Fosse Bank School Promotion of pupil welfare and Safeguarding Policy

Including EYFS

This policy is reviewed annually.

Date of last review: September 2016amendments Sept 17 Date of next review: September2018 (or following any changes in legislation or practice)

Governor……………………………………………………………………..

Head………………………………………………………………………….

contents
An overview / P1 / Safer Recruitment / P10
Local authority (Kent)
Contact numbers / P1 / Volunteers / P10
Principles of effective arrangements to promote pupil welfare and to safeguarding / P2 / Staff code of conduct / P911
Other safeguarding policies and statutoryguidance / P3 / Contractors / P11
Responsibilities / P4 / Complaints/allegations
against staff / P 11
Identifying risks
Definitions of harm and signs of abuse / P4 / security / P11
Parents- parental responsibilities / P7 / Curriculum / P113
Duties and responsibilities of staff
Reporting concerns to DSL and action taken by DSL / P7 / Complaints / P114
Principles of effective arrangements to promote pupil welfare and to safeguarding / P8 / Appendix 1 : FGM, Sexual exploitation, domestic violence, Prevent / P15
Vulnerable pupils / P16
Practical steps to be taken following disclosure. Reporting to DSL and Head / P9 / Appendix 2 Four steps / P 17
Appendix 3 What to do if you are worried a child is being abused or neglected allegations against staff / P18
Disqualification by Association / P10 / Appendix 4 and 5
Allegations against staff / 19-20
Role of the LADO / P21
Appendix 6 Allegations of abuse against staff / 22
Appendix 7 Taking photographs of pupils / 25

An overview

The Governors, Head and staff are committed to keeping our pupils safe and actively promoting their welfare, ensuring pupils’ fundamental right to be protected from harm. Weare aware that needs and risks change over time and are alert to these changes and able to manage change quickly as appropriate. Governors who are responsible for promoting the welfare of all pupils oversee the effective implementation of this policy.We, the staff know our school population,local community and emerging national themes and issues. As a consequence, we ensure that staff are well informed on specific issues and matters supported by a DSL who is well-informed by Kent Safeguarding Authority. All staff must read Part 1 and Annex A of Keeping Children Safe in Education 2016 (KCSIE). The school keeps a record when staff have confirmed they have read these documents.

Pupils are informed they have a voice in the school and that their wishes and feelings will always be considered.The overriding consideration in all safeguarding matters is what is in the best interests of the child at all times. Pupils are taught that they can always ask for quiet time with a familiar teacher, are taught to use TAG (Tell them how you feel, Ask them to stop, Get an adult) and have worry boxes in the junior classrooms. Such means of conveying anxiety to an adult are discussed in all years through PSHEE lessons as well as e-safety lessons and other ways of helping children to keep themselves safe. The school also provides information to parents and carers to enable everyone to share this safeguarding commitment to children.

Managing information and referrals are always conducted within a framework of confidentiality.

Local Authority Designated Officer Contacts
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) Team contact number: 03000 410 888 One number for the whole LADO Team covering Kent Local Authority Email:
Claire Ray Principal Officer (Safeguarding) Kay Ashman Safeguarding Admin Support (part-time) Office: 03000 415788 Mobile: 07920 108828
Rebecca Avery Education Safeguarding Adviser – Online Protection Office: 03000 415797 Mobile:07789 968705 or for general enquiries:
Ashley Assiter e-Safety Development Officer Office: 03000 422148 Mobile: 07545 743310 or for general enquiries:
Kent Safeguarding Children’s’ Board Room 2.60, Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone, ME14 1XQ 01622 694859
Other key contacts and information
NCPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line: 0800 028 0285
Police 999
Local Safeguarding Children’s BoardClaire Ray Principal Officer (Safeguarding) Office: 03000 415788 Mobile: 07920 108828
Disclosing and Barring Service DBS(previously called CRB) 0844 453 0162
Childline/NSPCC text 88858, phone 0808 800 5000
Early Years (Ofsted) 08456 40 40 40
Principles of effective arrangements to promote pupil welfare and to safeguarding
With reference to Working Together 2015 and KCSIE 2016
  • Safeguarding is ‘everyone’s responsibility’ We ensure staff, volunteers and Governors are regularly updated on safeguarding annually.Part of the school culture is the knowledge that “it could happen here!”
  • We listen to peoples’ views, adults and children.
  • We look for changes in children’s behaviour which could be an indication of a problem.
  • We look beyond school to what may be happening in the child’s life outside school.
  • We place the interests of the individual child above any other consideration, with sensitivity towards culture, disability or historywith an awareness of female genital mutilation (FGM)) andradicalisation.
  • We are rigorous in safe recruiting practices, seeing it as a process and not as an end in itself
  • We keep children safe when using electronic devices and the internet at school, and teach them to stay safe when not at school(see e-safety policy)
  • We ensure children are taught about safeguarding and keeping safe through the curriculum and daily pastoral care
  • We work closely if required with children’s services in re4spect of issues relating to children and Local Authority Designated Officer LADO (03000 410888) for safeguarding concerns relating to adults. Where any concerns are raised aboutFemale Genital Mutilation FGM (- see more on this below) and sexual exploitationthe Police will be contacted without delay. The school is also alert to issues of radicalisation in all its forms and will maintain a close link to thePrevent with the Channel process. (see below in respect of Prevent, dedicated to preventing radicalisation).
  • The first point of contact will be Kent Children’s services and LADO even if the child lives in another county.
  • The school will always seek advice and guidance of children’s services and/or the LADO and will always act on the advice provided.
  • We are persistent in making referrals if we feel appropriate action is not being taken by the statutory agencies and this is recorded.

