Child Protection

 This policy is available on request to parents. It has been written in regard to, and in compliance with, the DfES circular ‘Safeguarding Children in Education’ (0027/2004)

Every effort will be made to ensure that children are kept safe in the school environment and out of school. With this in mind, this policy aims to work alongside Trinity School’s “Staff Recruitment Policy” for ensuring checks are made on the suitability of adults in school to work with children.

Families involved with Trinity School will understand that the School sees children as ‘God’s gifts to families’ (Psalm 127:3). They are ‘wonderfully made’ (Psalm 139:14) and as parents, we recognise our duty to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord’ (Ephesians 6:4). This involves training our children to do what is right and protecting them from anything that would cause them harm.

As a school working with the parents it is essential to provide a safe and caring environment for our pupils. Unfortunately it must be recognised that young people can become the victims of physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect.

Trinity has arrived at this policy by taking advice from other schools, Government Documents (including Safeguarding Children in Education) and the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS)

Trinity is committed to the children in our care, to protect and safeguard them as well as promoting their welfare and protection. It is unacceptable for those in a position of trust to engage in any behaviour that would be considered abusive.

The school is committed to safe recruitment, supervision and training for teachers, parents and other adults who work in the school.

Trinity will support those affected by abuse and will follow published procedures for dealing with concerns about abuse.

The school will seek to maintain good links with statutory and voluntary Child Protection Agencies.

Trinity will regularly review this policy on an annual basis with The Gov Body and every two years with staff.

The school will ensure that all workers will be appointed, trained, supported and supervised in accordance with nationally published guidelines e.g. DfES, CRB and CCPAS.

The Headteacher is the school’s designated Child Protection Officer (CPO). In the event of the Head teacher’s absence, the nominated CPO will act as the designated Child Protection Officer.

The Headteacher and the CPO will receive Child Protection training in inter-agency working that is provided by, or to standards set by, the ACPC. This training will take place at 2 yearly intervals. This training will form an integral part of Trinity’s School Development Plan.

All members of staff who work with children will receive training in child protection at 3 yearly intervals. Temporary staff and volunteers who work with children will be made aware of the school’s arrangement for child protection and their responsibilities within that.

The Governing Body will undertake an annual review of the school’s Child Protection Policy and the procedures relating to safeguarding, and how duties have been discharged.

Child Protection Checks for Adults in School

  • All existing members of staff and any new members of staff will be checked against List 99, and with the Criminal Records Bureau at an enhanced level, to determine their suitability to work with children. Records of these checks will be kept by the school administrator.
  • All existing members of staff will be checked against List 99 and be subject to an enhanced CRB check every 3 years.
  • Any adults working in school on a regular basis, who have contact with children, will be checked against List 99 and, in the course of time, checked with the Criminal Records Bureau. Records will be kept by the school administrator.

Please see Staff Recruitment Policy for further checks to be carried out prior to the confirmation of appointments.

IDENTIFYING CHILD ABUSE

Definitions of Abuse

The definitions of child abuse recommended as criteria for registration by the Department of Health, “Working Together under the Children Act 1989” are as follows:

  • PHYSICAL INJURY

Actual or likely physical injury to a child, including deliberate poisoning, suffocation and Munchausen’s syndrome by proxy.

  • SEXUAL ABUSE

Actual or likely sexual exploitation of a child or adolescent. The child may be dependant and/or developmentally immature. *
*Sexual exploitation represents the involvement of dependent developmentally immature children and adolescents in sexual activities they do not truly comprehend, to which they are unable to give informed consent or that violate social taboos or family roles (Keane and Kempe 1978). Kempe, T. S. & Kempe, C. H. (1978) Child abuse. London; Fontana/Open Books)

  • NEGLECT

The persistent or severe neglect of a child or the failure to protect a child from exposure to any kind of danger, including cold and starvation or extreme 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.

  • EMOTIONAL ABUSE

Actual or likely severe adverse effect on the emotional and behavioural development of a child caused by persistent or severe emotional ill-treatment or rejection. All abuse involves some emotional ill-treatment. This category is used where it is the main or sole form of abuse.

  • ORGANISED ABUSE

Organised abuse is sexual abuse where there is more than a single abuser and the adults concerned appear to act in concert to abuse children and/or where an adult uses a framework or position of authority to recruit children for sexual abuse.

RECOGNISING AND RESPONDING TO ABUSE

The following signs may not be indicators that abuse has taken place, but the possibility should be considered.

