Child Protection Policy
Trinity School
The Child Protection Policy is contained below. Click here for the Goverment Guidelines for
Child Protection (available in a PDF Adobe Reader file)
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Staff are expected to be familiar with the following information taken from the
Plymouth, Torbay and Devon (ACPC) Multi-Agency Child Protection Procedures
Handbook (“Working together to safeguard children”, published May 2006, update
November 2008). A copy is held in the Main School Office and it is available on
the School Admin server (\\Cl2ksrv01\central resource library\Teaching
Staff\child protection guidance).
Background - Expectations of Independent Schools
- The role of Independent Schools, including Residential establishments, is the
same as that of any other school in relation to child protection. It is an
expectation that all Independent Schools will have good working knowledge of the
Child Protection Procedures.
- Independent Schools should have a Designated Person or other senior member of
staff who is responsible for co-ordinating action on child protection in school.
- Children or young people attending Independent Schools could be the subject of
abuse at home or at school. It must be recognised that those who are resident
are particularly vulnerable.
- In cases where abuse is suspected then staff must report their concerns to the
Designated Person. The Designated Person will represent the school in any
subsequent Strategy Meeting and/or Child Protection Conference and may if
necessary involve other members of staff.
- Where allegations involve a member of staff the Headmaster and the Designated
Person should be informed. They should refer the matter to the social services
office in the area in which the school is situated.
- Where such an allegation is made against the Headmaster, The Chair of
Governors/Governor with responsibility for Child Protection should be informed
by the member of staff receiving the allegation or the Children and Young
Persons Services (CYPS) should be informed directly.
- In April 2002 responsibility for Registering and Inspecting all Independent and
Local Authority boarding schools and Children’s Homes transferred to the
National Care Standards Commission with local offices in Exeter and Totnes. It
has now transferred to Ofsted, whose regional offices are in Bristol.
Trinity School’s Child Abuse Procedure – Key information:
- Staff must ensure that they look out for any outward signs of abuse, changes in
behaviour or failure to develop.
- If teachers feel that there may be a case of abuse a report must be made
immediately to the Designated Person.
- Either the CYPS, NSPCC or the Police will be contacted if we feel the child has
been abused or is at risk of abuse.
- The Headmaster is currently the Designated Person, having responsibility for
liaising with the CYPS and other relevant agencies in cases of child abuse. This
responsibility will be transferred in February 2010 the Senior Teacher
(Pastoral), Mr Lawrence Coen. Other staff who can be approached for advice or if
Mr Waters and Mr Coen are absent are: Jean Whatling, Nikki Piggott, Debbie Birt
and Neil Gamble (Governors)
- The School will be notified by the CYPS if a child’s name is included on the
child protection register. If a child is placed on the register all staff should
pay particular attention to the attendances and development of such children and
the Designated Person will report any cause for further concern to the CYPS.
- Staff must be aware that they have a crucial role in preventing child abuse by
adopting sound policies and procedures on the management of situations where
there is suspected abuse and through the curriculum. This can help students
acquire relevant information, skills and attitudes both to resist abuse in their
own lives and to prepare them for the responsibilities of their adult lives,
including parenthood.
- • Further information regarding the procedure for staff to follow can be found
below or, if required, in the Multi-Agency Child Protection Procedures ref.
http://www.devon.gov.uk/child-protection-procedures entitled “Working together
to Safeguard Children”. (copy also held in the main School Office and on Admin
Server \\Cl2ksrv01\central resource library\Teaching Staff\child protection
guidance).
Immediate Action At Trinity School
- If a teacher suspects that a child has been abused or is at risk of abuse, the
Designated Person must be informed immediately.
- The Designated Person must consider whether it is necessary to see other
children in the family who attend the School.
- The Designated Person must contact the divisional social services duty officer
to see if family is known.
- The Designated Person should refer the necessity and nature of any medical
examination to the appropriate CYPS officer or the NSPCC who have statutory
responsibilities for investigating allegations of child abuse.
- Where a child is injured, arrange for the child to be examined at the hospital
and alert the accident and emergency department that child abuse is suspected.
If parents are not present, ensure that they are notified the child has been
taken to hospital.
- Where child abuse is suspected, the Designated Person must inform the divisional
Local Authority Duty Officer (LADO) immediately (See Multi-Agency Child
Protection Procedures).
Procedure If A Member Of Staff Is Suspected Of Abuse
Three levels of abuse by staff are listed below with the appropriate procedure
that should be followed.
Verbal abuse of children:
If a member of staff is identified by students or other members of staff as
having verbally abused students, the matter should be reported to the Deputy
Headmaster, Head of the Preparatory Department or Trinity Lodge Manager who will
then speak with the member of staff concerned. The matter need go no further
unless such incidents are repeated.
Physical abuse and repeated verbal abuse:
The Deputy Headmaster, Head of the Preparatory Department or Trinity Lodge
Manager should be informed, who will interview the teacher involved and write a
report for the Headmaster before a decision is made as to whether to take the
matter further.
