We
in Belvoir Park School have a primary responsibility for the care, welfare and
safety of the pupils in our charge, and we will carry out this duty through our
pastoral care policy, which aims to provide a caring, supportive and safe
environment, valuing individuals for their unique talents and abilities, in
which all our young people can learn and develop to their full potential.
One
way in which we seek to protect our pupils is by helping them learn about the
risks of possible abuse, helping them to recognise unwelcome behaviour in others
and acquire the confidence and skills they need to keep themselves safe.
All
our staff and volunteers have been subject to appropriate background checks. The
staff of our school have also adopted a Code of Practice for our behaviour
towards pupils and these are included in the supporting policies.
The
purpose of the following procedures on Child Protection is to protect our pupils
by ensuring that everyone who works in our school - teachers, non-teaching staff
and volunteers - has clear guidance on the action which is required where abuse
or neglect of a child is suspected.
The
overriding concern of all caring adults must be the care, welfare and safety of
the child, and the welfare of each child is our paramount consideration. The
problem of child abuse will not be ignored by anyone who works in our school,
and we know that some forms of child abuse are also a criminal offence.
What
is child abuse?
We
use the following definition:
Neglect
- the persistent or significant
neglect of a child, or the failure to protect a child from exposure to any kind
of danger, including cold or starvation, or persistent failure to carry out
important aspects of care, resulting in the significant impairment of the
child’s health or development, including non-organic failure to thrive.
Physical
- physical injury to a child, whether
deliberately inflicted or knowingly not prevented.
Sexual
- the sexual exploitation of a child
or young person for an adult’s or another young person’s own sexual
gratification; the involvement of children or young people in sexual activities
of any kind (including exposure to pornography) which they do not understand, to
which they are unable to give informed consent or that violate normal family
roles.
Emotional
- persistent or significant emotional
ill-treatment or
rejection,
resulting in severe adverse effects on the emotional, physical
and/or
behavioural development of a child.
Bullying
Bullying
is a highly distressing and damaging form of abuse and is not tolerated in our
school. All staff are vigilant at all times to the possibility of bullying
occurring, and will take immediate steps to stop it happening, to protect and
reassure the victim and to discipline the bully. Parents of both victim and
bully will be personally contacted immediately bullying behaviour is identified.
Any
complaint by a parent that their child is, or may be, being bullied will be
fully investigated by the designated teacher for child protection or the
principal, and team action will be taken to protect the victim.
This
will usually include ensuring that another child or small group of children
befriends and supports the child being bullied during the school day.
A
parent making a complaint about bullying will have a personal response from the
designated teacher or principal within one week of making the complaint,
indicating the investigation which has been carried out and the action being
taken.
The
sanctions taken against a pupil who bullies will depend on the seriousness of
the case, but will include the loss of any privileges or position of
responsibility he/she holds in the school. His/her behaviour will be carefully
monitored until staff are satisfied that the problem has stopped.
If
a pupil’s bullying behaviour persists, the second stage will be to instigate
the child protection procedures described below.
Procedures
for reporting suspected (or disclosed) child abuse
The
designated teacher for child protection is Vice-Principal Mr. McBurney.
In his absence the principal, Mr Tate or Mrs Russell, will assume responsibility
for child protection matters.
If
a child makes a disclosure to a teacher or other member of staff which gives
rise to concerns about possible abuse, or if a member of staff has concerns
about a child, the member of staff must act promptly.
He/she
should not investigate - this is a
matter for the Social Services – but should report these concerns immediately
to the designated teacher, discuss the matter with him/her, and make full notes.
The designated teacher will discuss the matter with the Principal as a matter of
urgency to plan a course of action, and ensure that a written record is made.
The
Principal, in consultation with the designated teacher, will decide whether, in
the best interests of the child, the matter needs to be referred to Social
Services.
If
there are concerns that the child may be at risk, the
school is obliged to make a referral.
Unless
there are concerns that a parent may be the possible abuser, the parents will be
informed immediately.
The
Principal may seek clarification or advice and consult with the Board’s
Designated Officer or the Senior Social Worker before a referral is made. No
decision to refer a case to Social Services will be made without the fullest
consideration and on appropriate advice.
The
safety of the child is our first
priority.
Where
there are concerns about possible abuse, the Principal will inform:
•
the Social Services
•
the Education and Library Board’s
Designated Officer for Child Protection
(This
will be done in an envelope marked ‘CONFIDENTIAL - CHILD
PROTECTION’)
If
a complaint about possible child abuse is made against a member of staff, the
Principal or the designated teachers, if he is not available, must be informed
immediately.
The
above procedures will apply (unless the complaint is about the designated
teacher).
Where
the matter is referred to Social Services, the member of staff will be removed
from duties involving direct contact with pupils, and may be suspended from duty
as a precautionary measure pending investigation by Social Services.
The
Chairman of the Board of Governors will be informed immediately.
If
a complaint is made against the Principal, the designated teacher his deputy, if
she is not available must be informed immediately. They will inform the Chairman
of the Board of Governors and together they will ensure that the necessary
action is taken.
If
any member of staff feels unsure about what to do if he/she has concerns about a
child, or unsure about being able to recognise the signs or symptoms of possible
abuse, he/she should speak to the designated teacher.
It
should be noted that information given to members of staff about possible child
abuse cannot be held ‘in confidence’. In the interests of the child, staff
may need to share this information with other professionals. However, only those
who need to know will be told.