What other policies are relevant to Safeguarding?
Anti-bullying, Behaviour and Discipline, Health and Safety, E-safety, Missing Child and child missing education, Exclusion, Whistle Blowing, Staff Code of Conduct, Taking and Storing Pictures of Children, Equal Opportunities including SENDA and inclusion, ‘Prevent’, Collection Procedures, Child not collected on time, Data Protection, Intimate Care Policy, Pupil Supervision, Staff Code of Conduct
This policy refers to current statutory guidance and other national guidance, including:
•Children Act 1989
•Education Act 2002 Section 175 (Regulatory Compliance – ISSRs and National Minimum Standards for Boarding or EYFS))
•Working Together to Safeguard Children (Inter-agency working) 2015
•Keeping Children Safe in Education 2016
•Disqualification under the Childcare Act 2006 (by association)
•‘Prevent’ Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015)
•What to do if you are worried a child is being abused – Advice for practitioners
This policy is fully in accordance with Kent inter-agency procedures and made available to parents on the school website or by sending a copy to parents on request. The policy is applicable to all on and off-site activities undertaken bypupils whilst they are the responsibility of the School. It is to be used in conjunction with Part 1 and Annex A KCSIE (2016), Safer recruiting processes, E-safety and prevent policies.
These policies are drawn up by the Head in accordance with the aims of the school, and following advice from various bodies (see above) The Board of Governors agrees the policy which is updated in the light of any national or Kent Safeguarding Board changes and reviewed annually by the Head and Boardof Governors. Any changes to the policy will be updated quickly and staff advised of all changes.
Who is responsible?
Every adult working in this school (including visiting staff, volunteers and students on placement) are required to report instances of actual or suspected, or likely child abuse or neglect to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. In effect, safeguarding is ‘everyone’s responsibility’. Additionally every adult will ensure that the general welfare of pupils is actively promoted in order to ensure that individual needs are being met, (this includes issues such as eating disorders, depression or additional needs),
The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) has been given the status and authority by the board to take responsibility for welfare and safeguarding, including child protection matters. This also applies fully to the Early Years Foundation Stage ( AlisonAccordingly(Head) 01732834212), Deputy Safeguarding Lead They require and receive training (updated every two years) in child welfare, safeguarding and protection, inter-agency working and safer recruitment. All staff receive training in Safeguarding each September ensuring that all understand their respective responsibilities. Pupils are taught that they have a voice, and know the procedure for what to do if they are worried about themselves or another pupil.
The Chairman of Governors is Mr Mark Waddington 07770 988 477and the Governor responsible for Child Protection is Mrs Carol Ranson whose contact details are available via the School Office and in the staff handbook.
IDENTIFYING RISKS TO CHILDREN and DEFINITIONS OF HARM
What is Child Abuse
“Abuse: a form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, by others (e.g. via the internet). They may be abused by an adult or adults or another child or children. It is understood that the list of possible abuse found in KCSIE of possible abuse is not exhaustive.
Through training and regular updates from Kent Safeguarding we at Fosse Bank are constantly learning from serious case reviews.
Most children suffer harm from within their own families or from someone they know and with whom they have formed a relationship. There are four main types of harm: physical, sexual, emotional and neglect.
Types of harm to children are not stand-alone issues but often overlap. It is also important to distinguish between ‘actual’ significant harm and the likelihood of significant harm. In effect, schools do not have to wait for an incident to occur if they believe a child might be significantly harmed in some way.
A form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. They may be abused by an adult or adults or another child or children.
Physical abuse: a form of abuse which may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child.
Emotional abuse: the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to a child that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may include not giving the child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond a child’s developmental capability as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying (including cyberbullying), causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, although it may occur alone.
Sexual abuse: involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.
