The School will follow the guidelines in ‘Safeguarding Children in Education’ (DfES publication ref:00027/2004) and ‘Every Child Matters’ (presented to Parliament September 2003) and the procedures set out by the Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) for Surrey and Guildford. When appointing staff the guidelines in ‘Safer Recruitment and Selection in Education Settings’ (DfES 14 November 2006) will be used.

In particular, the School will:

Appoint designated teachers for child protection from the Senior Management Team, who will be trained and supported in the task of overseeing all child protection matters within the school.
Ensure that a named governor for child protection is also appointed
Make every member of school staff aware of their individual responsibility for the protection of children in their care; ensure that everyone knows the name and role of the designated teachers (CPLO and Deputy CPLO) and governor, by displaying this information on relevant noticeboards.
Arrange basic training for all staff in child abuse awareness, including what to do if they are worried about a child and how to respond to a child who tells them about abuse (this training to take place during induction and whole school training to take place every three years).
Set up a good, accurate record-keeping system to monitor all children about whom concerns have been expressed, whether or not these concerns lead to a child protection referral
Ensure that all staff and all volunteers, who have substantial contact with children, have undergone Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks at the appropriate level. Staff employed before April 2002 should be checked against List 99.
Develop effective links with other agencies, such as Social Services, police and health groups. Contribute to interagency enquiries, child protection conferences and other related groups as appropriate
Make parents aware of the School’s responsibilities in child protection
Fulfil any special responsibilities or tasks required in the care of children on the Child Protection Register

Promoting a protective ethos

The Curriculum, staff training and daily practice of Tormead School seek to create a protective ethos where risk to the personal safety of children, particularly the risk of abuse, is minimised. The school will also encourage working practices that will protect staff from misunderstanding or malicious accusations.

If school staff become concerned about a possible risk to the health and welfare of a pupil, the School will work as much as possible in partnership with parents. However, current child protection procedures will be followed and, where appropriate, the school will have to share its concern with Social Services or other agencies. Occasionally, a mistake may be made, but in the best interests of all children we believe it is better to risk being overcautious. We hope parents share this philosophy and accept that Tormead School will not act maliciously or thoughtlessly in this regard.

This School recognises the importance of high self-esteem and self-confidence in keeping children safe. The school curriculum includes activities designed to promote the well-being of the children and give them personal safety information that is appropriate to their ages and levels of development. The increased vulnerability of special needs children and those who have been bullied or isolated by their peers is recognised. The School seeks to support those children who may be especially vulnerable to abuse through sensitive monitoring and by ensuring that all children have around them a network of people they can go to for help when necessary.

The School also has policies in related areas that should be read in conjunction with this one. They are:

.Code of Conduct for Staff Employed in Schools
.Restraint Policy
.Anti-Bullying Policy
.Special Educational Needs Policy

Guidelines for all employees and volunteers

All staff and volunteers have a responsibility to protect each student from abuse, which may be sexual, emotional, physical or neglect. Staff should establish a climate of safety, by establishing ground rules in all lessons and other activities, which enable students to feel secure and confident. Specific skills such as personal safety, personal responsibilities and citizenship are mainly delivered via PSHE, but it is the responsibility of all staff to ensure that if such issues are raised in the course of their lessons that they are dealt with in way that is free from any discrimination or bias.
All staff should be alert to any possible signs of abuse and should report any such concerns to one of the designated CPLOs immediately. See appendix for possible signs of abuse and guidelines for talking to a student.
If an allegation involves a member of staff or other adult associated with the School, this must be reported immediately to one of the designated CPLOs. The School has procedures that aim to strike a balance between the need to protect children from abuse and the need to protect staff and volunteers from false or unfounded allegations. The Headmistress will decide on a course of action which will take into account the nature of the allegation, the risk to the student(s) and the interests of the member of staff concerned. A School employee who is the subject of an allegation may be asked to take leave of absence or may be suspended pending the outcome of an investigation. If the allegation involves the Headmistress it will be investigated by the designated governor.
If an allegation involves a student, this must be reported immediately to one of the designated CPLOs. The School has procedures that aim to strike a balance between the need to protect children from abuse and the need to protect other students from false or unfounded allegations. The Headmistress will decide on a course of action which will take into account the nature of the allegation, the risk to the student(s) and the interests of the other student concerned. A student who is the subject of an allegation may be suspended pending the outcome of an investigation and the School’s code of conduct and policy on discipline and sanctions will be applied. If the allegation involves the Headmistress it will be investigated by the designated governor.

Appendix

Possible signs of abuse include (but are not limited to)

The student reports abuse or makes comments that give rise to that inference
The student has an unexplained injury or an injury with an unlikely explanation. (look out for repeated injuries, ones in unusual locations etc.)
The student has a sudden change in behaviour or stands out as having extreme behaviour, either model or extremely challenging.
The student displays sexual behaviour that is inappropriate or inappropriate to their age.
The student is reluctant to undress for PE.
The student asks to drop subjects with a particular teacher for no good reason
The student’s development is delayed
The pupil hints at secrets they share but may not tell
The student appears neglected
The student is reluctant to go home
The student loses or gains a lot of weight

If a student approaches a member of staff with an allegation of a abuse, the member of staff should

Listen carefully and keep an open mind
Not ask leading questions.
Never give an assurance of confidentiality, but make sure that the child realises that the allegation will be passed on to one of the CPLOs.
As soon as possible make a written record of the allegation. This should include the date, time and place of the conversation and be signed and dated. It should be handed to the CPLO who will take appropriate action.
Any other evidence should be safeguarded and preserved.