Introduction Page 4

The School’s Child /Safeguarding Protection Policy Statement Page 5

Child Protection - Keeping Children Safe Page 5

• Responding to concerns - Recognition and Response Page 6

Safeguarding – Providing a Safe Environment Page 8

Safeguarding & Child Protection in Specific Circumstances Page 9

• Attendance, Pupil Behaviour, Bullying, E-Safety, Health & Safety,

Working Together with Parents/Carers Page 10

• Pupil Information Confidentiality, Referrals to Partner Agencies, Sharing our Policy

Adults working with Children Page 11

• Safer Recruitment, Safe Practice, Monitoring
  and Review Page 14

APPENDIX A:

Recognising Possible Signs of Abuse Page 15

APPENDIX B:

Responding to a child wanting to talk about abuse Page 17

APPENDIX C:

Further guidance to staff and helpers Page 19

Introduction

All schools are required to have a Child Protection Policy that guides the
procedures and practices of staff when safeguarding children and promoting
their welfare. Laleham Lea School and Nursery takes very seriously its duty
towards all its pupils who have been entrusted to its care and seeks to provide
a school environment where all children are safe, secure, valued, respected,
and listened to.

Laleham Lea School and Nursery understands that our work in safeguarding and protecting
children must always have regard for the national guidance issued by the
Secretary of State and should be in line with local guidance and
procedures. We issue our policy with our
Mission Statement in mind.

We understand the term safeguarding to mean that we will take all reasonable
measures to ensure that the risk of harm to children’s welfare is
minimised. We also understand that where
we have any concerns about a child’s welfare we will take all appropriate
action to address those concerns by working in full partnership with other
agencies.

All staff at Laleham Lea School and Nursery believes that a range of other school
policies are central to many aspects of the school’s Child Protection Policy,
and this document should therefore be read in conjunction with our Policies
for: Anti-Bullying, Attendance, Behaviour, Management and Physical Intervention,

• E-safety, Health & Safety, Safer Recruitment, Safe Working Practices for Staff and Volunteers
  
  Our Child Protection policy is written with due
  regard to the national guidance “Safeguarding Children and Safer
  Recruitment in Education” published by the Department for Children Schools and
  Families in January 2007 and will be reviewed each time any subsequent guidance
  is issued by the Secretary of State.

Our school procedures for safeguarding children will always be compliant with the
London Child Protection Procedures produced by the London Safeguarding Children
Board. Those procedures which have been adopted by the Croydon Local
Safeguarding Children Board are available from http://www.londonscb.gov.uk/procedures/

Our procedures will be followed by all adults, including volunteers, working with
or on behalf of the school.

This policy is available to all parents either in hard copy or from our website: www.lalehamlea.co.uk

LALEHAM LEA
SCHOOL AND NURSERY

CHILD PROTECTION

AND SAFEGUARDING POLICY STATEMENT

Laleham Lea School and Nursery is committed to
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils. The Governors expect
all staff and volunteers to share this commitment by demonstrating their
understanding of how each individual adult working on behalf of the school has
an active part to play in protecting children from harm and promoting their
welfare.

1.1. All staff must be clear about their own
role and that of others in providing a caring and safe environment for all
pupils and must know how they should respond to any concerns about an
individual child that may arise.

1.2 To this end Laleham Lea School and
Nursery will ensure that all staff, whether permanent or temporary, and
volunteers know who is the member of the senior leadership team who has
designated overall responsibility for child protection and safeguarding.

1.3 The Designated Person for Child
Protection details can be found on Page 2 of this policy.

1.4 In the absence of the designated person/deputy
designated person we will ensure that we have a member of staff who has the
knowledge and skills necessary to deputise.

1.5 All staff will receive training during
their induction period, and regularly thereafter at a minimum of every 3 years
in order that they are equipped with the skills needed to keep children safe.

1.6 Laleham Lea School and Nursery will always follow safe recruitment procedures so that
we can be confident that all adults working in our school are safe to do
so.

2. KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE

2.1 Child Protection - Responding to concerns about individual children

2.1.1 All children at Laleham Lea School and Nursery
must be able to place their trust and confidence in any adult working in the
school. They must feel sure that they
can speak about any worries or concerns they may have and that they will be
listened to, taken seriously and responded to appropriately. All staff must
therefore know what to do if a child chooses to talk to them about any matter
which raises child protection concerns.

2.1.2 All staff must:
Listen to what the child is saying without interruption and without asking leading
questions.

• 
  Respect the child’s right to privacy but not promise confidentiality
• 
  Reassure the child that h/she has done the right thing in telling.
• 
  Explain to the child that in order to keep him/her safe from harm the information that
  has been shared with must be passed on.
• 
  Report what was has been disclosed to the Designated Person in the school.
• 
  Record,as soon as is practicable, what was said using the child’s actual words
• 
  Sign and date the record.
  
  

2.1.3 The Designated Person for Child Protection will:

• 
  Assess any urgent medical needs of the child.
• 
  Consider whether the child has suffered, or is likely to suffer significant harm.
• 
  Check whether the child is currently subject to a Child Protection Plan or has been
  previously subject to a Plan.
• 
  Confirm whether any previous concerns have been raised by staff.
• 
  Consider whether the matter should be discussed with the child’s parents or carers or
  whether to do so may put the child at further risk of harm because of delay or
  the parent’s possible actions or reactions
• 
  Seek advice if unsure that a child protection referral should be made.
  
  

2.1.4
The Designated Person will either make a referral to the child’s Local Authority
Children Services or, if a referral is not considered appropriate at that
stage, make full written records of the information that they have received
detailing the reasons for the judgement that the matter was not referred to the
local authority.

2.2 Child Protection – Recognition and Response to Abuse

2.2.1 Owing to the nature of the day-to-day relationship children at Laleham Lea School and
Nursery have with staff all adults working in the school are particularly well
placed to notice any physical, emotional or behavioural signs that a child may
be suffering significant harm. We understand that harm means the ill-treatment or impairment of a child’s health
and/or development, including that caused as a result of witnessing the
ill-treatment of another person.

2.2.2 All staff must therefore be alert to any possible indicators that a child is
suffering harm and report any concerns to the Designated Person for Child Protection.
All staff at Laleham Lea School and Nursery must recognise that it is a
statutory duty to ensure that children are protected from harm. We recognise
that there are four definitions of child abuse, including neglect, as defined
in Chapter 4 of the London Child Protection Procedures and as précised in this
policy, which should be consulted as a reference document for full details of
the definitions and recognition & response.

The four categories of child abuse are as follows:

1. Physical Abuse
2. Emotional Abuse
3. Sexual Abuse, and
4. Neglect

Physical Abuse

May include: Hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, and burning, scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise
causing physical harm to a child including the deliberate fabrication or
causation of illness in a child.

May be recognised by: Physical injury
such as bruising, bite marks, burns and scalds, fractures but also by aggressive
behaviour. It may also be an indicator
of concern where a parent gives an explanation inconsistent with the injury or
gives several different explanations for the injury.

It is not appropriate for any member of staff to undress, photograph or body map any child in an attempt to see
physical injury. This is the role of child protection and investigating
agencies.

Emotional Abuse

May Include:
The persistent emotional ill-treatment of a child such as to cause
severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development,
mental health, behaviour and self-esteem. This may caused by conveying to
children that they are worthless, unloved or unvalued or by developmentally
inappropriate expectations being made or by causing children to frequently feel
frightened or the exploitation or corruption of children.

May be recognised by: Developmental delay, attachment issues, aggressive behaviour, appeasing behaviour,
watchfulness or stillness, low self esteem, withdrawn or a loner, or having
difficulty in forming relationships.
Emotional abuse may be difficult to recognise as signs are usually
behavioural rather than physical. Signs of emotional abuse may be associated or
similar to other forms of abuse so presence of emotional abuse may indicate
other abuse is prevalent as well.

Sexual Abuse

May Include: Involving or forcing or enticing a child to
take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is
happening. Such activities may involve sexual acts (penetrative or
non-penetrative) or may include involving children in watching or taking part
in pornographic material or to encourage children to behave in sexually
inappropriate ways.