Serious incidents or allegations of physical or sexual abuse:
Such incidents will involve following the procedure outline in the “Disciplinary
Rules and Procedures” documents that are part of staff contracts and should be
reported to the Headmaster and the Designated Person.
“The Headmaster will ensure that the complaint is put to the Teacher and will
interview the teacher to hear the teacher’s case before any decision is reached.
If the complaint is upheld, the teacher may be suspended, in which case the
Headmaster will at once make a full report in writing to the Chairman of the
Governors, with a copy for the teacher”.
Any member of staff suspended for suspected child abuse will be advised to
contact his/her union for support and be reminded that the School Chaplains can
be contacted on a ‘confidential basis’ for support, whilst investigations are
being carried out.
If the allegations are unfounded and the member of staff returns to School,
further support will be offered by the Chaplains, the Head of Department or
relevant Line Manager and the Headmaster. If the member of staff accused is the
Headmaster, in addition to the School Chaplains, the Chairman of Governors is
designated to offer support, or another designated member of the Governing Body
if necessary.
Allegations against volunteers will be similarly treated.
Third Party Referrals
When a third party referral is made to a professional, that professional should
endeavour to obtain the following information:
- The name, age and address of the child allegedly abused
- Details of the child’s family
- What is alleged and what has been seen by the informant
- Date and time of the occurrence
- Identity of alleged abuser
The informant should be told that all details of the referral will be passed to
CYPS, who will undertake an investigation in consultation with the Police.
Information that is passed to the NSPCC is usually sent to the CYPS for further
investigation.
The name of the informant need not necessarily be passed to the CYPS, although
it is desirable to obtain permission to do so whenever possible and for any
information to be recorded contemporaneously. Where possible these records
should be signed by the third party.
Additional Guidance on handling complaints/disclosures:
- In hearing any complaint, it is important to limit any questioning to the
maximum necessary for clarification, avoiding leading questions. As soon as the
disclosure has been made, no further questions should be asked. The informant
should be told that the matter will be referred in confidence to the appropriate
people. This must be done and the written record passed on the same day.
- From then on there is an obvious need to act with the utmost discretion. A false
allegation made frivolously or maliciously can jeopardise the career of a member
of staff and the damage can sometimes be irretrievable. Equally, a genuine
complaint can be swept aside on the pretext that it is frivolous or malicious.
- The circumstances should be kept strictly confidential until the Designated
Person has been able to judge whether or not the complaint genuinely calls for
investigation. In coming to a conclusion it is advisable, at the very least as a
safeguard, to discuss the situation with the Headmaster.
- If it is one of the rare instances where the Headmaster is the subject of the
complaint, either The Governor with responsibility for Child Protection, Mr Neil
Gamble should be informed, or if he is unavailable, the Chair of Governors. If
neither are available, inform the next most senior member of staff or contact
the CYPS directly.
- If it is decided that an investigation is called for, arrangements should be
made for the pupils to make a detailed statement in the presence of two adults,
ideally within 24 hours of the episode to which the complaint refers. If
possible the Designated Person or other representative of the CYPS should be one
of the two adults present when the statement is taken.
- The parents should be informed (unless they are, or one of them is, the subject
of the complaint) and their consent should be sought for immediate medical
examination. An independent medical practitioner should preferably carry this
out or police surgeon but, if this is impractical, by the School Medical
Officer. If the complaint is clearly of a non-physical type (e.g. an invitation
to impropriety) or of a physical type falling short of direct physical contact
(e.g. contact only with other clothing), an examination is not necessary.
- If the complaint concerns a member of staff or pupil, he or she should be
informed as soon as possible after the result of the medical examination is
known, or the decision is made to dispense with one, but not invited to make a
response. There should be a warning that anything said will be recorded.
- It is then the responsibility of the Designated Person to arrange a meeting to
discuss the handling of the case. This would normally involve the Police Child
Protection Unit and preferably a member of the Governing Body of the School and
the Headmaster. At this meeting the result of the medical examination or the
decision to dispense with one would be considered.
- If it is established at the meeting that the allegation is not well founded,
either on the basis of the medical evidence or further statements by the pupil,
then the person against whom the complaint has been made should be informed that
the matter is closed.
- If the Police decide to take the case further and the complaint is against a
member of staff, he or she should be suspended immediately or, where the
circumstances are considered to warrant it, dismissed. It is reasonable to ask
the Police to give some indication of their time scale. There have been cases
where the period of suspension has been unacceptably long.
- During the course of the investigation it should be for the School to inform
parents or other pupils and to deal with Press enquiries. It is also important
to take appropriate care over the welfare of any pupils who are involved.
Further information: Referral And Investigation Process
Anybody in any capacity, including members of the public, voluntary or statutory
agencies who recognise or suspect child abuse, are asked to contact one of the
following without delay:
- CYPS (Children and Young Persons Services)
- The NSPCC
- The Police
- Concerns or allegations can also be reported to Ofsted
- The Social Services are considered the lead agency in co-ordinating and
investigation any concerns
Other agencies besides Local Authorities have statutory duties and/or powers and
all agencies have specific functions and processional objectives. In working
together for the protection of children, however, they need to understand that
they are not only carrying out their own agencies’ functions but also making,
individually and collectively, a vital contribution to advising and assisting
the Local Authority in the discharge of their child protection and child care
duties.
