Affects_of_Transitions

Assessment task – TDA 2.2 – Safeguarding the welfare of children and young people – Task 1 Safeguarding the welfare of children and young people is a high priority in the workplace. Jack Hunt School has a Code of Conduct for staff working with students which aims to help minimize the risk of any vulnerability to false or malicious allegations or abuse towards students. This code operates alongside but does not take priority over the school’s Child Protection procedures. As members of staff in the school, we must all fully recognise our duty if care to raise issues of concern, especially in relation to child protection to the designated member of staff in school; this being Tracey Osbourne or Kerry Cliffe. Any member of staff who discloses in good faith will have protection of the relevant legislation. If an allegation is made against a member of staff, the governing body will abide by the guidance in ‘Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education’ and ‘Dealing with Allegations of Abuse against Teachers and other Staff. All staff, governors and volunteers are expected to follow the professional standards set by the school policies and legislations. We are all expected to place the well-being and learning of the pupils at the top of our priorities and work to help pupils progress regardless of their background. As members of staff, we must lead by example including enthusiasm for learning, honesty, tolerance, social responsibility, patience and concern for others. The same professional standards should be applied regardless of culture, disability, gender, language, race, religious belief or sexual orientation at all times. All schools are subject to the Data Protection Act 1998 and therefore, all personal information about a pupil or their family must be of highest confidentiality and it must never be used to intimidate or embarrass a child. Confidential information about a pupil must not be taken off site but must be held securely on school site. When abuse is alleged or suspected, it is our duty to pass on the information without delay to the designated child protection officer with a high level of confidentiality. A person’s dress and appearance are matters of personal choice, however, in the professional environment of a school, staff must make sure that their dress is appropriate and safe for their role, not offensive, provocative or revealing so to give rise for misunderstanding, they should also be culturally sensitive and free from any political or contentious slogans. If a member of staff dresses inappropriately, they open themselves to criticism or allegations of misconduct. Another personal choice matter is that of social networking, if a member of staff, governor or volunteer does use social networking, they must not post any material that will damage the reputation of the school. They must also ensure their privacy settings are to the highest setting to avoid any students making contact on personal profiles and accessing photo albums. Communication between a member of staff and a student through these social networking sites is prohibited. A member of staff should also not provide a student with any of their personal contact details. Only contact through their school email address and the VLE is acceptable. If a pupil seeks to establish social contact5, the adult should exercise their professional judgement in making a response and should ensure that all communications are transparent and open to scrutiny. Any sexual behaviour or activity by a member of staff towards a child or young person is illegal. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 makes it an offense for a person aged over 18 and in a specified position of trust with a young person under 18 years to engage in sexual activity with or in the presence of or to cause a child to engage in or watch sexual activity. Sexual behaviour includes non-contact activities. Attitudes, demeanour and language all require care and thought. Staff, governors and volunteers must not have sexual relationships with pupils, and they should not make sexual remarks to, or about, a young person or discuss their own sexual relationships with or in the presence of a pupil. All should be aware that granting special attention without good reason or favouring a pupil has the potential to be constructed as being part of the ‘grooming’ process, which is a criminal offence. If a child or young person develops an infatuation with an adult who works with them, any staff member who becomes aware of this must report it without delay to a senior colleague so that appropriate action can be taken to avoid any hurt, distress or embarrassment. This situation is taken very seriously and the adult should be careful to ensure that no encouragement of any kind is given to the pupil. There are occasions when it is entirely appropriate for staff to have physical contact with a student, however, it is important that is appropriate it their professional role. It should be in response to the child’s needs at the time, of limited duration, appropriate to their age, stage of development, gender, ethnicity, culture and background. Physical contact should never be secretive or casual or foe the gratification of the adult. Staff should seek the pupils permission before initiating contact and use a level of contact which is acceptable to the pupil for the minimum time necessary. Staff should remain sensitive to any discomfort expressed verbally or non-verbally by the pupil. Staff with a job description which includes intimate care duties will have appropriate training and written guidance. If students require toileting or assistance with changing, staff should consider whether it would be possible to arrange for the presence of another adult. For students who are hearing impaired, touching is often used as important non-verbal communication; staff should ensure that it is not carried out in a manner that could be misconstrued. When punishing a child, the use of sarcasm, demeaning or insensitive comments towards pupils is not acceptable. Staff may legitimately intervene to prevent a student from committing a criminal offence, injuring themselves or others or causing damage to property. They should have regard to the health and safety of themselves and others and under no circumstances should physical force be used as a form of punishment. Adults working in one to one settings with pupils may also be more vulnerable to unjust or unfounded allegations made against them. When having these meetings, staff should avoid remote or secluded areas of the school and ensure that the door is left open and/or visual/auditory contact with others is maintained. Pre-arranged meetings away from the school site are not permitted and no child or young person should be invited into the home of an adult who works with them. In certain situations, it may be acceptable for staff to agree to transport students, transport arrangements should be made in advance by a designated member of staff. At least one additional adult should accompany the driver acting as an escort. Adults should ensure that their behaviour is safe and that the transport arrangement and the vehicle meets all legal requirements. They must ensure that the vehicle is roadworthy and appropriately insured and that the maximum capacity is not exceeded. It is inappropriate for staff to offer lifts to students outside their normal working duties. The Data Protection Act 1998 affects the use of photography. An image of a child is personal data, therefore, a requirement under the Act that consent is obtained from the parent of a child before any images are made such as those used for school websites, notice boards and productions. Staff should remain sensitive to any pupil who appears uncomfortable and should recognise the potential for misinterpretation. Some children do not wish to have their picture taken, these wishes should be kept in mind. Adults should only use equipment provided or authorised by the school, the use of mobile phones should not be used to take images and equipment with images of students stored must not be taken home. Staff must not take photographs in a one-to-one situation and the purpose should be clear at all times. The images must be securely stored and senior staff aware. All staff, governors and volunteers have the duty of care to share any concerns and report and incidents. Examples of these situations are listed below: An adult who: * Allows a pupil to be treated badly * Shares information inappropriately * Demonstrates discriminatory behaviour * Dresses inappropriate for the job role * Demonstrates favouritism * Demonstrates a lack of understanding about personal and professional boundaries. * Uses their position of trust to intimidate, threaten, coerce or undermine. * Has inappropriate social contact * Seems to seek out unnecessary opportunities to be alone with a pupil. E-safety Technologies in the 21st century and emerging all the time and enhancing communication and the sharing of information; Children and young people are vulnerable and may expose themselves to danger, knowingly or unknowingly. Examples of e-safety issues include: * Exposure to inappropriate material * Bullying via websites and mobile phones * The threat of danger from making contact with a criminal minority via chat rooms and social networking sites E-safety will take lead in embedding safe internet practices into the culture of the school. Jack Hunt School’s e-safety policy has been by the school, building in the London Grid for Learning exemplar policy and Becta guidance, it has been agreed by the senior management and approved by Governors and it will be reviewed annually. Our E-safety co-ordinator is Robert Kent. His job is to ensure he keeps up to date with e-safety issues and guidance through liaison with the local authority e-safety officer and through organisations such as Becta and The Child Exploitation and Online Protection. All teachers are responsible for promoting and supporting safe behaviours in their classrooms.