| STATEMENT OF INTENT |
| The safety and well being of all our pupils at The Mount School is our highest priority. Our aim is to know everyone as an individual and to provide a secure and caring environment, so that every pupil can learn in safety. We expect respect, good manners and fairness to be shown by everyone so that each girl can develop her full potential and feel positive about herself as an individual. All pupils should care for and support each other. |
| WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE? |
| The NSPCC defines child abuse as: |
“Child abuse is the term used when an adult harms a child or a young person under the age of 18……… Child abuse can take four forms, all of which can cause long term damage to a child: physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and child sexual abuse. Bullying and domestic violence are also forms of child abuse.
“A child may be experiencing abuse if he or she is: |
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Frequently dirty, hungry or inadequately dressed |
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Left in unsafe situations, or without medical attention |
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Constantly “put down,” insulted, sworn at or humiliated |
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Seems afraid of parents or carers |
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Severely bruised or injured |
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Displays sexual behaviour which doesn’t seem appropriate for their age |
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Growing up in a home where there is domestic violence |
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Living with parents or carers involved in serious drug or alcohol abuse |
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"Remember, this list does not cover every child abuse possibility. You may have seen other things in the child’s behaviour or circumstances that worry you.
"Abuse is always wrong and it is never the young person’s fault." |
Symptoms
PHYSICAL ABUSE
Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or guardian fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness to a child.
Possible signs of physical abuse:- |
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Unexplained injury or refusal to explain or discuss them |
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Cigarette burns |
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Long bruises (possibly made by a belt) |
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Teeth marks |
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Fingertip/nail/slap marks or bruises |
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History of bruises/injuries with inconsistent explanations |
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Bilateral black eyes |
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Self destructive comments, possibly repeated, or tendencies |
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Aggression towards others |
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Untreated injuries |
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Fear of medical treatment |
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Unexplained or unaccounted for patterns of absence (to avoid exposure of injury) |
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EMOTIONAL ABUSE
Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only in so far as they meet the needs of another person. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond the child’s developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone.
Possible signs of emotional abuse:- |
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The child is developmentally delayed |
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Inappropriateness of social responses |
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Self mutilation |
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Extreme passivity or aggression |
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Truanting from school or running away from home |
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Drug or Solvent abuse (either in the child or in its principle carer/s) |
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Excessive fear of situations of people |
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Social isolation |
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Depression |
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Pressure (possibly when carers are unstable emotionally or behaviourally) |
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SEXUAL ABUSE
Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, including prostitution, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative or non-penetrative acts.They may include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, pornographic material or watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.
Possible signs of sexual abuse:- |
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Depression, suicidal tendencies, self-harming |
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Anorexic or bulimic tendencies |
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Acting in a sexually inappropriate manner towards adults/peers |
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Unexplained pregnancies |
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Truanting/running away from home |
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Seeking guidance for 'friend with a problem of abuse' |
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Sexually abusing a younger child/sibling |
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Sudden changes in school or work habits |
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Fear of people |
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Abnormal precociousness or aggression |
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Chronic medical problems (stomach pains/headaches) |
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Withdrawn, isolated, excessively isolated |
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Genital/abdominal or anal injury or pain |
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NEGLECT
Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may involve a parent or guardian failing to provide adequate food and clothing, shelter including exclusion from home or abandonment, failing to protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger, failure to ensure adequate supervision including the use of inadequate care-takers, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.
