safeguarding policy
2003
Head Teacher
The Head Teachers of schools will ensure that:
- The policies and procedures adopted by the Governing Body are fully implemented, and followed by all staff;
- All parents will be advised of the policy on admission and of our professional duty to refer concerns to partner agencies;
- Sufficient resources and time are allocated to enable the designated person and other staff to discharge their responsibilities, including taking part in strategy discussions and other inter-agency meetings, and contributing to the assessment of children;
- All staff and volunteers feel able to raise concerns about poor or unsafe practice in regard to children, and such concerns are addressed sensitively and effectively in a timely manner.
- Staff affected adversely following their intervention will receive appropriate support.
Governing Body
Governing bodies are accountable for ensuring that
- their establishment has effective policies and procedures in place in accordance with this guidance, and monitoring the school’s compliance with them;
- neither the governing body, nor individual governors, have a role in dealing with individual cases or a right to know details of cases (except when exercising their disciplinary functions in respect of allegations against a member of staff);
- there is an individual member of the governing body to champion safeguarding issues within the school, liaise with the Head teacher about them, and provide information and reports to the governing body. However, it is not usually appropriate for that person to take the lead in dealing with allegations of abuse made against the Head teacher. That is more properly the role of the Chair of Governors or, in the absence of a Chair, the vice chair;
- where the governing body acts collectively or an individual member takes the lead, it is helpful if all members of governing bodies undertake training about safeguarding children to ensure they have the knowledge and information needed to perform their functions and understand their responsibilities;
- in addition to basic safeguarding training, the designated person undertakes training in inter-agency working that is provided by, or to standards agreed by, the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (formally the ACPC), and refresher training at two-yearly intervals, to keep his knowledge and skills up-to-date, and provides advice and support to other staff;
- the Head teacher, and all other staff who work with children, undertake appropriate training which is kept up-to-date by refresher training at three-yearly intervals.
- temporary staff and volunteers who work with children are made aware of the school’s arrangements for safeguarding and their responsibilities.
The Designated Person for safeguarding is Mr J Dyson and Mr A Clark
The nominated Governor for safeguarding is Ms L Fyffe
The LA Safeguarding contact is Ms J Martin, Head of Service, Education Welfare.
Procedures
Where it is believed that a child may be suffering, or may be at risk of suffering significant harm, the school will follow the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (formally Area Child Protection Committee) procedures.
Records and Monitoring
Well-kept records are essential to good child protection practice. All staff are clear about the need to record and report concerns about a child or children within our school. The Designated Person is responsible for such records and for deciding at what point these records should be passed over to other agencies. Child Protection records are held separately from a child’s school file and in secure storage.
Supporting Pupils at Risk
Our school recognises that children who are abused or who witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self-worth and to view the world in a positive way. This school may be the only stable, secure and consistent element in the lives of children at risk. Whilst at school, their behaviour may still be challenging and defiant, and there may even be moves to consider suspension or exclusion from school.
It is also recognised that some children who have experienced abuse may in turn abuse others. This requires a considered, sensitive approach in order that the child can receive appropriate help and support.
This school will endeavour to support pupils through:
- the curriculum, to raise self-esteem and self-motivation;
- the school ethos, which promotes a positive, supportive and secure environment, and which gives all pupils and adults a sense of being respected and valued;
- the implementation of school behaviour management policies;
- a consistent approach, which recognises and separates the course of behaviour from that which the child displays. This is vital to ensure that all children are supported within the school setting;
- regular liaison with other professionals and agencies who support the pupils and their families;
- a commitment to develop productive, supportive relationships with parents, whenever it is in the child’s interest to do so;
- the development and support of a responsible and knowledgeable staff trained to respond appropriately in child protection situations.
The available UK evidence on the extent of abuse among disabled children suggests that some may be especially vulnerable to abuse, for example those who have difficulty communicating. School staff who work, in any capacity, with children with profound and multiple disabilities, sensory impairment and/or emotional and behaviour problems will be particularly sensitive to signs of abuse.
It must also be stressed that in a home where there is domestic violence, drug or alcohol abuse, children may also be vulnerable and in need of support.
This policy complements and supports a range of other policies, including:
- Behaviour Management
- Bullying
- Physical Restraint
- Special Educational Needs
- Health and Safety
- Sex Education
- Site Security
All school policies and procedures relating to safeguarding children will be reviewed annually.
This policy was agreed by Governors on……………………………………………………
And shared with staff on ……………………………………………………………………………
It will be reviewed again on……………………………………………………………………….
Policy consulted upon and re drafted 1.10.07
