St Matthew’s C of E (A) InfantsSchool
Safeguarding Policy
Next review date: July 2014
Governing Body: Safeguarding Committee
When “Every Child Matters” was published it raised 5 key issues that were deemed essential in the complete development of each and every child:
· Must be and stay safe
· Must be healthy
· Must be able to enjoy and achieve
· Must be able to achieve economic well-being
· Must make a positive contribution
There was a clearly stated need that, while each area of society has an important part to play in child development, schools must embrace the document both individually and collaboratively.
The government has published guidance ‘Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education 2007’ which has been used to formulate this policy.
This policy runs alongside the following:
Health and Safety Policy
Child Protection Policy
Equal Opportunities Statement
Gender Equality Policy
Our CPLO’s is Rhian ThorntonHeadteacher
And in her absence Deputy CPLO Sarah Rowlands Assistant Headteacher
CPLO Governor Revd Elisabeth Burke
St Matthew’s Infant School Safeguarding Children Statement
At St Matthew’s the health and safety of all children is of paramount importance. Parents send their children to school each day with the expectation that school provides a secure environment in which their children can flourish. We therefore ensure that this expectation becomes reality. In order to do this a wide range of measures are put in place:
The Health and Safety Policy
The school has a health and safety policy, which is monitored each term by the relevant committee of the school governors. A copy of this policy is available at all times.
The LEA produces a monitoring checklist, which has to be completed on an annual basis. The Headteacher, the School Business Manager (SBM), the Governor with responsibility for Health and Safety, the Site Supervisor and the Governors with responsibility for safeguarding oversee this comprehensive list. Any concerns from staff are reported to any of the above and the site supervisor carries out an initial examination, assessing what remedial action needs to take place.
Each term there is a fire drill that practices efficient evacuation from the buildings. The school conducts an annual Fire Risk Assessment.
There is also a critical incidents plan that details what staff and parents should do in the case of emergencies.
In addition to the Health and Safety Policy there are policies regarding Food and Drink and Food and Hygiene. These determine safe practices in school and the Kitchen/ Dining Room.
First Aid
In school there are always trained members of staff who volunteer to oversee first aid. There are a number of first aid kits situated around school. When a child is poorly, or has suffered an accident in school or on the playground there is a protocol for staff to follow:
- A trained first Aider is consulted
- The incident is logged in the accident book
- For head injuries a Head Note is issued
- If there is any doubt at all a parent is contacted.
- Serious incidents are reported to RIGGOR on-line which generates a review and a 24 hour follow up review. The Headteacher, Assistant Head and SBM have the relevant passwords
In the case of a pupil needing medication during the day parents are welcome to come into school to administer correct dosages, or the office staff will administer with written consent. For the majority of medicines a dose before and after school is perfectly adequate. Naturally the parents should consult doctors before giving any form of medication.
For matters of an intimate nature staff are informed to deal with a child with utmost sensitivity and always to seek guidance from the Headteacher or Assistant head. In almost all situations the parents will be asked to come into school immediately so that they are part of the decision making process for such matters. In rare circumstances the school nurse will be contacted as a matter of utmost urgency before the parent.
Site security
The site is only as secure as the people who use it. Therefore all people on the site have to adhere to the rules, which govern it. Laxity can cause potential problems to safeguarding. Therefore:
Gates should be locked except at the start and end of each day.
Doors should be closed to prevent intrusion but to facilitate smooth exits.
Visitors, volunteers and students must only enter through the main entrance and after signing in at the office window.
Children will only be allowed home with adults with parental responsibility or confirmed permission.
Empty classrooms should have closed windows.
Children should never be allowed to leave school alone during school hours, and if collected by an adult, signed out and recorded by office staff in the class register.
Should a child leave the school premises without permission then staff will
- Establish time and place of last sighting
- Make a thorough search of grounds and outbuildings
- Without endangering themselves or other children in their care organise a search party – by foot or by car
- Contact the parents
- Contact the police
Attendance
Excellent attendance is expected of all children, but when children are unwell parents are expected to confirm absence by telephone immediately. If there is no notification school has a policy of phoning home to ascertain each child’s whereabouts By 9.30am
The school works closely with the Local Education Authority’s Welfare officer whenever a child’s attendance and punctuality causes concern. Attendance rates are reported each term to the LA, annually to the government and to all parents. Positive measures are in place to encourage children to attend regularly and punctually and the school is aware of its right to take legal action against parents who do not ensure good attendance and punctuality. (See Attendance Policy)
Appointments of staff and induction of newly appointed staff and work placements
The Headteacher sits on all appointment panels. The Headteacher has undertaken the NCSL training on Safer Recruitment.
