Child_Protection_Policy

Child protection policy for SWIS LVL 2 [School name] fully recognises its responsibilities for child protection. Our policy applies to all staff, governors and volunteers working in the school. The five main elements to our policy are to: Make sure we practice safe recruitment in checking the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with children Make staff aware of child protection issues and teach children the skills needed to help keep themselves safe Develop and implement procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases of abuse Support pupils who have been abused in line with the agreed child protection plan Establish a safe environment in which children can learn and develop. We recognise that, because of their day-to-day contact with children, school staff are well placed to observe the outward signs of abuse. The school will therefore: Make and keep an environment where children feel safe, are encouraged to talk, and are listened to Make children aware that there are adults in the school whom they can approach if they are worried We will follow the procedures set out by the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and take account of guidance issued by the DCSF to: Make sure we have a designated senior person for child protection who has received appropriate training and support for this role Ensure every member of staff (including temporary and supply staff and volunteers) knows the name of the designated senior person responsible for child protection and their role Make sure all staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse and responsibility for referring any concerns to the designated senior Make sure that parents have an understanding of the responsibility placed on the school and staff for child protection by setting out its obligations in the school prospectus Keep written records of concerns about children, even where there is no need to refer the matter immediately Make sure all records are kept securely, separate from the main pupil file, and in locked locations Develop and then follow procedures where an allegation is made against a member of staff or volunteer Make sure safe recruitment practices are always followed. We understand that children who are abused or witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self worth. When at school their behaviour may be challenging and defiant or they may be withdrawn. The school will do its best to support the pupil through: The content of the curriculum; The school behaviour policy which is aimed at supporting vulnerable pupils in the school. The school will ensure that the pupil knows that some behaviour is unacceptable but they are valued and not to be blamed for any abuse which has occurred  Liaison with other agencies that support the pupil such as social services, child and adult mental health service, education welfare service and educational psychology service Making sure that, where a pupil on the child protection register leaves, their information is transferred to the new school immediately and that the child's social worker is informed.