Kingsley Primary School

Child Protection Policy (Safeguarding)

This policy applies to all staff, Governors and volunteers working in the school. We
recognise that lunchtime supervisors, administrative staff and volunteers, as well as
teachers, could be the first point of disclosure for a child.
School Philosophy
We believe that our school should provide a caring, positive, safe and stimulating
environment, which promotes the social, emotional, physical and moral development of the
individual child.
Aims
To raise the awareness of all staff of the need for child protection and of their
responsibilities in identifying and reporting possible cases of abuse.
To provide a systematic means of monitoring children thought to be at risk.
To emphasise the need for good levels of communication between all members of
staff.
To develop a structured internal procedure to be followed by all staff in cases of
suspected abuse.
To promote understanding and build relationships with other agencies in order to work
together more effectively.
To support the child's development in ways that will foster security, confidence and
independence.
To integrate a child protection curriculum within the existing curriculum, allowing for
continuity and progression through all the Key Stages.
To develop a network of support for young people and adult members of the school
community.
Prevention
We recognise that high self-esteem, confidence, supportive friends and good lines of
communication with a trusted adult help prevention. The school will therefore:

Seek to maintain an ethos where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk to
adults and are listened to;
Ensure that children know that there are adults in the school whom they can
approach if they are worried or in difficulty;
Include in the curriculum, opportunities for PSHE which will equip children with the
skills they need to:
1. stay safe from abuse
2. have confidence to seek help
3. know where to go for help

Procedures
We will follow the procedures set out by the Local Safeguarding Childrens Board
Northamptonshire (LSCB-N) Agency Procedures. (2006). The school will have at least two
members of staff responsible for their implementations these members of staff will be

Page 1 of 4

referred to as the designated person. The designated persons will be trained in child
protection issues and attend refresher courses every two years.
The school will ensure that:

It has a designated member of staff who has undertaken at least a foundation

training course provided by the Local Authority.
All members of staff are provided with a booklet, What to do if youre worried a child
is being abused DfES 2006, to ensure all staff have an understanding of the signs
and indicators of abuse and how to respond to a pupil who may disclose abuse.
All staff receive annual training in safeguarding children. This will include a mixture of
in-house and external training providers.
Parents have an understanding of the responsibility of the school and staff for
safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
Information relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children is
included in the school prospectus.
Parents and carers, children and staff are informed about the school photography
policy.
If staff have any concerns or a child confides in them they should speak to the
designated person as soon as possible. If the designated person is absent then
concern should be reported to the most senior teacher of staff on the premises.
The designated person will investigate concerns and keep records of concerns and
findings. They will contact Social Services if a formal referral is needed.
The designated person will liaise with relevant agencies and attend Child Protection
Conferences if required.

All matters relating to child protection are confidential and the designated person will
disclose information on a need-to-know basis. Staff have a professional responsibility to
share relevant information about children with other professionals. Staff cannot keep secrets
and must refer information to the appropriate agencies. When children make a disclosure it
should be explained that secrecy cannot be guaranteed.
If a child on the Child Protection register leaves, the school will inform the EWO and the new
schools designated person while forwarding the information, in a confidential manner,
immediately.
All staff will have a current DBS (Enhanced) form from NCC. All staff and volunteer helpers
will be checked through the ISA (Independent Safeguarding Authority).
Support
School may be the only stable and predictable environment for children at risk. The school
will endeavour to support these pupils through a school ethos, which promotes a positive,
supportive and secure environment while giving pupils a sense of being valued. The school
will promote good lines of communication so children feel able to approach adults if they are
worried or in difficulty. The PSHE curriculum will equip children with the skills to stay safe.
Child protection issues can cause distress; any person who has reported an incident may
feel in need of support and advice and should speak to the Headteacher to seek counselling.
The school will undertake a Common Assessment Framework (CAF), with parental consent,
when

Page 2 of 4

children and their families have multiple needs to identify their needs and appropriate interagency resources.
A copy of the CAF will be forwarded to the CAF co-ordinator (DCFS 2003; Children Act
1989 s27)
An appropriate member of staff, e.g. childs class teacher, head teacher, Learning
Mentor/Family
Support Worker will attend multi agency professional meetings required by CAF, and when
appropriate act as the identified lead professional.
The school will liaise with other agencies which support the child such as Education Welfare,
childrens and young peoples service, IPS (Inclusion & Pupil Support), the child and family
consultation service, health services e.g., school nursing service and Community
Paediatrician and
The Northamptonshire Review and Conferencing Service
Managing child abuse allegations against members of staff
The school complies with the guidelines for managing child abuse allegations against
members of Staff (including Volunteers and Governors) as set out in Working Together (HM
Government 2006 chapter 6 and Appendix 5 of that document)
The school will appoint a senior manager, the Head teacher and the Local Area Designated
Officer (LADO). In undertaking an investigation the Named Senior Manager will seek
guidance and cooperate with investigations undertaken by Children and Young Peoples
Service and the Police.
Investigations and actions taken by the school management team will be in accordance with
policies relating to performance, professional conduct and Disciplinary as appropriate.
School will make referrals to Professional Bodies and ISA when appropriate
Access to Records
Childrens personal file may be accessed by teachers.
Parents can access the childs personal file by making a written request providing 10
working days notice to the Head teacher.
Any confidential information relating to individual children will be kept in a secure file
accessed only by nominated staff who are:
1. Head teacher
2. Deputy Headteacher
3. Designated person
4. Learning Mentor/Family Worker
Parents can access information from the confidential file by applying in writing with 10 days
notice to the Child Protection Officer
Role of Designated Person
The designated person should know
The names of all children in the school who are on the Child Protection Register
The role and responsibilities of the investigating agencies and how to liaise with them
The requirements of record keeping
The Designated person is responsible for: Completing referral forms and liaising with outside agencies
Providing written reports to Child Protection Conference
Writing a PSP (pastoral support plan ) for any child in care
Keep records of any suspected incidents of neglect and child abuse

Page 3 of 4

Monitoring unauthorised or persistent absences

Liaising with the EWO ( Education Welfare Officer)
Recording concerns about changes in a childs behaviour
Recording relevant contacts with parents, positive as well as negative.
Attend planned meetings relating to in school child protection cases

Designated persons for Kingsley Primary School are Mrs Sue Lane (Head teacher) and Mrs
Alison Shepperdson (LM/FSW) and Mrs Jane McArdle (Teacher)
Reference material used:Safeguarding Children in Education DfES/0027/2004
Every Child Matters - Change for Children
Northampton Interagency Procedures 2006 - NCC
www.everychildmatters.gov.uk
www.teachernet.gov.uk/childprotection

Updated Sep 2014

Approved by Governors Oct 2014
Review Date: Oct 2016
Chair of Governors..
Date

Page 4 of 4