John Shelton Community Primary School
Safeguarding Children Policy
Designated Person: Tamara McCarthy: Acting Headteacher
Aims
As a school, we recognise that we have an explicit duty to safeguard and protect the children
in our care. We recognise that because of the day to day contact with children, school staff are
well placed to observe the outward signs of abuse. The school will therefore:
 Provide a caring and supportive environment where children feel secure, confident and able
to confide in adults;
 Ensure all children have effective means of communication with more than one adult in the
school;
 Provide a structured network of support and action in line with the child protection guidelines;
 Give opportunities for class or group discussions of thoughts and feelings in an atmosphere
of trust, acceptance and tolerance;
 Include in the curriculum activities and opportunities for PSHE/Citizenship which equip
children with the skills they need to stay safe from abuse.
This policy applies to all staff, governors and volunteers working in school.
Rationale
There are five main elements to our policy. These are:
 Ensuring that we practice safe recruitment in checking the suitability of staff and volunteers
to work with children;
 Raising awareness of child protection issues and equipping children with the skills to stay
safe;
 Developing and then implementing procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or
suspected cases, of abuse;
 Supporting children who have been abused in accordance with his/her agreed child
protection plan;
 Establishing a safe environment in which children can learn and develop.
Child Protection Protocol
As a school, we follow the procedures set out by the Local Safeguarding Children Board and
take account of the guidance issued by the Dfe to ensure that:
 We have a designated senior person for child protection who has received appropriate
training and support for this role. This person is Tamara McCarthy (Acting Headteacher);
 We have a nominated governor responsible for child protection. This governor is Mr Michael
Killey ( Chair of Governors);
 Every member of staff (including temporary, supply and volunteer staff) and the Governing
Body knows the name of the designated senior person for child protection and their role;
 All staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse
and their responsibility for referring any concerns to the designated senior person
responsible for child protection;
 Parents/carers have an understanding of the responsibility placed on the school and staff for
child protection by setting out its obligations in the school prospectus;
 Where a disclosure has been made, advise will be sought from The Referral and
assessment service (RAS) (Southfields office 024 76 788555)
 CIA if RAS are unobtainable
 Services are notified if there is an unexplained absence of more than two days of a child who
is on the Child Protection register;
 Effective links with relevant agencies are established and that we co-operate as required
with their enquiries regarding child protection matters including attendance at case
conferences;
 Written records of concerns about children are kept, even when there is no need to refer the
matter immediately;
 All records are kept securely, separate from the main pupil file, and in a locked location;
 Procedures are developed and followed where an allegation is made against a
member of staff or volunteer; Refer to the headteacher who will make a decision,
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) Liz Eggington 02476834831
 If there is an allegation against the headteacher, this should be referred to the Chair
Of Governors and the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) Liz Eggington
02476834831
 Safer recruitment practices are followed at all times.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Designated Teacher – Tamara McCarthy (Acting Headteacher)
The role of the designated teacher is to:
 Ensure that the correct child protection procedures are followed in school and that all staff
are aware of these procedures;
 Ensure that all staff have training to enable them to know to whom they must pass their
concerns. Child protection awareness will form part of the induction of any new member of
staff and whole staff training will be delivered at least once a year;
 Develop an effective working relationship with other agencies;
 Make referrals where child abuse is likely to occur, or is suspected or disclosed;
 Attend case conferences, or to ensure that an appropriate member of staff attends, and is
aware of the purpose and procedure of the child protection conference;
 Ensure that a report is prepared for conference and to take part in core groups as is
required;
 Ensure that all relevant staff are informed of children who are placed on the Child Protection
Register and that the attendance of such children is carefully monitored;
 Notify other agencies and schools when a child transfers to a new area/school;
 Ensure that the school receives records from previous schools when a child transfers to the
school and that a record is kept of any child protection concerns.
If a concern is raised by a member of staff, the designated teacher will:
 Respond sympathetically to staff concerns;
 Support and reassure the member of staff;
 Make a judgement on the basis of the information given and take appropriate action;
 Liaise with other agencies;
 Keep an up-to-date record of all developments;
 Keep the staff member informed of these developments;
 Ask the member of staff to carefully monitor the child and report any further concerns.
