CHILD PROTECTION POLICY & PROCEDURES

 

Woodford Green Preparatory is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils. Our procedures are in accordance with the Redbridge agreed inter-agency procedures. The designated Child Protection Officer for the school including the EYFS is Julia Still, the Deputy Head who is given the status and authority to take responsibility for child protection matters. She undertakes regular training (at least every two years but more often if changes are made) with Redbridge to ensure that she is up to date with the latest information and delivers training to the staff every three years during one of the pre-term inset days. New staff are issued with the policy and informed of the correct procedures. The Chairman of the Governors’ Risk Management committee, Eunice Sparks, is designated to liaise with the CPO and is immediately notified of any child protection issues which arise. She monitors the implementation and effectiveness of the school’s procedures through regular meetings with the CPO. The Risk Protection Committee’s findings including those on child protection matters are considered by the full Board of Governors termly. The Governors require that any perceived weakness in the school’s child protection procedures is remedied as soon as it is identified.

 

In order to minimise the chances of employing unsuitable persons, a safe recruitment procedure is followed as recommended. This includes statements in advertisements, checks on previous employment record, identity and qualifications and CRB enhanced disclosure. All employees and volunteers are subject to CRB checks. When prospective staff are interviewed at least one interviewer will have been successfully trained in safe recruitment procedures. Both the Head and the Bursar are certificated in these procedures. A central register is kept of all the checks made on employees and volunteers. Details can be obtained from the bursar.

 

It is the duty of all staff to be aware of the following definitions and procedures and to follow them if there is any suspicion that any child may be subject to one of the categories of abuse listed. To this end all members of staff are expected to participate in the regular training sessions held at the school. The four categories of abuse and some of their more common indicators are listed below. All signs should be taken in context and because a child exhibits one or more it must not be concluded that there is necessarily a problem. Rather it is the apparently unexpected or inexplicable deviation from the normal pattern of behaviour of a child which may arouse suspicion. The unusual behaviour of a child during the separation of his/her parents, for example, would be both expected and explicable, and while it would cause concern and no doubt discussions with parents, it would almost certainly not cause suspicions of abuse.

 

1. PHYSICAL ABUSE

Possible signs

·       Unexplained injuries or burns, especially recurrent

·       Improbable excuses for injuries

·       Refusal to discuss injuries

·       Admission of what appears to be excessive punishment

·       Avoidance of physical contact

·       Arms and legs covered in hot weather

·       Fear of going home

·       Fear of medical help

·       Self-destructive tendencies

·       Excessive aggression towards others

·       Persistent running away

 

2. SEXUAL ABUSE

Possible signs

·       Sudden unexplained changes in behaviour or school performance

• Displays of affection in a sexual way inappropriate to age
• Tendency to cling or cry easily
• Regression to young behaviour
• Complaints of genital itching or pain
• Distrust of a familiar adult or anxiety about being left with a relative, babysitter etc.
• Depression and withdrawal
• Fear of undressing e.g. for sport

 

3. EMOTIONAL ABUSE

Possible signs

·       Admission of what appears to be excessive punishment

·       Over-reaction to mistakes

·       Continual self-deprecation

·       Fear of new situations

·       Sudden speech disorders

·       Inappropriate emotional response to painful situations

·       Neurotic behaviour (rocking, thumb-sucking etc.)

·       Self harm

·       Extremes of passivity or aggression

·       Running away

·       Compulsive stealing

 

4. NEGLECT

Possible signs

Constant hunger

Poor physical hygiene

Emaciation

Untreated medical problems

Frequent unsatisfactorily explained absence

Low self esteem

Neurotic relationships

Running away

Compulsive stealing

 

WHAT TO DO if a child tells you something including making an allegation of abuse against another pupil

 

• Listen carefully to the child
• After, not during the interview, write down what the child said in his/her words, not your own.
• Record the time and the date
• At this stage do not question what the child has said – believe it
• If you are shown an injury record the extent, description and size
• Do not give an opinion
• If what the child says gives cause for concern refer the matter to the CPO or if not available the Head.
• Record what the CPO decides
• Do not talk to the child’s parents or carers (or the alleged abuser’s) before seeking advice from the CPO

 

The CPO will contact the Redbridge Child Protection Officer or the duty staff at the Advice Centre (020 8708 3885 or 3781 or fax 0208 708 3886) within 24 hours in order to discuss or to refer a matter which causes concern. Either she or the Head will inform the Chairman of the Risk Management Committee.

 

Do not attempt to investigate the matter initially yourself nor ask the child “leading questions”. Confine questions to open ones like “tell me what happened?”.

 

 

WHAT TO DO if you receive an allegation against a member of staff.

 

Children who report to a teacher (or other member of staff) that a member of staff has abused them must be listened to and heard, whatever form their attempts to communicate their worries take. The following points give guidance on how to deal with a child who makes an allegation:

• The child should be listened to but not interviewed or asked to repeat the account.  Avoid questions, particularly leading questions.
• The child should not be interrupted when recalling significant events.
• All information should be noted carefully, including details such as timing, setting, who was present and what was said, in the child’s own words.  The account should be obtained verbatim or as near as possible.
• Care should be taken not to make assumptions about what the child is saying or to make interpretations.
• Listened to means just that; on no account should suggestions be made to children as to alternative explanations for their worries.
• The written record of the allegations should be signed and dated by the person who received them as soon as practicable.
• All actions subsequently taken should be recorded.

 

A member of staff must not promise confidentiality to a pupil who makes an allegation.  In responding to a child who makes disclosures, account should be taken of the age and understanding of the child and whether the child or others may be at risk of significant harm.  While acknowledging the need to create an environment conducive to speaking freely, the member of staff should make it clear to a pupil who approaches him/her asking for confidentiality that, he/she will need to pass on what has been told so as to ensure the protection of the child(ren), in accordance with  the school’s procedures. Within that context, the child should then be assured that the matter will be disclosed only to people who need to know about it.

 

The allegation must then be reported to the CPO and the Head, unless the allegation refers to one of them in which case report to the other. If the allegation is against the Head or the CPO must report it to the Chairman of the Risk Management Committee.

 

Unless the allegation is demonstrably false – i.e. circumstances make it impossible for the allegation to be true – then the CPO with the Head will decide that one or more of the following actions are taken:

 

• The matter is referred to the Redbridge Advice Centre for guidance.
• The matter is referred to the police (in the case of an allegation of a criminal act)
• The matter is dealt with at school level under the school’s disciplinary procedures (for example an inappropriate use of force to restrain a pupil)

 

Suspension on full pay pending investigation of the alleged perpetrator is not automatic and will depend upon advice received. Parents, carers, other children may not be informed before advice has been received and, in the case of a possibly criminal allegation, without the permission of the police.

 

The departure of any member of staff or contracted person who has proved to be unsuitable to have contact with children will be reported to the Independent Safeguarding Authority within one month of departure ( PO Box 181, Darlington DL1 9FA – te. 0300 123 1111)