First Rung Ltd: Quality Procedures Manual

POLICY STATEMENT No 9A

FIRST RUNG SAFEGUARDING AND CHILD PROTECTION (CP) POLICY

(Including Keeping Children Safe In Education Part 1 Policy 9A Annexe)

Person Responsible: Chief Executive

Review Date: October 2017

Next Review Due: October 2018

Reference Documents/Websites:

  • Prevent Duty Guidance: for England and Wales [March 2015 incl. The Prevent Duty(June 2015) & The use of social media for on-line radicalisation (July 2015)]
  • Keeping Children Safe in Education (DFE September 2016)
  • Working Together to Safeguard Children (2015)
  • Information sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services (March2015)
  • ISI Handbook for the Inspection of Organisations (April 2016)

Related Policies (available from the First Rung office upon request and on SharePoint):

  • Staff Code of Conduct
  • Guidance on Staff Behaviour Policy
  • Recruitment Policy
  • Communications Policy (including ICT and mobile phone usage)
  • Learner Acceptable Use of Computer Equipment Policy
  • Anti-Bullying Policy
  • Social Media Policy (including photography)
  • Whistleblowing Policy
  • Prevent Duty – visiting speakers

I …...... have read and understood and agree to Policy 9A Safeguarding and Child Protection and Policy 9A Annexe Keeping Children Safe in Education Part 1 and Annex A together with all the related policies noted above.

Signed: ………………………………………………. Dated: …………………………….

Purpose

The purpose of this Policy Document is:

1. To make it clear that Child Protection is of the highest significance and priority in every aspect of a learner’s contact within First Rung.

2. To make clear the roles and responsibilities of the designated safeguarding leads within the organisation, officers within the local authorities and within the community.

3. To explain the wide range of events and relationships that can give rise to Children Protection issues.

4. To state with clarity what action is to be taken by any member of the First Rung community in the event of an actual or suspected Child Protection case.

5. To keep staff safe.

Scope

Safeguarding the children in our care is the responsibility of all at First Rung.

All children of any age have the right to be protected from abuse. First Rung recognises fully its statutory duty to “safeguard and promote the welfare” of children. All staff will be made aware that safeguarding incidents can happen at any time and anywhere and that they are required to be alert to all possible concerns. All staff at First Rung are empowered to make a referral to the Local Safeguarding Board or Local Designated Officer, or team of Officers.

Beverley Jones-Leka is theDesignated Safeguarding Lead Direct Dial 020 8201 3111 Mobile 07817 874357

The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead with responsibilityfor Colindale, Watford and Ponders End is: Francesca Muratori, Direct Dial: 020 8201 3111, email:

This policy applies to all staff and is reviewed annually by the Designated Safeguarding Lead(s) (DSL) and Board of Trustees.

Contacts

Call 999 in an emergency or if you believe a child is in immediate danger

Call the Police on 101 to report cases of FGM

Child Line (advice for children): 0800 1111

NSPCC (advice for concerned adults): 0808 800 5000

NSPCC whistleblowing helpline: 0800 028 0285

e-mail:

Metropolitan Police Child Sex Exploitation helpline: 0800 789321

Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Unit: 0800 789321

Prevent non-emergency advice for staff and Trustees (DfE Due Diligence and Counter-Extremism Group [DDCEG]): 020 7340 7264

e-mail:

DBS, PO Box 181, Darlington, DL1 9FA 01325 953795

Local Safeguarding Board Referral and Assessment /Children’s Social Care Duty Teams are available 9.00am to 5.00pm weekdays (excluding bank holidays).

First Rung follows the London Child Protection Procedures as adopted by Enfield, Watford, Haringey and Barnet Local Safeguarding Children Boards. Copies available from 7934 9714 / Email: .uk.