The Governing Body (Nominated Governor – Mr Michael Killey)
The role of the Governing Body is to:
 Ensure that there is a robust Child Protection Policy in place which is reviewed annually;
 Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the policy and the procedures associated with it;
 Ensure that a designated teacher is in place to provide advice and support to other staff;
 Operate safer recruitment procedures;
 Have procedures for dealing with allegations of abuse against members of staff and
volunteers that comply with guidance from the LA and locally agreed inter-agency
procedures;
 Remedy any deficiencies or weaknesses in regard to child protection arrangements that are
brought to its attention without delay;
 Ensure that a member of the governing body is nominated to be responsible for liaising with
the LA in the event of allegations of abuse being made against the headteacher.
Categories of Abuse
Abuse is defined under four broad categories. Staff need to be aware that they must report
suspicions of abuse under any of these categories as well as reporting any direct disclosure by
a child.
Staff also need to be aware that children under 5 and those who have SEN are the most
vulnerable group when considering child protection concerns as they may be unable to voice
their difficulties.
Category
Physical Abuse
Definition
 Physical injury to a
child, including
poisoning, where
there is a definite
knowledge, or a
reasonable
suspicion that the
injury was inflicted
or knowingly not
prevented.
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Emotional Abuse
 Severe adverse
effect on the
behaviour and
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Possible Signs
Unexplained injuries or burns, particularly if
they are recurrent.
Refusal to discuss injuries.
Improbable explanations for injuries.
Untreated injuries or lingering illness not
attended to.
Disclosure of punishment which appears
excessive.
Shrinking from physical contact.
Fear of returning home or of parents being
contacted.
Fear of undressing.
Fear of medical help.
Aggression/bullying.
Over-compliant behaviour or a ‘watchful
attitude’.
Significant changes in behaviour with no
apparent explanation.
Unexplained pattern of absence which may
serve to hide bruises or other physical
injuries.
Continual self-deprecation.
Fear of new situations.
Inappropriate emotional responses to painful
situations.
emotional
development of a
child by persistent
or severe
emotional illtreatment or
rejection.
Category
Definition
Sexual Abuse
 Involvement of
children under 16
in sexual activities
that they do not
truly comprehend
and to which they
are unable to give
informed consent.
Neglect
 Persistent or
severe neglect of a
child which results
in serious
impairment of the
child’s health or
development,
including failure to
provide adequate
food, warmth
and/or shelter and
leaving children
alone or
unsupervised.
General Procedures
 Self-harm or mutilation.
 Compulsive stealing/scrounging.
 ‘Neurotic’ behaviour – obsessive rocking,
thumb-sucking etc.
 Air of detachment – ‘don’t care’ attitude.
 Social isolation – does not join in and has
few friends.
 Desperate attention-seeking behaviour.
 Eating problems including over-eating or lack
of appetite.
 Depression, sudden introversion.
Possible Signs
 Bruises, scratches, burns or bite marks.
 Sexual awareness inappropriate to the child’s
age, shown in drawings, vocabulary, games
etc.
 Attempts to teach other children about sexual
identity.
 Refusing to stay with certain people or go to
certain places.
 Aggressiveness, anger, anxiety, tearfulness.
 Withdrawal from friends.
 Provocative sexual behaviour.
 Self-injury, self-destructive behaviour.
 Eating disorders.
 Tiredness, lethargy, listlessness.
 Over-compliant behaviour.
 Sleep disturbance.
 Unexplained gifts of money.
 Depression.
 Changes in behaviour.
 Constant hunger.
 Poor personal hygiene.
 Inappropriate clothing.
 Frequent lateness or non-attendance at
school.
 Untreated medical problems.
 Low self-esteem.
 Poor social relationships.
 Compulsive stealing or scrounging.
 Constant tiredness.
 Clinging and immaturity.
 Unable to express emotions.
 Poor communication skills.
 Out of doors late at night.
 Late coming to school because of getting
ready by self.
 Walking to school unaccompanied at an early
age.
 Underweight/undersized.
 Dull-eyed/sad appearance.
Should suspicions of abuse arise from staff observation of a child, i.e. where a child may have
been injured or ill-treated but does not appear to be in need of urgent medical treatment, or
when a child discloses information that is concerning, the member of staff MUST discuss it at
the earliest opportunity and certainly on the same day with the designated teacher
(Tamara McCarthy), or if unavailable, with the Deputy Headteacher or a member of the Senior
Leadership Team.
