Statement of Purpose
Maidenbower Infant School is committed to the safeguarding of our children. This policy
establishes the school’s position, role and responsibilities and clarifies what is expected
from everyone to protect the children in our care.
Every child that attends Maidenbower Infant School should be able to learn in an enjoyable and safe environment and to be protected. This is the responsibility of every adult involved
in the school.
We recognise however, that child abuse is a very emotive and difficult subject. It is important to understand our feelings but not to allow them to interfere with our professional judgement about any action to be taken. Maidenbower Infant School recognises its responsibilities to safeguard the welfare of all children by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect and bullying.
We are determined to meet our obligation to ensure that we provide the highest possible standard of care.
This policy has been written in line with the West Sussex County Council Child Protection
procedures.
Abuse can occur anywhere including home and school. It is important to know and understand that some individuals will actively seek employment within schools in order to
gain access to children in order to harm them. It is therefore important for everyone involved in the school that has contact with children to recognise the fact that they are an important link in identifying cases where children are in need of protection. All suspicious cases of poor practice should be reported to the Headteacher or in cases involving the Headteacher, the Chair of the School Governors, and the guidelines in this policy should be followed.
It is not our responsibility to decide whether abuse has taken place or not and in every
instance we will pass on the information to the appropriate authority.
Maidenbower Infant School will ensure that:-
• The welfare of all children is paramount.
• All children, whatever their age, gender, culture, disability, language, racial origin or religious beliefs have the right to protection from abuse.
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
• Any abused child will be supported in accordance with his/her Child Protection Plan.
A child is defined as any person under the age of 18.
Key Principles
Maidenbower Infant School will take responsibility for:
• Respecting and promoting the rights, wishes and feelings of children.
• Training staff members to adopt best practice to safeguard and protect children from abuse.
• Ensuring all employees are subject to the relevant checks before commencing
employment. (CRB and List 99 as appropriate)
• Adhering to the Safer Recruitment guidance when employing new staff.
• Responding to any allegation appropriately.
• Reviewing this policy on an annual basis.
Promoting Good Practice
Good practice means:
• Always working in an open environment, where possible, avoiding private or
unobserved situations and always encouraging open communication.
• Treating all children equally with respect and dignity.
• Always putting the welfare of each child first.
• Maintaining a professional and appropriate relationship with all children.
• Building balanced relationships based upon mutual trust and empowering children to share in decision making.
• Keeping up to date with all qualifications and training in order to offer the best support possible to the children and School.
• Being a good role model to the children.
• Giving constructive feedback rather than negative criticism.
• Recognising the developmental needs of the children.
• Securing parental consent in writing to act in loco parentis, if the need arises to administer emergency first aid and or other medical treatment.
• Keeping a written record of any injury that occurs along with details of any treatment given.
• Requesting written parental consent if any school staff member or volunteer are required to transport children in their own personal cars.
Named Person for Child Protection
The named contact for Maidenbower Infant School is Alison Collins, Headteacher. In the
event that this person is unavailable a member of the Leadership Team should be nominated
and act in their absence.
If You Have Concerns About A Child
If a child makes a disclosure, whether about an incident in the School or at home, staff will
- React calmly.
- Reassure the child that they were right to tell and that they are not to blame and take what the child says seriously.
- Inform the Headteacher, who will:-
- Keep questions to an absolute minimum to ensure a clear and accurate understanding of what has been said.
- Not promise confidentiality, which might not be feasible in the light of any possible future developments.
- Inform the child of what will happen next.
- Record and retain all information received so that, if requested, a full written report can be provided at a later stage.
- Keep a log of incidents/injuries that are cause for concern.
- Immediately report children who are in need of protection.
- Make a full and written record of what has been said and heard as soon as possible in order to maintain accuracy. (See annexe 1).
- Seek guidance from Social Services.
Services for Children and Young People and Children’s Social Care have a statutory obligation and duty under The Children’s Act 1989 to ensure the welfare of a child. When a child protection referral is made they have a legal responsibility to investigate and all agencies have a duty to co-operate with any investigation. This may involve talking to the
child, their family and gathering information from other people who know the child.
Enquiries involving criminal proceedings will involve the police who would take ownership in
this instance.
The protection of children is paramount and if you have any concerns about a child being abused or neglected then the Headteacher or leadership Team member must contact:-
Contact Details
Social Services. Tel: 01243 777100.
The Child Development Centre, Crawley Hospital Tel: 01293 600300
West Sussex County Council Child Protection Officer,
Neil Holden: Tel: 01243 642410.
Sussex Police. Tel: 0845 6070999
Child and Young Person’s Service. Tel: 0845 0751007
Annexe 1
The Report
A child protection report must include:
• The child’s full details including full name, age and date of birth.
• The child’s home address and telephone number.
• Whether or not the person making the report is expressing their own concerns or those of someone else.
• The nature of the allegation if possible including times and dates but remember not to go into great detail as this could have implications on any possible future
proceedings.
• A clear distinction between what is fact and what is hearsay.
• Any description of bruising or other injuries. Also any other signs such as behavioural.
• Details of any witnesses to the incident.
• The child’s brief account, if it can be given, of what has happened and how any injury or bruising occurred.
• Whether the parents have been contacted, their full details and the content of the conversation.
• Whether anyone else has been contacted and if so who and their full details.
• Where possible any referral to the Police or Social Services should be confirmed in writing within 24 hours and the name of the person taking the referral should be
recorded as a point of contact.
Reviewed March 2008
