“Because of their day to day contact with individual children during the school terms, teachers and other school staff are particularly well placed to observe the outward signs of abuse, changes in behaviour or failure to develop.”
(Working Together under the Children Act 1989)

1. PURPOSE

1.1 An effective whole-school protection policy is one which provides clear direction to staff and others about expected behaviour when dealing with child protection issues. An effective policy also makes explicit our school’s commitment to the development of good practice and sound procedures. This ensures that child protection concerns, referrals and monitoring may be handled sensitively, professionally and in ways which support the needs of the child.

2. INTRODUCTION

2.1 The Cedars School takes seriously its responsibility to protect and safeguard the children and young people in its care. “The welfare of the child is paramount” (Children Act 1989)

2.2 Section 175 of the Education Act of 2002 places a statutory responsibility on the school to have policies and procedures in place that safeguard and promote the welfare of children who are pupils of the school (Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education DfES2006 came into force 1st January 2007)

2.3 There are four main elements to our Child Protection Policy:-
a) Safer Recruitment processes ensure that those who are unsuitable to work with children are not employed
b) Prevention through the creation of a positive school atmosphere, and the teaching and the pastoral support offered to pupils.
c) Protection by following agreed procedures, ensuring staff are trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to child protection concerns.
d) Support to pupils who may have been abused.

2.4 This policy applies to all pupils, volunteers and visitors to The Cedars School.

2.5 We recognise that we are an agent of referral and not of investigation and enquiry.

3. SCHOOL POLICY

3.1 We recognise that, for our pupils, high self-esteem, confidence, supportive
friends and clear lines of communication with a trusted adult helps to prevent abuse.
Our school will, therefore:-
a) Establish and maintain an environment where pupils feel safe and secure and are encouraged to talk and are listened to.
b) Ensure that pupils know that there are adults within the school who they can approach if they are worried or are in difficulty.
c) Include, in the curriculum, activities and opportunities for PHSE, which equip pupils with the skills that they need to stay safe from abuse.
d) Include, in the curriculum, materials which will help pupils develop realistic attitudes to the responsibilities of adult life.
e) Ensure that, wherever possible, every effort will be made to establish effective working relationships with parents and colleagues from partner agencies.

4. FRAMEWORK

4.1 We understand that Child Protection is the responsibility of all adults and especially those working with children. The development of appropriate procedures and the monitoring of good practice are the responsibilities of the West Berkshire Local Safeguarding Children Board.

5. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

5.1 All adults working with or on behalf of our children have a responsibility to protect them. There are, however, key people within schools and the Local Authority who have specific responsibilities under child protection procedures. The names of those carrying out these responsibilities for the current year are listed on the cover sheet of this document.

5.2 It is the role of the Designated Child Protection Person to ensure that all of the child protection procedures are followed within the school, and to make appropriate timely referrals to “Referral and Assessment”, West Berkshire, in accordance with school procedures. If, for any reason, the Designated Child Protection Person is unavailable, a Deputy Designated Protection Person has been identified, who will act in their absence (see cover sheet). Additionally, it is the role of the Designated Child Protection Person to ensure all staff employed, including temporary staff and volunteers, within the school are aware of the school’s internal procedures, to advise staff and to offer support to those requiring support.

5.3 The Head Teacher is responsible for ensuring that the school follows safe recruitment processes. As part of the school’s recruitment and vetting process, enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), DfES List 99 and other statutory lists and local intelligence checks will be sought on all staff who have substantial and unsupervised access to children.

6. PROCEDURES

6.1 All action is taken in line with the following guidance:-
a) Berkshire Child Protection Procedures (2006)
b) When recruiting to posts which involve working with children it is essential that safe recruitment processes are followed, including Criminal Record (CRB) checks. Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education (DfES2006, 1st January 2007) and can be found on www.everychildmatters.gov.uk
c) “What To Do If You’re Worried A Child Is Being Abused” (DfES 2006)
d) Working Together to Safefguard Children (2006, Department of Health)
Copies of the above can be found in the School Office.