It is essential to have a written record of all the information available. Signs of physical injury
should be described in detail or sketched. Any comment made by the child concerned or by an
adult who might be an abuser about how the injury occurred should be recorded, preferably
quoting words actually used after the comment has been made.
Other comments made by the child that give rise to potential concerns in the categories of
neglect, emotional or sexual abuse should be recorded as near verbatim as possible. Staff will
need to judge how appropriate it is to make notes in the child’s presence, recognising that this
might be off-putting for the child.
The school recording form should be used for this purpose. All staff are provided with a supply
of these at the beginning of the academic year and spare copies are available in the staffroom
and school office at all times. The form MUST be dated and signed by the reporting member of
staff before handing it to the designated teacher.
Actions following a Disclosure
DO NOT promise confidentiality, even
under pressure. Explain that you will
have to pass the information on to the
designated teacher but offer
reassurance that this will be done in the
best interests of the child.
Designated teacher to prepare as much
factual information relating to the child's
background and their concerns as soon
as possible and to complete the
Common Referral Form documentation.
Listen to the child’s account
and indicate a willingness to
believe what is being said.
Designated teacher to seek the
agreement of the parents/carers
to refer the concern to Children’s
Social Care services.
Reassure the child that
they were right to tell you
and that you will get help
for them.
Designated teacher to discuss the
concern with the child’s
parents/carers, unless to do so
could reasonably be expected to
jeopardise the child's safety.
Record the information on the
school’s child protection form,
including as much detail as
possible and using the child’s
actual words where possible.
In the case of alleged physical
abuse, record the site of the
physical abuse but do not adjust
any clothing to see injuries.
Inform the designated
teacher immediately.
DO NOT ask leading questions or
interview the child. This could
jeopardise any official
investigations that need to be
carried out.
Support or At Risk?
During their time at school, some children will require support beyond that provided by their
families and universal services. Staff in school may identify through the presentation or
behaviour of a child that they have needs which could result in poor life chances unless
additional support is provided.
If a child is identified as having additional needs or if a disclosure is reported, the designated
teacher must decide whether this means that the child is at immediate risk of significant
harm.
Immediate risk of significant harm means that, without urgent action by Social Care and the
Police, the child is highly likely to be harmed to the extent that their health, development or life
chances will be irrevocably damaged. All instances of alleged or actual physical abuse and
sexual abuse fall within this category. In every other case, the designated teacher will make
the relevant initial judgement.
If the child is at immediate risk of significant harm, then a referral will be made to Social Care.
This can be done initially on the phone and then by using a Multi-Agency Referral Form. This
form requires the referrer to provide basic information about the child and to provide evidence
as to why they believe the child to be at immediate risk of significant harm.
If the child is not at immediate risk of significant harm, then the designated teacher needs to
decide whether the child’s identified needs can be met by a single agency.
Common Assessment Framework (CAF)
The CAF process is designed to support a child in need but NOT at risk of significant harm.
This process is used to improve a child’s life chances and it is expected that through this
process, services will work together to support the family by providing additional resources and
help.
Recording and Record Keeping
 The member of staff recording the information should immediately pass this on to the
designated teacher or if not available, to another member of the Senior Management Team.
 Notes should be made of exactly what was said or seen as soon as possible and these
should include dates and times. Notes should also describe the context and location of when
the conversation or observations took place.
 The designated teacher will complete a referral form and fax it to the appropriate Social Care
office. They will also phone the Social Care office to ensure that the form has been received.
 A copy of the form will be placed in the confidential Child Protection file in the section
marked ‘Children Causing Concern’. It will not be placed in their yellow folder.
 When the school receives the report from Social Care detailing the outcome of the referral,
this will be added to the Child Protection file.
 All hand written notes will be kept, even if they are subsequently typed up into a more formal
report.
 If the child is in need of medical attention, the designated teacher will refer to the Social Care
Team before making any decisions about informing parents/carers or taking them to hospital.
 If it is considered dangerous to allow the child to return home, the Social Care office will be
informed of the time that school closes and be required to provide advice about whether the
child can be allowed home.
