Policy for Child Protecion

To safeguard and promote the welfare of all children in our care. To ensure that all staff are aware that in situations where a risk of child abuse is suspected, our foremost responsibility is to the child.

To ensure that all staff in our school are clear about the referral procedures in our school.

To continue to develop awareness in all staff of the need for Child Protection and of their responsibilities in identifying abuse, or the risks of abuse.

To monitor children who have been identified as being "at risk".

To ensure that the key concepts of child protection are integrated within the curriculum, especially via PSHE.

The Child Protection Co-ordinator in our school is the Headteacher and in her absence the Deputy Headteacher. In the absence of both, the matter should be referred to a member of the Management Team.

Any member of staff who suspects that a child may be victim of abuse or at risk of abuse, should immediately inform the Headteacher of their concerns.

The Headteacher will decide on an appropriate course of action, based on the Area Child Protection Committee Procedures guidance.

If a child chooses to tell a member of staff about possible abuse, there are a number of things which should be done to support the child:

• Stay calm and be available to listen
• Listen with the utmost care to what the child is saying.
• Question normally without pressurising.
• Don't put words into the child's mouth but note the main points carefully and discreetly.
• Sign and date your notes, making a note of the time of the disclosure.
• Reassure the child and let them know they were right to inform us.
• Inform the child of what will happen next and assure them that immediate action will be taken.

Any concerns about the welfare of a child should be accurately recorded and these records should then be kept secure, confidential files.

Staff should monitor and inform the Headteacher about:

• Poor attendance and punctuality.
• Concerns about appearance and dress.
• Changed or unusual behaviour.
• Concerns about health and emotional well-being.
• Deterioration in educational progress.
• Concerns about home conditions or situations.

Reports may be needed for Child Protection Case Conferences or the criminal/civil cours. Consequently records and reports should be:

• Factual (no opinions).
• Non-judgemental (no assumptions).
• Clear
• Accurate
• Relevant

• To ensure that all staff are aware of her responsibility for Child Protection issues.

• To refer promptly all cases of suspected child abuse to the relevant parties.

• To organise training on Child Protection within the school.

• To ensure that all staff know about and have access to ACPC guidelines.

• To facilitate and support the development of the whole school policy on Child Protection.

• To attend case conferences.

• To maintain records of case conferences and other sensitive information in a secure confidential file and to disseminate information about the child only on a "need to know" basis.

• To pass on records and inform the key worker when a child who is on the Child Protection Register leaves the school.

• To raise staff awareness and confidence in relation to Child Protection procedures and to ensure new staff are aware of these procedures.

• To keep up to date with current practice by participating in training opportunities wherever possible.