Child Protection Plan

Policy Document - Safeguarding children procedures for the company’s schools

This policy is:- To ensure that the safety and physical and emotional well-being of the children are paramount at all times. To ensure that the welfare of children is promoted and they are safeguarded and protected from abuse. To ensure all staff have clear guidelines and that an appropriate response is made to any allegation or suspicion of abuse

1.Principles Underlying the Policy.

1.1.The policy document is necessary for the schools to be able to observe all legal requirements, including contractual requirements as laid down by the LA, associated with the welfare and well-being of children in a residential special school.
1.2.The document must embody the principles of the duty of care for children as expected from those in a loco parentis situation.
1.3.A need for such guidelines is to enable the establishment to work within the procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) thus ensuring that the regulations of the Children Act 1989, Care Standards Act 2000, Education Act 2002, the Every Child Matters Agenda and the Children Act 2004, will be followed.
1.4.Of paramount importance is the recognition that the office of Headteacher or Designated Senior Person (DSP), upon whom rests sole accountability for the welfare of the children and staff. The Headteacher must be involved in all matters as laid down in the guidelines on the standard point of professional legality. Where an allegation is made in which a Headteacher is involved this responsibility rests with the Chief Executive of the Company.
1.5.The child has a right to know that any action considered by the management will be in the best interest of that child with the child’s interests of paramount consideration and will need to be taken in the light of both short and long term effects.
1.6.The school must be aware that within the Children Act there is incorporated the principle of the "mature minor". Most of the children in our schools could be regarded as having sufficient ability in order to be able to make an "informed decision" about their part in any proceedings of a legal nature. This is exemplified by a child having a right to refuse to be submitted to a medical examination not withstanding the fact that the medical examination could be officially the result of a Court order.
1.7.The rights of a "mature minor" can supersede the wishes of the parent or those acting in loco parentis.

Implementation

General Guidlines

2.1.It is the duty of all staff to ensure the safety, security and health of the children. All those involved in the provision of care must be alert to the possibility of abuse by other children, visitors, parents and other staff.
2.2.Staff must be sensitive to behaviour which may cause them to suspect that abuse has occurred. Care must be taken not to make assumptions or misinterpret information.
2.3.When communicating with children, staff must understand that it is not possible to give them absolute guarantees of confidentiality as this may make it impossible for the child to be protected from further abuse. The child can be reassured; that only people that need to know will be told. It is the child's right to have as clear and full an explanation of what will happen to the limit of the understanding of the child.
2.4.Records of suspected child abuse or concerns must be kept in such a way that cumulative evidence of abuse can be discerned. To assist this process each school within GGSET has a safeguarding concerns system where staff must record concerns they have about a child’s welfare and wellbeing, linked to safeguarding or potential abuse, within one working shift. Senior staff will then respond to the concern within 24 hours and ensure that the author of the concern receives feedback on the action taken. Staff must be aware that child abuse is often complex, cumulative and can be recognised in an historical context.
2.5.It is a requirement of all staff to report to the school management or the chief executive of the company any concerns they have about practices or behaviours within the school which they consider likely to place children at risk. The DSP will inform the Company Office and Ofsted of any such concerns.
2.6.It is a requirement of the Headteacher (which may be delegated to the DSP) of the company’s schools ensure that training is provided to the school’s staff in the prevention and recognition of abuse, the management of disclosures or suspicions, confidentiality and the child protection procedures. The designated senior person must update their inter-agency training as and when necessary with the minimum being once every two years.
2.7.Safeguarding training is included within the staff induction training for all staff and volunteers and is refreshed when necessary with the minimum being once every two years. The DSP will attend LSCB training once every two years.
2.8.Where it is known that a pupil or a parent has a history of making allegations or exaggerations which have been found to be false, the school’s management team will be informed in order to safeguard the welfare of other pupils and staff.