 After any initial disclosure by a child, it is the Social Care Team who investigate. They may
ask school staff to ask questions but it is important to treat the child gently, sensitively and
not to cause them any further distress.
 When a child leaves the school, the designated teacher will inform the child’s new school
immediately and discuss with the child’s key worker the transfer of confidential information
the school may hold.
 The school recording form should be used by all staff to record any concerns they may have
about a child. Spare copies are available in the staffroom, school office and from the
designated teacher at all times.
Information Sharing and Confidentiality
Information sharing amongst practitioners working with children and their families is essential
as in many cases, it is only when information from a range of sources is put together that a
child can be seen to be in need or at risk of harm.
Staff should be aware of the need to share any information they have, as by doing so they
could avert a tragedy. A decision whether to disclose information may be particularly difficult if
you think it may damage the trust between you and the child. The key factor in deciding
whether or not to disclose confidential information is ‘proportionality’ – Is the proposed
disclosure a proportionate response to the need to protect the welfare of the child?
If a child confides in a member of staff and requests that the information is kept secret, it is
important that the member of staff tells the child sensitively that he or she has a responsibility
to refer cases of alleged abuse to the appropriate agencies.
The child should however, be assured that the matter will be disclosed only to people who
need to know about it. Staff who receive information about children and their families in the
course of their work should share that information only within appropriate professional
contexts.
As a school, we will ensure that:
 Precautions are taken so that any information about suspected abuse is only given to the
appropriate people.
 All personnel working in the school are aware of the confidential nature of personal
information about a child and the means of maintaining that confidentiality.
 Any personal information about a child or their family is regarded as confidential and treated
as such.
 School staff act with professional integrity at all times so that children and families involved in
child protection issues are protected from ‘gossip’.
Staff will only be told what they need to know. The staff who would need to know any
confidential information would be the designated teacher and the reporting member of staff.
Other staff, e.g. the class teacher and teaching assistant, may need to know that a child is in
difficulties so that they can support and manage them appropriately. The full details of the child
protection issue will not be given other than in exceptional circumstances.
Support
Children
We recognise that children who are abused or witness violence may find it difficult to develop a
sense of self-worth. They may feel helpless, humiliated and some sense of blame. School may
be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives of children at risk. When at
school, their behaviour may be challenging and defiant or they may be withdrawn. As a school,
we will endeavour to support vulnerable children through:
 The content of the curriculum;
 The school ethos which promotes a positive, supportive and secure environment and gives
children a sense of being valued;
 The school Behaviour Policy, which is aimed at supporting vulnerable children in school. We
will ensure that these children know that some behaviour is unacceptable but that they are
valued and not blamed for any abuse which has occurred;
 Liaison with other agencies which support the child such as Social Services, CAMHS,
Education Welfare Office and the Educational Psychology Service;
 Ensuring that, when a child on the Child Protection Register leaves, their information is
transferred to the new school immediately and that the child’s Social Worker is informed.
Families
 Staff will take a non-judgmental view/non-confrontational approach whilst ensuring that the
child’s welfare is paramount;
 Staff will have access to relevant information and/or personnel to facilitate liaison with other
agencies;
 The family will be assured of continuing support for siblings;
 School will ensure that any support that is given is positive.
Staff
A member of staff who has listened to a child disclose incidents where abuse of any kind is
described may find the experience traumatic, stressful and distressing. Moral support from
colleagues may be needed and help will be available from the designated teacher. In seeking
support from colleagues, staff should be mindful of balancing their own needs with the need to
maintain confidentiality for the child.
If adequate support cannot be provided in school, the City Council’s Employee Services can
offer counselling.
Safer Recruitment
When appointing any member of staff, safer recruitment practices will always be followed, as
outlined in our Safer Recruitment Policy.
Managing Allegations Against Staff
Allegation made to school
The allegation should be reported to the Headteacher immediately unless the allegation is
about the Headteacher in which case it should be reported to the Chair of Governors.
If it is alleged that a teacher or member of staff in a school (including a volunteer) has
committed any of the following, the Headteacher should report it to the LA designated officer
the same day:
 Behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child;
 Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child; or,
 Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates s/he is unsuitable to work with
children.