6.2 Staff are kept informed about child protection responsibilities and procedures, through induction, briefings and awareness training.

6.3 Any member of staff, volunteer or visitor who receives a disclosure of abuse, an allegation, or suspects that abuse may have occurred, must report it immediately to the Designated Child Protection Person or, in their absence, the Deputy Designated Child Protection Person. In the absence of either of the above, the matter should be brought to the attention of the most senior member of staff.

6.4 The Designated Child Protection Person or their Deputy will immediately refer cases of suspected abuse or allegations to the Duty Social Worker Referral and Assessment Team, Avonbank House, West Street, Newbury, Berkshire. RG14 1BZ

6.5 Essential information to be provided will include the pupil’s name, address, date of birth, family composition, the reason for the referral, whether the child’s parents are aware of the referral, the name of the person who initially received the disclosure plus any advice given. A telephone referral to the Referral and Assessment Team – in cases where there are immediate safeguarding concerns – will be confirmed, in writing, within 24 hours. This written confirmation must be signed and dated by the referrer. In cases where there have been mounting concerns about a child, it is likely that a CAF will already have been completed prior to a child protection referral.

6.6 We will always undertake to share our intention to refer a child to the Referral and Assessment Team with the parents or carers, unless to do so could place the child at greater risk or harm or impede a criminal investigation. On these occasions advice will be taken from the Referral and Assessment Team.

6.7 The school’s Child Protection Policy is available from the School website and a copy is on the school notice board. All parents will receive a copy when their child commences school and a copy can be obtained from the School Office.

7. TRAINING AND SUPPORT

7.1 The Head teacher and all other staff who work with children will undertake appropriate child protection awareness training to equip them to carry out their responsibilities for child protection effectively. This training will be kept up to date by refresher training at three year intervals, as set out in Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education DfES2006.

7.2 We will ensure that the Designated Child Protection Person also undertakes training in inter-agency working and refresher training at two yearly intervals, to keep knowledge and skills up to date. Temporary staff and volunteers who work with children in the school will be made aware of the school’s arrangements for child protection and their responsibilities.

7.3 The Safeguarding in Education form will be completed and returned to the Lead Officer for Safeguarding in Education on an annual basis. This will be at the beginning of Term 2.

7.4 Support will be available for staff from the Head Teacher, in the first instance, and from members of the school’s leadership team where there are concerns or queries about child protection.

7.5 All staff have access to advice and guidance on the boundaries of appropriate behaviour and conduct. These matters form part of the staff induction and details are held on the staff notice board.

8. PROFESSIONAL CONFIDENTIALITY

8.1 The only purpose of confidentiality is to benefit the child. Staff will never guarantee confidentiality to a pupil, nor will they agree with a pupil to keep a secret as, where there is a child protection concern, this must be reported to the Designated Child Protection Person and may require further investigation by appropriate authorities. Children will be reassured that only the people who “need to know” will be informed, that this will be the minimum necessary and that information will not become common knowledge.

8.2 Staff will be informed of relevant information in respect of individual cases regarding child protection on a “need to know” basis only. Any information shared with a member of staff in this way must be held, confidentially, to themselves.

9. RECORDS AND MONITORING

9.1 We will keep clear records of any concern held about a child or children within our school.

9.2 Any member of staff receiving a disclosure of abuse or noticing signs or indicators of abuse must make an accurate record, as soon as possible, noting what was said or seen, putting the event in context and giving the date, time and location. All records will be dated and signed, and will include the action taken.

9.3 These records will be kept in a confidential file, which is separate to other files and stored in the Head Teacher’s office. Notes of any pupil who is being monitored for child protection purposes will also be kept in the Head Teacher’s office.

9.4 If a pupil transfers from The Cedars School, all files will be copied for the new establishment and forward to the pupil’s new school, marked “Confidential” and for the attention of the receiving school’s Designated Child Protection Person.

