Samuel Kings School

Child
Protection
Policy

Date Written

Reviewed

Jan 10

Sept 11

Approved by
Governors
on
nd
22 Nov
2014

Signature of Chair of Governors

Next review
July 2016

Policy for Child Protection

Samuel Kings School is committed to being a fully accessible and inclusive organisation
welcoming and respecting the diversity of its students, staff, community and visitors to the school.
POLICY
Samuel King's School Policy on Child Protection is that no child should endure any form of
abuse. This includes neglect, sexual, physical and emotional. This policy should be understood in
conjunction with the Safeguarding policy.
GUIDELINES
THE GOVERNORS
The Governors support an ethos of vigilance towards abuse and that if there is any suspicion of
this or if any supportive information has been disclosed then it is the schools responsibility to take
the appropriate action.
FOR THE HEAD TEACHER
Any information which has been passed to the Head Teacher, or the designated teacher for child
protection, will be dealt with appropriately. If necessary reference will be made to Childrens
Services Social Care although contact with the parents may not be appropriate and contact
directly with the child may also not be appropriate
FOR TEACHERS
If a child advises a teacher of child abuse then initially this should not be questioned too far as
they will have to repeat this to the relevant authorities later on and this will be very difficult for the
child.
This information should be passed straightaway to the designated person or Head Teacher for
child protection and communicated back to the Head Teacher.
Ensure that the child is reassured, feels safe in disclosing the information, feels believed and that
the matter will be treated with utmost confidentiality.
The child should be aware that only the teacher and the Head Teacher will have the details until
the outside authorities take over.
If abuse is suspected then the teacher must speak with the Head Teacher before taking any
further action. It is better that no other person is involved at this early stage.
Review
The Policy for Child Protection will be subject to annual review or in accordance with any
revisions made by Cumbria County Council
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
Samuel Kings School strives to educate all its pupils within an environment where the traditions
of learning, truth, justice, respect and community are promoted. Consequently the overall aim of
this policy is to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children in our care (in situations where
child abuse is suspected, our paramount responsibility is to the child).
This will be achieved by:
Continuing to develop awareness in all staff of the need for Child Protection (particular care
should be taken with children with disabilities and Special Educational Needs) and their
responsibilities in identifying abuse.
Ensuring that all staff are aware of referral procedures within the school.
Monitor children who have been identified as at risk.
Ensuring that outside agencies are involved where appropriate.
Ensuring that key concepts of Child protection are integrated within the curriculum especially
via PSHE.

 Create an environment where children feel secure, have their viewpoints valued, are
encouraged to talk and are listened to.
PROCEDURES
1. Any member of staff with an issue or concern relating to Child Protection (it should be
made clear to students that CONFIDENTIALITY CANNOT BE GUARANTEED IN
RESPECT OF CHILD PROTECTION ISSUES) should immediately discuss it with a senior
member of staff who will inform the Designated Person. Allegations of child abuse must
always be given the highest priority and referred immediately to the Designated Person.
2. The Designated Person will then decide on an appropriate course of action (based on the
Local Safeguarding Childrens Board).
3. Information for parents/carers will be published in the School prospectus and in the first
termly newsletter telling them that the staff are required to follow the procedures laid down
by the Local Safeguarding Childrens Board (see Appendix One).
4. Allegations against school staff:- We follow LA procedures by contacting Local Authority
Designated Officer (LADO). Teachers must protect themselves especially when meeting
on a one to one basis with students and staff should bear in mind that even perfectly
innocent actions can sometimes be misconstrued. Teachers who hear an allegation of
abuse against another member of staff should report the matter immediately to the HEAD
TEACHER so that Local Safeguarding Childrens Board and DFEE circular 10/95
procedures can be followed. If the allegation is against the Head teacher it should be
taken directly to the Assistant Head teacher and through him to the Chair of Governors.
DEALING WITH DISCLOSURES OF ABUSE
If a child chooses to tell a member of staff about possible abuse there are a number of things that
should be done to support the child:

stay calm and be available to listen

listen with the utmost care to what the child is saying
question normally without pressurising
dont put words into the childs mouth but note the main points carefully
keep a full record date, time, what the child did, said, etc
reassure the child and let them know they were right to inform us
inform the child that this information will know have to be passed on
immediately inform the Designated person, or when absent the Head teacher

