Aim
As outlined in our school’s mission statement we try to “…create a welcoming, caring and secure learning environment”. We believe that all members of staff have a pastoral responsibility towards each child and recognise that all children have a fundamental right to be protected from harm. This is part of the requirements from the Children’s Act 2004; reflecting the 2003 Green Paper Every Child Matters – Outcome Two - Stay Safe.
The key aims of this outcome are to ensure that all children are:
• Safe from maltreatment, neglect, violence and sexual exploitation;
• Safe from accidental injury and death;
• Safe from bullying and discrimination;
• Safe from crime and anti-social behaviour in and out of school;
• Have security, stability and are cared for.
The children can be helped to understand what is and is not acceptable behaviour towards them, and taught about staying safe from harm, and how to speak up if they have worries or concerns. The curriculum also plays a part in preparing children for the responsibilities of their adult life.
Designated Persons
The designated persons are Mrs. Danuta Koscinska (Principal), Mrs. Beata Sobiech (Polish Director) and Mrs. Anna Domaradzka (Vice-Principal). All members of staff should seek advice from the designated persons if they have concerns for the welfare of any particular child.
Types of abuse
Through our day to day contact with pupils, staff have a crucial role to play in noticing indicators of possible abuse, or neglect and in referring concerns to the appropriate authorities.
The document ‘Working together to safeguard children: consultation draft DfEE’ outlines four main areas of abuse.
Physical Abuse
This may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child.
Emotional Abuse
This is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to a child that they are worthless, or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may involve causing a child to frequently feel frightened, or in danger.
Sexual Abuse
This involves forcing, or enticing, a child to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening.
Neglect
This is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health, or development. It may involve a parent, or carer, failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, failing to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care, or treatment. It may also include neglect of a child’s basic emotional needs.
Increasing awareness
Teachers and other staff often notice visible injuries. Bruises, lacerations and burns may be apparent, particularly when children change their clothes for PE and other sport related activities. Possible indicators of physical neglect such as: inadequate clothing, poor growth, hunger, and emotional abuse such as excessive dependence, or attention seeking may be noticeable. Sexual abuse may exhibit physical signs. All can lead to a substantial change in behaviour. These signs and others can do no more than give rise to suspicion; they are not in themselves proof that abuse has occurred.
When teachers and other staff see signs, which cause their concern they should seek information from the child with tact and sympathy. It is not however, the responsibility of teachers and other staff in school to investigate suspected abuse. It is essential that the designated persons be informed of concerns, as soon as possible.
All Staff
• Be alert to the signs of abuse.
• Report anything; seen, or heard, that gives cause for concern to designated persons.
• Report to the Designated Persons any subsequent incidents/concerns.
• Be familiar with the contents of the Child Protection Policy.
Training
In accordance with Polish requirements appropriate training of the designated persons, all full-time and part-time staff, as well as volunteers, will take place on a regular basis, that is: every two to three years.
Principal
The Principal will take all necessary action to ensure that procedures are being carried out in full, at all times. A formal review of all the schools Child Protection policies and procedures and the efficiency with which the related duties have been discharged will be carried out annually.
The school operates safe recruitment procedures in line with Polish regulatory requirements. Any deficiencies, or weaknesses found in the schools Child Protection arrangements will be remedied without delay.
This policy is in accordance with Polish regulatory requirements and is available to parents, on request, at school and on the school’s website.