Safeguarding is defined as protecting children from maltreatment, preventing impairment of health and/or development, ensuring that children grow up in the provision of safe and effective care and taking action to enable all children to have the best life chances.
This Child Protection Policy forms part of a suite of documents and policies which relate to the safeguarding responsibilities of the school. The range of people who will refer to the policy are teaching staff, support & lunch staff, parent helpers, volunteers, supply staff etc. as well as young people in the setting.
All external visitors including Trustees, supply teachers, volunteers, contractors and speakers will be made aware of the information contained within our safeguarding policy and their responsibility to comply via the school
This safeguarding policy has obvious links with the wider safeguarding agenda: when reviewing our policy, links will be made with other relevant guidelines and procedures such as the anti-bullying policy, guidance on safer recruitment, prevent and Allegations of abuse made against teachers and other staff. In particular this policy should be read in conjunction with the Safeguarding Policy, Safer Recruitment Policy, Behaviour Policy, Anti-Bullying Policy, Mental health policy, Code of Conduct/Staff Behaviour Policy/staff handbook, E-safety policy and Acceptable computer use policy.
Purpose of a Child Protection Policy: To inform staff, parents, volunteers and governors about the school's responsibilities for safeguarding children. To enable everyone to have a clear understanding of how these responsibilities should be carried out.
School Staff & Volunteers: School staff and volunteers are particularly well placed to observe outward signs of abuse, changes in behaviour and failure to develop because they have daily contact with children. All school staff will receive appropriate safeguarding children training (which is updated regularly), so that they are knowledgeable and aware of their role in the early recognition of the indicators of abuse or neglect and of the appropriate procedures to follow. It is good practice for the Designated Senior Person to deliver an annual update. And in BIGS, we will provide an update every September In addition all staff members should receive safeguarding and child protection updates (for example, via email, e-bulletins and staff meetings), as required, but at least annually, to provide them with relevant skills and knowledge to safeguard children effectively Temporary staff and volunteers will be made aware of the safeguarding policies and procedures by the Designated Senior Person. -including Child Protection Policy and staff behaviour policy (code of conduct)
Establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk, and are listened to when they have a worry or concern.
Establish and maintain an environment where school staff and volunteers feel safe, are encouraged to talk and are listened to when they have concerns about the safety and wellbeing of a child.
Ensure children know that there are adults in the school whom they can approach if they are worried.
Ensure that children, who have additional/unmet needs are supported appropriately. This could include referral to early help services or specialist services if they are a child in need or have been / are at risk of being abused and neglected
Include opportunities in the PSHE curriculum for children to develop the skills they need to recognise and stay safe from abuse.
Contribute to the five outcomes, which are key to children’s wellbeing:
Consider how children may be taught about safeguarding, including online, through teaching and learning opportunities, as part of providing a broad and balanced curriculum.
Staff members working with children are advised to maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned. When concerned about the welfare of a child, staff members should always act in the interests of the child
The model for human behaviour and interaction has been given to us by Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
In the Qur’aan (the holy book in Islam) the Almighty Lord has stated: “The (faithful) servants of the Beneficient are those who walk upon the earth modestly.” (Al Furqaan 25:63).
The following are some of the Hadeeth (narrations) of the Prophet (PBUH):
”(On the Day of Resurrection) there will be nothing heavier in the scale than good character (and polite manners).”
“I have been sent (by the Lord, as a Messenger) for the perfection of human conduct.”
“The true believer is one from whom people are safe with their lives and wealth.”
“He is not from amongst us who doesn’t show respect to his elders and does not show affection towards his youngsters.”
“Show mercy (be kind) to those on earth and He who is in the heavens will have mercy upon you.”
The policy will be reviewed annually by the governing body. It will be implemented through the school’s induction and training programme, and as part of day to day practice. Compliance with the policy will be monitored by the Designated Senior Person and through staff performance measures.
In order to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, the school will act in accordance with the following legislation and guidance:
Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfE 2015) requires each school to follow the procedures for protecting children from abuse which are established by the Local Safeguarding Children Board.
Schools are also expected to ensure that they have appropriate procedures in place for responding to situations in which:
The document ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education – DFE, May 2016) MUST be read in conjunction with this policy and should be kept as an appendix to the school’s child protection policy. All staff including volunteers must read and understand the policy especially Part 1 of the document ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education – DFE, May 2016 Appendix 2 or September 2016)
The Prevent duty Departmental advice for schools and childcare providers June 2015 and the latest guidance on prevent Keeping Children Safe in Education – DFE, May 2016 – see appendix 2 will also be adhered to by the school hence: All staff will undertake Wrap training provided by the local prevent team in the Greater Manchester constabulary School staff and childcare providers should understand when it is appropriate to make a referral to the Channel programme. Channel is a programme which focuses on providing support at an early stage to people who are identified as being vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. It provides a mechanism for schools to make referrals if they are concerned that an individual might be vulnerable to radicalisation. An individual’s engagement with the programme is entirely voluntary at all stages. Detailed guidance on Channel is available. An online general awareness training module on Channel is available and will be undertaken by all school staff and other frontline workers. It provides an introduction to the topics covered by this advice, including how to identify factors that can make people vulnerable to radicalisation, and case studies illustrating the types of intervention that may be appropriate, in addition to Channel. All Staff must read DfE briefing on How social media is used to encourage travel to Syria and Iraq. See appendix 8