Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy
1. Introduction
Leek College recognizes its legal duty to work with other agencies in protecting children and young people from ‘significant harm’ and responding to possible child abuse.
The framework for such procedures is defined in the relevant Circular from the Department for Children Schools and Families and the Staffordshire Area Child Protection Committee.
Throughout these policies and procedures, reference is made to “children and young people”. This term is used to mean “those under the age of 18”. The governing body recognise that some adults are also vulnerable to abuse, accordingly, the procedures may be applied (with appropriate adaptations) to allegations of abuse and the protection of vulnerable adults.
The governing body is committed to ensuring that the College:
- Provides a safe environment for children and young people to learn in
- Identifies children and young people who are suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm, and
- Takes appropriate action to see that such children and young people are kept safe, both at home and at the College.
In pursuit of these aims, the governing body will approve and annually review policies and procedures with the aim of:
- Raising awareness of issues relating to the welfare of children and young people and the promotion of a safe environment for the children and young people learning within the College
- Aiding the identification of children and young people at risk of significant harm, and providing procedures for reporting concerns
- The safe recruitment of staff
The governing body will receive from the designated senior member of staff with lead responsibility for child protection an annual report which reviews how the duties have been discharged.
The governing body recognises the following as definitions of abuse:
Physical Abuse is deliberately hurting or injuring a child, young person or vulnerable adult resulting in cuts, bruises or scalds. A child, young person or vulnerable adult can be smothered, poisoned or physically hurt in other ways.
Sexual Abuse means making a child, young person or vulnerable adult take part in or watch sexual activities either 'live events' or on videos or photographs. Sexually corrupting or exploiting a child, young person or vulnerable adult
Emotional Abuse involves making a child, young person or vulnerable adult feel worthless. It can also involve expecting too much from a child, young person or vulnerable adult for the age that they are and making them feel bad for not meeting those expectations.
Neglect is a lack of appropriate care - not giving a child, young person or vulnerable adult the food, warmth, and love that they need. Neglect also means not keeping children safe and not making sure that they have medical attention or the education they deserve.
2. Designated Staff with Responsibility for Child Protection
Senior Staff Member with Lead Responsibility
The designated senior member of staff with lead responsibility for child protection issues is Val Smith, Director of Support for Students.
The designated senior member of staff is responsible for:
- Overseeing the referral of cases of suspected abuse or allegations to the relevant investigating agencies as agreed with ACPC
- Providing advice and support to other staff on issues relating to child protection
- Maintaining a proper record of any child protection referral, complaint or concern (even where that concern does not lead to a referral)
- Ensuring that parents of children and young people within the College are aware of the College’s child protection policy
- Liaising with the LA and ACPC and other appropriate agencies
- Liaising with secondary schools which send pupils to the College to ensure that appropriate arrangements are made for the pupils
- Ensuring that they themselves take refresher training every two years.
- Liaising with employers and training organisations that receive children or young people from the College on long term placements to ensure that appropriate safeguards are put in place
- Ensuring that staff receive basic training in child protection issues and are aware of the College child protection procedures.
3. Dealing with Disclosure of Abuse and Procedure for Reporting Concerns
College staff seek to adopt an open and accepting attitude towards young people as part of their general responsibility for pastoral care. Staff hope that parents, guardians and young people will feel free to talk about any concerns and worries which may affect educational progress and that they will see Leek College as a safe place if there are any difficulties at home. Children and young people will be taken seriously if they seek help from any member of staff
Parents and guardians will normally be consulted and their consent obtained before any referral is made about a child, young person or vulnerable adult to any other agency under local ‘children in need’ procedures.
With older young people, it may be appropriate to act on their consent alone.
However, even if asked to do so, staff cannot guarantee to consult parents first, or to keep children’s concerns confidential, if referral must be made to the appropriate agencies in order to safeguard the child’s welfare as below.
If staff have any significant concerns about any child which may indicate Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual abuse or Neglect or observe injuries that appear to be non-accidental, or who are told anything significant by a child, are required to report their concerns to the designated member of staff.
College staff do not however carry out investigations, nor decide whether children have been abused. That is a matter for the specialist agencies.
If a child, young person or vulnerable adult tells a member of staff about possible abuse, the member of staff should:
- Listen carefully and stay calm.
- Talk to the child, young person or vulnerable adult, normally and without pressure, in order to understand what the child is saying.
- Take care not to put words into the child, young person or vulnerable adult’s mouth.
- Reassure the child, young person or vulnerable adult that they have done the right thing by talking about their concerns
- Inform the child, young person or vulnerable adult that the information must be passed on, but that only those that need to know about it will be told. Inform them of to who the matter will be reported to.
- Note the main points carefully.
- Make a detailed note of the date, time, place, what the child, young person or vulnerable adult said, did and your questions etc.
Staff must not investigate concerns or allegations themselves, but should report them immediately to the Designated Person.
The designated person is responsible for making appropriate referrals.
4. Reporting and Dealing with Allegations of Abuse Against Members of Staff
The College recognises that the Children Act 1989 states that the welfare of the child is the paramount concern. It is also recognised that hasty or ill-informed decisions in connection with a member of staff can irreparably damage an individual’s reputation, confidence and career. Therefore, those dealing with such allegations within the College will do so with sensitivity and will act in a careful, measured way.
Such allegations will be dealt with within the College’s Staff Disciplinary Procedures
5. Curriculum
Child protection issues will be addressed through the curriculum as appropriate, especially in and Personal, social Health and Education or sex education.
Children, young people or vulnerable adults in the College’s care will be made aware of their right to live free from abuse of any kind and of the procedure in place for them to disclose any situation or event that causes them concern.
Other relevant College policies:
- Visits and Events off College Premises
- Work placement
- Learner Discipline
- Bullying Policy
- Cause for Concern
- ICT Policy
- Equality and Diversity
6. Staff Recruitment and Selection Procedures
The College has recruitment and selection procedures which are regularly reviewed and:
- Apply to staff and volunteers who may work with children.
- Clearly define the post or role
- Clearly define key selection criteria for the post or role.
- Advertise vacancies widely in order to ensure a diversity of applicants.
- Require documentary evidence of academic/vocational qualifications.
- Obtain professional and character references.
- Verify previous employment history.
- Criminal Records Bureau disclosure/List 99 checks (and maintenance of sensitive and confidential use of the applicant’s disclosure).
- Use a variety of selection techniques (eg qualifications, previous experience, interview, reference checks).
If it is necessary to use physical action to protect a child or young person from injury, to prevent a child, young person or vulnerable adult , from harming others or if any child, young person or vulnerable adult is injured accidentally, parents will be informed immediately. Children and young people will not be punished by any form of hitting, slapping or shaking or other degrading treatment.
Any complaints about staff behaviour may be made to Val Smith, Director of Support for Students.
7. Contacts
The designated officer for all child protection matters is:
Val Smith, Director of Support for Students
Staff in doubt must contact the designated officer IMMEDIATELY they become aware of any issue relating to child protection.
The nominated officer for child protection within the Local Education Authority is:
Deputy Corporate Director, Vulnerable Children
Wedgewood Building
Tipping Street
Stafford
ST16 2DH
Tel: 01785 278600
Emergency contact
Call First Response free on 0800 1313 126 8am - 6pm Monday-Friday
or email: firstr@staffordshire.gov.uk
Alternatively you can fax us on (01785) 854223 or write to :
First Response Team
Wedgwood Building
Tipping Street
Stafford
ST16 2DH
In an emergency, outside office hours please call 01785 354030
June 2008
