Child Protection

Extent of Abuse Problem

Affects boys and girls of any age, culture, disability or racial origin

One or two children die each week (NSPCC)

The abuser is usually known to the child

At least 50% of abuse is undisclosed

Special needs pupils are particularly vulnerable

Key Cases Maria Colwell — 1973

Victoria Climbié — 2000

Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells — 2002

Peter Connolly (“Baby P”) — 2007

Safeguarding Child protection — part of

“safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children”

Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs) — key statutory mechanism

LSCBs made up of senior managers from various local services and agencies

Include representatives from voluntary and independent sector

Legal Position

Section 157 of the Education Act 2002

Education (Independent School Standards) (England) Regulations 2010

Mandatory Disclosure and Barring Service checks for all new appointments to the school workforce

Responsibilities of School Safe recruitment policies (staff and

volunteers) Raise awareness of child protection issues Equip pupils with skills to keep themselves

safe Develop/implement procedures for identifying

and supporting pupils who have been abused or are suspected of having been abused

Establish procedures for identifying and reporting (suspected) cases of abuse

Support abused children (child protection policy)

Establish a safe learning environment

Key Staff Responsibilities (1)

Governors, trustees or proprietor Safe recruitment procedures are implemented Child protection policy complies with guidance

from Secretary of State Policy is available to parents on school

website Policy refers to school’s policy for dealing with

missing boarders (if appropriate) School has a designated person in placeHead Child protection policy is implemented and

followed by staff

Key Staff Responsibilities (2)

Proprietor of boarding school Comply with Boarding Schools

National Minimum Standards Inspection Regulations (Standard 3)

Designated person Take lead in dealing with child

protection issuesKey worker Act as lead professional for inter-

agency work with child and familyAll staff Raise concerns about individual

children with designated person

Role of Designated Person Co-ordinates child protection issues in

a school Ensures clear, detailed and dated

written records are kept of any concerns, however minor they may seem at the time

Ensures strict adherence to confidentiality profiles

Ensures information is only shared appropriately

Informs Ofsted of any allegations of serious harm or abuse against staff (early years settings only)

Categories of Abuse

Physical — striking, kicking, shoving, slapping, burning or shaking

Sexual — pressure to indulge in sexual activity, indecent exposure, displaying pornography, using the child to produce pornography

Emotional/psychological — ridicule, degradation, name-calling, destroying personal belongings, excessive demands/criticism, torture of a pet, humiliation

Neglect — failure to provide adequate food or clothing, nurture and affection, or appropriate necessary medical care

Signs and Symptoms of Abuse (1)

Sexual abuse Inappropriate sexual knowledge for

age Medical problems such as genital

itching Personality changes: insecurity,

clinginess, depression, self-mutilation, appetite loss, compulsive eating

Physical abuse Unexplained recurrent injuries or

burns Refusal to undress for gym Fear of physical contact Bald patches

Signs and Symptoms of Abuse (2)Emotional abuse Sudden speech disorders Over-reaction to mistakes Neurotic behaviour (rocking, hair

twisting, etc) Continual self-deprecation (“I’m

stupid”)Neglect Constant hunger Poor personal hygiene Emaciation Poor state of clothing

When a Child Discloses Stay calm and find a quiet place to

talk

Listen to what the child says and don’t press for information

Don’t give impression that what child is saying is shocking or upsetting

Make it clear you cannot keep it a secret

Make a written report of the discussion

Sharing Information Organisations and practitioners must

collaborate effectively

Effective sharing of information underpins this

Vital element of both early intervention and safeguarding

School policy should clearly state the procedures

Working with Parents

Seek consent from parents before alerting social care about issues of concern

Implement strategies for working with parents if no immediate threat to child

Immediate assistance may be needed during meetings with parents

Have another member of staff present if possible

Offer support to parents and try to end on positive note

Common Assessment Framework Early identification of child’s need to

mobile services

Holistic approach with multi-agency involvement

Three-step process: preparation, discussion, delivery

Involve parents or carers whenever appropriate

Multi-agency Working

Strategy discussion between local authority children’s social care, police, other relevant bodies

Relevant bodes include school, children’s centre, health professionals, referring agency

Meeting convened by LA children’s social care

Participants should be senior enough to make decisions

Child Protection Policy Comply with local inter-agency procedures Be available to parents Operate safe recruitment procedures Cover allegations against

staff/volunteers/Head Name at least one designated person Specify training requirements for staff Require immediate remedy of deficiencies Require annual review of arrangements Cover National Minimum Standard 3

(boarding schools only)

Additional ISI Recommendations

Signs of possible abuse Confidentiality cannot be promised to pupils Need to avoid asking leading questions Procedures for dealing with pupil to pupil

abuse School’s reporting arrangements Contact details for agency involvement Guidance for staff Need to confirm child protection checks/

procedures for staff from other organisation Requirements for reporting to Disclosure and

Barring Service

Staff Training Designated senior person — basic child

protection and inter-agency procedures, refresher every two years

Heads and other school staff — basic child protection training, updated every three years

School interviewing panel — safer recruitment training for at least one member

Temporary staff/volunteers — child protection arrangements and their responsibilities

Governing bodies — basic child protection training