TERRINGTON HALL SCHOOL
SAFEGUARDING POLICY (including guidance for staff)
This policy is provided primarily for staff (teaching and non-teaching) but is also made available to all parents and volunteers involved with the school and School Prefects. It is available to be read in the school office and also on the school's website.
It must be stated that there will be no retribution or disciplinary action for any ‘whistleblowing' made in good faith.
This Policy is in accordance with the North Yorkshire Child Protection Guidelines
The Department of Health guide-lines on the Children Act 2005 run (Section 2.4.1.): "In safeguarding and promoting a child's welfare, proprietors (of Independent Schools) need to be concerned with the health, happiness and proper physical, intellectual, emotional, social and behavioural development of that child as well, of course, as protecting him against the risk of suffering significant harm or neglect." We should remember, therefore, that protection for children can be given by treating them in a positive and courteous way, thus promoting their sense of well-being. Our duty is far wider than simply dealing with abuse when it is detected. "Child" relates to any pupil in our school.
Whilst we are confident that our current safeguarding procedures are comprehensive and compliant we are mindful of the fact that we need to keep abreast of the ever changing regulations and guidance on good practice. With this in mind any deficiencies or weaknesses in our safeguarding arrangements will be remedied without delay.
The school operates safer recruitment procedures which includes enhanced CRB checks, taking up of references, checking of ‘list 99', completion of standard application form and a requirement to prove identity.
We will ensure that any external member of staff working offsite with Terrington Hall pupils will have been subject to the appropriate CP checks and procedures.
Any person (whether employed, contracted, a volunteer or a student) who leaves the school because he or she is considered unsuitable to work with children will be reported to the ISA within one month of their departure.
Staff working at Terrington Hall will be given training in Safeguarding every three years. The Designated Safeguarding Lead and Designated Safeguarding Governor should receive training on a biennial basis. Staff should be mindful to ensure that their behaviour and actions never place pupils or themselves at risk of allegations. Particular care should be exercised for example in one to one tuition, sports coaching, conveying a pupil by car or in using electronic communication.
Currently the Designated Safeguarding Lead with responsibility for all children including those who fall into the EYFS bracket is Mrs Claire Grant. The Assistant Safeguarding Lead is Mr Stephen Mulryne and the Designated Safeguarding Governor is Mr Richard Smyth.
WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE?
There is no precise definition, but 'Working Together' DfEE 4/88 uses the term to include physical injury, neglect (including emotional neglect), continued ill treatment and sexual abuse. The NSPCC uses five categories in its booklet 'Protecting Children: a guide for teachers on child abuse': neglect; physical abuse; sexual abuse; emotional abuse, and grave concern. The Appendix at the back of this document gives lists of signs which may be symptoms of such abuse. These lists should be used with great caution. Children who exhibit some of these symptoms may not have been abused, while abused children may show none of these symptoms. Cultural differences too affect the ways in which children from different backgrounds show their distress. However, it seemed sensible to list some symptoms rather than to talk in a purely abstract form.
Some of the signs may be especially obvious to any teacher who is near children when they are changing their clothes, ie games staff and members of staff on duty in the House, who are in dormitories at bedtime.
Child abuse usually comes to the attention of teachers in four ways:
i Direct disclosure by the child;
ii A third party (friend, relative or other child);
iii Through a child's behaviour;
iv Because you see an injury to the child.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I SUSPECT A CHILD IS BEING ABUSED?
1. Enquire casually of the child to find out if there is a simple explanation for, for instance, an injury which you have seen. Do not, however, interview the child formally or talk to him/her about being abused. This could prejudice a subsequent court case, and it is not in the best interests of the child to tell the story more times than is absolutely necessary.
2. Write down any evidence, conversations or incidents and date them. You should include in this how the child was feeling or reacted to your casual question. Make a brief sketch diagram of any observed marks or injuries. Records must be made as near to the time as possible.
3. Discuss your suspicions with as few people as possible. Confidentiality is very important. You may, however, wish to talk informally to a senior colleague, either the Deputy Head, Director of Studies or the Headmaster - unless, of course, you think that they might be the abuser.
4. Report your suspicions as soon as possible to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. If suspicions involve them, then report directly to the Assistant Designated Safeguarding Lead.
5. Do not, on your own initiative, tackle anyone whom you suspect might be the abuser.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF A CHILD COMES TO ME ABOUT BEING ABUSED?
1. Listen sympathetically. It is important that the child's story should not be brushed aside or minimised. Few children make up stories of this sort. Reassure the child that it is right to tell, and let them tell their story in their own time and in their own words. Do not ask for details which they don't offer or lead them by questions.
2. On no account agree to keep the story a secret. Never promise not to tell anyone else. Explain that someone else will have to be told so that help can be provided, but emphasise that only those who need to know will be told.
3. Tell the Designated Safeguarding Lead, but do not discuss the story in the Staff Room or with anyone who does not need to know. If the story involves a colleague or another pupil, do not go to them with it.
WHAT DO I DO IF AN ALLEGATION OR DISCLOSURE IS MADE TO ME?
Report it immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (unless it involves them). They will acknowledge it within twenty-four hours and take action. A referral of the alleged abuse will be made to North Yorkshire Safeguarding (see tel numbers below). It is not for staff, or indeed the Designated Safeguarding Lead, to make a decision about instances that appear to be borderline cases. Doubts and concerns should be discussed with the local authority designated officer. This can be done tentatively without giving names in the first instance.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead will respond swiftly and appropriately and follow the procedures set out below.
WHAT HAPPENS THEN?
The Designated Safeguarding Lead will contact Rosemary Cannell, Education Safeguarding Manager of North Yorkshire (See contact numbers below). This Department, with police assistance, if necessary, is the statutory agency to investigate suspected abuse. It is not the school's responsibility to do so, and indeed it could be counter-productive to attempt it.
The Headmaster, unless the allegation is against him, will be informed, as will the Chairman of the Governors.
Staff should refer to the 10 Key Points to Follow Document if a disclosure is made to them. If a child with prefect responsibility has a disclosure made to them they have been informed in Prefects' Meetings that they have a duty to tell a member of staff without delay. The member of staff should then inform the Designated Safeguarding Lead or in their absence the Assistand Designated Safeguarding Lead. Children are made aware of who these people are.
Contacts:
Rosemary Cannell, Education Safeguarding Manager of North Yorkshire
Office - 01609 534974; Mobile - 07715 540723
Email: Rosemary.Cannell@northyorks.gov.uk
Designated Safeguarding Lead including EYFS - Mrs C L Grant - 01653 648227; home 01904 340644
Assistant Designated Safeguarding Lead - Mr Stephen Mulryne - 01653 648353; home 01653 648874
Designated Safeguarding Governor - Mr Richard Smyth- email address: r.smyth@fulwoodacademy.co.uk
The DSL will maintain good links with the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Board
NB It is important to report any suspicions. Our first duty is to the child, and so worries about upsetting parents or colleagues should not deter you.
Sources:
NSPCC booklet 'Protecting Children: A Guide for Teachers on Child Abuse'.
DES Circular 4/88 'Working together for the protection of children from abuse: procedures within the education service'.
Member of Staff responsible for this document : Headmaster
Reviewed Sept. 2011
Next Review Date : September 2012
