Child Safeguarding Policy

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Introduction

This policy is for all staff and adults of work, visit, or volunteer at Didac school. It is also available to parents and host families.

Didac School Eastbourne fully recognises its responsibilities for child protection. Our policy applies to all staff, host families and volunteers working in or for the school.

Statutory guidance states “Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children”. This policy intends to put this guidance into practice to ensure children’s safety, welfare and protection is promoted at all times during at  Didac, on school activities, in their host families and whilst in the UK.

This policy will be reviewed annually prior to the start of the school year by the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Staff Safeguarding training will also be reviewed annually.

We believe that:

• all our students, regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or religion, have the right to protection from physical, emotional, neglect and sexual abuse.

• all people working or volunteering for our school have a responsibility for the protection of our students and for reporting concerns about their welfare or safety.

• All Didac staff and host families should promote the safety and wellbeing of all our students at all times.

 

Policy context:

This policy has been written with the aid of the following UK Government documents:

• Keeping children safe in Education: Statutory guidance for schools and colleges (Sept 2016).

• Working together to safeguard children: A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children (March 2015).

• Child sexual exploitation: Definition and a guid for practitioners, local leaders and decision makers working to protect child from child exploitation (Feb 2017).

• The Prevent duty: Departmental advice for school and childcare providers (June 2015).

 

These documents are available on the staffroom safeguarding self from all staff to consult.

 

Terminology:

Children: this refers to students under 18.

Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL). These are the staff members appointed to take lead responsibility for child protection issues in school.

 

Didac School Safeguarding Roles and training

All Didac Staff have been trained to a minimum of level 2 Safeguarding.

All Didac have completed ‘Prevent training”

All Didac staff are provided with websites, video’s, articles, and book chapters related to child protection, sexual exploitation, and mental health (self harm, suicide, depression), to promote their ongoing training.

Under 18’s: The schools ‘coaching curriculum’ is used educated all under 18’s in the importance of looking out for each other’s safety and wellbeing and passing on any concerns to staff.

Didac has a Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL):  Brent Dyer (Principal). This is to safeguard against one DSL being absent and if the child protection concern or accusation concerns one of the DSL. In which case the other DSL should be consulted. In the case of both DLS’s being involved with the accusation another staff member should be consulted and Eastbourne Child Protection (children services) contacted as soon as possible for advice.

 

Children’s services and emergency contact.

 

Child protection

St Marks house

14 Upperton House, Eastbourne,

East Sussex

BN21 1 EP

Tel: 01323 464222 / Out of hours: 01273335905

In an emergency call 999.

For additional advice or support call Childline on: 0800 1111 (24hr free phone)

 

Under 18’s: The schools ‘coaching curriculum’ is used educated all under 18’s in the importance of looking out for each other’s safety and wellbeing and passing on any concerns to staff.

 

Associated Policies

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Didac School has separate policies on:

Student Mental Health and wellbeing policy that refers to safeguarding, child protection in relation to student mental health and wellbeing. It also explains in detail the school’s wider wellbeing approach and associated support and curriculum.

Safer Recruitment policy that refers to safeguarding and employment in relation to all staff and host families.

Alcohol, Drugs and Smoking (see staff handbook)

Leisure Time safeguarding and risk assessment policy that refers to risk assessment and safeguarding procedures on out of school activities

Transport policy that refers to safeguarding U18 transport

E-safety policy that refers to internet safeguarding in school for U18’s

Host families and accommodation policy that refers to safeguarding and child protection for U18’s in Host families

Appropriate staff behaviour, (see handbook) dress, student contact and language can be found in the staff handbook.

 

Procedures

We recognise that because of our day to day contact with the students, school staff are well placed to observe the outward signs of abuse. The school will therefore:

• Establish and maintain an environment where students feel secure, are encouraged to talk, and are listened to.

• Ensure students know that there are adults in the school such as the Head of Wellbeing, whom they can approach if they have concerns or issues they need to discuss.

• Include opportunities in the curriculum for students to develop the skills they need to recognise and stay safe from abuse.

• Ensure Didac has 2 Designated Safeguarding Leads, and that all other staff have at least level 2 safeguarding training.