 

PHYSICAL SIGNS OF ABUSE

  • Any injuries not consistent with the explanation given them
  • Injuries that occur to the body in places, which are not normally exposed to falls, rough games, etc.
  • Injuries which have not received medical attention
  • Neglect – under nourishment, failure to grow, constant hunger, stealing or gorging food, untreated illness, inadequate care, etc.
  • Reluctance to change for, or participate in, games or swimming
  • Repeated urinary infections or unexplained tummy pains
  • Bruises, bites, burns, fractures, etc. which do not have an accidental explanation
  • Cuts/scratches/substance abuse

 

INDICATORS OF POSSIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE

  • Any allegations made by a child concerning sexual abuse
  • Child with excessive preoccupation with sexual matters and detailed knowledge of adult sexual behaviour, or who regularly engages in age-inappropriate sexual play
  • Sexual activity through words, play or drawing
  • Child who is sexually provocative or seductive with adults
  • Inappropriate bed- sharing arrangements at home
  • Severe sleep disturbances with fears, phobias, vivid dreams or nightmares, sometimes with overt or veiled sexual connotations
  • Eating disorders – anorexia or bulimia

 

EMOTIONAL SIGNS OF ABUSE

  • Changes or regression in mood or behaviour, particularly where a child withdraws or becomes clinging. Also depression/aggression, extreme anxiety
  • Nervousness, frozen watchfulness
  • Obsessions or phobias
  • Sudden under-achievement or lack of concentration
  • Inappropriate relationships with peers and/or adults
  • Attention-seeking behaviour
  • Persistent tiredness
  • Running away/stealing/lying

Responding to allegations of abuse.

Under no circumstances should any member of the school community carry out their own investigation into allegations or suspicion of abuse. The person in receipt of allegations or suspicions of abuse will do the following:

Concerns must be reported as soon as possible to the CPO
Suspicions must not be discussed with anyone other than those mentioned above. A written record of concerns should be made and kept in a secure place.
The role of the CPO is to collate and clarify the precise nature of the allegation or suspicion and pass this information on to the Social Services Dept. It is their responsibility to investigate this under Section 47 of the Children’s Act 1989.
Trinity School will support the CPO in their role, and accept that any information they have in their possession will be shared in a strictly limited way on a need to know basis.

Trinity School acknowledges the right of any individual as a citizen to make a direct referral to the Child Protection Agencies or seek advice from CCPAS. If suspicions implicate both the Co-ordinator and the Nominated CPO, or if an individual feels the Co-ordinator and Nominated CPO has not responded appropriately, or if there is a disagreement, then direct contact with the CCPAS or other outside agency may be made.

Allegations of physical injury or neglect

If a child has a physical injury or symptom of neglect, the CPO will:

Contact CCPAS or Social Services for advice in case of deliberate injury, if concerned about a child’s safety or if a child is afraid to return home.
Only tell parents or carers if advised to do so having contacted Social Services.
Seek medical help if needed urgently, informing the doctor of any suspicions.
For lesser concerns, (e.g. poor parenting which might include poor attendance of child) encourage parent/carer to seek help ( not necessarily from the school itself!), but not if this places the child at risk of injury.
Where the parent/carer is unwilling to seek help, offer to accompany them. In cases of real concern, if they still fail to act, contact Social Services.
Seek and follow the advice given by CCPAS (who will confirm their advice in writing) if unsure whether or not to refer the case to Social Services.

ALLEGATIONS OF PHYSICAL INJURY OR NEGLECT

If a child has a physical injury or symptom of neglect, the CPO will:

  • Contact Social Services (or CCPAS) for advice in cases of deliberate injury or where concerned about the child’s safety. The parents should not be informed by the church/organisation in these circumstances.
  • Where emergency medical attention is necessary, it will be sought immediately. The CPO will inform the doctor of any suspicions of abuse.
  • In other circumstances speak with the parent/carer and suggest that medical help/attention is sought for the child. The doctor (or health visitor) will then initiate further action, if necessary.
  • If appropriate the parent/carer will be encouraged to seek help from the Social Services Department.
  • Where the carer is unwilling to seek help, if appropriate, the CPO will offer to go with them. If they still fail to act, the CPO should, in cases of real concern, contact Social Services for advice.
  • Where the CPO is unsure whether or not to refer case to the Social Services, then advice from CCPAS will be sought and followed. CCPAS will confirm its advice in writing in case this is needed for reference purposes in the future.

