LAKESIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
1. Introduction
Lakeside School fully recognises its responsibilities for child protection.
We recognise that, because of their day-to-day contact with children, school staff are well placed to observe the outward signs of abuse. The school will therefore:
We will followtheprocedures set out bytheLocal Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and take account of guidance issued bytheDFE to:
We recognise that children who are abused or witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self worth. They may feel helplessness, humiliation and some sense of blame. The school may be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives of children at risk. When at school their behaviour may be challenging and defiant or they may be withdrawn. The school will endeavour to support the pupil through:
Definitions
Neglect
Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. It may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, failing to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes ill health to a child whom they are looking after. This situation is commonly described using terms such as factitious illness by proxy or Munchausen syndrome by proxy.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative (e.g. rape or buggery) or non-penetrative acts. They may include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production or, pornographic material watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill-treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. It may involve causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse in involved in all types of ill-treatment of a child, though it may occur along.
It should be noted that these categories may overlap.
2. School Procedure for Staff
2.1 Any member of staff who:
a has suspicion that a child is injured, marked, or bruised in a way which is not readily attributable tothenormal knocks or scrapes received in play, or whentheexplanation given appears inconsistent withtheinjury;
b. notes behaviours or actions, which give rise to suspicions that a child may have suffered abuse (may include worrying drawings or play);
c. is concerned that a child may be suffering from lack of care, ill treatment, or emotional maltreatment;
d. has concerns that a child is presenting any signs or symptoms consistent with suspicion of child abuse or neglect;
e. notes significant changes in a child’s presentation otherwise unexplained;
f. receives hints or a disclosure of abuse fromthechild, another pupil, parent or member ofthepublic;
g. becomes aware that a Schedule 1 offender has moved into a household with children present or otherwise in a situation where that person may be posing a risk to children;
must immediately report this to the designated child protection teacher
2.2 Remember
a. It is not the responsibility of teachers/care/support staff to investigate abuse
or decide if abuse has taken place. The school
does, however, have a duty to act on any
concerns and refer totheinvestigating agencies
(Social Services andthePolice).
b. Always listen to and take seriously any disclosure of abuse. Keep questions to a minimum, only asking these to clarify information or to assist the child who is finding it difficult to talk. Any questions should be ‘open’ i.e. not have the answer embedded in the question e.g. ‘Can you tell me what happened’ rather than ‘Did x hit you?’
c. Do not interrogate the child. Do not makethe child repeat it all to another person. The information needed from the child is only that which is sufficient to make a referral for further investigation, not for staff to decide the validity of the disclosure.
d. Try not to show signs of shock, horror or surprise.
e. Do not express your feelings or any judgements regarding the alleged abuser.
f. If a child confides in you and requests that the information is kept secret, it is important that you tell the child sensitively that you have a responsibility to refer the information to the designated teacher in order to protect the child from further abuse. ON NO ACCOUNT SHOULD THE CHILD BE PROMISED ABSOLUTE CONFIDENTIALITY.
g. Reassure and supportthechild, as far as possible, that only those who ‘need to know’ in order to protectthem will be told. Explain what will happen next and try to ensure thatthechild is involved as far as possible and appropriate.
h. Do not approach parents at this stage –the designated teacher will decide, based onthe information, if and when parents will be spoken to, ortheHead Teacher.
i. Child protection information is CONFIDENTIAL and will be shared only on a ‘need to know’ basis as determined bythedesignated officersRos LathamandKathryn Pullan.
2.3 Action by the Designated Teacher
a. Staff will immediately informthe designated teacher oftheir concerns. Inthe absence ofthe designated teacher, staff will informthe Headteacher or other senior member of school staff.
b. The designated teacher will decide what needs to happen next. The first consideration will bethe need to address any urgent medical needs ofthe child.
c. The designated teacher to contact City of York (CYC) Council Safeguarding Board for further guidance- 01904 551900 or alternatively refer totheCity of York Safeguarding Children Board Route map in Appendix which is intheHead Teacher’s office/onthenotice boards intheAdmin office.
d. The designated teacher will decide after consultation with Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) whether to talk to parents. Good child protection practice rests within a climate of openness and honesty. Parents will in general and where possible be spoken to unless to do so may placethechild at risk of significant harm, impede any police investigation or placethemember of staff or others at risk. An inability to contact parents will not cause undue delay in making a referral. The designated teacher will not fail to make any necessary child protection referral iftheparents disagree with this decision. The designated teacher will make it clear thatthey are following CYC Guidelines and Procedures and acting ontheir statutory duty.
e. The designated teacher will decide whether to make a formal referral to Children’s Services following advice from LADO, follow this up in writing usingthe standard referral form.