Outside these hours – between 5.00 p.m. and 9.00 a.m. and on weekends and Bank Holidays – the Emergency Duty Teams can be contacted on 020 8379 1000

Contents

1.1Policy Aims

1.2 Principles of Child Protection

2 Key People and their Responsibilities

3 Training

4 Procedures

5DSL Job Descriptions

1.1 Policy Aims

This policy aims to:

  • support a child’s development in ways that will foster security, confidence and resilience.
  • provide an environment in which children feel safe, secure, valued and respected, confident and know how to approach an adult if they are in difficulties.
  • raise the awareness of all adults in the organisation of the need to safeguard children and of their responsibilities in identifying and reporting possible cases of abuse.
  • provide an environment in which staff feel safe, secure, valued and respected in line with Policy 47 Guidance on Staff Behaviour and the Staff Code of Conduct.
  • make clear the procedure for reporting concern and Whistle-blowing.

1.2 Principles of Child Protection

  • The prime concern at all stages must be the interests and safety of the child. A child is a person under the age of eighteen. Where there is a conflict of interest between the child and an adult, the interests of the child must be paramount.
  • Children must be protected from all forms of abuse: neglect; physical; emotional and sexual (including female genital mutilation [FGM] and sexual exploitation [CSE]).
  • First Rung is also aware of the need to protect children from the threat of radicalisation as part of its wide safeguarding duties (Section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act). The organisation is vigilant in seeking to assess any risk to learners, as individuals, or in the context of their families, of being drawn into terrorism, including indicating support for extremist ideas that are consistent with terrorist ideology. First Rung recognises that its “Prevent Duty” draws on local partnership arrangements and is ready to draw on guidance from the London Boroughs of Enfield and Barnet and Watford Borough Council.
  • The responsibility to refer children thought to be at risk rests with the person who has the concern. This can be any member of the First Rung community and therefore anyone may contact the Local Children’s Safeguarding Board.
  • Should a learner make an allegation of abuse against anyone to a member of staff, the adult must make it clear that they cannot keep the information secret. At no time should a member of staff promise complete confidentiality to a learner in matters of Child Protection. It is important, however, to stress that they believe the child’s story and want to help.
  • The degree of confidentiality exercised is governed by the need to protect the child: the organisation has a responsibility to share relevant information about the protection of children with other professions, especially investigative agencies. All agencies receiving information in the context of a Child Protection investigation must treat it as confidential and not disclose it for any other purpose without consulting the person who provided it. Children who have suffered or are likely to suffer significant harm are reported to Children’s Social Care. Those in need of additional support from agencies are referred according to the relevant local authority’s Local Safeguarding Children Board processes using the Common Assessment Framework where required.
  • In general, the organisation believes that parents / carers should be informed about any concerns regarding their children. However, in certain circumstances this may not be in the best interests of the child. In such cases, advice will be sought from the Designated Safeguarding Lead(s) (listed above and below).
  • Looked AfterChildren are supported by the organisation working with the Team around the Child (TAC) and ensuring that staff have the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to keep safe children who are looked after by the Local Authority. This will include ensuring that staff have up-to-date assessment information from the relevant Local Authority; the most recent Health, Education and Care Plan and contact arrangements with parents / carers, and delegated authority to carers, and information available to the DSLs. Staff will also be alerted to the particular potential vulnerabilities of Looked AfterChildren.

2. Key People and their Responsibilities

2.1 The Board of Trustees (led by the Quality & Personnel Working Party) is responsible for:

  • Reviewing annually the procedures and the efficiency with which the children protection duties have been discharged including the reporting of allegations against staff to the Local Designated Officer or team of Officers;
  • Ensuring that any deficiencies or weaknesses are remedied without delay;
  • Approving amendments to child protection arrangements in light of changing Regulations or recommended best practice.

The Trustee with responsibility for Child Protection is Frank Longsworth, Chair of the Quality & Personnel Working Party.

2.2 Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs)

The Quality & Personnel Working Party designates appropriate senior member(s) of staff to take lead responsibility for child protection. This team has the status and authority within the organisation to carry out the duties of the post, including committing resources and, where appropriate, supporting and directing other staff.

The organisation ensures that the DSLs have sufficient time, funding, supervision and support to fulfil child welfare and safeguarding responsibilities effectively.

The DSL job description is in section 6 of this document.