Please see Safer Recruitment and Selection Policy.
Safeguarding checks:
Single Central Record
The school collates the recruitment administration and maintains the single central list on a daily basis as required by Ofsted. The register will be presented termly to the Safeguarding Committee.
The School Business Manager is responsible for checking identity, documents and maintaining the single central list. In her absence this will be done by the School Secretary.
Induction of regular volunteers
Regular Volunteers, working in school with children, must also have DBS clearance. They will only be allowed to start after the enhanced DBS has been done, their clearance will remain valid so long as they are continually known to the school and have not lapsed in attendance for over 3 months. Expectations of behaviour and conduct are shared with volunteers before they begin.
One off volunteers will have no unsupervised access: staff will be made aware that they must not be left unsupervised with the children at any time.
Visitors
It is assumed that visitors with a professional role i.e. the School Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, MPT members, or members of the police already have relevant clearance but the office will endeavour to check this before admittance is granted and a note made of anyone entering without clearance. (See also Site Security).
We follow Surrey’s guidelines on the following
Clubs involving lettings
The lettings agreement states that the adult leading the club has an appropriate level of disclosure from the DBS.
Visitors – not regular and with no unsupervised access
No check is required.
Tradesmen
All those with SCC contract have DBS checks and can be verified.
Non-SCC contract staff will have written into their contract that they will enhanced DBS checked.
Emergency contract tradesmen will not require DBS clearance but will be escorted by a member of staff if children are on site.
Work Experience
Students of school age require no DBS check.
Written confirmation from universities or colleges that DBS checks have been carried out from places of higher education is required.
Supply Staff
We will carry out enhanced DBS checks for supply staff directly employed by the school.
If agency staff are employed then we require written confirmation from the agency that DBS checks have been carried out
Child Protection Policy
There is a detailed Child Protection Policy, which is available from the school office at all times. It is the Governing Body’s duty to ensure the policy is reviewed annually and any deficiencies within the policy addressed immediately. Governors and all staff have had appropriate child protection training, which is updated at least every three years.
The Design of the Curriculum
The curriculum deals with safeguarding in two ways. Firstly, the curriculum, in subjects such as Personal, Social and Health Education discusses relevant issues with the children. Topics include such themes as Drugs, Sex and Relationships and Stranger Danger. Children are encouraged to explore and discuss these issues.
Secondly, the curriculum is designed so that safety issues within the subject are discussed and safe practices taught, such as using equipment properly in PE, Design and Technology and Internet use. At all times there has to be appropriate staffing levels and when the curriculum is taken out of school appropriate and agreed pupil/adult ratios are maintained. The lead adult always assesses visits and conducts a risk assessment as to the level of risk, and all trips are finally authorised by the Headteacher. The Assistant Headteacher is the Educational Visits Co-ordinator. (See Educational trips and visits policy and Road crossing and travelling by coach policies)
Visiting speakers, with correct clearance are always welcome into school so that they can give specialist knowledge to the children.
Internet Safety
Children should be encouraged to use the internet as much as is possible, but at all times in a safe way. There is a child-friendly rule of internet use in each class. Parents are asked each year if they agree to their child using the internet. Pupils must never be left unattended whilst online and teachers should ensure that this does not happen. If teachers know of misuse, either by a teacher or child the issue should be reported to the Headteacher without delay. There is an internet code of conduct (e-safety) for adults. There is a blanket virus filter and protective screening (cache pilot) installed to prevent access to unsuitable sites. Images taken of pupils remain school property and parents and staff are informed of this at induction. (See e-safety Policy)
As Child Protection Officer the Headteacher has overall responsibility for internet safety.
Equal opportunities
Please see Equal Opportunities Policy which asserts:
At St Matthews we try to ensure that everyone is treated fairly. All children are given equal access to the school and its curriculum and all at St Matthews are considered equal in the learning partnership. When children are vulnerable or have special educational needs we make arrangements to inform parents and put focused intervention in place immediately.
