRB checks.
• Raising awareness of child protection issues and equipping children with the skills needed to keep them safe.
• Developing and then implementing procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse.
• Supporting pupils who have been abused in accordance with her/her agreed protection plan.
• Establishing a safe environment in which children can learn and develop.

We recognise that because of the day to day contact with children, school staff  are well placed to observe outward signs of abuse. The school will therefore:

· Establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk, and are listened to.

· Ensure children know that there are adults in the school whom they can approach if they are worried.

· Include opportunities in the PSHE curriculum for children to develop the skills they need to recognise and stay safe eg Safe internet use.

What is Child Abuse?

The NSPCC defines child abuse as:

“Child abuse is the term used when an adult harms a child or a young person under the age of 18 ……  Child abuse can take four forms, all of which can cause long term damage to a child:  physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and child sexual abuse.  Bullying and domestic violence are also forms of child abuse.”

“A child may be experiencing abuse if he or she is:

· Frequently dirty, hungry or inadequately dressed

· Left in unsafe situations, or without medical attention

· Constantly “put down”, insulted, sworn at or humiliated

· Seems afraid of parents or carers

· Severely bruised or injured

· Displays sexual behaviour which doesn’t seem appropriate for their age

· Growing up in a home where there is domestic violence

· Living with parents or carers involved in serious drug or alcohol abuse”

“Remember, this list does not cover every child abuse possibility.  You may have seen other things in the child’s behaviour or circumstances that worry you.”

“Abuse is always wrong and it is never the young person’s fault.”

Symptoms

The NSPCC lists some of the signs and behaviours which may indicate that a child is being abused:

· repeated minor injuries

· children who are dirty, smelly, poorly clothed or appear underfed

· children who have lingering illnesses which are not attended to, deterioration in school work, or significant changes in behaviour, aggressive behaviour, severe tantrums

· an air of ‘detachment’ or ‘don’t care’ attitude

· overly compliant behaviour

· a ‘watchful’ attitude

· sexually explicit behaviour (e.g. playing games and showing awareness which is inappropriate for the child’s age), continual open masturbation, aggressive and inappropriate sex play

· a child who is reluctant to go home, or is kept away from school for no apparent reason

· does not trust adults, particularly those who are close

· ‘tummy pains’ with no medical reason

· eating problems, including over-eating, loss or appetite

· disturbed sleep, nightmares, bed wetting

· running away from home, suicide attempts

· self-inflicted wounds

· reverting to younger behaviour

· depression, withdrawal

· relationship between child and adults which are secretive and exclude others

· pregnancy

These signs are not evidence themselves;  but may be a warning, particularly if a child exhibits several of them or a pattern emerges.  It is important to remember that there may be other explanations for a child showing such signs.  Abuse is not easy to diagnose, even for experts.

We will follow the procedures set out by the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Board and take account of guidance issued by the DCSF to:

• Ensure we have a designated senior person for safeguarding (child protection) who has received appropriate training.
• Ensure we have a nominated trustee responsible for child protection.
• Ensure every member of staff and trustees know the name of the designated person responsible for child protection and their role.
• Ensure all staff understand their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse and responsibility for referring any concerns to the designated person responsible for child protection.
• Ensure the policy for child protection and relating policies is set out on the school website.
• Notify the relevant social worker if there is an unexplained absence of more than two days of a pupil who has a Child Protection Plan.
• Develop effective links with relevant agencies.
• Ensure written records are kept securely.
• Ensure safe recruitment practices are always followed.

The designated persons for Child Protection are Mrs. Hunte (EYFS) and Mrs. Wade (whole school).  If either of the two designated representatives are away, the other acts as deputy.  They have been fully trained for the demands of this role in child protection and inter-agency working.  They attend courses with other child support agencies to ensure they remain conversant with best practice.  They undergo refresher training every two years and maintain close links with the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Board.  They meet with the designated trustee, Mrs. Kirby, once a year.  Mrs. Kirby’s training will be renewed every two years as well.  Training for the whole staff will be renewed every 3 years.

The school’s records on child protection are kept in a locked cabinet and are separated from routine pupil records.

Transparency

The Richard Pate School prides itself on its respect and mutual tolerance.  Parents / guardians have an important role in supporting The Richard Pate School.  A copy of this policy is on the website and we hope that parents and guardians will always feel able to take up any issues or worries that they may have with the school.  We will never ignore an allegation of child abuse and will always investigate any concerns thoroughly.  Open communications are essential.

Related policies are available upon request.

Safer Employment Practices

The Richard Pate School follows the Government’s recommendations for the safer recruitment and employment of staff who work with children.  All members of the teaching and non-teaching staff at the school, including part-time staff, temporary and supply staff, and visiting staff, such as musicians and sports coaches, are checked with the Criminal Records Bureau before starting work.

January 2010