Child Protection Policy
INTRODUCTION
Woodcote House School adheres to the principles outlined in the Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004 which places a duty on us to promote the Safety and welfare of children in our care. This is part of a Comprehensive programme of change related to the ‘’Every Child Matters’’ change for children of 2003.This was to help improve the outcomes for children and young people. As of 2006 there are also guidelines for agencies to work together to meet these goals (multi-agency approach).
All children have a right to be protected from abuse. It is the intention of the procedure within this policy to ensure that the appropriate action is taken immediately where it is alleged that a pupil is suspected of being abused. The Safegaurding of each child and meeting their needs is paramount.
Woodcote House follows the guidance of the Surrey Safeguarding children’s Board (S.S.C.B) and the Surrey County Council. Their Web site is : www.surreycc.gov.uk A Handbook with relevant details is available via the School C.P.L.O.
AIMS
- Ensure training of Staff in Safeguarding is provided to all staff and that they are aware of their responsibilities. This needs to be maintained every 3 years.
- The Headmaster and C.P.L.O to receive training every 2 years.
- Ensure all staff have access to the School Protocol
- Ensure staff understand the different types of abuse.
- Raise awareness of staff regarding signs of abuse and neglect.
- Train staff in handling disclosure (including allegations against staff members)
- Recognise the dilemmas of confidentiality.
- Ensure staff know the C.P.L.O is the School Nurse.
- Ensure staff know what to do regarding a missing child
- Inform staff of support structure for children, staff and families
INDUCTION OF STAFF/RECRUITMENT
- All staff are C.R.B checked and from November 2010 all staff will need to apply for an I.S.A number. See separate policy on Recruitment of Staff.
- Correct documentation and procedures are followed in staff recruitment.
- New staff are given training in the Safegaurding of children.
C.P.L.O
- The designated C.P.L.O for Woodcote House is Mrs R. Farooqui (School Nurse)
- The Headmaster is the secondary Officer and will deal with staff allegations related to Child Protection.
- If an allegation is made about the Headmaster this should be reported to the C.P.L.O and in turn the Board of Governors.
ALLEGATIONS MADE AGAINST STAFF MEMBERS
- Any member of staff hearing or being aware of an allegation of abuse against another member of staff, volunteer or any adult working in the school MUST inform the Headmaster.
- In the case of allegations against staff this MUST be reported to the L.A.D.O (Local Authority Designated Officer) within 1 working day.
See separate policy on Whistle-blowing.
ROLES OF THE C.P.L.O AND REPORTING PROCEEDURE.
- Ensure Child Protection Procedures are in place and updated.
- Be aware of the School Policy and Surrey County Council Procedures.
- Be able to provide advice/support to children and staff.
- As far as possible keep disclosures/discussions as confidential .
- Share information on a ‘’Need to know ‘’ basis.
- Liase with Surrey Social Services and discuss any issues that are not straightforward or seek advice when needed.
- Co-ordinate the monitoring of any ‘At Risk’ children or those identified as children in need, instigating the Common Assessment Framework where appropriate. Involving the School Dr to support staff/pupils where useful.
When the C.P.L.O has been informed of a disclosure or suspected abuse or the child is at risk of significant harm the matter must be referred to Social Services immediately. They must also receive this in writing within 24 hrs. If within 3 days there is no communication, the C.P.L.O must contact the Social Services for a response.
The Social Services will drive the investigation and advise the C.P.L.O of what to do next. It is usually their responsibility to liaise with the Police and the Family. Contact numbers for Social Services are with the C.P.L.O.
SCHOOL PROCEEDURE
- Any member of staff having concerns of a disclosure made should ALWAYS discuss these with the C.P.L.O.
- It may only need recording and monitoring but it may be significant and therefore need to be reported to Social Services.
- Any concern should be recorded along with the date, time, name of pupil and then signed. This will be stored in a locked safe place.
GUIDANCE FOR DEALING WITH DISCLOSURES
- LISTEN to the child. Do NOT question/prompt him.
- Never stop a child who is freely recalling significant events.
- Make a written record of the discussion afterwards.
- Discuss with the C.P.L.O
- NEVER promise confidentiality, it may depend on the disclosure.
HANDLING DISCLOSURES
You may not seek information but a child may choose to confide in you about having suffered some kind of abuse, neglect or unhappiness.
Guidelines:
1. Find a QUIET place to talk.
2. Stay CALM and REASSURING
3. Explain you cannot promise to keep what you are told a secret.
4. LISTEN to and believe what you are told.
5. Do NOT press them for details.
6. Ask if they have told anyone else.
7. Don’t make any promises to the child; you may not be able to keep them.
8. Tell them you are pleased they have told you and it was the right thing to do.
9. Empathise that it must have been hard to talk about these matters.
- If the child decides to stop the conversation do not pursue it and inform the C.P.L.O.
- Staff have a duty to share information regarding the safeguarding of children.
- Staff should not discuss confidential information outside the appropriate context.
RECORDING OF DATA
All concerns and disclosures must be recorded and kept safe via the C.P.L.O.
This will include;
- Name of the pupil
- Date and Time
- Who was present
- Comments by pupil as near to their own words as possible.
- Any notes regarding injury, body language etc.
- Signed by reporting person.
- These notes must be clear and legible - they could be used as a reference point for legal matters.
PASTORAL CARE
- The School has a Pastoral care System designed to empower the pupils to seek help when worried or concerned about anything. There are various help line telephone numbers dotted around school.
- Senior students have informal discussion groups with the Headmaster. The individual form tutors show interest and care in their particular students.
- There is a staff meeting once a week where concerns can be discussed.
- There is a school council.
- The Matronal staff and School Nurse are closely involved with the pupils day to day boarding care needs and offer a homely supportive network.
MISSING CHILDREN
If a child is found to be missing we will carry out the following procedure:
- Inform the Headmaster/Senior Master on Duty
- Ask the Staff/Children when the child was last seen
- Undertake a thorough search of the school and grounds
If the child cannot be found anywhere on the school premises:
- The Headmaster will inform the child’s parents
- He will inform the CPLO and will inform the Police
- Members of staff will search the local area on foot / by car
- CPLO will inform LSCB
The school would cooperate fully with any Police investigation and any safeguarding investigation by Social Care. A full record of all activities taken up to the stage at which the child was found would be made for the incident report, along with the reasons given by the pupil for going missing. If appropriate, procedures would be adjusted.
SUPPORT STRUCTURE
Pupils :
- There are notices around School to ensure pupils know who they can approach if they have concerns or worries.
- Staff need to be approachable and pick up on any child’s change in behaviour.
- Unconditional support and help should be given to a child seeking this.
Staff :
- Are able to seek advice and support from the Headmaster and C.P.L.O
- Concerns are often discussed within the team
- Residential matronal staff are supervised and supported by Senior staff.
- Social services may offer support to those involved in a case.
Family :
- The Child Protection Policy is available on our Website
- The Family should be involved as much as possible in discussing/sorting out issues and problems.
- There is an open door policy for parents wishing to speak to staff.
This Policy should be reviewed yearly.
Feb 2010
Woodcote House School
Child Protection
& Safeguarding
Policy
