This policy will be used in conjunction with the Buckinghamshire Child Protection Committee 'Working Together: A Multi-Agency Code of Practice' ('Working Together') (and the Education Department Child Protection Policy & Procedures (March 2000).

Statutory Framework

'Working Together' requires all schools to follow the procedures for protecting childre from abuse which are laid down by the County Child Protection Committee.

Schools are also expected to ensur that they have appropriate procedures in place to enable them to respond appropriately if they believe that a child has been or is currently at risk of being abused. These procedures also should cover circumstances where there is an allegation involving a member of school staff.

DfEE Circular 10/95 (Protecting Children from Abuse: The role of the Education Srevice states that:

• Staff should be alert to the signs and symptoms of abuse and know to whom they report any concerns.
• All schools should have a Designated Teacher with responsibility for co-ordinating action within school and liaising with other agencies.
• Designated Teachers should have appropriate training.
• Schools should follow County guidelines.
• Schools should have procedures for handling suspected cases of abuse, including where a member of staff is involved.

Circular 10/95 states that 'parents should be made aware of the school's child protection policy and the fact that this may require cases to be referred to the investigative agencies in the interests of the child'.

The Designated Teacher

The role of the Designated Teacher is to:

• Ensure that Buckinghamshire Child Protection Code of Practice and the Education Department Policy & Procedures are followed in school.
• Ensure that all staff, including non teaching staff, are aware of these procedures.
• Ensure that all staff have training to enable them to know to whom they must pass their concerns.
• Develop an effective working relationship with other agencies.
• Make referrals where child abuse is likely to occur, or is suspected or disclosed.
• Attend case conferences, or ensure that the appropriate member of staff attends, and is aware of the purpose and procedure of the child Protection conference.
• Ensure that a report is prepared for conference and to participate in core gorups as is require.
• Meet with the Education Welfare Officer for the school to monitor children at risk.

School Procedures

• If any member of staff is concerend about a child he or she must inform the Designated Teacher immediately.
• Note should be made about the concerns, as quickly as possible. The recording must be factual and precise.
• The Designated Teacher will decide whether an immediate referral is necessary. he or she may decide to seek advice initially from the Education Welfare Service or from Social Services.
• After a verbal referral has been made to Scoial Services, the Designated Teacher will advise the Education Welfare Service of the action taken. This should them be followed by a written report confirming the telephone conversation (Appendix 5 Referral form).
• Particular attendion will be given to the attendance, academic progress and physical, social and emotional development of any child who has been identified as at risk or who has been placed on the Child Protection Register.
• The Designated Teacher will inform Social Services of any significant change affecting any child on the Child Protection Register.

When To be Concerned

• When a child has frequent or untypical injuries, not normally associated with the explanation offered.
• When a child exhibits untypical behaviour, his or her progress at school alters dramatically or attitude changes.
• When a child infulges in sexual behaviour, either verbal or non verbal, that is unusually explicit or inappropriate to his or her age.

Dealing with a Disclosure

('Working Together' Section 4)

If a child discloses that he or she has been abused, the member of staff should:

• Listen to what the child says without displaying shock or disbelief
• Accept what is being said
• Allow the child to talk freely
• Reassure the child but not make promises which may not be possible to keep
• Do not promise confidentiality - it may well be necessary to tell Social Services
• Reassure the child - it is not his or her fault
• Stress that it is right to tell
• Listen, do not ask direct or leading questions
• Do not criticise the perpetrator - the child may well still love him or her
• Explain what you have to do next

Record Keeping

('Working Together' Appendix 1 and 3)

When abuse is disclosed or suspected the member of staff should:

• Make brief notes as soon as possible giving quotes if they can be recalled
• Dates and times should be recorded
• These notes must not be destroyed, even if a more detailed report is written later
• They may be needed by the Court
• Draw a diagram to indicate any marks or injuries observed

Support

Dealing with Child Protection is always difficult and stressful. Members of staff should consider seeking support for themselves, initially from the Designated Teacher.

Child Protection Conferences

(Full details to be found in 'Working Together' Section 8)

The Designated Teacher will decide who is most suitable to attend the Case Conference and help with preparation of the report.

Allegations involving a member of school staff

Where an allegation is made against a colleague, immediate advice must be sought. The County Child Protection Guidelines must be followed.

The Headteacher will be informed immediately (unless the allegation involves him or her, in which case a nominated Governor should be involved) and Disciplinary Procedures will be considered also.

In such cases the Head of Pupils, Students and Families, who is the Designated Senior Officer for the Local Education Authority, will be consulted.