General Introduction

At Upton, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and sharing this commitment. It is recognised that all staff/volunteers play an important role in identifying potential cases of child abuse. It is also important that all relevant agencies involved in child abuse co-operate together for the benefit of the child. All schools have a designated teacher for child protection, who liaises with Social Service departments and teachers in school. For this procedure to work, it relies on the skills and expertise of every class teacher and adult within school to recognise and/or report concerns.

At Upton House School the Headmistress is the designated person for child protection. Her training is updated every 2 years, other staff members/volunteeers have training every three years in out INSET programme. The Deputy Head also knows the procedures. The governing body has an appointed member who is the child protection co-ordinator who is responsible for compliance with regulations. Every year he checks that staff/volunteers child protection training is up to date, he is trained every 2 years.  All staff/volunteers have total commitment to child protection. They raise children’s awareness about themselves through PSHE and develop a trusting climate so that children feel able to talk and share their thoughts and feelings. Children are taught that they have the right to say ‘No’.  Any deficiencies or weaknesses in child protection arrangements are remedied without delay.

Upton House has a policy of partnership between home and school but with child abuse, or suspicion of child abuse, our first and only responsibility is to the child. Parent’s permission should be sought before discussing a referral about them with other agencies, unless permission seeking may itself place a child at risk of significant harm. This may mean that parents are not always informed or consulted. Suspected cases are reported, procedures adhered to and subsequent actions are left to the appropriate agencies.

The Procedure for a Child Complaining About One or More Other Pupil(s)

Children, through the PSHE programme, are taught how to promote and safeguard their own welfare.  The child is encouraged to confide in an adult they trust who then follows the normal procedure.

Safe Recruitment Policies

Upton House has a written policy and procedure for recruitment.  We follow all recommendations and check through enhanced CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) and other pre-employment checks the suitability of the applicant to work with children.

Guidelines

These procedures are kept

• to protect the child’s welfare
• to avoid delay
• to provide consistency
• to protect staff/volunteers
• to ensure that if further action is taken by another agency, then the school has followed the protection procedures

Staff/volunteers are in contact with children and are in a position to detect possible abuse. They must not think that by voicing concern they are necessarily starting procedures. The criteria should be that they have ‘reasonable suspicion’ and under the Children Act 1989 Section 47 this definition has been extended to include ‘or may suffer in future’.

If a child discloses abuse or staff/volunteers are suspicious, the member of staff/volunteer involved should:

• listen to the child and record what was said in the child’s language
• report immediately to the Headmistress or Deputy Head if the Head is not available
• keep a written, dated record of any relevant information such as signs of injury or other evidence
• not speak to the parents
• be clear at the onset of the discussion that the information will have to be passed on
• stop the child giving a full disclosure – hear enough to raise concerns
• make clear that confidentiality cannot be promised to a pupil giving evidence

It is very important in these cases that prompt and correct procedures are followed under the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead’s Protection Procedures. Staff/volunteers have an important role in hearing what children have to say. The school can provide a neutral place where the child feels it is safe to talk. Sensitivity to the disclosure is vital. Staff/volunteers must listen carefully to what the child is saying, treat it seriously and value what they say. Children may feel that they will not be believed or that they will be punished.

Staff/volunteers will need to say that whatever has happened it is not the child’s fault. Fear of the consequences of telling is very common. It can be very tempting to offer a promise of confidentiality to the child. This is not realistic. The child needs to hear the truth about what will happen, together with a commitment to support the child. It is crucial not to ask leading questions. Our role is to enable the child to speak and then know what to do next.

Dealing with Allegations made Against Staff/Volunteers

Upton House has a written policy and procedure with allegations made against staff/volunteers.  It is an important element of discharging the statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.  Preventing those who might wish to harm or abuse them from entering or remaining in the workforce is of paramount importance.