 

 
Allegations of Sexual Abuse

In the event of allegations or suspicions of sexual abuse, the CPO will:

  • Contact the Social Services Duty Social Worker for children and families or Police Child Protection Team, directly. The CPO will NOT speak to the parent (or anyone else).
  • If, for any reason, the CPO is unsure whether or not to follow the above, then advice from CCPAS will be sought and followed. CCPAS will then confirm its advice in writing in case this is needed for reference purposes in the future.
  • Under no circumstances will the CPO attempt to carry out any investigation into the allegation of suspicions of sexual abuse. The role of the CPO is to collect and clarify the precise details of the allegation or suspicion and to provide this information to the Social Services Department, whose task it is to investigate the matter under Section 47 of the children act 1989.
  • Whilst allegations or suspicions of sexual abuse will normally be reported to the CPO, the absence of the Co-ordinator or Deputy should not delay referral to the Social Services Department.
  • Exceptionally, should there be any disagreement between the person in receipt of the allegation or suspicion and the CPO or Deputy as to the appropriateness of a referral to the Social Services Department, that person retains a responsibility as a member of the public to report serious matters to the social Services Department, and should do so without hesitation.
  • The Gov Body will support the CPO or Deputy in their role, and accept that any information they may have in their possession will be shared in a limited way on a need to know basis.

 

HOW TO RESPOND TO A CHILD WANTING TO TALK ABOUT ABUSE

It is not easy to give precise guidance, but the following may help:

  • GENERAL POINTS
  • Show acceptance of what the child says (however unlikely the story may sound)
  • Keep calm
  • Look at the child directly
  • Be honest
  • Tell the child you will need to let someone else know – don’t promise confidentiality
  • Even when a child has broken a rule, they are not to blame for the abuse
  • Be aware that the child may have been threatened or bribed not to tell
  • Never push for information. If the child decides not to tell you after all, then accept that and let them know that you are always ready to listen

 

  • HELPFUL THINGS YOU MAY SAY OR SHOW
  • I believe you (or showing acceptance of what the child says)
  • Thank you for telling me
  • Its not your fault
  • I will help you

 

  • DON’T SAY
  • Why didn’t you tell anyone before?
  • I can’t believe it!          Are you sure this is true?
  • Why? When? How/ Who? Where?
  • Never make false promises
  • Never make statements such as “I am shocked, don’t tell anyone else”

CONCLUDING

  • Again reassure the child that they were right to tell you and show acceptance
  • Let the child know what you are going to do next and that you will let them know what happens (you might have to consider referring to social Services or the Police to prevent a child or young person returning home if you consider them to be seriously at risk of further abuse)
  • Contact the person in your church/organisation responsible for co-ordinating child protection concerns or contact an agency such as CCPAS for advise or go directly to social Services/Police/NSPCC
  • Consider your own feelings and seek pastoral support if needed

What to Do Once a Child Has Spoken To You about Abuse

The Procedure

  • Make notes as soon as possible (preferably within an hour of being told), writing down exactly what the child said, write what you said in reply to the child, when he/she said it and what was happening immediately beforehand (e.g. description of activity). Record dates and times of these events and when you made the record. Keep all hand written notes secure, even if these have been typed subsequently. Such records should be kept safely for an indefinite period.
  • Report your discussion as soon as possible to the CPO.
  • You should not discuss your suspicions or allegations with anyone other than those nominated in the above point.
  • Once a child has talked about abuse the CPO should consider whether or not it is safe for a child to return home to a potentially abusive situation. On rare occasions it might be necessary to take immediate action to contact Social Services and/or police to discuss putting into effect safety measures for the child so they do not return home.

 

Allegations of Abuse against a Member of Staff

In determining the course of action to be taken in the event of an allegation against a member of staff, the people involved will seek to strike a balance between the need to protect the child from abuse, and the need to protect staff or volunteers from false or unfounded accusations.

However, in the event of an allegation of abuse against a member of staff, the Headteacher will refer the matter to the CPO. It should be noted that “every allegation of abuse concerning a member of staff will be fully investigated and a written account of the findings and outcomes will be kept on a person’s file.” A copy of this paper/investigation will be given to the member of staff concerned. In appropriate cases the Headteacher will liaise with CPO and the school’s Gov Body to consider the suspension of the member of staff. If the allegations are against the Headteacher, then the Gov Body will discuss the appropriate course of action.

If the CPO, Gov Body and Headteacher believe that the allegation may be substantiated, the member of staff concerned will be suspended and the matter will be reported to the Police. Advice will also be sought from the CCPAS.

Revision Date Spring 2011