Possible signs of neglect:-
Possible signs of neglect:- |
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Failure to thrive (looks thin emaciated, unwell, below average height, weight) |
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Unusually hungry |
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Has regular accidents especially burns |
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Poor personal hygiene |
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Avoidance of school medicals |
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Tiredness |
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Reluctance to go home |
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Poor social relationships |
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Frequent lateness/non-attendance |
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Inappropriate clothing |
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These signs are not evidence themselves; but may be a warning, particularly if a child exhibits several of them or a pattern emerges. It is important to remember that there may be other explanations for a child showing such signs. Abuse is not easy to diagnose, even for experts. |
HANDLING DISCLOSURES IN SCHOOL
A disclosure may be made verbally or through play or behaviour by a pupil, young person or an adult. |
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Listen carefully, be reassuring and take the allegation seriously |
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Confidentiality should not be promised. Explain that you will only share information to protect the pupil |
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Do not interrogate or enter into detailed investigations. Avoid asking leading questions. |
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Ensure the pupil is supported, not left alone if distressed or fears going home |
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Make a careful record in writing of everything you observe or are told. Date and sign the initial referral form (or use headed note paper) and refer concerns on to the Child Protection Officer without delay |
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If you are concerned about a pupil you must refer this concern to the Child Protection Officer in writing without delay and certainly within 24 hours |
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TRANSPARENCY
The Mount school prides itself on its respect and mutual tolerance. Parents/guardians have an important role in supporting The Mount School. A copy of this policy is on our web site, and we hope that parents and guardians will always feel able to take up any issues or worries that they may have with the school. We will never ignore an allegation of child abuse and will always investigate any concerns thoroughly. Open communications are essential. |
SAFER EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
The Mount School follows the Government’s recommendations for the safer recruitment and employment of staff who work with children. All members of the teaching and non-teaching staff at the school, including part-time staff, temporary and supply staff, and visiting staff are subject to an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check that is commenced before starting work. All Governors, volunteer helpers, contractors working regularly during term-time, such as contract catering staff, are also vetted. Our policies are reviewed by Governors annually. |
RAISING AWARENESS
Mrs. Stephanie Williamson, who is our Chair of Governors, is the Liaison Governor for Safeguarding issues. The Governors formally consider safeguarding issues once a year, with day to day issues being delegated to its Education and Staffing Sub-Committee, which the Headteacher, who is the Designated Safeguarding Officer, attends. That Committee is responsible for: |
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Reviewing the child protection (safeguarding) policy and procedures |
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Ensuring that any deficiencies or weaknesses in safeguarding arrangements are remedied without delay |
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Approving amendments to safeguarding arrangements in the light of changing regulations |
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| All staff will receive regular updates regarding safeguarding every three years. Staff will be trained to recognise signs of abuse, how to deal with any concerns they may have and what to do if and when a pupil approaches them with safeguarding issues. All concerns about pupils are reported to the Head of Year or Head of Juniors so that any patterns can be spotted and reported to the Headteacher. |
DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING OFFICER
Ms Catherine Cozens, the Headteacher, is our Designated Safeguarding Officer. She has been fully trained for the demands of this role in safeguarding with Barnet services. She regularly attends courses to ensure that she remains conversant with best practice. She undergoes refresher training every two years. She maintains any necessary links with the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) for Barnet and reports at least once a year to the Governors on the safeguarding issues outlined above.
The school’s records on safeguarding are kept locked in the Headteacher’s office, and are separated from routine pupil records. Access is restricted to the Headteacher and Head of Juniors in her absence.
In any circumstances in which a person whose services are no longer required because of concerns regarding safeguarding, the school will report that person to the Independent Safeguarding Authority within one month of leaving the school.
CONTACT DETAILS FOR AGENCIES
John-Paul Brookes (LADO)
Safeguarding Officer
Barnet Council
Direct Line: 020 8359 6056
Switchboard: 020 8359 2000
Independent Safeguarding Authority
ISA, PO Box 181, Darlington, DL1 9FA
Telephone: 0300 123 111 |
INDUCTION AND TRAINING
Every new member of staff, including part-timers, temporary, and contract staff working in school, receives basic training on their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse and bullying and on the procedures for recording and referring any concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Officer. Safeguarding training is also given to new Governors and volunteers. Everyone attends refresher training at least every three years. Training in safeguarding is an important part of the induction process. More detail is set out in our handbook for the Induction of New Staff. |
GIUDANCE FOR STAFF
All staff, visitors, volunteers, parent-helpers should be constantly aware of sensible steps they should take in their conduct with pupils, particularly if they are working with pupils alone. These are:- |
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Always be visible when talking/working/coaching one-to-one with pupils (choose a public place, keep the door open etc) |
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Avoid physical contact (unless there is a danger to themselves or other pupils, and then only use minimal force) |
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Corporal punishment is unlawful, but be aware that constant shouting may constitute abuse |
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Inform staff of your whereabouts when with pupils |
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Ensure your presence in areas where children may be deemed to be more vulnerable is always justified and necessary (e.g. changing rooms, cloakrooms) |
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Avoid contact with pupils using social internet network sites |
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If children disclose information to you – you must refer this on to the Child Protection Officer without delay |
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INTERACTION WITH PUPILS: CODE OF CONDUCT FOR STAFF
New members of staff, Governors and volunteers are given copies of the school’s Code of Conduct for Staff. Discussion of the procedures set out in that document forms a vital part of our induction procedures. The code of conduct provides guidance for teachers and other members of staff when faced with handling any issue relating to child abuse. It is not intended to be a substitute for proper training.