May be recognised by: Inappropriate sexualised conduct, age
inappropriate sexualised play or conversation, sexually harmful behaviour –
contact or non-contact, self-harm, eating disorders, continual, inappropriate
or excessive masturbation, anxiousness or unwillingness to remove clothes –
sports / PE etc, pain or itching in genital area, blood on underclothes, bruising in genital
region and / or inner thighs etc.

Neglect

May include: The persistent failure to
meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in
the serious impairment of the child’s health or development (growth and
intellect) such as failing to provide adequate food, shelter (including keeping
children safe), clothing, or neglect of or unresponsiveness to a child’s basic
emotional needs.

May be recognised by: Being constantly hungry; constantly tired;
have a poor state of clothing; be emaciated; have untreated medical problems;
be frequently late or have poor or non-attendance at school; have low self
esteem; display neurotic behaviour and/or have poor social relationships, have
poor personal hygiene. A neglected child
may also be apathetic, fail to thrive, or be left with or in the care of
adult’s under the influence of alcohol or drug misuse.

2.3. Safeguarding – Providing a Safe Environment

2.3.1. All parents and carers of pupils attending Laleham Lea School and Nursery must feel
secure in the knowledge that they are entrusting their children to adults who
will strive to keep them safe at school.
We will do this by:

• 
  Promoting a caring, safe and positive environment within the school
• 
  Ensuring that our staff are appropriately trained in safeguarding and child protection
  according to their role and responsibilities and keep a record of all training
  undertaken
• 
  Encouraging the self-esteem and self-assertiveness of all pupils through the curriculum so
  that the children themselves become aware of danger and risk and what acceptable
  behaviour is and what is not.
• 
  Working in partnership with all other services and agencies involved in the
  safeguarding of children
• 
  Displaying appropriate posters that detail contact numbers for child protection help-lines
• 
  Always following Safer Recruitment procedures when appointing staff or volunteers to
  work in our school
• 
  Welcoming visitors in a safe and secure manner
• 
  Undertaking risk assessments when planning out of school activities or trips
• 
  Ensuring that any community groups which use our premises for the provision of services
  to children have child protection knowledge and understanding evidenced by a
  policy or are prepared to adopt our own policy.
  
  

2.4 Safeguarding & Child Protection in Specific Circumstances

2.4.1. Attendance

We are aware that a pupil’s unexplained absence from school could mean that they are at risk from harm.

(1) We will always report an unexplained
absence of a child with a Child Protection Plan to the child’s social
worker within one day

(2) We will always seek to clarify the
reason for a child’s absence from school
with the child’s parent or carer as soon as is practicable on the first day

(3) We will always report a continued
absence about which we have not been notified by the parent or carer to the
Education Welfare Service

(4) We will always report to the local
authority the name of any child who has been newly registered to attend our
school but does not arrive on the expected day

(5) We will always report to the Education
Welfare Service the continued absence of a child known or thought to have been
taken overseas if the child does not return to school on the expected return
date.

2.4.2 Pupil Behaviour

We will always aim to maintain a safe and calm environment by expecting good behaviour
from our pupils in line with our behaviour policy.

We are aware that any physical
response from a member of staff to a pupil’s poor behaviour could lead to a
child protection concern being raised by the child or parent/carer.

1. No member of staff will use force when
   dealing with a pupil’s breach of our behaviour policy unless the potential
   consequences of not physically intervening are sufficiently serious to justify
   such action
2. We will always record any occasion
   when physical intervention has been necessary
3. We will always notify parents or
   carers of any such incident

2.4.3. Bullying

We understand that bullying is harmful to children. We have an anti-bullying
policy that sets out our aim of ensuring no child becomes a victim of bullying
and the work that we carry out in school to foster an environment where bullying
behaviour is known to be unacceptable.
We will always take seriously any reports of bullying and respond
appropriately.

We understand that bullying make take different forms and may include racist or homophobic behaviour. Any such reported or observed incident will
be dealt with in accordance with our anti-bullying policy.