Staff/volunteers must ensure that their behaviour and actions do not place pupils or themselves at risk of harm or of allegations of harm to a pupil, for example, in one-to-one tuition, sports coaching, conveying a pupil by car, engaging in inappropriate electronic communications with a pupil.  All staff/volunteers should be made aware of the school's behaviour/discipline policy.  An allegation is dealt with fairly, quickly and consistently with particular reference to the January 2007 Department of Education Skills guidance "Safeguarding Children & Safer Recruitment in Education". The Headmistress has recently undergone online training for the NCSL in Safer Recruitment .

If a pupil or parent makes a complaint of abuse against a member of staff/volunteer, the person must take it seriously and immediately inform the Headmistress.  He or she should also make a record of the concerns including details of anyone else who witnessed the incident or allegation.  The Headmistress will not investigate the allegation itself, or take written or detailed statements but will assess whether it is necessary to refer the matter to social services in accordance with the safeguarding procedures.  In doing so the Headmistress will consult with the relevant agencies.  If the Headmistress decides that the allegation warrants further action through safeguarding procedures she must make a referral direct to the local social care team.  If the allegation constitutes a serious criminal offence it will be necesary to contact social services before informing the member of staff/volunteer.  If it is decided that it is not necessary to refer the matter to social services the Headmistress will consider whether there needs to be an internal investigation.  If the complaint made to a member of staff/volunteer concerns the Headmistress, the person receiving the complaint will immediately inform the designated child protection governor without first notifying the Headmistress.

Support Following a Disclosure

Supporting Staff/Volunteers

Dealing with a disclosure from a child, and a child protection case in general, is likely to be a stressful experience.  The member of staff/volunteer should, therefore, consider seeking support for him/herself and discuss this with the Designated Teacher.  He/she can seek support from the governor representative or from the local Safeguarding Children's Board if required.

Supporting Children

A child who is abused or witnesses violence may find it difficult to develop and maintain a sense of self worth.
He may feel helpless, humilated and blame himself.

School may provide the only stability in the life of a child who has been abused or who is at risk of harm.

The behaviour of the child may range from that deemed to be normal to aggression or withdrawal.

The school will support pupils by: encouraging self-esteem and self-confidence whilst not condoning aggression or bullying, promoting a caring, safe and positive environment within the school, liaising and working together with all other support services and those agencies in the safeguarding of children.

Confidentiality

All matters relating to Safeguarding are confidential.

The Headmistress or Designated Teacher will disclose any information about a pupil to other members of staff/volunteers on a need to know basis only.

All staff must be aware that they have a professional responsibility to share information with other agencies in order to safeguard children.

All staff/volunteers must be aware that they cannot promise a child to keep secrets.

Whistle Blowing

We recognise that children cannot be expected to raise concerns in an environment where staff/volunteers fail to do so.  We will ensure that all the staff/volunteers are made aware of their duty to raise concerns about the attitude or actions of colleagues.  If necessary they should speak to the Designated Teacher or Headmistress.

Record Keeping

When a child has made a disclosure, the member of staff or volunteer should: make brief notes about the conversation, not destroy the original notes in case they are needed by a court, record the time, date and place and any noticeable non-verbal behaviour and the words used by the child, use one of the body maps to show any injuries, record statements and observations rather than interruptions or assumptions.  All records need to be given to the Designated Senior Person promptly.  No copies should be retained by the member of staff or volunteer.

The names of any children who are causing concern and who need monitoring will be kept in the main office in the locked filing cabinet.  Staff are kept informed of any child in their class who is on this register.  Teachers must inform the Headmistress of any changes/additions so that this list can be kept up-to-date.

RBWM Social Care Referral and Assessment Team 01628 683150 (Emergency Duty Team Referrals after 5.00pm -1344 786543) - offer advice and guidance on child protection issues. Practitioners can contact the duty officer and ask for advice only.  Police 0845 8505 505.

There are three identified ECAS staff that offer advice and guidance if practitioners want to share or discuss any child protection concerns: - Helen Young, Childcare Officer 01628 796684, Rita Vasa, Senior Adviser 01628 796534, Suzy Tutchell, Lead Officer 01628 793642.

A School Council made up of appointed and elected pupils meet regularly to discuss whole school issues.