The Falcons School for Girls
Child Protection Policy
Introduction
The health, safety and well being of all our children are of paramount importance to all the adults who work in our school. Our children have the right to protection, regardless of age, gender, race, culture or disability. They have a right to be safe in our school.
The atmosphere within our school is one that encourages all children to do their best, to be proud of their achievements and to respect others.
Our teaching of personal, social and health education and citizenship helps to develop appropriate attitudes in our children and makes them aware of the impact of their decisions on others. We also teach them how to recognise different risks in different situations, and how to behave in response to them. We provide opportunities that enable our children to take and make decisions for themselves.
Aims and Objectives
This policy ensures that all staff in our school are clear about the actions necessary with regard to a child protection issue. Its aims are:
- To raise the awareness of all staff and identify responsibility in reporting possible cases of abuse;
- To ensure effective communication between all staff when dealing with child protection issues;
- To lay down the correct procedures for those who encounter an issue of child protection.
Procedures
There is a named person in each school who is the Child Protection Co-ordinator. The designated person for Child Protection is Joan McGillewie at the Falcons School for Girls and Henk Weyers and Juliet Macdonald at the Falcons School for Boys.
In their absence, The Principal. In the event of a concern being raised about the named protection officers then Miss Bishop at FSG and either Mr Weyers or Miss Macdonald, depending on who the allegation has been raised about. FSB will inform the Principal and or Alpha Plus. This is in accordance with and meeting the criteria set down in the DfES Circular10/95 "Protecting Children from Abuse: the Role of The Education Service".
If any teacher suspects that a child in his/her class may be a victim of abuse, they immediately inform the named person about their concerns. Abuse can be of a sexual, emotional or physical nature. It can also be the result of neglect.
The child should be given as much time and attention as she needs. The teacher should make a careful record of all events and pass it on to the named person
It is not the responsibility of the teacher to contact parents or other agencies. The Principal will make that decision.
The school's named co-ordinator (Joan McGillewie) co-operates with the Social Services department and the Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) when investigating any allegations of abuse. All parties involved handle such investigations in a sensitive manner, but the interest of the child is of paramount importance.
If a child alleges abuse, the school can make a referral without communicating with parents first although in some circumstances we inform parents first.
If a child protection referral is made, a case conference is held within the time scale recommended by the local education authority. The case conference offers the opportunity to share information and formulate a plan of action. Staff may be asked to attend and participate in all case conferences and meetings held under the LEA guidelines.
We regard all information relating to individual child protection issues as confidential, and we treat this accordingly. We only pass information on to appropriate persons. We inform the child at all stages of who is involved, and what information we have given them.
We require all adults employed in school to have their application vetted through the Disclosure Procedure, in order to ensure that there is no evidence of offences involving children or abuse.
We operate a Safer recruitment procedure at The Falcons in a continued commitment to safeguard children in our school.
Child advice line 020 8825 6134
Consultation number 020 8825 6134
Children in need of referral Social workers 020 872 8842
Tom Galvin Ealing's Education Service Designated Officer for Child Protection
and Training 020 8825 5501
The Ealing Child Protection Policy and Procedures: Code of Conduct (yellow book, 2007) is available and used at FSG
Signed: (See signed copy)
Date: 16th September 2009
Review Date: 16th September 2010
Safeguarding Children - Child Protection Statement
Every child has the right to be safe
The Falcons School for Girls primary responsibility is protecting the safety and wellbeing of every child in its care and the welfare of each child is paramount.
All those who come into contact with children and families in their every day work, including people who do not have a specific role in child protection, have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
We aim to create an environment in which the children are safe from abuse and in which any suspicion of abuse is promptly and appropriately responded to in line with The Children's Act 2006.
Child protection is taken very seriously.