f. In cases where thechild is at immediate risk, there is clear physical evidence or thechild has made a clear disclosure, referral to CYC Safeguarding Board should be made immediately. Ifthe above consultation process is not possible or cannot be completed with a very short timescale (because for examplethe designated teacher is not available)then it isthe responsibility ofthe teacher who gleanedthe information to ensure that a speedy referral is made to Children’s Services. Any member of school staff is entitled to liaise/consult and to make a referral. Absence of key personnel should never prevent a referral whenthere is immediate risk, evidence or direct disclosure.
g. If it is decided not to make a referral at this stage,theaction taken should be fully documented, together withthereasons forthedecisions not to proceed further. The designated teacher may advise that further monitoring is necessary. Parents will be informed.
h. The designated teacher may consider that whilst a child protection referral may not be appropriate, it would be appropriate to make a referral for family support from Children’s Services (Child in Need route) or other services such as, for example, School Health Service; Primary Mental Health Worker for Child and Adolescent Mental Health; Education (Education Social Work, Behaviour Support, Learning Support, Educational Psychologist). Put into place a CAF. This should only ever be done withtheagreement of parents. However, failure to agree may, in some circumstances, itself be a child protection concern.
2.4 Action Following Child Protection Referral
a. The designated teacher will make regular contact with City ofYork Council Safeguarding Boardto provide any necessary information and ensure thatthey are up-to-date, clear about any action being taken bythem, and clear of any action for school to take.
b. The designated teacher or other appropriate member of staff will, wherever possible, contribute tothestrategy discussion.
c. The designated teacher or other appropriate member of staff will attend, contribute to and provide a report for, any subsequent Child Protection Conference. This will include expressing a professional view, based ontheinformation shared as to whetherthechild or children subject oftheConference should be placed ontheChild Protection Register onthegrounds thatthey appear to be at risk of continuing significant harm.
d. Ifthechild or children are placed ontheChild Protection Registertheschool will contribute totheChild Protection Plan, attend Core Group Meetings and Review Child Protection Case Conferences.
e. All reports written will, wherever possible, be shared with parents prior to meetings. If we are in doubt regarding sharing certain information we will discuss with a senior member oftheESW staff.
f. Wherethedesignated teacher disagrees with a decision made by City ofYork Council Safeguarding Boarde.g. not to apply Child Protection Procedures or not to convene a Child Protection Case Conference, he/she will discuss this with a senior member oftheEducation Social Work staff andthey will together agree how to proceed.
3. Recording and Monitoring
3.1 Accurate records will be made as soon as practicable and will clearly distinguish between observation, fact, opinion and hypothesis. All records will be signed and dated, any information given be recorded verbatim where possible and note made of location and description of injuries seen. The designated teacher has agreedthefollowing system of monitoring and review with staff.
3.2 All child protection documents will be retained in a ‘Child Protection’ file, separate from thechild’s main file. This will be locked away and only accessible to theHeadteacher and designated teacher. The Data Protection Act 1998 provides that child protection records be exempt from disclosure where this would not be in theinterests of thechild. These records will be transferred to any future school thechild moves to, clearly marked: Confidential – Child Protection – for the attention of Designated Child Protection Teacher.
4. Partnership with Parents
4.1 LakesideSchoolrecognises thattheprotection of children should always be of paramount importance and consideration and thattheprimary focus in child protection should always bethechild’s safety and welfare. However, good child protection practice and outcome relies on a positive, open, honest working partnership with parents. We will ensure that all parents are treated with respect, dignity and courtesy. We will respect parents’ right to privacy and confidentiality unlessthey give permission for information to be shared or it is necessary to infringe this in order to protectthechild or children.
4.2 When a referral has been made without informing parents we will clearly explain that we have acted:
a. following consultation, and
b. in line with our statutory responsibilities, this policy and LEA and City ofYork Council Safeguarding Board Guidelinesand Procedures.
4.3 We will make parents aware of this policy and guidance intheschool brochure and state that we may, on occasion, need to make referrals without consultation withthem. However, we will make every effort to maintain a positive working relationship withthem whilst fulfilling out duties to protectthechild or children. Parents will be made aware thatthey can view this policy on request.
5. Supporting the Child
5.1 The school will continue to supportthechild and work together with other agencies involved withthefamily.
5.2 Children will be given a proper explanation (appropriate to age and understanding) of what action is being taken ontheir behalf and why. We will provide a secure, caring supportive and protective relationship forthechild.
5.3 The Headteacher/designated teacher will decide which members of staff “need to know” and how muchthey “need to know” in order to support and protectthechild. This will take into accounttheacute difficulty and embarrassment many children have knowing that staff are aware oftheir situation. Central tothedecision will betheneed to protectthechild whilst maintaining, wherever possible,their privacy and dignity and right to confidentiality.