Action to take

3.1.Any staff suspecting incidents of abuse to a child, including that by a member of staff, must be immediately reported to the DSP, their line manager and/or most senior member of staff on site (a member of the management team).
3.2.Failure by a member of staff to report actual or suspected abuse within one working shift will be seen as misconduct under the company’s disciplinary policy.
3.3. If a child names a person who has abused them on no account must you make contact or question that person.
3.4.DO NOT attempt to investigate the allegation.
3.5.If the child requires immediate medical attention then this will be sought by those staff present as a matter of urgency.
3.6.Write a brief report of the incident with date, time, place, people present and details. This must be signed.
3.7.Keep the child informed of your actions on their behalf.
3.8.Ensure that the child feels confident in your continuing support. Be clear at all times of your duty to share any further information given.
3.9.It is the responsibility of the Headteacher or DSP to inform Ofsted, children’s services, and referring education authority. Communication with the parents is also the responsibility of the Headteacher’s office. In a case where the Headteacher is directly involved this responsibility transfers to the Chief Executive, who will liaise with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) The position of the schools DSP is central to this process.
3.10. Any allegations or suspicions of abuse or significant harm must be referred to the local children’s services department within 24 hours. The referral must be documented, in the case of a telephone referral this should be confirmed in writing within 48 hours.
3.11.Any incident of this nature will be treated by all staff with absolute discretion within the boundaries of confidentiality. Only appropriate staff will need to be provided with full details under the guidance of the DSP.
3.12.Staff will need support when dealing with these difficult and painful issues. It is the responsibility of senior staff to ensure this support is readily available. Further support and advice is available from the Head of Children’s Services.(HoCS)
3.13.If the child does disclose that abuse has occurred the following guidelines should be followed:-
I. Let the child know that you take seriously what they are saying to you.
II. Ensure that the child does not feel that they are to blame for the incident.III. Ensure the child recognises that you regret what has happened but you are pleased that they were able to tell you.
IV. Reassure the child that every effort will be made to protect and support them.
V. Inform the child that you will tell them to whom you are going to pass the information.
VI. Make sure the child knows that further investigations will probably take place.
VII. Acknowledge that this has been a very difficult thing to talk about and that it will probably continue to be difficult.
VIII. Reassure the child that anger, sadness, fear and guilt are quite natural under the circumstances.
IX. Repeat the reassurance that you take seriously what has been said and that you are acting as their “Friend” as well as an adult in charge.
X. Staff must be aware that it is not their responsibility to decide if the allegation is true or not. Even in the event of a pupil having a history of telling untruths or exaggerations the policy and procedures must be followed.
3:14 The Governing body of each Company school has responsibility to ensure that each school’s safeguarding policy is in accordance with their local safeguarding boards’ procedures. The Governing boards will receive regular reports from the DSP.
3:15 The designated senior persons for Brantridge School are Jo Lutton and Mark Smith. The designated senior person’s for Grafham Grange School are Keith Stanley and Sandra Jackson. These staff will meet each half-term to ensure that they are fully aware of all safeguarding and child protection issues within their respective schools.
3:16 The Governor with specific responsibility for Safeguarding at Grafham Grange is Mr. Colin Young and at Brantridge it is Mr. Lloyd Richards. The Governing board will receive termly safeguarding reports from the DSP.
3:17 The Trustee with specific responsibility for Safeguarding is Mr. Lloyd Richards. The Trustee’s receive feedback from Chair of Governors on school’s safeguarding issues.
3:18 GGSET Schools Key Safeguarding Contacts:
Rosemary Terry, West Sussex LADO: 01243 642315
Email: rosemary.terry@westsussex.gov.uk
Geraldine Allen, SSCB LADO: 01372 833321
Email: geraldine.allen@surreycc.gov.uk
Surrey County Council Contact Centre: 0300 2001 006
Ofsted Complaints: 0300 123 4666.
Ofsted Children’s Services: 0300 123 123.
Ofsted Education and Adult Skills: 0300 123 4234.
Whistle-blowing: 0300 123 3155.
Children’s Rights Director:0800 528 0731

Additional Safeguarding Measures

4.1 A single central record is held at the company office, this record details the safeguarding checks and details of all staff including volunteers.
4.2 The Trust Safeguarding policy is agreed with the local safeguarding board.
4.3 The Trust Safeguarding policy is given to all new parents/carers during the admission process.
4.4 Safer recruitment practices are implemented in all appointments. All staff are issued with the ‘Professional Boundaries and Code of Conduct’ letter when they are appointed.
4.5 The Trust’s Health and Safety policy includes safety within the school’s buildings and identifies the range of risk assessments that are required before specific activities.
4.6 Child Protection in the Curriculum. Teaching and learning will take place within the curriculum which helps pupils to keep safe from harm. This will specifically include safety from different forms of harassment and bullying including those related to race, faith, sexuality and disability. Pupils will be able to understand, assess and respond to risks, for example those associated with new technology, water, fire roads and railways. Pupils will know how to complain and how to ask for help.
4.7 Additional measures to safeguard our pupils can be found in; The Health and Safety policies, Holding, Physical Management and Restraint policy, ICT policy, Mobile phone policy, Complaints policy, SaSH policy, Behaviour Management policy, Substance misuse policy, Accommodation agreements, and within the school’s Anti-Bullying policies, Health policies, Health and Safety policy and Curriculum policies.
4.8 Social Networking Sites: Even outside of work, colleagues should be aware that there are real dangers associated with social networking sites which specifically apply to those working with vulnerable children and adults. Staff and volunteers have to recognise the vulnerability of our pupils and ex-pupils and ensure it is not exploited. It is this vulnerability which may lead to the innocent social network communications with pupils/ex pupils/vulnerable adults being misunderstood or misconstrued, or circumstances arise such that an abuse of trust might be wrongly suspected by others and an allegation being made.
If individuals do use such sites whilst away from work, on no account must reference be made to the Company, its schools, staff, pupils or ex-pupils. Pupils and ex-pupils must not be invited/accepted as ‘friends’ onto such sites. The DCSF offered the following guidance; While school employees are private individuals, they also have professional reputations and careers to maintain. Additionally, employees are required not to do anything to endanger the health and safety of their colleagues or others.
4.9 Each school within GGSET will hold a Multi Disciplinary Meeting each half term with the specific focus of discussing pupils who have come to the DSP’s attention due to safeguarding concerns.4.10 Whilst every effort will be made to work in partnerships with parents, staff must remain vigilant to parents/carers not giving permission for pupils to access opportunities for development and support. Repeated refusal might not be considered in the pupil’s best interests and may constitute neglect. If staff have concerns of this nature, the concern must be reported to the DSP.
4.11 The School will seek the involvement of external agencies in the care and planning for a pupil when it is identified of the imminent death or serious illness of a parent/carer/significant other.
Breaches of policy will be treated as misconduct and dealt with according to GGSET Disciplinary Policy.
For the purposes of this policy, a vulnerable adult is defined as a person over the age of 18 years who, by reason of mental or physical disability, age or illness may be unable to take proper care of himself

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P3 Child Protection Policy