Children with disabilities must be able to take a full and active part in every lesson and all parts of school life and every measure is taken to ensure this. (See Disability Equality Scheme)
Behaviour and Discipline policy
Good behaviour is essential in any community and at St Matthews we have high expectations for this. Our behaviour was described as exemplary by Ofsted Nov 2008. Please see Behaviour and Discipline Policy for details on procedures.
Staff are discouraged from handling children, but when they deem it is safest to do so guidance has been given safe methods of restraining a child so that they do not harm either themselves or others. (See Use of Force and physical contact policy). We are a warm and nurturing Infant School, and on times a young child needs a hug or reassurance.
Anti-Bullying Policy
We define bullying as: “A systematic and extended victimisation of a person or group, by another or group of others.”
The school’s response to this is unequivocal.
Adults must be alert to such behaviours and vigilant. Teachers/Headteacher should be informed immediately of any such incidents. Immediate action will take place.
Children are told that silence is the bully’s best friend. Although bullying in this school is rare the school always acts swiftly with a process of investigation, communication and action. Bullying will not be tolerated.
There is a more detailed Anti-bullying Policy available from the school office.
Racial tolerance
At St Matthew’s pupils are prepared for an ethnically diverse society. The school works hard to promote racial equality and harmony by preventing and challenging racism, and support this through enrichment of the curriculum.
Please see Race Equality Policy
Photographing and videoing
There has been a lot of serious concern recently about adults photographing and filming young people. The concerns are of course worrying and genuine, however at St Matthews we have taken a sensible, balanced approach, which allows parents to photograph and film productions and assemblies providing they follow certain guidelines:
- Parents consent to school taking photographs by signing a permission slip at Parents’ Evening or upon entry to school. School photographs that are for use outside of school are first name terms only, unless specific permission has been received from parents.
- Parents are asked to ensure their photographs are for their own private use
- Staff are informed on induction that images taken of pupils remain school property and must be returned if requested.
Whistleblowing and Speaking out
If members of staff ever have any concerns about people working, paid or unpaid, they have a professional duty to inform the management accordingly. Staff should be prepared to discuss issues in the confidence that any such matter will be dealt with sensitively and with the necessary degree of confidentiality. The school follows the Local Education Authority’s policy on Whistleblowing. A copy of this is available at all times.
Confidentiality
Aim
To protect the child at all times and to give all staff involved clear, unambiguous guidance as to their legal and professional roles.
To ensure good practice throughout the school which can be understood by pupils, parents/carers, staff and governors.
Rationale
At St Matthew’s we seek to put the child at the heart of learning and to provide a safe and secure learning environment. We seek to implement the underlying principles of the Every Child Matters Agenda and to address the issues which may arise about confidentiality. We are committed to developing creative and positive ways for the child’s voice to be heard whilst recognising the responsibility to use, hold and safeguard information received. Sharing information unnecessarily is an erosion of trust. The school is mindful that it is placed in a position of trust by all stake holders and there is a general expectation that a professional approach will be used in all matters of confidentiality.
Objectives
- To provide consistent messages in school about handling information about children once it has been received.
- To foster an ethos of trust within the school.
- To ensure that governors, staff, parents and pupils are aware of the school’s confidentiality policy and procedures.
- To reassure pupils that their best interests will be maintained.
- To encourage children to talk to their parents and carers.
- To ensure that pupils and parent/carers know that school staff cannot offer unconditional confidentiality.
- To ensure that there is equality of provision and access for all including rigorous monitoring of cultural, gender and special educational needs.
- To ensure that if there is a child protection issue then the correct procedure will be followed.
- To ensure that confidentiality is a whole school issue and that in lessons ground rules are set for the protection of all.
- To understand that health professionals are bound by different code of conduct.
- To ensure that parents have a right of access to any records the school may hold on their child but not to any other child for whom they do not have parental responsibility.
Guidelines
Information about children:
All information about individual children is private and should only be shared with staff that have a need to know.
All social services, medical and personal information about a child should be held in a safe and secure place which cannot be accessed by individuals other than school staff. (Child portfolio notes kept in Headteacher’s office)