For types of Child Abuse and their symptoms please refer to Appendix Two.
MONITORING AND RECORD KEEPING
It is essential that accurate records be kept where there are concerns about the welfare of a child.
These records should then be kept in secure, confidential files, which are separate from the
childs school records. It is important to recognise that regulations published in 1989 do not
authorise or require the disclosure to parents of any written information relating to Child
Protection. Although the preferred practice is for parents to be informed of and agree to any
referral being made (unless it relates to Sexual Abuse).
Staff must keep the Designated person informed of:
poor attendance & punctuality

 concerns about appearance and dress

changed or unusual behaviour
concerns about health and emotional well being
deterioration in educational progress
discussions with parents about concerns relating to their child
concerns about home conditions or situations
concerns about pupil on pupil abuse (including serious bullying)
When there is suspicion of significant harm to a child and a referral is made as much information
as possible should be given about the nature of the suspicions, the child and the family. Use of
previous records (if available) may prove to be particularly useful in this respect.
NB
Any referral to Childrens Services Social Care by telephone must be confirmed with the
specified written form and a copy kept on the confidential school file. A note must be made
of the Duty Social Worker and the time at which the call is made. Please also refer to
Appendix Three. If parents have not been informed about (or if they have agreed to) the
referral being made this must be reported to Childrens Services Social Care.
Reports may be needed for Child Protection Case conferences or the criminal/civil courts.
Consequently records and reports should be:
factual (no opinions)
non-judgemental (no assumptions)
clear and accurate
relevant
THE ROLE OF THE DESIGNATED PERSON
To ensure that all staff know the Designated Person is responsible (and in her absence the
Head teacher) for Child Protection issues.
To refer promptly all cases of suspected child abuse to the local Childrens Services Social
Care or the Public Protection Unit. If a parent arrives to collect the child before the social
worker has arrived then it must be remembered that we have no right to prevent the
removal of the child. However, if there are clear signs of physical risk or threat, the Police
should be called.
To maintain and update as necessary the Child Protection Monitoring List.
To organise regular training on Child Protection within the School.
To ensure that all staff know about and have access to the Local Safeguarding Childrens
Board website.
To co-ordinate action where child abuse is suspected.
To facilitate and support the development of a whole school policy on Child Protection.
To attend case conferences or nominate an appropriate member of staff to attend on
his/her behalf.
Maintain records of case conferences and other sensitive information in a secure
confidential file and to disseminate information about the child only on a need to know
basis.
To pass on records and inform the key worker when a child who is on the Child Protection
Plan leaves the school. The custodian of the plan must also be informed.
To raise staff awareness and confidence on child protection procedures and to ensure new
staff are aware of these procedures.
To keep up to date with current practice by participating in training opportunities wherever
possible.
THE ROLE OF THE DESIGNATED GOVERNOR
The governors will:

ensure a safe school environment

ensure safe recruitment of staff
ensure all staff and volunteers have Safeguarding/Child Protection training at the
appropriate level
ensure the school has an active child protection policy
monitor and review their safeguarding policy, practice and procedures.

The designated governor will:

Ensure that governors know where to find information on safeguarding (Cumbria LSCB)
Be familiar with current guidelines, on child protection and safer recruitment, and be aware
of changes to the regulations.
Undertake appropriate training on child protection and understand the different types of
child abuse
Liaise regularly with the designated teacher for child protection about procedures in the
school.
Ensure that the school has an active Child Protection Policy, that governors and staff are
familiar with and that it is reviewed annually.
Report back to the full Governing Body annually. Individual cases will not be discussed by
the full governing body.
Ensure that accurate records are being kept by the school and that the Child Protection
file is up to date.
Ensure that all staff and governors know what to do if they suspect that a child is being
abused.