10. ATTENDANCE AT CHILD PROTECTION CONFERENCES & CORE GROUPS

10.1 It is the responsibility of the Designated Child Protection Person to ensure that the
school is represented and a report is submitted to any child protection conference called for children on our school roll or previously known to us. Whoever attends will be fully briefed on any issues or concerns of the school.

10.2 We will be part of Core Groups for children subject to Child Protection Plans.
The Designated Child Protection Person will ensure that the school is represented at these meetings, and that a record of the meetings are kept. When a child is made subject to a Child Protection Plan, it is the Designated Child Protection person’s responsibility to ensure that the child is monitored regarding their school attendance, welfare and presentation. The key worker will be informed if there is unexplained absence of two or more days of a pupil who is subject to a Child Protection Plan. All concerns about the Child Protection Plan and/or the child’s welfare should be discussed and recorded at the Core Group Meeting unless the child is at further risk of significant harm. In this case the Child Protection Person must inform the child’s key worker immediately and then record that they have done so and any actions agreed.

11. SUPPORTING PUPILS AT RISK

11.1 We recognise that children who are abused or who witness violence may find it
difficult to develop a sense of self-worth or view the world as a positive place.

11.2 The Cedars may be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives of
children at risk. Nevertheless, whilst at school, their behaviour may still be challenging and defiant or they may be withdrawn.

11.3 We will endeavour to support pupils through:-
a) the curriculum to encourage self-esteem and self-motivation.
b) the school ethos, which promotes a positive, supportive and secure environment and which gives all pupils and adults a sense of being respected and valued.
c) the implementation of the school’s behaviour management policies.
d) a consistent approach, agreed by all staff, will endeavour to ensure that the pupil knows that some behaviour is unacceptable, but that she/he is valued.
e) regular liaison with other professionals and agencies that support the pupils and their families.
f) a commitment to develop productive, supportive relationships with parents, whenever it is in the child’s interests to do so.
g) the development and support of a responsive and knowledgeable staff group, trained to respond appropriately in child protection situations.
h) recognition that statistically children with behavioural difficulties and disabilities are the most vulnerable to abuse. Staff who work in any capacity with children with profound and multiple difficulties, sensory impairment and/or emotional and behavioural problems will need to be particularly sensitive to signs of abuse.
i) Recognition that in a home environment where there is domestic violence, drug or alcohol abuse, children may also be vulnerable and in need of support and/or protection.

11.4 Our Child Protection Policy is considered alongside other related policies in school;
those for the teaching of PSHE, the policy for the management of pupils’ behaviour,
(including our policy on physical intervention and our policy on bullying) and the health and safety policy.

12. SAFE SCHOOL, SAFE STAFF

12.1 We take seriously any allegation made against staff and any accusation will be
thoroughly investigated.

12.2 Only authorised agencies may investigate child abuse allegations (Social Care
Services, the Police or, in some areas, the NSPCC). Whilst it is permissible to ask the child/ren simple, non-leading questions to ascertain the facts of the allegation, we would not conduct a formal interview or take statements.

12.3 The procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a
Member of staff is set out in the West Berkshire Child Protection Procedures, available at http://proceduresonline.com/berks

12.4 The Head Teacher, or other designated person should, in the first instance, contact The Local Authority Designated Person – Lado (schools) or Lado. Through discussion and consultation a decision will be made whether to hold an Allegation Strategy Meeting. Where the allegation is against the Head Teacher the Local Authority Designated Officer must be informed (01635 519785).

13. WHISTLEBLOWING

13.1 We recognise that children cannot be expected to raise concerns in an environment
where staff fail to do so.

13.2 All staff should be aware of their duty to raise concerns about the attitude or actions
of colleagues. The West Berkshire Whistle Blowing Policy can be used; all staff are in receipt of this policy and a copy is kept on the Staff Notice board.

14. POLICY REVIEW
The Head Teacher is responsible for the ensuring there is an annual review of this policy and that the list of key contacts of this cover sheet is up to date.