2.4.4. E-Safety

We recognise that children’s use of the Internet is an important part of their education but that there are risks
of harm associated with its use. We have
an e-safety policy that addresses how we minimise those risks in school and
teach children how to stay safe when using the internet in their lives out of
school.

We also recognise that all members of
staff and volunteer staff must always be mindful of the need to follow our
policy of acceptable use of our IT equipment.

2.4.5. Health & Safety

We have a Health & Safety Policy
which demonstrates the consideration we give to minimising any risk to the
children when on the school premises and when undertaking activities out of
school under the supervision of our staff.

2.5 Working Together with Parents/Carers

2.5.1. Pupil Information

We recognise the importance of keeping
up-to-date and accurate information about pupils. We will regularly ask all parents/carers to
provide us with the following information and to notify us of any changes that
occur.

• Names and contact details of persons with whom the child normally lives
• names and contact details of all persons with parental responsibility
• emergency contact details
• details of any persons authorised to collect the child from school (if different from
  above)
• 
  any relevant court orders in place including those which affect any person’s access
  to the child (e.g. Residence Order, Contact Order, Care Order, Injunctions
  etc.)
• 
  name and contact detail of G.P.
• 
  any other factors which may impact on the safety and welfare of the child
  
  

2.5.2. Confidentiality

Information about pupils given to us
by the children themselves, their parents or carers,
or by other agencies will remain confidential.
Staff will be given relevant and information
only a “need to know” basis in order to support the child if that is necessary and appropriate.

We are, however, under a duty to
share any information which is of a child protection
nature. We understand that this is in
the best interests of the child and overrides
any other duties we have regarding confidentiality and information sharing.

We have a duty to keep any records
which relate to child protection work undertaken
by us or our partner agencies and to ensure that these are kept apart from the main pupil record, stored
securely and only accessible to key members of staff. We also have a duty to send copies of these
records to any school to which the
pupil transfers.

2.5.3. Referrals to partner agencies

If we have a reason to be concerned
about the welfare of a child we will always seek to discuss this with the child’s parents or carers in the first
instance. On occasion, according to the nature of our concern, it
may be necessary for us to make an immediate
referral to Children’s Services when to do otherwise may put the child at risk of further harm either because
of delay, or because of the actions of the parents or carers.

2.5.4. Sharing our Policy

This policy is available to all
parents and parents of prospective pupils.

3 ADULTS WORKING WITH CHILDREN

3.1 Safer Recruitment

3.1.1 All staff and volunteers working with
children in our school will be recruited safely:

Preparation

We will always consider the vacancy
that has arisen within the context of safeguarding children and ensure that we
include the responsibility to safeguard children within the requirements of the
role.

We always consider carefully the
knowledge skills and experience required to safeguard children and include
these within a person specification.

Advertising

We will always advertise our vacancies
in a manner that is likely to attract a wide range of applicants.

The advertisement will always include
a statement about our commitment to safeguarding children and our expectation
that all applicants will share that commitment.

The advertisement will state that the
post is subject to an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check.

Applications

We will ensure that our application
form enables us to gather information about the candidates’ suitability to work
with children by asking specific and direct questions.

We will scrutinise all completed application forms.

We will not accept CVs

References

We will not accept open references or testimonials.

We will ask for the names of at least two referees.

We will take up references prior to interview and ask specific questions about the candidate’s previous employment
or experience of working with children.

We will follow up any vague or ambiguous statements.

Interviews

We will always conduct a face to face
interview even when there is only one candidate.

Our interview panel will always
contain at least one member trained in safer recruitment practice.

Our interview questions will seek to
ensure we understand the candidate’s values and beliefs that relate to
children.

All candidates will be asked to bring original documents which confirm

their identity, qualifications, and right to work.

Appointments

Our offer of appointment will be
conditional on all requested checks having been returned as satisfactory.

We will refer to the Independent
Safeguarding Authority any person whose checks reveal that they have sought
work when barred from working with children.

Induction

We will always provide newly appointed
staff with appropriate guidance about safe working practice, boundaries and
propriety and explain the consequences of not following the guidance.

Continuing Professional Development

We will ensure that all staff receives
regular training in Child Protection.

Supervision

We will always supervise staff and act
on any concerns that relate to the safeguarding of children.

