Safeguarding at Shanklea
The Children’s Act states that the child’s welfare is paramount and that every child has the right to protection from abuse, neglect and exploitation.
The aim of the Child Protection and Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures are to safeguard and promote the welfare of children by:
Prevention
All staff will endeavour to ensure that all children using the setting do so safely and appropriately, and are treated with respect and understanding. Shanklea Primary will organise its routines and activities for children with a preventative, safeguarding purpose in mind.
All staff will undergo an enhanced DBS check.
It is important to note that a person who is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults will be breaking the law if they work or volunteer, or try to work or volunteer with those groups.
An organisation, which knowingly employs someone who is barred to work with those groups, will also be breaking the law.
Our organisation works with children and if we dismiss a member of staff or volunteer because they have harmed a child or we would have done so if they had not left we must tell the Independent Safeguarding Authority.
Protect
Shanklea Primary School will take all reasonable steps to safeguard and protect the rights, health and well being of all children who are in our care. Shanklea Primary has a Child Protection Policy.
Support
Child Protection training is mandatory for all staff and will be part of their induction programme. The designated safeguarding officer is Head Teacher Mrs H Brown who will ensure that the staffs’ knowledge, understanding and practice of safeguarding children is current and up to date at all times. Where gaps are identified support and training will be mandatory. We recognise that child protection issues can be emotive and the designated safeguarding officer will offer support to any member of staff affected by this policy, whether directly or indirectly.
Shanklea Primary School fully recognise its responsibilities for child protection. We intend to create an environment in which children are safe from abuse and in which any suspicion of abuse is promptly and appropriately responded to.
Our fundamental responsibly is the welfare and well being of the children in our care.
In order to do this we:
- Develop and implement procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases of abuse, including procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff or volunteer.
- Ensure we practice robust recruitment procedures in checking the suitability of staff/volunteers/students to work with children, this will include regular DBS checks.
- Ensure all staff have read and understood the child protection policy and procedures.
- Our designated senior person for child protection Mrs H Brown who ensures all staff are confident in their knowledge, role and responsibilities.
- Ensure all staff have completed the school based or online Child Protection training.
- Ensure every staff member (including temporary/supply staff/students) know who the designated child protection officer is.
- Ensure all staff understand all their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse and their responsibility for referring any concerns to the designated child protection officer.
- Involve parents/carers wherever possible and ensure they have an understanding of the responsibilities placed on Shanklea Primary staff) for safeguarding children by setting out its obligations in the policy and procedures file
- Raise awareness of child protection issues and equipping children with skills needed to keep themselves safe.
- Ensure staff are positive role models to children and other members of the team.
- Staff will ensure that, if any form of manual or physical support is required (see physical intervention policy) it is provided as a last resort and done openly and appropriately, and that children are always consulted and their agreement gained (taking age and development into account).
- Develop effective links with relevant agencies and co-operate as required with any enquires regarding child protection matters including attendance of case conferences.
- Keep written records of concerns about children, even where there is no need to refer the matter immediately (Dated and signed on each page)
- Ensure all records are kept securely locked away. If a database is used to record sensitive information it will be stored on a memory stick (not the hard drive of a computer) and kept off premises or locked in a safe. Under the Data Protection Act 1998, we will register with the “Information Commisioners Office” (ICO) Telephone number: 01625 545 740 or www.ico.gov.uk and follow the guidelines required.
- Establish a safe environment in which children can learn and develop, particularly with their confidence and self esteem and to provide opportunities to achievement in accordance with the Statutory Every Child Matters Framework which are Being Healthy, Staying Safe, Enjoy and Achieve, Positive Contributions and Economic Well Being.
- Support children who have been abused in accordance with his/her agreed child protection plan.
The above guidance is not considered an exhaustive list. If staff have any concerns regarding the appropriateness of any practice/action they should contact the leaders and the designated child protection officer.
Shanklea Primary recognises that because of the day to day contact with children, staff are well placed to observe the outward signs of abuse.
Therefore we will:
- Establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk and are listened to.
- Ensure children know that there are adults (Key Person) in the pre-school whom they can approach if they are worried.
- Include opportunities in the curriculum to develop the skills they need to recognise and stay safe from abuse.
Intimate/Personal Care
Children’s dignity will be preserved and a level of privacy ensured.
The normal process of changing see Intimate/Personal Care policy should not raise child protection concerns. A second member of staff must be available to supervise the changing process to ensure that abuse does not occur and so ensure that staff do not leave themselves vulnerable and will always work in an open environment by avoiding private or unobserved situations, by closing doors to toilet areas.
Use of Mobile Phones and Cameras
It is prohibited for any staff to use their mobile phones to take pictures of the children attending Shanklea Primary School. Written consent will be gained by all parents/carers before any photographs are taken.
Confidentiality
Child protection concerns are kept confidential and only shared with people on a “need to know” basis.
Parental Partnership
Parents must notify the school regarding any concerns they may have about their child and any accidents, incidents or injuries affecting the child, which will be recorded.
Child Protection is about us all working together for the well being of all children.
Physical Abuse
Any sign of a mark or an injury to a child will be discuss with the parent and recorded when they arrive, should there be any queries or concerns regarding the injury we will notify the Local Authority’s Initial Response Team.
Emotional Abuse
If we feel that there is an extreme adverse affect of behaviour or emotional development, caused by severe ill treated or rejection, we will discuss this with the parents and this will be recorded. Should the abuse be persistent or we have any queries or concerns, we will notify the Local Authority’s Initial Response Team.
Sexual Abuse
If we witness occasions where a child may indicate sexual activity through words, play, drawing or inappropriate knowledge of adult sexual behaviour we will refer the matter the Local Authority’s Initial Response Team.
Neglect
If we have good reason to suspect there has been persistent or wilful neglect of a child (i.e. Exposure to any kind of danger, including cold and starvation) which results in serious impairment of the child’s health or development, including failure to thrive, we will discuss our concerns with the parent and record the outcome.
Should there be any queries or concerns, we will notify the Local Authority’s Initial Response Team.
Please see the 'Policies' page for Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy and Whistle Blowing Policy.