Child Protection Policy

This policy and procedures are consistent with

• The legal duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, as directed in section 175 of the Education Act 2002 and the DfE guidance Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education (January 2007)
• Norfolk LSCB procedures and practice guidance which can be found at http://www.lscb.norfolk.gov.uk/
• Advice provided in Working together to safeguard children (2010) and What to do if you're worried a child is being abused (2006).

Useful numbers are:

• Consultation Line - 01603 224134
• Urgent Access team - 0344 800 8015

Introduction

The governors and staff of Hethersett Old Hall School fully recognise the contribution they make to safeguarding children. We recognise that all staff, including volunteers, have a full and active part to play in protecting our pupils from harm.

All staff and governors believe that our school should provide a caring, positive safe and stimulating environment which promotes the social, physical and moral development of the individual child.

Aims

The aims of this policy are:

• To support the child's development in ways that will foster security, confidence and independence.
• To raise the awareness of both teaching and non-teaching staff of the need to safeguard children and of their responsibilities in identifying and reporting possible cases of abuse.
• To provide a systematic means of monitoring children known or thought to be at risk of harm.
• To emphasise the need for good levels of communication between all members of staff.
• To develop a structured procedure within the school which will be followed by all members of the school community in cases of suspected abuse.
• To develop and promote the effective working relationships with other agencies, especially the Police and Children's Services.
• To ensure that all adults working within our school who have access to children have been checked as to their suitability. To this end the school fully embraces the Safer Recruitment Policy and its aims.

Procedures

Our school procedures for safeguarding children are in line with the Local Authority (LA). The school's copy of the Local Safeguarding Children's Board (LSCB) Procedures for the Protection of Children, and associated documents, are kept in the Headmaster's office.

• This policy applies to all pupils, staff and volunteers working in the school, including EYFS
• We have three designated members of staff who undertake regular training at recommended intervals (currently every two years). These are currently Stephen Crump (Headmaster), Kate McCann (Senior Mistress) and Jackie Davies (Deputy Headmistress).
• The designated practitioner for EYFS is the Headmaster.
• Each designated member of staff will act in the absence of either of the others.
• All members of staff receive training to develop their understanding of the signs and indicators of abuse, and the importance of responding to disclosures of abuse. The training takes place at recommended intervals (currently every three years).
• All members of staff know how to respond to a pupil who discloses abuse.
• All parents/guardians are made aware of the responsibilities of staff members with regard to child protection procedures.
• Our procedures are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that any deficiencies or weaknesses in Child Protection arrangements are remedied without delay.
• All new members of staff (including volunteers or regular visitors )  will be given a copy of our child protection procedures as part of their induction into the school, and will receive child protection training.
• Our school governors will undertake appropriate training to ensure they are able to carry out their duty to safeguard all the children at our school.
• We have two independent listeners, as possible ‘safety valve' for pupils with concerns or problems.  These are currently Mrs V Redington (ex-Headmistress of HOHS) and Rev. Mary Kerslake (School Chaplain).

For EYFS

• OFSTED will be informed of any allegations of serious harm or abuse by any person living or working on the premises (whether the harm or abuse is committed on or at the premises) or any other abuse which is alleged to have taken place on the premises, and of the action taken in respect of the allegations.
• The above will be notified to OFSTED with the ISI office as soon as possible and at the latest within 14 days.

Additional Procedures for Boarders

1. Any senior pupil that is given a position of responsibility (eg the Senior Boarders) will be briefed on appropriate action to take if she should receive any allegation of abuse.
2. Boarders missing from the School

•      I.      If in the school day, follow ‘procedure for missing child' (in staff handbook).

•      II.      If outside the school day:

• a) The Headmaster to be notified immediately (in his absence, the Deputy Head).
• b) He will co-ordinate a thorough search of the premises and interview other staff and boarders if necessary.
• c) If the child is not found on the school premises, the Headteacher will immediately notify parents and the police.
• d) In the case of an non-EU pupil, the boarders agency will be notified after 24 hours if the child is not found.
• e) After the child has been found, there will be a review of procedures as outlined in ‘Procedures for a missing child' in the staff handbook.