6. Child Protection in the Curriculum
6.1 Lakeside School is committed to raising pupils’ awareness thatthey have a right to not be treated or touched in a way that makesthem unhappy or hurt, that sometimesthey may not feel able to stop an adult doing something thatthey do not like, and thatthere are people in and out of school who will listen tothem and take steps to protectthem from harm. Age appropriate materials are utilised in PSHE in order to help children to understand child protection issues.
7. Safeguards for Pupils and Staff
7.1 The school will follow CYC guidance regardingthesafe recruitment, selection and employment of staff in order to ensure that every effort is made to deter and prevent any person who may pose a risk to children working withthem. This will include ensuring that all relevant personnel are Criminal Records Bureau checked and checked against list 99. Staff volunteers who have not been checked in this manner will not be allowed unsupervised access to children.
7.2 School staff will always act professionally and conduct any relationships with children in a professional manner.
7.3 Staff will not be put in a position which rendersthem particularly vulnerable to false allegations of abuse. Any concerns that, for whatever reason, a member of staff may be vulnerable will be shared withthedesignated teacher and Headteacher who will make appropriate arrangements to reduce/eradicate this risk. The decisions made will be recorded and includethereasons forthem. Iftherisk relates to a particular child a copy will be retained on that child’s file (CP file where appropriate). Parents, where appropriate, will be informed.
7.4 Any member of staff who has concerns thatthebehaviour of another member oftheschool staff is or may be abusive to children will immediately informtheHeadteacher. Ifthese concerns relate totheHeadteacher,thedesignated teacher and/or designated governor will be informed.
7.5 The school’s policy on physical restraint relates to this policy, where a ‘restraint’ appears to have been conducted in a manner which could constitute abusethese procedures will be followed.
7.6 Where abuse by children is either suspected or becomes known,thedesignated teacher will consult withtheHeadteacher and Principal ESW in order to secure appropriate arrangements forthesafety and protection of all and make child protection referrals where appropriate.
7.7 School have made appropriate arrangements for ensuringthesafe use oftheinternet by writing a policy which parents have read and signed giving permission for children to usetheinternet under supervision. The ICT suite is managed by Vital who take every step to ensure safe use.
8 Allegations of abuse made against a member of staff
8.1 All children will be listened to and taken seriously whenever making an allegation of a child protection nature, irrespective ofthepersonthey are makingtheallegation about. We acknowledge that this is particularly difficult whenthesubject oftheallegation is a colleague and/or friend. On no account, however, shouldtheperson listening totheallegation offer an alternative explanation or blamethechild.
8.2 The CYC Safeguarding Board Guidelines and Procedures andtherelevant section oftheHR Manual must always be followed. It is acknowledged that such allegations may be malicious, misplaced or false. We also acknowledge that education staff may on occasion be abusive to children. It is essential for boththechild and members of staff that allegations are investigated properly in order that children are protected and that any member of staff who has been falsely accused can be proven innocent.
8.3 Intheevent that an allegation is made againsttheHeadteacherthematter should be reported totheDesignated Teacher ortheDesignated Child Protection Governor with responsibility for child protection, whose role it is to ensure thattheagreed procedure is followed. They will proceed astheHeadteacher would normally, as below.
8.4 The person who has received an allegation or witnessed an event will immediately inform theHeadteacher who will take steps to secure theimmediate safety needs of thechild or children and seek any urgent medical attention required. The member of staff will not be approached at this stage unless necessary to address theimmediate safety ofthe children.
8.5 The Headteacher will consultthelead LEA officer for Child Protection in order to decide how to proceed. This decision will be made with regard to DfES guidance and LEA/ACPC Guidelines and Procedures designed to securetherights and well-being of children and staff.
8.6 Consideration will be given throughout tothesupport and information needs of pupils, parents and staff. The Headteacher will informthenominated governor for child protection of any allegation against a member of staff.
9 Children who go missing
9.1 When a child who is on thechild protection register ‘goes missing’ or is significantly absent thedesignated teacher will immediately inform Children’s Services. When other children go missing or change school and information is not available regardingthe receiving school,the school will immediately informthe Education Social Work Service, who will take appropriate action to tracethe child.
10 Support for Staff
10.1 Child protection work can be difficult, distressing and extremely stressful. School staff who become involved in this area of work willtherefore often need support and a ‘listening ear’. Staff will be supported by The Headteacher. The designated teacher will be supported bytheGovernors. Please note that additional support is always available fromtheESW Service.
11 Role of Governors
There will be an annual item on the Governors Meeting agenda to address the following:
- to be informed of the number of children in school on the Child Protection Register (not to include names or details);
- consider any training needs;
- be informed of any training undertaken;
- review this policy.
Additionally, governors will undertake their responsibilities in relation to allegations against staff and any disciplinary procedures.
OTHER Policy pertaining to Child Protection
The school has policies around
E-Safety
Bullying
Physical Intervention
Taking Images and Video of Children
Review date – July 2012
