Whole-School Policy on Child Protection

CopLaneC.E.Primary School

Introduction

This child protection policy is embedded in the school’s mission statement which is;

CopLaneC.E.Primary School

A Christian community;

Committed to one another;

Giving our very best at all times.

At Cop Lane CE Primary School it is our intent to nurture and develop the whole child. The mission statement sets out our rationale for life and work in school with reference to;

  • The high quality of education and opportunities we offer our pupils,
  • The commitment, concern and care shown to the whole community involved with the school through a strong sense of Christian values,
  • The high expectations we have of all in whatever task we undertake.
Aims

Our aims at Cop Lane CE Primary School are:

  • To deliver a high quality education in a welcoming, friendly and supportive environment where Christian values are central to the ethos of the school and its teaching,
  • To have consistently high expectations which encourage each child to achieve their maximum potential, regardless of faith, gender, race or ethnicity,
  • To provide a stimulating and caring environment where self-discipline, respect for others and good manners are valued and encouraged,
  • To continually foster positive links with parents, governors, children and staff, enabling the school to play a positive role in the wider community in which it is placed,
  • To create an ethos where achievement, in its widest sense of the word is celebrated, where individuals are valued and a life-long love of learning is fostered.

As part of the whole child protection process, the school fully recognises the contribution it can make to protect children and support pupils in school.

There are three main elements to our Child Protection Policy.

(a)Prevention:

(e.g. positive school atmosphere, teaching and pastoral support to pupils).

(b)Protection:

(By following agreed procedures, ensuring staff are trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to Child Protection concerns).

(c)Support:

(To pupils and school staff and to children who may have been abused).

This policy applies to all staff who are part of the community of Cop Lane CE Primary School.

School Commitment

We recognise that for children, high self- esteem, confidence, supportive friends and clear lines of communication with a trusted adult helps all children, and especially those at risk of, or suffering from, abuse.’

Our school will therefore:

(a)Establish and maintain an ethos where children feel secure and are encouraged to talk, and are listened to.

(b)Ensure that children know that there are adults in the school who they can approach if they are worried or are in difficulty.

(c)Include in the curriculum activities and opportunities for PSHE which equip children with the skills they need to stay safe from abuse.

(d)Include in the curriculum material which will help children develop realistic attitudes to the responsibilities of adult life, particularly with regard to childcare and parenting skills.

(e)Ensure that wherever possible every effort will be made to establish

effective working relationships with parents and colleagues from other agencies.

Framework

Schools do not operate in isolation. The welfare of children is a corporate responsibility of the entire local authority, working in partnership with other public agencies, the voluntary sector and service users and carers. All local authority services have an impact on the lives of children and families, and local authorities have a particular responsibility towards children and families most at risk of social exclusion. (Working Together to Safeguard Children 1999)

Child protection is the responsibility of all adults and especially those working with children. The development of appropriate procedures and the monitoring of good practice are the responsibilities of the Lancashire Area Child Protection Committee (LACPC).

Roles and Responsibilities

All adults working with or on behalf of children have a responsibility to protect children. There are, however, key people within schools and the LEA who have specific responsibilities under Child Protection procedures. The names of those carrying these responsibilities for the current year are listed within this document.

  • The senior designated teachers are Miss P Carter (headteacher) and Mrs G Barnes (assiatnt headteacher.) Their role as senior designated teachers is to receive (and act where appropriate) on child protection issues and to monitor the concerns of children displaying concerns
  • The named governors responsible for Child Protection are Mr C Teague (chair of governors) and Mr D Thornton. It is their responsibility to ensure that the school has effective child protection measures in place and that the school operates them. It is not their remit to be given details relating to specific child protection situations.
  • The LEA Child Protection Co-ordinator is Ms M Aurens. Contact number 01772 532634

Procedures

Where it is believed that a child is suffering from, or is at risk of significant harm, we will follow the procedures set out in the document produced by Lancashire Area Child Protection Committee – ‘Multi-Agency Policy, Guidance and Procedures.’