Responsibilities

The designated teacher is responsible for:

• Adhering to the LA and school procedures with regard to referring a child if there are concerns about possible abuse. Such referrals will be made within 24 hours of notification of a concern.
• Keeping written records of concerns about a child even if there is no need to make an immediate referral.
• Ensuring that all such records are kept confidentially and securely and are separate from pupil records.
• Ensuring that an indication of further record-keeping in marked on the pupil records.
• Attending a child protection conference and review plan meeting and provide up to date information on behalf of the school in respect of an individual child.
• Ensuring that any pupil currently subject to a child protection plan (previously known as the child protection register) who is absent without explanation for two days is referred to Children's Services.
• The governing body will undertake an annual review of the school's child protection policies and procedures and of the efficiency with which the related duties have been discharged.

Supporting Children

We recognise that a child who is abused or witnesses violence may find it difficult to develop and maintain a sense of self-worth. We recognise that a child in these circumstances may feel helpless and humiliated. We recognise that a child may feel self blame.

We recognise that the school may provide the only stability in the lives of children who have been abused or who are at risk of harm.

We accept that research shows that the behaviour of a child in these circumstances may range from that which is perceived to be normal to aggressive or withdrawn.

Our school supports all pupils by:

• Encouraging self-esteem and self-assertiveness whilst not condoning aggression or bullying.
• Promoting a caring, safe and positive environment within school.
• Liaising and working together with all other support services and those agencies involved in safeguarding children.
• Notifying Children's Services as soon as there is a significant concern.
• Providing continuing support to a pupil about whom there have been concerns who leaves the school by ensuring that relevant information, where appropriate, is forwarded under confidential cover to the pupil's new school.

Pupils Making Disclosures to Staff

If a member of staff is told of, or discovers, or has suspicions that abuse may have occurred, or is likely to occur, it is their responsibility to follow this procedure:

• Listen carefully, without showing signs of disquiet.
• Do not promise confidentiality.
• Reassure the informant that information will be restricted to those persons who need to know to ensure the safety of the child.
• Do not express disbelief; take the allegation seriously.
• Do not interrogate or enter into detailed investigations. Where questions are asked they should be ‘open ended' rather than ‘leading' and should allow the child to speak freely.
• Observe carefully the behaviour or demeanour of the child.
• Ensure that the child is not left alone. Take the child to sick bay and contact the designated person.
• As soon as possible record in detail what you have heard. Use handwriting and sign and date the record.
• Refer the matter immediately to the Headmaster and submit the original of your record.

Confidentiality

We recognise that all matters relating to Child Protection are confidential.

The Headmaster or designated teacher will disclose any information about a pupil to other members of staff on a need to know basis only.

All staff must be aware that they have a professional responsibility to share information with other agencies in order to safeguard children.

All staff must be aware that they cannot make a promise of secrecy.

Some Signs and Symptoms of Abuse

• Personality change.
• Very poor behaviour, temper, aggression, attention seeking, anxiety behaviour.
• Thumb sucking, withdrawal, depression, self-injury, suicidal attempts.
• Bruising, lacerations, burns. Fear of undressing.
• Crying about minor things.
• Lack of trust or marked fear of certain adults.
• Sudden change in school performance.
• Short concentration span.
• Overeating or weight loss/anorexia.
• Severe sleep disturbance, bed-wetting.
• Absconding, desire to leave home.

Supporting Staff

We recognise that staff working in the school who have become involved with a child who has suffered harm, or appears to be likely to suffer harm may find the situation stressful and upsetting. We will support such staff by providing an opportunity to talk through their anxieties with the designated member of staff and to seek further support as appropriate.