Peer on Peer abuseStaff recognise that children are capable of abusing their peers. Age appropriate discussion in PSHE lessons and following the ethos of the school will minimise the risk of peer on peer abuse. Should it occur, allegations of peer on peer abuse will be investigated and dealt with the same procedures as bullying.It is made clear to pupils that that abuse is abuse and should never be tolerated or passed off as “banter” or “part of growing up”.
Neglect: the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to: provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment); protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger; ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers); or ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.
Signs to look for, a child who:
  • become aggressive
  • display anti-social behaviour
  • suffer from depression or anxiety
  • not do as well at school - due to difficulties at home or disruption of moving to and from refuges.
  • withdrawn
  • suddenly behaves differently
  • anxious
  • clingy
  • depressed
  • aggressive
  • problems sleeping
  • eating disorders
  • wets the bed
  • soils clothes
  • takes risks
  • misses school
  • changes in eating habits
  • obsessive behaviour
  • nightmares
  • drugs
  • alcohol
  • self-harm
  • thoughts about suicide
Children who are sexually abused may:
Stay away from certain people
  • they might avoid being alone with people, such as family members or friends
  • they could seem frightened of a person or reluctant to socialise with them.
Show sexual behaviour that's inappropriate for their age
  • a child might become sexually active at a young age
  • they might be promiscuous
  • they could use sexual language or know information that you wouldn't expect them to.
Have physical symptoms
  • anal or vaginal soreness
  • an unusual discharge
  • sexually transmitted infection (STI)
  • pregnancy.
Neglected children may
  • be smelly or dirty
  • have unwashed clothes
  • have inadequate clothing, e.g. not having a winter coat
  • seem hungry or turn up to school without having breakfast or any lunch money
  • have frequent and untreated nappy rash in infants.
  • untreated injuries, medical anddental issues
  • repeated accidental injuries caused by lack of supervision
  • recurring illnesses or infections
  • not been given appropriate medicines
  • missed medical appointments such as vaccinations
  • poor muscle tone or prominent joints
  • skin sores, rashes, flea bites,scabiesorringworm
  • thin or swollen tummy
  • anaemia
  • tiredness
  • faltering weight or growth and not reaching developmental milestones (known as failure to thrive)
  • poor language, communication or social skills. For further advice see NSPCC guidence.
Other issues
The school will always be alert to other forms of harm that may affect children. In this connection the school will consider any particular issue in the school population, local community or those which have been brought to the attention of the school through national guidance. Such issues include domestic violence, sexual exploitation, peer on peer abuse, FGM, radicalisation and ‘Willow’ Gang culture. Appendix 1 This is not an exhaustive list but indicators of matters where the school needs to remain alert at all times.
Parents
It is our policy to work in partnership with parents or carers to secure the best outcomes for our children. We will therefore communicate as clearly as possible the aims of this School;
• We will try to use clear statements in our brochures and correspondence.
• We will involve parents and pupils in the development of Codes of Conduct and Equalities and Behaviour Management policies.
• We will liaise with agencies in the statutory, voluntary and community sectors and locality teams that are active in supporting families.
• We will be alert to the needs of parents/carers who do not have English as their first language.
• We will keep parents informed as appropriate. Early Years parents have very regular contact with key workers, Head of Early Years and the Head and any concerns will be aired with parents at an early stage.eadHead
The parent/carer will normally be contacted if the matter relates to a general welfare concern or before a referral is made to the Kent Safeguarding Team where the concern relates to safeguarding or child protection. However, if the concern involves alleged, suspected or likely sexual abuse or the designated person has reason to believe that informing the parent at this stage might compromise the safety of the child or a staff member a referral can be made without contacting parents. The school will always act on the advice provided by relevant external agencies.
All parents applying for places at this School are informed of our safeguarding responsibilities and the existence of this policy. In situations where pupils sustain injury or are otherwise affected by an accident or incident whilst they are the responsibility of the School, parents will be notified of this as soon as possible.
Keeping children safe in education: for school and college staff (part 1)contains the information acted on by all adults at this school and a flow chart of actions that would be taken in line with the Kent SafeguardingChildren’s’ Board. This is made available to all staff as part of induction training and a record is kept that they have received and understood the requirements of this statutory guidance.
Duties and Responsibilities of staff