Child Protection Policy

N.B. The Child Protection Officers are Pastoral Deputy Head and Head of Junior School.

AIMS

· To have clear guidelines for staff for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse including neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse or sexual abuse.

· To provide a positive, supportive and secure environment where pupils know that there are adults in school whom they can approach if they need help.

· To support pupils who may have been abused by encouraging self esteem through the PSHE programme.

1. If a member of staff suspects that a pupil is the victim of abuse, whether physical, emotional, sexual or as a result of neglect, she/he should inform one or both of the School's Designated Persons who are Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Head of Junior School, who are responsible for liaising with Social Services Departments.

2. The Deputy Head (Pastoral) can be contacted on: 0208 952 0912

The Head of the Junior School can be contacted on 0208 951 6483

INITIAL COMPLAINT

3. If a pupil discloses directly:

· Ask only open questions such as:

How did that happen?

What was happening at the time?

Anything else you want to tell me?

· Do not ask leading questions which may be considered as suggesting what might have happened, or who has perpetrated the abuse as this can later be interpreted as putting ideas into the child’s mind.

· Suggest it would be helpful to continue the discussion with the school nurse or counsellor present but do not force the child to repeat what he/she said in front of another person

· NEVER GIVE UNDERTAKINGS OF ABSOLUTE CONFIDENTIALITY TO A PUPIL: breaking a child’s confidence would be inappropriate, it is better to say that you might have to tell someone

· Make notes of the details of the disclosure using the child’s words where possible.

· Records should:

· be written within 24 hours

· be accurate and descriptive

· not make assumptions

· not include any opinions

· indicate sources of information

· be clear and concise

· Reassure the child they have done the right thing and tell them they are not to blame. Offer ongoing support.

· Talk immediately to the relevant Designated Person, unless the complaint involves the Designated Person, in which case the Headmistress.

INVESTIGATION, REFERRAL AND REPORTING

4. It is the responsibility of school staff to:

· Protect children from abuse;

· Be aware of the School's child protection procedures;

· Keep a sufficient record of any significant complaint, conversation or event;

· To report any matters of concern to the Designated Person.

· To undertake appropriate training, including refresher training at three yearly intervals

5. It is not the responsibility of school staff to investigate suspected abuse. The School is not an investigation or intervention agency for child protection but it has an important role to play at the recognition and referral stages. The School will take into account the procedures published by the [Harrow ] Local Safeguarding Children Board when dealing with allegations of abuse.

6. Having taken advice from the relevant Social Services Department and when considered appropriate and safe to do so the Designated Person will discuss the concerns with the parents/guardians and seek their agreement before making a referral to Social Services, recognising that this may strengthen the capacity of parents to respond to the needs of their children before problems develop into abuse. The only exception would be in the case of sexual abuse or where seeking parental consent would put a child at further risk of abuse/significant harm. If consent to referral is not given by the parent/guardian the Designated Person may consult Social Services who will advise whether any further action should be taken by the School or Social Services.

7. If there is doubt over whether a referral should be made, the Designated Person may consult with the Social Services Department or other appropriate professionals on a no-name basis without identifying the family. However, as soon as sufficient concern exists, a referral will be made without delay. If a referral is made by telephone, the Designated Person will confirm the referral in writing to the Social Services Department within 48 hours. If no response is received within 3 working days, the Designated Person will contact Social Services again.

8. If a referral is made, the Designated Person will keep the Headmistress informed of the case unless the complaint involves the Headmistress in which case the Chair or Vice-Chair of Governors will be consulted.

9. A referral will not normally be made where:

· The complaint does not involve a serious criminal offence;

· A referral would be contrary to the wishes of a pupil complainant who is of sufficient maturity and understanding and properly informed, and contrary also to the wishes of the complainant's parents;

· The case is one that can be dealt with under the school's internal procedures, the parents being kept informed as appropriate.

If during the course of internal procedures it appears that the situation is more serious, the Designated Person will consider again whether a referral should be made in accordance with the procedure above.

RECORD KEEPING

10. Child protection records will be kept securely locked and are exempt from the disclosure provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 where a child is, has been or may be at risk of child abuse. The best interests of the pupil will always be paramount. For manual records in principle the details of individual cases will be limited to the minimum number of people whilst ensuring that the staff who will be supporting and monitoring the child are kept appropriately informed.

11. If a child is the subject of a Child Protection Plan, the Designated Person has the responsibility of passing this information on should the child transfer to a new school.

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST STAFF

12. If an allegation is made against a member of staff, the Headmistress would be informed immediately. There would be an urgent initial assessment to check the practical details of the allegation and to establish the facts. This assessment is not an investigation to determine guilt or innocence, but to ascertain whether the matter warrants further investigation by the appropriate agency and whether suspension pending investigation is appropriate. Suspension will not be an automatic response to an allegation. Full consideration will be given to all the options, subject to the need to ensure:

· the safety and welfare of the pupil or pupils concerned;

· the need for a full and fair investigation.

Where an allegation or complaint is made about the Headmistress, the Designated Person will report to and consult with the Chair of Governors, or in his or her absence the Vice Chair.

13. Confidentiality will be maintained throughout this stage in order that any subsequent investigation is not prejudiced.

14. There are three possible routes for further investigation: by the police, under local child protection procedures or under the school’s Disciplinary and Competence procedure.

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST PUPILS

15. A pupil against whom an allegation of abuse has been made may be suspended from school during the investigation and the School's policy on behaviour, discipline and sanctions will apply.

MONITORING

16. The Designated Person will monitor the operation of this policy and procedures and make an annual report to the Governing Body.

TRAINING

17. The Child Protection Officers (Deputy Head Pastoral and Head of Junior School) attend training courses every two years (latest update 20th June 2007) Child protection issues are part of the induction programme for all new staff and In Service Training of teaching and non-teaching staff on Child Protection and Safe Working Practice takes place at least every three years (latest update 19th October 2007).