  • Staff will be kept informed about child protection procedures through periodic whole staff training as part of the school’s INSET programme.
  • Parents will be informed of the school’s duties and responsibilities under Child Protection procedures through the inclusion of a statement in the School brochure

Training and Support

Our school will ensure that the Head Teacher, other Senior Designated Teachers and the nominated

Governors for Child Protection attend training relevant to their role on at least a biannual basis.

  • The Senior Designated Teachers will deliver basic training on Child Protection to all adults working within school as part of the school’s INSET programme.
  • By having two Senior Designated Teachers for child protection, it is felt the school will have sound internal support networks are available to staff if there are concerns or queries about child protection.

Professional Confidentiality

Confidentiality is an issue which needs to be discussed and fully understood by all those working with

Children, particularly in the context of child protection. The only purpose of confidentiality in this

respect is to benefit the child.

  • All adults involved in any child protection issues should treat the information with the utmost confidentiality.
  • Guarantees of confidentiality should not be made to children as disclosures of abuse must be reported to other agencies. Guarantees of support are much more appropriate.
  • Social services and the school’s education welfare officer may need to be given information relating to a child about whom there are concerns?
  • Information should not be given to Governors, other parents or staff who have no need to know (see below).
  • For who to contact under child protection procedures, please see ‘Procedures’ and the attached flowcharts.

Professionals can only work together to safeguard children if there is an exchange of relevant information between them. This has been recognised in principle by the courts. Any disclosure of personal information to others, [including the social service departments], must always however, have regard to both common and statute law.

Normally, personal information should only be disclosed to third parties (including other agencies) with

the consent of the subject of that information (Data Protection Act 1998, European Convention on

Human Rights, Article 8). Wherever possible, consent should be obtained before sharing personal

information with third parties. In some circumstances, consent may not be possible or desirable but

the safety and welfare of a child dictate that the information should be shared. The law permits the

disclosure of confidential information necessary to safeguard a child or children. Disclosure should be

justifiable in each case, according to the particular facts of the case, and legal advice should be

sought if in doubt.

Records and Monitoring

9.1 Well-kept records are essential to good child protection practice. Our school is clear about the need to record any concerns held about a child or children within our school, the status of such records and when these records should be passed over to other agencies.

  • Each year group in school has an incident/accident record. Members of staff should note in the incident record any welfare or behavioural concerns they have noted about individual children or which support staff have brought to their attention.
  • When it becomes apparent there are child protection concerns, these concerns would be passed onto one of the senior designated teachers. They would then be recorded in the headteacher’s incident/accident file and or the Child protection/EWO file in the HT’s office. Copies of any multi-agency referrals would be kept in the Child protection/EWO file in the HT’s office.
  • The Child protection/EWO files are locked in the head’s office. Access to these files should always be sought from the senior designated teachers who will assess the need to provide information. The information contained in the files is not for open access. Documentation, which appertains to CP issues, should not be included in children’s attainment records. Whenever possible however, parents should be made aware of the school’s concerns and proposed actions.
  • Individual teacher-held notes would become part of the school record when there was felt to be concern about the welfare of an individual child.
  • The school monitors children about whom there are concerns at various levels, initially the class-based staff would monitor progress with the senior designated teachers/external agencies reviewing progress on a half termly basis.
  • All appropriate members of school staff will be informed and information shared on a ‘need to know’ basis when a child is being monitored. The Headteacher and senior members of staff will decide who will be the ‘appropriate members of staff’.
  • Concerns are collated by the SDT who will monitor the records and judge when it is necessary to begin referral as per LACPC procedures.
  • Any records that are confidential and any parental requests for access must be directed to the Headteacher.
  • Once a pupil leaves the school the records will remain in school for 30 years, or if the case is active and information is still relevant, the records will be passed to the SDT of the new school.