APPENDIX ONE
Information for parents/carers published in the School prospectus and in the first termly
newsletter:
The School is committed to promoting the health and welfare of all pupils and if staff see signs
that suggest that one of the pupils may have been the victim of abuse (or is at risk of abuse) staff
will follow the procedures laid down by the Area Child Protection Committee. N.B. Such action in
no way infers that any parent/carer or other individual is being accused of wrongdoing. A full
version of the Schools Child Protection policy is available on request.
APPENDIX TWO
Child abuse can be categorised into four distinct types, i.e.
1.
Physical Abuse:
2.
Sexual Abuse:
3.
Emotional Abuse:
4.
Physical Neglect:
5.
Grave Concern/at risk this is not a distinct category but is dealt with separately. A
child can be at risk from any combination of the four categories.
These different types of abuse require different approaches. A child suffering from physical abuse
may be in immediate and serious danger. Action should, therefore, be taken immediately. With
other forms of abuse there is a need to ensure that adequate information is gathered. There is
also a need to make sure that grounds for suspicion have been adequately investigated and
recorded. The need to collate information must be balanced against the need for urgent action. If
there are reasonable grounds for suspicion then a decision to monitor the situation should only be
taken after consultation. A situation that should cause particular concern is that of a child who

fails to thrive without any obvious reason. In such a situation a medical investigation will be
required to consider the causes. Each of the five categories will now be explored in more detail.
1. Physical Abuse:
This involves physical injury to a child, including deliberate poisoning, where there is definite
knowledge or a reasonable suspicion, that the injury was inflicted or knowingly not prevented.
Typical signs of Physical Abuse are:
bruises and abrasions - especially about the face, head, genitals or other parts of the body
where they would not be expected to occur given the age of the child. Some types of bruising
are particularly characteristic of non-accidental injury especially when the childs explanation
does not match the nature of injury or when it appears frequently.
slap marks these may be visible on cheeks or buttocks.
twin bruises on either side of the mouth or cheeks - can be caused by pinching or grabbing,
sometimes to make a child eat or to stop a child from speaking.
bruising on both sides of the ear this is often caused by grabbing a child that is attempting
to run away. It is very painful to be held by the ear, as well as humiliating and this is a common
injury.
grip marks on arms or trunk - gripping bruises on arm or trunk can be associated with shaking
a child. Shaking can cause one of the most serious injuries to a child; i.e. a brain haemorrhage
as the brain hits the inside of the skull. X-rays and other tests are required to fully diagnose the
effects of shaking. Grip marks can also be indicative of sexual abuse.
black eyes are mostly commonly caused by an object such as a fist coming into contact with
the eye socket. NB. A heavy bang on the nose, however, can cause bruising to spread
around the eye but a doctor will be able to tell if this has occurred.
damage to the mouth e.g. bruised/cut lips or torn skin where the upper lip joins the mouth.
bite marks
fractures
poisoning or other misuse of drugs e.g. overuse of sedatives.
burns and/or scalds a round, red burn on tender, non-protruding parts like the mouth, inside
arms and on the genitals will almost certainly have been deliberately inflicted. Any burns that
appear to be cigarette burns should be cause for concern. Some types of scalds known as
dipping scalds are always causes for concern. An experienced person will notice skin
splashes caused when a child accidentally knocks over a hot cup of tea. In contrast a child
who has been deliberately dipped in a hot bath will not have splash marks.
2. Sexual Abuse:
The involvement of dependent, developmentally immature children and adolescents in sexual
activities they do not truly comprehend, to which they are unable to give informed consent or
that violate the social taboos of family roles. Typical signs of Sexual Abuse are:
a detailed sexual knowledge inappropriate to the age of the child.
behaviour that is excessively affectionate or sexual towards other children or adults.
attempts to inform by making a disclosure about the sexual abuse often begin by the initial
sharing of limited information with an adult. It is also very characteristic of such children that
they have an excessive pre-occupation with secrecy and try to bind the adults to secrecy or
confidentiality.
a fear of medical examinations.
a fear of being alone this applies to friends/family/neighbours/baby-suffers, etc
a sudden loss of appetite, compulsive eating, anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.
excessive masturbation is especially worrying when it takes place in public.
promiscuity
sexual approaches or assaults - on other children or adults.

