Safeguarding Policy for the

Wyke Regis Primary Federation

The Wyke Regis Primary Federation recognises that the welfare of the child is paramount and takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children and young people in its care.

An agreed definition of safeguarding is: ‘All agencies take all reasonable measures to ensure that the risks of harm to children’s welfare are minimised. Where there are concerns, all agencies take action to address those concerns, working to agreed local policies and procedures in full partnership with other local agencies’ - Joint Chief Inspectors’ report 2002.

Promoting welfare involves ‘creating opportunities to enable children to have optimum life chances in adulthood’ – Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (Government guidance 2000).

The Governing Body will act in accordance with Section 175 (or Section 157, for Independent Schools) of the Education Act 2002 and the supporting statutory guidance ‘Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education’ (2006) to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in this federation.

All children have the right to be safeguarded from harm or exploitation whatever their

· race, religion, first language or ethnicity

· gender or sexuality

· age

· health or disability

· political or immigration status

Governors, staff and volunteers in this federation understand the importance of working in partnership with children, their parents/carers and other agencies in order to promote children’s welfare.

The purpose of this policy is to:

· afford protection for the students of the Wyke Regis Primary Federation

· enable staff and volunteers to safeguard and promote the welfare of children

· promote a culture which makes this federation a safer place to learn

· This policy applies to the Head of Federation, all staff (including supply and peripatetic staff), volunteers, governors or anyone working on behalf of Wyke Regis Primary Federation.

We will endeavour to safeguard children and young people by:

· valuing them, listening to and respecting them

· involving them in decisions which affect them

· making sure all staff and volunteers are aware of and committed to the safeguarding policy and child protection procedures*

· sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving children and their parents/carers appropriately

· recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made*

· adopting a code of conduct for all staff and volunteers*

· providing effective management through induction, support and training

· ensuring staff and volunteers understand about ‘whistle blowing’*

· dealing appropriately with allegations/concerns about staff or volunteers, in accordance with Government guidance*

*see separate policy/guidance

Child Protection Code of Conduct for All Staff, Students and Voluntary helpers in the Schools

Those working in schools are in a position of trust and must exercise responsibility as a consequence of the power they have over the children they care for.

‘It is unnecessary and unrealistic to suggest that teachers should touch pupils only in emergencies. Particularly with younger pupils, touching them is inevitable and can give welcome reassurance to the child. However, teachers must bear in mind that even perfectly innocent actions can sometimes be misconstrued. Children may find being touched uncomfortable or distressing for a variety of reasons. It is important for teachers to be sensitive to a child’s reaction to physical contact and to act appropriately. It is also important not to touch pupils, however casually, in ways or parts of the body that might be considered indecent.’ (DfES Circular 10/95)

To ensure that professional behaviour applies to relationships between staff and pupils and that all staff are clear about what constitutes appropriate behaviour and professional boundaries the following code of conduct for all staff has been agreed.

Code of Conduct to be followed by all staff, students and volunteer helpers:

· Always use the child’s name, not a term of endearment (young children cannot differentiate between their teacher and someone they do not know e.g. a supermarket employee)

· Restrict touch to shoulder level. Holding a child’s hand in order to comfort or reassure them is acceptable

· Do not hug, cuddle, pick up or tickle children

· If a child hugs you keep your hands clear, restrict touch to shoulder level

· If a child needs a cuddle because they are hurt, upset or worried it is acceptable to cuddle them but keep your hands around shoulder level and make sure you are not on your own

· Do not allow a child to sit on your lap, sit them beside you (otherwise the child will learn that it is alright to sit on the lap of an adult other than a member of their family)

· If a child has soiled themselves:

o Whenever possible contact the child’s parent and ask them to come up to school with a change of clothing

o Always put the onus on the child to help themselves

o Ensure two staff are present and have the door open

o If soiling is due to a medical reason agree a protocol in writing with the parents

· Avoid entering the children’s toilets – if you need to do so, call out first so the child/children know you are coming in

· Never use the children’s toilets yourself

· On school trips and visits, only adults who have CRB clearance should take children to the toilet. Firstly, check the suitability and security of the toilets. If possible, do not enter the toilets with the children, but stand at the entrance to supervise. Check that all the children have left the toilets before leaving. Children should never be allowed to visit toilets without being accompanied by an appropriate adult.

· If a child has to be physically restrained to prevent them from causing injury to themselves, to others or to property the minimum necessary force should be used and the school’s policy for the use of reasonable force to control or restrain pupils must followed.

Avoid being on your own with a child.

Always speak to the persons with responsibility for child protection (Carl Saunders, Maureen Reynolds, Jo Dyke or Corinne March), if:

· You have any concerns regarding a child

· You have received an allegation of abuse

· If you have done something that you think could be misconstrued.

Always record any concerns using the federation’s internal ‘Concern Form’. Be accurate – where possible use the actual words spoken.

This policy should be read in conjunction with the following policies:-

Health and Safety

Intimate Care Policy

Restraint of Pupils Policy

Whistle blowing Policy

Code of Conduct