2.3 There are 2 designated staff within First Rung with responsibility for Child Protection (Designated Safeguarding Leads, DSLs).

Beverley Jones-Leka is the Designated Safeguarding Lead Direct Dial 020 8201 3111 Mobile 07817 874357

The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead with responsibilityfor Colindale, Watford and Ponders End is: Francesca Muratori, Direct Dial: 020 8201 3111, email:

3. Training

3.1 All DSLs receive appropriate training carried out every two years, and attend any relevant or refresher training courses.

3.2 All staff are issued with guidelines on Child Protection (including part 1 and Annex A of Keeping Children Safe in Education, September 2016) and receive Level 1 training in line with local safeguarding requirements every three years. This training was last undertaken in June 2017.

General awareness training on Child Protection is given each year at All Staff meetings in the Easter and Summer shut down periods.Annual reminders are given regarding staff use of mobile phones and photography, with attention drawn to any specific restrictions.

Staff are provided with access to The Education Foundation portal to assist with the recognition of children at risk of being drawn into terrorism.

3.3 New permanent and temporary staff along with volunteers are given Child Protection awareness training as part of their induction. This comprises:

  • The organisation’s Child Protection Policy, including details of the designated persons
  • The Staff Code of Conduct
  • The Guidance of Staff Behaviour Policy
  • The organisation’s Whistleblowing Policy
  • Part One of Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2016)

In addition the following are provided:

  • Social Media Policy (including photographs)
  • Communications Policy (including use of ICT and mobile phones)
  • Anti-Bullying Policy
  • Equal Opportunities Policy

Staff receiving these documents sign a form confirming that they have received them and have familiarised themselves with them. These forms are retained by the Chief Executive Officer and held in staff personnel files. These Policies and the Staff Handbook are available on the organisation’s intranet SharePoint.

The organisation also provides information on Child Protection as well as Health and Safety for visitors. This is issued upon arrival at Reception and is also available on the organisation’s website.

3.4 Teaching learners how to keep safe

Keeping safe on line is embedded into all our programmes.

It is essential that learners understand and commit to not sharing personal information with people they view as "friends" online. This includes their real name, address, phone number, financial information, school name, passwords, or other private information.

Learners must commit to being ethical online users including:

  1. Posting only what they would feel comfortable with the whole world seeing, including parents or college admissions personnel.
  2. Never using the Internet to spread gossip, bully or hurt someone’s reputation.

Learners are made aware and should understand what security tools are available to use on most computers to further protect themselves, their personal information, and their computer from viruses, spyware, and spam.

Learners are taught that they are in charge of their online experience and should manage it the way they would in the real world. If something or someone online makes them feel uncomfortable, they have the right to not respond, delete a post, and most importantly tell a trusted adult.

Learners must commit to never meet in person with someone they met online.

All learners are made aware of and have access to

4. Procedures

Documents relating to individual Child Protection concerns are held securely by the Chief Executive, with an indicator that such records are held placed in a learner’s main file. These documents are passed securely to the DSL at the receiving organisation when a child leaves First Rung. Child protection records must be retained by all educational establishments until the child’s 25th birthday, unless the records are transferred to a new establishment when the child leaves.

4.1. Vetting

All staff, teaching and non-teaching, are vetted according to current legal requirements and all references for staff are followed up. Staff appointments are made according to the organisation’s Safer Recruitment Policy.

  • All employees are subject to Enhanced DBS checks.
  • Staff are required to complete a Disqualification by Association Declaration if they are considered by the Organisation to be within the scope of the guidance.
  • Volunteers who visit once a week, or four or more times in a 30-day period, are subject to an enhanced DBS check, even if they do not have unsupervised access to the children.
  • Volunteers helping with one-off events who do not have unsupervised access to children are not checked.
  • The classroom-based staff and supervising staff receive training in Child Protection every three years. The last training took place in June 2017.
  • Visiting speakers are appropriately supervised by at least one member of staff whilst on the organisation premises. All visitors must adhere to Procedure 61 Visitors Speaking Policy to give assurances that they have an understanding of Prevent in advance of their activity.
  • The organisation seeks assurances that any residential facilities used have safeguarding procedures in place.

