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Child
Protection Policy
Pippins
School fully recognizes its responsibilities for child
protection.
Our policy applies to all staff, governors and volunteers
working in the school. There five main elements to our
policy are to:
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ensure we practice safe recruitment in checking the
suitability of staff and volunteers to work with children.
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raise awareness of child protection issues and equipping
children with the skills needed to keep them safe
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develop and then implementing procedures for identifying
and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse
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support pupils who have been abused in accordance with
his/her agreed child protection plan
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establish a safe environment in which children can learn
and develop.
We
recognize that because of the day-to-day contact with
children, school staff are well placed to observe the
outward signs of abuse. The school will therefore:
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establish and maintain an environment where children
feel secure, are encouraged to talk, and are listened
to
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ensure children know that there are adults in the school
whom they can approach if they are worried
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include opportunities in the PSHE curriculum for children
to develop the skills they need to recognise and stay
safe from abuse.
We
will follow the procedures set out by the Local Safeguarding
Children Board and take account of guidance issued by
the DCSF to:
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ensure
we have a designated senior person for child protection
who has received appropriate training and support for
this role
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ensure we have a nominated governor responsible for
child protection
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ensure every member of staff (including temporary and
supply staff and volunteers) and governing body knows
the name of the designated senior person responsible
for child protection and their role
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ensure all staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities
in being alert to the signs of abuse and responsibility
for referring any concerns to the designated senior
person responsible for child protection
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ensure that parents have an understanding of the responsibility
placed on the school and staff for child protection
by setting out its obligations in the school prospectus
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develop effective links with relevant agencies and co-operate
as required with their enquiries regarding child protection
matters including attendance at case conferences
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keep written records of concerns about children, even
where there is no need to refer the matter immediately
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ensure all records are kept securely, separate from
the main pupil file, and in locked locations
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develop and then follow procedures where an allegation
is made against a member of staff or volunteer
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ensure safe recruitment practices are always followed.
We
recognize that children 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. The school may be the only stable, secure
and predictable element in the lives of children at
risk. When at school their behaviour may be challenging
and defiant or they may be withdrawn. The school will
endeavour to support the pupil through:
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the
content of the curriculum;
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the school ethos which promotes a positive, supportive
and secure environment and gives pupils a sense of being
valued;
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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;
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liaison with other agencies that support the pupil
such as social services, Child and Adult Mental Health
Service, education welfare service and educational
psychology service;
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Ensuring that, where a pupil on the child protection
register leaves, their information is transferred
to the new school immediately and that the child's
social worker is informed.
Procedures
On every occasion when a member of staff has reason to
suspect that a child is suffering from any form of abuse,
they should express their concerns immediately to the
designated Child Protection Officer ( Headteacher ,Lucy
Barnes or in her absence SENCO Jill Janotti. In the absence
of both these personnel, concerns should be passed to
the Deputy Headteacher Simon Trick). These concerns may
then contact the Child Protection Team at Social Services.
If a child volunteers information to a member of staff
regarding possible abuse, sensitivity should be exercised
and the following principles should be followed.
Listen
carefully to the child – do not question or suggest.
It is the role of the police and social services to interrogate.
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Do not stop a child who is freely recalling significant
events. Make written notes as soon as possible and as
accurately as possible. Sign and date the notes and
state whether or not they are verbatim.
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Tell the child you need to get advice from someone else.
Never tell a child that you will keep a secret for him/her
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Staff must not inform parents when any abuse is suspected
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Respect the child’s right to confidentiality and
only inform those who need to know
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If you are contacted by anyone outside the school with
information always inform the Designated Teacher for
Child Protection.
Staff
Training
The Headteacher and SENCO have received Level 2 CP training
( Nov and Dec 09)
All members of staff with direct contact with children have
received training in Child Protection procedures ( Academic
year 2009/10)
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