Allegation made to the Police or Children’s Social Care
If an allegation is made to the police, the officer who receives it should report it to the force
designated liaison officer without delay and the designated liaison officer should inform the LA
designated officer straight away. Similarly if the allegation is made to Children’s Social Care,
the person who receives it should report it to the LA designated officer without delay.
Initial consideration
The LA designated officer will discuss the matter with the Headteacher and where necessary
obtain further details of the allegation and the circumstances in which it was made. The
Headteacher should not investigate the allegation at this stage. The discussion should also
consider whether there is evidence/information that establishes that the allegation is false or
unfounded.
If the allegation is not patently false and there is cause to suspect that a child is suffering or is
likely to suffer significant harm, the LA designated officer will immediately refer to Children’s
Social Care and ask for a strategy discussion in accordance with “Working Together” to be
convened straight away. In those circumstances the strategy discussion should include the LA
designated officer and the Headteacher.
If there is not cause to suspect that “significant harm” is an issue, but a criminal offence might
have been committed, the LA designated officer should immediately inform the police and
convene a similar discussion to decide whether a police investigation is needed. That
discussion should also involve the school and any other agencies involved with the child.
Action following initial consideration
Where the initial consideration decides that the allegation does not involve a possible criminal
offence it will be for the employer to deal with it. In such cases, if the nature of the allegation
does not require formal disciplinary action, the Headteacher should institute appropriate action
within 3 working days. If a disciplinary hearing is required and can be held without further
investigation, the hearing should be held within 15 working days.
Where further investigation is required to inform consideration of disciplinary action the
Headteacher and the school personnel adviser should discuss who will undertake that with the
LA designated officer. In some settings and circumstances it may be appropriate for the
disciplinary investigation to be conducted by a person who is independent of the school. In any
case the investigating officer should aim to provide a report to the employer within 10 working
days.
On receipt of the report of the disciplinary investigation, the Headteacher and Chair of
Governors should consult the LA designated officer, and decide whether a disciplinary hearing
is needed within 2 working days. If a hearing is needed it should be held within 15 working
days.
In any case in which children’s social care has undertaken enquiries to determine whether the
child or children are in need of protection, the Headteacher and Chair of Governors should
take account of any relevant information obtained in the course of those enquiries when
considering disciplinary action. The LA designated officer should continue to liaise with the
school to monitor progress of the case and provide advice /support when required/requested.
Case subject to police investigation
If a criminal investigation is required, the police will aim to complete their enquiries as quickly
as possible consistent with a fair and thorough investigation and will keep the progress of the
case under review. They should at the outset set a target date for reviewing progress of the
investigation and consulting the CPS about whether to proceed with the investigation, charge
the individual with an offence, or close the case. Wherever possible that review should take
place no later than 4 weeks after the initial action meeting and if the decision is to continue to
investigate the allegation dates for subsequent review should be set at that point. (It is open to
the police to consult the CPS about the evidence that will need to be obtained in order to
charge a person with an offence at any stage.).
If the police and/or CPS decide not to charge the individual with an offence, or decide to
administer a caution, or the person is acquitted by a Court, the police should wherever possible
aim to pass all information they have which may be relevant to a disciplinary case to the
employer within 3 working days of the decision. In those circumstances the employer and the
LA designated officer should proceed. In any case in which children’s social care has
undertaken enquiries to determine whether the child or children are in need of protection, any
information obtained in the course of those enquiries which is relevant to a disciplinary case
should also be passed to the school. If the person is convicted of an offence the police should
also inform the employer straight away so that appropriate action can be taken.
Referral to the Dfe
If on conclusion of the case the school ceases to use the person’s services, or the person
ceases to provide his/her services, the school should consult the LA designated officer about
whether a referral to Dfe is required. If a referral is appropriate, the report should be made
within one month.
Senior Member of Staff Responsible:
Tamara McCarthy (Acting Headteacher)
Designated Member of Staff:
N/A
Governor Responsible:
Michael Killey ( Chair of Governors)
Original Policy: September 2008
Reviewed and agreed: September 2009
Reviewed and agreed: September 2010
Reviewed and agreed: October 2011
Reviewed and agreed: October 2012
John Shelton Community Primary School
Child Causing Concern
Name of Child:
Year Group:
Concern registered by:
Date:
Nature of Concern
Pass to Headteacher as soon as Possible
Report Received by:
Date:
Action Taken