4.2 Safeguarding children

It is the responsibility of all staff to recognise the signs of abuse and to refer these to a DSL. In addition, anyone with concerns about the safeguarding of children may refer these to the relevant Children’s Services department or the Police at any time.

4.2.1. Definitions of abuse

There are four types of abuse children may suffer:

1. Physical

2. Emotional

3. Sexual

4. Neglect

4.2.2 Signs of abuse:

The list below of possible signs of abuse should be treated with caution and any concerns should be shared with a DSL who will share it with the rest of the DSL team, as appropriate. Abuse is not easy to diagnose, however.

1. Repeated minor injuries;

2. Children who appear dirty, poorly clothed or underfed;

3. Children who have lingering illnesses which do not appear attended to; deterioration in organisation work; significant behavioural changes; aggressive behaviour; severe tantrums;

4. An air of “detachment”;

5. Overly compliant behaviour;

6. A “watchful attitude”;

7. Sexually explicit behaviour;

8. A reluctance to go home or absence from organisation for no apparent reason;

9. A lack of trust in adults;

10. Stomach pains with no medical reason;

11. Eating problems;

12. Disturbed sleep, nightmares, bed-wetting;

13. Running away from home, suicide attempts;

14. Self-harming;

15. Reverting to younger behaviour;

16. Depression, withdrawal;

17. Relationships between children and adults which are secretive and exclude others;

18. Pregnancy

4.2.3 Radicalisation

Children and young people can be exposed to extremist influences or prejudiced views, in particular via the internet and other social media. It is the organisation’s duty to protect learners from extremist and violent views in the same way that we seek to safeguard the children from drugs, gangs, violence or alcohol.

Indicators of possible radicalisation can include:

1. Spending increasing time in the company of suspected extremists;

2. Changing style of casual dress or personal appearance to accord with an extremist group;

3. Day-to-day behaviour becoming centred around an extremist ideology, group or cause;

4. Loss if interest in friends and/or activities not associated with an extremist cause;

5. Attempts to recruit others to a specific group/cause/ideology;

6. Communications with others that suggests identification with a group/cause/ideology;

7. Identifying clearly with another group, or groups, as perpetrators of social or political ills;

8. Expressing attitudes that justify offending on behalf of a group, cause or ideology.

Concerns about the activities or behaviour of a child where radicalisation is suspected will be made to the Metropolitan Police Anti-Terrorist Hotline by a DSL.

4.2.4 Children who may be particularly vulnerable are defined either as “in need” or “at risk”

4.2.5. A Child in Need is defined as:

  • He/she is unlikely to achieve or maintain, or have the opportunity of achieving or maintaining, a reasonable standard of health or development without the provision for him/her of services by a local authority;
  • His/her health or development is likely to be significantly impaired, or further impaired, without the provision for him/her of such services; or
  • He/she is a Disabled child.

4.2.6 Categories of Children in Need

  • Significant Harm: children who have suffered significant harm
  • Disabled Children: children with physical disabilities, sensory disabilities, learning disabilities or emotional and behavioural disabilities
  • Parental Illness/Disability: alcohol or drug misusing parents / carers, acutely ill parents / carers (short term), Chronically disabled parents / carers, chronically mentally ill parents / carers, children assuming responsibility for chronically ill, addicted, or disabled parents / carers
  • Family in Acute Stress: homeless family, unsupported single parent, death of carer
  • Family Dysfunction: domestic violence, inconsistent parenting, family breakdown
  • Socially Unacceptable Behaviour: disorderly behaviour, offending, truancy, unsafe sexual behaviour
  • Low Income: asylum seeking families, non-habitually resident status, independent young people
  • Absent Parenting: parents / carers died, unaccompanied child asylum seekers, children privately fostered
  • Other: step-parent adoptions, inter-country adoptions, Court Reports, subject access to files, historical allegations/complaints

Anyone with concerns regarding a Child in Need should contact a DSL who will refer the relevant Children’s Services department.