St Bedes Catholic College

Safeguarding and Child

Protection Policy

January 2015

ST BEDES CATHOLIC COLLEGE

SAFEGUARDING (CHILD PROTECTION) POLICY
This Policy is addressed to all members of staff.
The Designated Child Protection Officer is Mr D ORourke, Assistant Principal
Mrs A Pilkington is the designated child protection governor
Rationale:
The College recognises that it has a duty to safeguard and protect children from abuse and will do
whatever is possible to exercise this duty mindful of the fact that the welfare of the child is
paramount.
As a Catholic community we are concerned with all aspects of a childs welfare. We value and
cherish each child and seek to ensure that every effort is made to protect the children in our care.
This means that all adults are expected to
understand the responsibilities, which are part of their employment or role, and be aware that
sanctions will be applied if these provisions are breached.

always act, and be seen to act, in the childs best interests.

avoid any conduct which would lead any reasonable person to question their motivation and
intentions.

take responsibility for their own actions and behaviour.

Should a child experience abuse we will play a full and positive part in helping that child cope with
the issues involved, and will work with all appropriate individuals and agencies in seeking to
resolve the problem in the best interests of the child.
Aims:
We will endeavour to: do everything in our power to protect children when they are in our care by making a safe
environment and giving them the resources and skills to minimise the risk of abuse.

develop positive relationships.

enhance self-esteem and encourage all children to develop a positive self-image.

enable children to develop the skills to deal with conflict effectively.

give children the opportunity to make reasoned and informed choices, judgements and
decisions.

provide a model for open and effective communication between children, teachers, parents,
agencies and other adults working with children.

provide a clear model for management in cases of suspected or disclosed abuse.

ensure all college staff know how to act if they have concerns or need support regarding a
particular child.

integrate the key concepts of child protection into the existing curriculum.

help children to acquire skills and attitudes to resist abuse in their own lives.

prepare children for their responsibilities beyond college including parenthood in their adult
lives.

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keep staff well informed about child protection and safeguarding issues and their
responsibilities.

ensure staff employed by Governors or those who have contact with children have the required
level of clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

ensure visitors to the college who have unsupervised access to children have the required level
of clearance .
Guidelines:
Safeguarding incidents can happen anywhere and staff should be alert to possible concerns being
raised in our College.

An environment is created within the college in which every child is valued as a member of the
community.

Relationships between children and staff should, where ever possible, be based upon mutual
trust and respect.

Opportunities are created so that children can be listened to and all helped to articulate their
wishes and feelings.

High standards of behaviour within the college should enable children to be protected from
abuse from other children.

A variety of opportunities are allowed for class and group discussion of thoughts and feelings in
an atmosphere of trust, acceptance and respect.

The key concepts of child protection are integrated within the existing Personal, Social, Health
and Citizenship Education curriculum. These concepts are feelings and emotions, touch,
secrets, assertiveness, self-esteem and trust.

Members of staff are made aware that Governors will not support physical abuse of children in
any of its guises.

The Governing body will review regularly the Safeguarding Policy and ensure the Annual
Safeguarding Audit is completed.

Staff will be subjected to enhanced DBS clearance in accordance with government guidance.

A list of DBS clearance of all our staff and those who have unsupervised contact with children
will be held by the Bursar and updated as required.

A senior Member of Staff is the designated children protection officer who deals with child
protection matters in the first instance. This person is also the named teacher for children in
care.

Procedures:
If any member of staff suspects that a child is being abused either emotionally/physically (actual or
likely physical injury), sexually (actual or likely sexual exploitation including child trafficking, forced
marriage and female genital mutilation) or by neglect (persistent or severe neglect or failure to
protect a child), suspicions must be discussed with designated Child Protection Officer or the
Principal only, or in their absence with the most Senior Member of Staff present. Concerns should
be shared as soon as they arise.

Where it is believed that a child is suffering from, or is at risk of, significant harm, we will follow
the procedures set out on the South West Child Protection Procedures website
www.swcpp.org.uk and Bristol Safeguarding Children Board

Staff are told that they do not have the responsibility to investigate cases of suspected child
abuse. However, if at any point there is a risk of immediate serious harm to a child and there is

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no one in college to act on this concern then a referral should be made to Childrens Social Care.
Anybody can make a referral. If the childs situation does not appear to be improving, the staff
member with concerns should press for reconsideration. Concerns should always lead to help for
the child at some point.

We will cooperate with relevant external agencies in any enquiries regarding child protection
matters, including representation at child protection conferences, core groups and multi-agency
planning meetings.

A record is kept in college of action taken. Telephone referrals to social care will be followed up
in writing within 48 hours.

Information regarding pupils at risk or those subject to a child protection care plan will be
shared with members of staff on a need to know basis.

The safety of the child over-rides confidentiality. Staff must be clear about when information can
be shared and in what circumstances it is appropriate to do so. They must not promise to keep
secrets with children and that if children disclose abuse this must be passed on to the
designated child protection coordinator as soon as possible and the child should be told with
whom their disclosure will be shared.

All records may be subject to the Freedom of Information Act (2000) and the Data Protection Act
(1998). If there is any doubt as to the rights of any party to access information legal advice may
be sought prior to releasing any information.

In all child protection issues the well-being of the child and his/her safety is paramount.

Allegations against staf

All staff should be aware of their duty to raise concerns about the attitude or actions of
colleagues. Concerns must be discussed with the Designated Child Protection Officer or the
Principal only or, in their absence, the next most senior member of staff present.

If a pupil makes an allegation against a member of staff the Principal should be immediately
informed.

The Principal will discuss the allegation with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) at
the earliest opportunity and before any actions are taken.

If the allegation concerns the behaviour of the Principal, the Chair of Governors should be
informed.

Safe recruitment practice

All staff will have enhanced DBS checks on appointment. Checks will be accurately recorded on
a single central record and will be carried out every 6 years.

Self-Declaration Form
Staff will sign a form annually confirming that if a DBS check is carried out, nothing would show
up. Random checks will also be carried out.

A referral will be made to the DBS if a person in regulated activity has been dismissed or
removed due to safeguarding concerns.

The Designated Lead Child Protection Officer undertakes an inter-agency training course every
two years. Other staff and Governors have safeguarding training updated as appropriate.

At least one person on every interview panel will be trained in safe recruitment practices.

Volunteers will be checked in line with the statutory guidance: Regulated Activity (Children)
supervision of activity with children which is regulated activity when unsupervised.

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Visitors
We will ensure that visitors to the College comply with DBS requirements. Visitors who have
unsupervised contact with children will require DBS clearance.
E-Safety
Children will be taught about E-Safety and learn how to keep themselves safe whilst in online
environments and using new technologies.

E-Safety information is provided to parents on a regular basis.

This Policy has been drawn up following consultation and should be read in conjunction with the
Health and Safety Policy, Guidelines on the Use of Physical Contact with Pupils and E-Safety Policy.
It will be reviewed regularly.
Legislation in relation to safeguarding includes:
Childrens Acts 1989 and 2004
Education Act 2002
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2013
Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families 2000
What to do if you are worried a child is being abused 2003
The guidance reflects Keeping Children Safe in Education 2014.

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