• Ensure all staff have ‘Prevent’ training in line with government recommendations.

• Ensure there are clear ‘whistleblowing’ procedures in place for all staff.

 

We will follow the procedures set out by the Area Child Protection Committee and take account of guidance issued by the Department for Education and Skills to:

• Ensure we have members of staff who are able to deal with a range of safeguarding, welfare, child protection and wellbeing issues such as the Head of Wellbeing / DSL.

• Ensure every member of staff, volunteer and host family knows that the Principal is responsible for child protection within the school.

• Ensure all staff and volunteers understand that Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility. This includes being alert to the signs of abuse and responsibility for referring any concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead

• Keep written records of concerns about students, even where there is no need to refer the matter immediately.

• Ensure all records are kept securely.

• Develop and then follow procedures where an allegation is made against a member of staff or volunteer.

• Ensure safe recruitment practices are always followed and staff responsible for employment have the appropriate safeguarding training.

• Work in partnership with local health and social services to ensure we fulfil our duties and make all referrals necessary.

• Work with a Social, Health and Police services in a students home country with safeguarding and child protection issues when appropriate.

 

We recognise that students 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. When at school their behaviour may be challenging and defiant or they may be withdrawn. The school will endeavour to support the pupil through:

• The content of the curriculum including a wellbeing focused “coaching” course.

• The school ethos which promotes a positive, supportive and secure environment and gives pupils a sense of being valued.

• Open access to the School therapist through drop-in services or student, staff, parent, health services referral.

• The school behaviour policy which is aimed at supporting vulnerable pupils in the school.  The school will ensure that the pupil knows that some behaviour is unacceptable but they are valued and not to be blamed for any abuse which has occurred.

• Work in partnership with health and social services in child protection, safeguarding and welfare matters.

 

We will review our policy annually during our special weeks in August.

 

There are four forms of abuse: physical, emotional, sexual and neglect.  Staff should be aware of the following ways in which possible child abuse could be detected:

 

• injuries, bruises, difficulty in moving

• furtive, secretive behaviour; uncharacteristic aggression or withdrawn behaviour; low self esteem; unhappiness; fear; distress; anxiety; attention seeking; opposing; withdrawn; insecure; failure to thrive; attachment disorders; indiscriminate friendliness: poor social relationships; poor concentration

• compulsive eating or lack of appetite

• suddenly becoming ill 

• difficulty in keeping awake

• repeated absences.

• sexual abuse: general signs as above and/or direct disclosure

• physical signs of neglect

 

If any member of staff suspects that a student has been abused or is at risk of being abused, he/she should inform the social welfare officer immediately.

 

Where members of staff see signs which cause them concern they should seek information from the student with tact and sympathy.  It is not, however, the responsibility of the staff to investigate suspected abuse.  They should not take action beyond that agreed in the procedures established by the Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards.

 

Care must be taken in asking and interpreting students’ responses to and questions about indications of abuse.

 

DO

• Do treat any allegations extremely seriously and act at all times towards the student as if you believe what they are saying.

• Do tell the students they are right to tell you.

• Do reassure them that they are not to blame.

• Do be honest about your own position, who you have to tell and why.

• Do tell the child what you are doing and when, and keep them up to date with what is happening.

• Do take further action – you may be the only person in a position to prevent future abuse – tell the social welfare officer or Principal immediately.

• Do write down everything said and what was done on a cause for concern referral form where possible.

• Do seek medical attention if appropriate, immediately if necessary.

• Do inform host parents / parents unless there is suspicion of their involvement.

 

 

DON’T

• Don’t make promises you can’t keep.

• Don’t interrogate the student – it is not your job to carry out an investigation – this will be up to the police and social services, who have experience in this.

• Don’t cast doubt on what the student has told you and don’t interrupt or change the subject.

• Don’t say anything that makes the student feel responsible for the abuse.

• Don’t do nothing – make sure you tell the social welfare officer or Principal immediately.

 

The Principal and/or Head of Wellbeing (both Designated Safeguarding Leads) will:

• in case of serious injury, make arrangements to transport the student to hospital.