The Headteacher, our Designated Safeguarding Officer, who has received specialist training in this topic, should always be informed if a member of staff has any concerns.
The code is placed on the agenda of a staff meeting once a year, and is regularly reviewed with amendments agreed with the Governors.
Staff understand that confidentiality cannot be promised to a pupil who makes a disclosure relating to safeguarding.
Staff understand that they should avoid asking any leading questions.
Staff understand that it may be possible for one pupil to make an allegation against another pupil, and that this would have to be dealt with according to these guidelines and in line with the School’s Anti-Bullying Policy.
Staff have clear and detailed guidance in the ‘Code of Conduct’ Policy to ensure that their behaviour or actions do not place pupils or themselves at risk of harm or of allegations of inappropriate conduct towards a pupil. |
WHISTLE BLOWING POLICY
The School operates a 'whistle blowing' policy. This means that, if you have any concerns about the behaviour of another member of staff (or volunteer) you should raise them with the Headteacher, or if you are concerned about the behaviour of the Headteacher, with the Chair of Governors. |
RAISING AWARENESS WITH PUPILS
The Mount School prides itself on its culture of open and effective communication between staff and pupils, and on its excellent pastoral support structures. We prepare all of our pupils to make reasoned, informed choices, judgments and decisions. Time is allocated in PSHEE and tutor time for discussion of child protection issues and in developing in pupils the confidence which they require to recognise abuse and to stay safe.
All pupils know that there are adults to whom they can turn to if they are worried, including the Tutors. In particular: |
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All pupils can use telephone helplines, enabling them to call for support in private |
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Our Medical Room and the School Toilets display advice on where pupils can seek help |
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PROMOTION OF WELFARE
The ethos of The Mount School is to promote social and moral well-being, to teach pupils to take care of and to value themselves, and to think in terms of making a positive contribution to society as adults. All our pupils take part in a large number of charitable activities. We see this as making an important contribution towards the development of the whole person, who grows up to value society and to expect to make a personal contribution towards its wellbeing. |
EQUAL TREATMENT
The Mount School is committed to equal treatment for all, regardless of an individual’s race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or background.
We aim to create a friendly, caring and perceptive environment in which every individual is valued. We endeavour to contribute positively towards the growing autonomy, self-esteem and safety of each girl. |
BULLYING
Bullying, harassment and victimisation and discrimination will not be tolerated. We treat all our pupils and their parents fairly and with consideration and we expect them to reciprocate towards each other, the staff and the school. Any kind of bullying is unacceptable. |
COMPLAINTS
We hope that you and your child do not have any complaints about our school; but a copy of the School’s complaints procedure is available on the school’s website and can be sent to you on request.
All adults who come into contact with our pupils have a duty of care to safeguard and promote their welfare. There is a legal duty placed upon us to ensure that all adults who work with or on behalf of our pupils are competent, confident and safe to do so.
We do recognise that sometimes the behaviour of adults may lead to an allegation of abuse being made. Allegations sometimes arise from a differing understanding of the same event, but when they occur they are distressing and difficult for all concerned. We also recognise that some allegations may be genuine.
Any allegations of abuse will be referred on, by the Designated Safeguarding Officer, within 24 hours of a disclosure, or suspicion of abuse.
If the Headteacher is absent, it will be passed to the Chair of Governors.
If a complaint is made against the Headteacher, it will be passed to the Chair of Governors. |
EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE (EYFS)
The Headteacher, who is the Designated Child Protection Officer, also takes responsibility for safeguarding children within EYFS. The Headteacher would inform the appropriate bodies of any allegation made against a member of staff working with the EYFS at the latest within 14 days. |
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