It is essential that whenever one agency becomes concerned that a child may be
at risk, they share their information with the CYPS and other agencies as they
may have information that will clarify the situation. This applies whether the
child is living at home, with foster carers, in a residential establishment or
any other situation. The agencies need to decide how a particular concern will
be investigated and also whether a Child Protection Conference is needed.
Consultation and discussion within agencies and between individual workers and
their Supervisors/Line Managers should always occur when child abuse is
suspected. Individuals who have no immediate Supervisor/Line Manager are urged
to consult directly with CYPS or the NSPCC.
Such consultation will ensure that both sufficient concern exists to warrant
action and also that the necessary enquiries and investigations are undertaken.
Any subsequent Child Protection Conference will be provided with the information
necessary for them to make their decision and recommendations.
Each agency’s procedures for referral and investigation are set out in this
handbook.
When a parent, a professional or another person contacts CYPS with concerns
about a child’s welfare, it is the responsibility of CYPS to investigate. They
will clarify with the referrer (including self-referrals from families):-
- The nature of concerns
- How and why they have arisen
- What appears to be the needs of the child and family
- Whether there are concerns about abuse or neglect
- What is their foundation
- Whether the child/children may need urgent action to make them safe from harm
Professionals who phone the CYPS should confirm referrals in writing. At the end
of any discussion or dialogue about a child, the referrer and the CYPS should be
clear about who will be taking what action, or that no further action will be
taken. The decision should be recorded by the CYPS and by the referrer (if a
professional in another service).
Whenever the CYPS (or the NSPCC if relevant) encounters or has a case referred
to it that constitutes, or may constitute, a criminal offence against a child,
they should always inform the Police at the earliest opportunity. This will
enable both agencies to consider jointly how to proceed in the best interests of
the child. In dealing with alleged offences involving a child victim, the Police
should normally work in partnership with CYPS and/or other child welfare
agencies. Whilst the responsibility to instigate criminal proceedings rests with
the Police, the Police should consider the views expressed by other agencies.
There will be less serious cases where, after discussion, it is agreed that the
best interests of the child are served by CYPS-led intervention rather than a
full Police investigation.
The CYPS should decide on the next course of action within one working day,
normally following discussion with the referring professional/service, looking
at any existing records and involving other professionals and services as
necessary (including the Police, where a criminal offence may have been
committed against a child). This initial assessment of the case should address,
on the basis of the available evidence, whether there are concerns about either
the child’s health and development, or actual and/or potential harm which
justify further enquiries, assessment and/or intervention. If further action is
required, a decision is needed on when enquiries and/or intervention should take
place and should be completed within 7 working days.
Referrals may lead to no further action, directly to the provision of services
of other help – including from other agencies – and/or to a fuller initial
assessment of the needs and circumstances of the child. Sometimes it may be
apparent at this stage that emergency action should be taken to safeguard a
child. Such action should normally be preceded by an immediate strategy
discussion between the Police, CYPS and other agencies as appropriate.
Throughout the referral the child’s welfare remains paramount. This includes
consideration not only of the need for immediate protection, but also of the
long-term impact of any action.
The investigating officer from CYPS is responsible for recording the details of
why the referral took place, how it was undertaken, who was seen, what
information was gathered, what decisions were made and the reasons for those
decisions. Other staff are accountable for recording their own actions and
decisions as part of the overall investigation. These should be contemporaneous
and may be disclosable.
Any investigations at the referral stage will involve the minimum intervention
and disruption to the family’s life compatible with the need to ensure the
protection of the child.
Throughout the investigation, the child, parents, carers and people with
parental responsibility who are not subject of investigation will be given as
much information as is compatible with the child’s welfare and the
investigation, about the reasons for the investigation and any action to be
taken. Those involved must take account of any communication difficulties that
the parents, child or others may have. The information will always be given in
an honest and respectful manner.
Notes on Trinity’s procedures and training:
(a) All procedures operate in accordance with locally agreed inter-agency
procedures, as outlined in the opening paragraph. This policy is also to be made
available to parents on the school via the website;
(b) The School operates safe recruitment procedures (including CRB checks and
compliance with Independent School Standards Regulations);
(c) This policy requires that any deficiencies or weaknesses in child protection
arrangements are remedied without delay;
(d) This policy requires training (updated every two years) in child protection
and inter-agency working for the Designated Person(s);
(e) This policy requires training in child protection (updated every three
years) for the Headmaster and all staff, and that part-time and voluntary staff
who work with children are to be made aware of the arrangements;
(f) This policy requires that the governing body undertakes an annual review of
the School’s child protection policies and procedures and of the efficiency with
which the related duties have been discharged.
Updated September 2009
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