• if more corroboration is needed, call a staff meeting to share observations to ascertain whether there is a consensus of concern.  If appropriate, he/she may decide to continue with and maintain records of observations.  Depending on the situation, he/she may or may not contact social services and/or the host parents.

• If needed contact Social Services.  Agreement should also be reached with Social Services regarding whether there should be an immediate disclosure to the host parents / parents that a referral has been made and if so, by whom.

• immediately follow any oral report with a written report.

• in the case of a situation that needs urgent advice or referral arises outside of office hours (for example, if the student or other members of the family are in danger) call the 999.

 

Action to be taken where abuse by a member of staff is suspected

 

In the event that an employee suspects that a student is being abused by a member of staff, a report should be made in the strictest confidence to the DSL, who will then follow the procedures set down in Section 6 of the East Sussex Area Child Protection Committee’s Child Protection Procedures. These are in addition to our own internal procedures.

 

If either of the DSL’s are suspected of improper conduct, the employee concerned should contact the alternate member of staff.

 

Action to be taken where abuse by a student is suspected

 

In the event of a student being accused of abuse or inappropriate behaviour Didac would prioritise the immediate safety of all concerned. Statements and risk assessments by the DLS would be undertaken and an investigation. Eastbourne children’s services would be contacted early on for advice and support in investigating the accusation to the best of our ability. Please consult the staff handbook for further information on disciplinary procedure for students.

 

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

CSE is a form of sexual abuse that may include physical contact and assault, non-penetrative acts or non contact activities such as involving child in the production of sexual images. It occurs where an individual or group manipulates or coerces an under 18 into sexual activity, in exchange for something the victim wants. CSE does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.

 

All staff receive information on CSE and warning signs for the Head of Wellbeing and are level 2 safeguarding trained.

 

All staff understand, in reference to the Sexual Offences Act 2003, that sexual activity with a student under the age of 18, is against the law (even though the age for consent is 16).

 

The Department of Education ‘Child Sexual Exploitation guide’ is available to all staff in the staff room or on-line.

The school therapist in specialist training provides an additional facility to safeguard against CSE and provide under 18’s with a safe space to disclose.

 

All students receive information of ‘Healthy, unhealthy and inappropriate relationships’ in coaching lessons in school.

 

Any concerns from staff or families would follow Didac’s ‘cause for concern’ procedure as outlined above.

 

For further information please see the NSPCC website.

 

Prevent

Didac understands it is our duty to identify children who may be vulnerable to radicalisation, and know what to do when they are identified. As such all staff have had CPD training on this issue.

 

Didac also understands the duty to promote fundamental British values and Prevent duty is not intended to stop pupils debating controversial issues. Didac’s curriculum incorporates debate and promotes diversity and difference education through coaching and all lessons.

 

Didac staff also understand it is there duty to raise any concerns regarding students vulnerable to radicalising, those at risk of being drawn into terrorism - including support for extremist ideas. This concerns would be addressed through cause for concern and safeguarding procedures. The risk assessment would then be taken up by the DSL and Child protection (Children’s services) contacted for advice.

 

Record keeping

 

When a child protection concern arises, it is essential that it is recorded.  Such a record is highly sensitive and should be kept only by the Head of Wellbeing /or the Principal.  It might also be used in a court of law.

 

It is the Principal’s responsibility to ensure all staff recognise the importance of good record keeping as an essential part of child protection accountability.

 

Reports concerning any incident or concern of a child protection nature should be:

 

• recorded in clear and straightforward language.

• be accurate and concise and differentiate between fact, observation, opinion and allegation.

• timed, dated and signed by the member of staff recording the incident.

• stored securely within the student’s file in the Wellbeing office.

 

Confidential information held by schools about child protection concerns or allegations do not form part of a student’s record and in the case that a parent asks to see their child’s record, such information can be removed.

 

Trainings, meetings and resources

 

The school recognises that the staff will require appropriate training, will need to attend key meetings and have access to relevant literature regarding child abuse.  Resources should be made available for the above when required.

 

Brent Dyer

Principal

Date:  18th March 2018

 

Useful links for further information : http://www.eastsussexlscb.org.uk