Allegations

We will always follow the procedure
for the management of allegations against staff as outlined in the London Child
Protection Procedures.

Dismissal

We will always refer to the
Independent Safeguarding Authority any member of staff who is dismissed because
of misconduct relating to a child.

3.2 Safe Practice

3.2.1 We understand that all adults working in or
on behalf of our school have a duty to safeguard
children and promote their welfare. We
aim to provide a safe and supportive
environment for our children through the relationship we have with them and their parents or carers and
will always seek to ensure that all adults working
in our school behave in a manner that fosters this relationship.

3.2.2. We will ensure that all staff is clear about the expectations we have of their behaviour
towards all children and that any incident that falls below our expected standards
will be dealt with appropriately.

3.2.3. Allegations against staff

All school staff should take care not to place themselves in a vulnerable position with a child. It is always
advisable to that your work with individual children or meetings with parents
are conducted in view of other adults.

We will ensure staff is aware of the
school’s behaviour/discipline policy and the staff code of conduct, with
reference to professional boundaries.

We understand that a pupil may make an
allegation against a member of staff. If such an allegation is made, the member
of staff receiving the allegation will immediately inform the Head or the most
senior teacher if the Head is not present.

The Head/senior teacher on all such
occasions will discuss the content of the allegation with the Local Authority
Designated Officer.

We recognise that children cannot be
expected to raise concerns in an environment where staff fails to do so. All
staff will therefore be made aware of their duty to raise concerns about the
attitude or actions of colleagues.

If an allegation is made to a member
of staff concerning the behaviour of the Head the person receiving the
allegation will immediately inform the Chair of Governors who will consult the
Local Authority Designated Officer.

4. MONITORING AND REVIEWING OUR POLICY AND PRACTICE

4.1. Our Designated Person for Child Protection
will continually monitor our child protection
and safeguarding practices and bring to the notice of the Head teacher and governors any weaknesses or
deficiencies.

4.2. The Governing Body has a duty to remedy
any weaknesses that are identified.

4.3 An annual report will be submitted to the
Governors which will outline the child protection
and safeguarding work we have undertaken during the year. Names of children
will not be shared. Included in the
report will be details of:

The names of members of staff with designated child protection responsibilities

• 
  Confirmation that all new staff and volunteers have been recruited safely and that a record
  of all staff vetting checks is up-to-date and complete
• 
  The training that has been undertaken by the designated staff
• 
  The training that has been undertaken by all other staff and volunteers
• 
  Details of any incidents when physical restraint of pupils has been used
• 
  Details of information and guidance that has been given to staff
• 
  Details of safeguarding and child protection issues included in the curriculum
• 
  Confirmation that all child protection records are stored securely and where appropriate
  have been transferred to another school
• 
  Details of safeguarding and child protection information given to parents
• 
  Details of the safety of the school site and the access given to visitors
• 
  Confirmation that all school lettings have been agreed with consideration given to the
  safeguarding of children
• 
  Numbers of child protection referrals made to Children’s Services
• 
  Details of child protection conferences or
  meetings attended regarding children (names of children are not shared)
• 
  Numbers of children who are, or have been, subject to a Child Protection Plan

4.4 The Governors, Head teacher and Designated
Staff will work together on any aspect of Safeguarding and Child Protection
that is identified as an area for development over the coming year.

4.5 Our Policy will be reviewed annually with Governors.

APPENDIX A - Recognising Possible Signs of Abuse

The following signs may or may not be indicators that abuse has taken place, but the
possibility should be considered.