Attendance at Child Protection Conferences

  • A Child Protection Conference involves the meeting together of all relevant agencies and family concerned in order to consider any level of risk to the child and to formulate a Child Protection plan as required.
  • A member of the Conference and Review Team will chair the meeting.
  • The Chair of the Conference extends an invitation to the school rather than a named person. The person attending would be either Miss Carter or Mrs Barnes as senior designated teachers.
  • The SDT and/or Headteacher have attended LEA Child Protection training and will produce concise and factual Conference reports in the areas they are asked to report on.
  • Parents will need support when their child is the subject of a child protection issue and staff need to deal with this sensitively, keeping the SDT informed of any issues which may arise. The school will create a professional, non-judgemental and caring relationship with parents who attend CP conferences.

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 predictable 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.

Cop Lane CE Primary School will endeavour to support pupils through:

(a)The curriculum, to encourage self-esteem and self-motivation.

(b)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.

(c)The implementation of school behaviour management policies (required under the Code of Practice, 1993 Education Act).

(d)A consistent approach, which recognises and separates the cause of behaviour from that which the child displays. This is vital to ensure that all children are supported within the school setting.

(e)Regular liaison with other professionals and agencies who support the pupils and their families.

(f)A commitment to develop productive, supportive relationships with parents, whenever it is in the child’s interests to do so.

(g)The development and support of a responsive and knowledgeable staff group trained to respond appropriately in child protection situations.

This policy should be considered alongside other related policies in school such as;

  1. Behaviour Management Policy
  2. Bullying
  3. Special Education Needs
  4. Health and Safety
  5. Care and control

We recognise that, statistically, children with behavioural difficulties and disabilities are most vulnerable to abuse. School staff who work, in any capacity, with children with profound and multiple disabilities, sensory impairment and/or emotional and behaviour problems will need to be particularly sensitive to signs of abuse.

It must also be stressed that in a home environment where there is domestic violence, drug or alcohol abuse, children may also be vulnerable and in need of support or protection.

SafeSchools, Safe Staff

  • School recognises that a range of organisational, personal and professional difficulties can get in the way of protecting children. The need at primary level to build strong relationships with parents can sometimes cloud our objectivity. In all case the needs of the child must always be paramount.
  • Staff are advised that they too can be the focus of a child protection investigation. In order to protect staff from malicious allegations, physical contact with pupils should always be minimised (relative to the child’s needs in an individual situation) and an adult should never initiate physical contact with children. For the same reason, the school advises that staff avoid working in a one-to-one situation with a pupil, and only ever do so in an open area, e.g. the entrance hall
  • The school recognises that is important to avoid situations where allegations may be made against staff. The school expects that the above guidance will be implemented in all cases, and expects that wherever possible children and/or parents will be interviewed with another adult present or in the near vicinity.
  • Where staff find themselves in a counselling role and/or giving advice to children/young people about sexual matters, proper levels of objective professional duty will expected. If staff find themselves in areas they feel uncomfortable, it is appropriate to defer the matter to another colleague or senior member of staff.
  • All parents in school will be made aware of the existence of this policy through a summary statement in the school prospectus and a parent copy available for parental perusal.
  • Advice, alternative perspectives and experiences with practitioners from other agencies can be shared through dialogue with the school’s EWO and through telephone contact with BamberBridge social service, (Brindle Rd office).
  • The position of teachers in respect of civil liberties, disciplinary action and criminal prosecution in response to any professional act undertaken to protect children is that the LEA and school will provide advice and support providing they have followed correct procedure. Staff will always be advised to seek the advice of their professional association when they are in vulnerable situations.
  • The school will always seek to recruit and select safe staff by undertaking a CRB search on all new appointments. The existing staff, governing body and volunteer helpers will have CRB clearance undertaken on a rolling programme. All staff have at least had List 99 clearance and appointments made since the introduction of CRB have been cleared through this mechanism.
  • As part of the school’s implementation of the care and control policy, staff have been made aware of the procedures which take place when staff are faced with allegations of abuse. As this policy and the C+C policy are reviewed, staff will be reminded of the procedures.
  • The expectation of conduct which are in place to protect adults from malicious allegations, also reduce the possibility of abuse of children by school staff and other professional workers or any one else working within the school setting.
  • This policy be reviewed by the headteacher with whole staff and the designated CP governors on an annual basis

The Multi-Agency Assessment and Referral Form