DOROTHY GOODMAN SCHOOL: POLICY STATEMENT
CHILD PROTECTION

Definition of Child Protection

Child abuse happens to children of both sexes, at all ages and in all cultures, religions & social classes. It happens both to children with and without disabilities. It can happen to children who attend Special Schools.

Child protection means protecting children against abuse and non-accidental injury.

Definition of Child Abuse

Abuse can be:

1. Physical injury. Look out for: bruises; fingertip bruising (where it is possible a child may have been grasped); bruises of different ages in the same place; bruises with no obvious explanation; bruises to non-mobile children; marks that may have been caused by burns or bites; large numbers of different-aged scars; unusual shaped scars; scars that indicate a child may not have received medical treatment; fractures, or unexplained pain in non-mobile children;
2. Emotional Abuse. Look out for: abnormally passive, lethargic or attention-seeking behaviour; new habit disorders, e.g. smearing, self-harm etc.; excessively nervous behaviour not otherwise explained;
3. Sexual Abuse. Look out for: recurring urinary infections; genital and rectal itching and soreness; unexplained bleeding & discharges; bruising in the genital regions; sexual behaviour which is inappropriate to a child's age, development or circumstances; sexual knowledge above the level that might be expected; sexually abusive behaviour towards other children;
4. Neglect. Look out for: children who appear undernourished in relation to their potential growth; consistently dirty clothing or nappies; constant tiredness; children known to be exposed to inadequate, dirty or cold environments; children denied appropriate medical treatment or adequate adult supervision;

Responsibilities

Every adult who comes into the school has a responsibility for Child Protection. It is a matter for everyone. In this respect there is no hierarchical demarkation, and every member of staff must consider it their duty to look out for warning signs and to report anything noted to the Headteacher without delay. Similarly this applies to visitors and visiting students. To this effect the following guiding principles operate:

1. All members of staff, visiting students, and regular visitors will receive a copy of the Leicestershire Education Authority's Child Protection leaflet. A supply of these leaflets will be maintained in school and distributed by the Headteacher. It is the responsibility of every adult to make themselves familiar with the contents of this leaflet.
2. Adults should listen to children with belief.
3. Adults should be aware of explanations given by children which are inconsistent with what is known or observed.
4. Where there is concern the matter must be reported immediately. There should be no delay.

Training

The Headteacher and the designated Governor will be responsible for arranging appropriate training, and for reporting on what training has taken place to the Governing Body.

Taking Action

Any action taken is in line with the following documents:

Leicestershire Area Child Protection Committee procedures
DfEE Circular 10/95
Leicestershire LEA Admin Memo 76

We as a school are mindful that it is our role to report our Child Protection concerns to Social Services, but not to investigate. We will co-operate with all agencies, either to prevent a child being placed on the Child Protection Register, or during an investigation, or to carry out the Action Plan once registration has taken place. Within the constraints of what is advisable and possible, we will always endeavour to support the children and families involved to the best of our ability.

Procedure for Reporting Concerns

Where an adult has a concern that a child may have been mistreated, either physically, emotionally, sexually or by neglect, the following steps should be taken:

The matter must be reported immediately.

The matter must be reported to the Headteacher.

If the Headteacher is not in school, then it is the appropriate Head of Department who should be consulted (first half of each term – Head of Seniors; second half – Head of Juniors)

Keep the matter confidential to as few people as need to know (following the advice of the Headteacher).

Next Steps

The Headteacher is the person in school responsible for child protection. Once a concern has been reported to the Headteacher it is therefore his / her responsibility to decide what steps to take next, as follows:

1. A written account will always be made - specifying, for example, details of where bruising occurs, the time it was noticed, who noticed it, the condition of the child etc., as appropriate. You may be asked to make your own written account. These will then be filed confidentially.
2. The Headteacher may want to see the child, to inspect bruises, condition of clothing etc.. If so, this should always be done in the presence of a witness. No inspection of sensitive body areas should be attempted: instead the advice of the school nurse or of social services should be sought.
3. The Headteacher will make a decision as to whether anyone else needs to be informed, e.g. class teacher, school nurse etc.. For all other people in school the matter will remain confidential.
4. The nominated Governor for Child Protection will always be informed, and will discuss the matter with the Head.
5. The Headteacher and the nominated Governor will make a decision as to whether the matter is sufficiently serious to report to Social Services. If it is sufficiently serious, or if there is any doubt, or if there are repeated concerns about one particular child, then the Duty Officer at Hinckley Social Services should be informed, on: Hinckley 636964
   It is the responsibility of the Headteacher only (or his / her deputy) to make this phone call. If Social Services are contacted, then advice should be sought from the Duty Officer as to how parents will be informed.
6. The person making the report will be informed of any decisions, and may be asked to co-operate with Social Services or with the Police in any investigation.
7. If there is an allegation of abuse against an adult in the school, then it must be reported to the Headteacher in the normal way, and will be investigated in the normal way.
8. If there is an allegation against the headteacher, then it must be reported to the Education Department (Access & Welfare Service - 0116 265 6324), and to the Chair of Governors. The current Chair of Governors is Mr. Kevin Cowley - Hinckley 213604.

General Advice

1. Staff and adults in schools are well-placed to notice possible signs of abuse, because of their regular contact with the children. Please be aware of changes in children's attitude, behaviour, appearance etc.. These changes may happen over a period of time, or may be sudden.
2. Listen to what children say.
3. Treat the matter seriously, and reassure the child if necessary. If you are going to make a report, do so immediately.
4. When writing an account, make it as specific as possible. Include the action that you have taken.
5. Tell only people who need to know.
6. Do not promise a child to keep the matter secret.
7. Do not contact parents. This is the job of the Headteacher or Social Services.
8. Do not try and interrogate children or ask leading questions.
9. Do not examine children physically.
10. Do not speak with anyone against whom allegations are made, even if the allegations are about a colleague or another adult connected with the school.

Further Information / Advice

If you remain uncertain about a particular incident or set of circumstances, and if you are unable to discuss the matter with the Headteacher, please contact the Education Department (Access & Welfare - 0116 265 6324) for advice.

If you require further information, the full Child Protection Procedure (Leicestershire LEA - Administrative Memorandum No. 76) is available in school, on request to the Headteacher.

Monitoring & Evaluation

This Policy will be reviewed every two years, and any necessary changes in procedure or personnel will be referred to the Governing body for discussion and ratification.

Dorothy Goodman School July 2001