 urinary tract infections (UTI), sexually transmitted disease (STD) are all cause for immediate
concern in young children, or in adolescents if his/her partner cannot be identified.
bruising to the buttocks, lower abdomen, thighs and genital/rectal areas. Bruises may be
confined to grip marks where a child has been held so that sexual abuse can take place.
discomfort or pain particularly in the genital or anal areas.
the drawing of pornographic or sexually explicit images.
3. Emotional Abuse:
The severe adverse effect on the behaviour and emotional development of a child caused by
persistent or severe emotional ill treatment or rejection. All abuse involves some emotional ill
treatment - this category should be used where it is the main or sole form of abuse.
4. Physical Neglect:
The persistent or severe neglect of a child (for example, by exposure to any kind of danger,
including cold and starvation) which results in serious impairment of the childs health or
development, including non-organic failure to thrive. Persistent stomach aches, feeling unwell,
and apparent anorexia can be associated with Physical neglect. However, typical signs of
Physical Neglect are:
Underweight a child may be frequently hungry or pre-occupied with food or in the habit of
stealing food or with the intention of procuring food. There is particular cause for concern
where a persistently underweight child gains weight when away from home, for example, when
in hospital or on a school trip. Some children also lose weight or fail to gain weight during
school holidays when school lunches are not available and this is a cause for concern.
Inadequately clad - a distinction needs to be made between situations where children are
inadequately clad, dirty or smelly because they come from homes where neatness and
cleanliness are unimportant and those where the lack of care is preventing the child from
thriving.
Physical Neglect is a difficult category because it involves the making of a judgement about
the seriousness of the degree of neglect. Much parenting falls short of the ideal but it may be
appropriate to invoke child protection procedure in the case of neglect where the childs
development is being adversely affected.
5. Grave Concern/at risk:
This is not a separate category of child abuse as such but covers a number of situations where
a child may be at risk. Children whose situations do not currently fit the above categories but
where social and medical assessments indicate that they are at significant risk of abuse.
Grave concern may be felt where a child shows symptoms of stress and distress (see below)
and any of the following circumstances apply:

there is a known child abuser in the family;

another child in the family is known to have been abused;
the parents are involved with pornographic material to an unusual degree;
there is an adult in the family with a history of violent behaviour;
the child is exposed to potential risk or exploitation via the Internet e.g. pornographic material
or chat rooms.

The Symptoms of Stress and Distress:

When a child is suffering from any one or more of the previous four categories of abuse, or if the
child is at risk, he/she will nearly always suffer from/display signs of stress and distress.
An abused child is likely to show signs of stress and distress as listed below:

 a lack of concentration and a fall-off in school performance;

aggressive or hostile behaviour;
moodiness, depression, irritability, listlessness, fearfulness, tiredness, temper tantrums, short
concentration span, acting withdrawn or crying at minor occurrences;
difficulties in relationships with peers;
regression to more immature forms of behaviour, e.g. thumb sucking;
self harming or suicidal behaviour;
low self esteem;
wariness, insecurity, running away or truancy - children who persistently run away from home
may be escaping from sexual physical abuse;
disturbed sleep;
general personality changes such as unacceptable behaviour or severe attention seeking
behaviour;
a sudden change in school performance.
Parental Signs of Child Abuse:
Particular forms of parental behaviour that could raise or reinforce concerns are:
implausible explanations of injuries;
unwillingness to seek appropriate medical treatment for injuries;
injured child kept away from school until injuries have healed without adequate reason;
a high level of expressed hostility to the child;
grossly unrealistic assumptions about child development;
general dislike of child-like behaviour;
inappropriate labelling of childs behaviour as bad or naughty;
leaving children unsupervised when they are too young to be left unattended.
APPENDIX THREE
USEFUL CONTACTS IN CUMBRIA COUNTY COUNCIL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
1. Childrens Services Social Care
2. Head of Teaching Support Services
3. Childrens Services Education Welfare.
also
Cumbria Local Safeguarding Children Board http://www.cumbrialscb.com/