Guidance for staff (see also 3.3a in the staff handbook)

All members of staff should ensure that their behaviour and actions do not place pupils or themselves at risk of harm or of allegations of harm to a pupil, for example:

In one-to-one tuition, sports coaching, conveying a pupil by car, engaging in inappropriate electronic communication with a pupil.  Staff should ensure that they are never alone with a pupil in a room that has no windows or a door with a window in it.  It is good practice for male members of staff to inform the Deputy Head if they are seeing a girl in a one-to-one situation.

Allegations Against Staff

We understand that a pupil may make an allegation against a member of staff. If such an allegation is made, the member of staff receiving the allegation will immediately inform the Headmaster.

We recognise that children cannot be expected to raise concerns in an environment where staff fail to do so.

All staff should be aware of their duty to raise concerns, where they exist, about the attitude or actions of colleagues.

The Headmaster, where appropriate, will discuss the content of the allegation with the Local Authority  Designated Officer  (LADO) within one working day.

If the allegation made to the member of staff concerns the Headmaster, the designated member of staff will immediately inform the Chairman of Governors who will consult with the LADO.  No investigation will be undertaken without first referring to the LADO.

If the allegation made to the member of staff concerns a member of the boarding staff, she will be required to leave the premises and a relief housemistress will be brought on site.

For the GAP year students, fully resident at school, a room would be provided at Park Farm Hotel, at the school's expense until allegations have been investigated.

If the subject of the allegation is dismissed because s/he is unsuitable to work with children, has acted in a way that constitutes misconduct or has a medical condition that raises concerns about the safety of welfare of children, the governing body must inform the Independent Safeguarding Authority within one month, the name of any person (whether employed, contracted, a volunteer or student) leaving the school because s/he is considered unsuitable to work with children.  The ISA address for referrals is PO Box 181, Darlington DL1 9FA (tel: 0300 123 1111).  In this context, ceasing to use a person's services includes: dismissal; non-renewal of a fixed-term contract; no longer engaging/refusing to engage a supply teacher provided by an employment agency; terminating the placement of a student teacher or other trainee; no longer using staff employed by contractors; no longer using volunteers; resignation and voluntary withdrawal from supply teaching; contract working, a course of initial teacher training or volunteering.  Reports must include as much evidence about the circumstances as possible.  The subject of the referral must be informed and advised to retain any paperwork.  The ISA will consider the matter and after investigating, may place the person on the Protection of Children Act List or on List 99.  Where the allegations are shown to be false the LADO will consider referring the matter to social services so that they can investigate why the child made the allegation.  The Head must decide whether or not to discipline the child.

All records must be placed in the member of staff's file and kept for 10 years or until the person retires.

Use of Reasonable Force

We have a policy covering the use of reasonable force and understand that staff must only ever use physical intervention as a last resort, and that at all times it must be the minimal force necessary to prevent a child injuring itself or to another person.  Staff should never act in a way which causes injury or distress to a child and if this occurs it may be considered under child protection or disciplinary procedures.

Bullying, Racist and Homophobic Incidents

There are close links between this policy and our anti-bullying and equal opportunities policies. Allowing or condoning bullying may lead to consideration under child protection procedures, as might repeated racist/homophobic incidents or a single serious incidents.

Prevention

We recognise that the school plays a significant part in the prevention of harm to our pupils by providing pupils with good lines of communication with trusted adults, supportive friends and an ethos of protection.

The school community will therefore:

• Establish and maintain an ethos where children feel secure and are encouraged to talk and are always listened to.
• Ensure that all children know where there is an adult in the school whom they can approach if they are worried or in difficulty.
• Include in the curriculum opportunities for PSHE and citizenship which equip children with the skills they need to stay safe from harm and to know to whom they should turn for help.

Health and Safety

Our Health and Safety policy, set out in a separate document, reflects the consideration we give to the protection of our children both within the school environment and when away from the school when undertaking school visits, excursions and work experience.

Responsible Person

The appropriate responsible person for the updating of this policy is: The Headmaster

Review and Monitoring

This policy will be reviewed every year.