1. Physical Injury

Physical indicators include:

Unexplained bruises/welts/lacerations/abrasions

• On face, lips, mouth or torso, back, buttocks,
thighs, in various stages of healing

• Clustering, forming regular patterns

• Reflecting the shape of article used e.g., belt,
buckle, electrical flex

• On several different surface areas

• Bite marks or fingernail marks which regularly
appear after absence e.g, after a weekend

Unexplained burns:

• Cigar or cigarette burns, especially on soles,
buttocks, palms or back

• Immersion burns where hands, feet or body have been
forcibly immersed in very hot water

• Patterns like electrical burner, iron etc

• Rope burns on arms, legs, neck or torso

Unexplained fractures:

• To skull, nose, facial structure

• In various stages of healing

• Multiple or spiral fractures

Behavioural indicators include:

• Flinching when approached or touched

• Reluctance to change clothes for PE lessons

• Wary of adult contact

• Difficult to comfort

• Apprehension when other children cry

• Crying or irritability

• Frightened of parents

• Afraid to go home

• Rebelliousness in adolescence

• Behavioural extremes – aggressiveness,
withdrawal, impulsiveness

• Reports injury caused by parents

• Apathy

• Depression

• Poor peer relationships

• Panics in response to pain

2. Neglect

Physical indicators of neglect include:

• Consistent hunger

• Inappropriate dress

• Consistent lack of supervision, especially in
dangerous activities for long periods

• Unattended physical problems or medical needs

• Abandonment

Behavioural indicators include:

• Begging; stealing food

• Constant fatigue, listlessness

• Poor relationships with care-giver

• Frequent delays in picking child up from school

3. Sexual Abuse

Physical indicators include:

• Difficulty in walking or sitting down

• Stained or bloody underclothing; pain or itching
in the genital area

• Bruising, bleeding, injury to external genitalia,
vaginal and/or anal areas

• Vaginal discharge

• Bed wetting

• Excessive crying

• Sickness

Behavioural indicators include:

• Inappropriate sexual behaviour or knowledge for
the child’s age

• Promiscuity

• Sudden changes in behaviour

• Running away from home

• Wary of adults

• Feeling different from other children

• Unusual avoidance of touch

• Report of assault

• Substance abuse e.g. glue sniffing

• Emotional withdrawal through lack of trust in
adults

• Overcompliance with requests of others

• Frequent complaints of unexplained abdominal
pains

• Eating problems or sleeping disturbances

• Poor peer relationships

• Possessing money or ‘gifts’ that cannot be
properly accounted for

• Inappropriately sexually explicit drawings or
stories

• Enuresis or soiling, especially at the end of the
school day

• Frequent non-attendance at school

• Avoidance of school medicals

4. Emotional Abuse

Physical indicators include:

• Failure to thrive

• Delays in physical development or progress

Behavioural indicators include:

• Sucking, biting, rocking

• Anti-social, destructive behaviour

• Sleeping disorders, inhibition of play

• Compliant, passive, aggressive, demanding, inappropriately adult
or infant behaviour

• Impairment of intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural
development

APPENDIX B - Responding to a child wanting to talk about abuse

It is difficult to give precise guidance, but the following suggestions may help:

General Points

• Show acceptance of what the child says (however
unlikely the story may sound).

• Keep calm.

• Look at the child directly.

• Be honest.

• Tell the child you will need to let someone else know
– do not promise confidentiality.

• Even when a child has broken a rule, they are not
to blame for the abuse.

• Be aware that the child may have been threatened
or bribed not to tell.

• Never push for information. If the child decides
not to tell you after all, then accept that and let them know that you are
always ready to listen.

Helpful Things You May Say or Show

• I believe you (or showing acceptance of what the
child says).

• Thank you for telling me.

• It’s not your fault.

• I will help you.

Do Not Say

• Why didn’t you tell anyone before?

• I can’t believe it.

• Are you sure this is true?

• Why? How? When? Who? Where?

• Never make false promises.

• Never make statements such as ‘I am shocked,
don’t tell anyone else’.

Conclusion

• Again reassure the child that they were right to
tell you and show acceptance.

• Let the child know what you are going to do next
and that you will let them know what happens (you must report to the
Headmistress as the School Child Protection Liaison Officer, or, in her
absence, the Deputy Child Protection Liaison Officer, who in turn might have to
consider referring to Social Services or the Police to prevent a child
returning home if they are considered to be seriously at risk of further
abuse).

• Make notes as soon as possible (preferably within
one hour of the child talking to you), writing down exactly what he or she said
and when he or she said it, what you said in reply and what was happening
immediately beforehand (e.g. a description of the activity).

• • Record dates and times of these events and when you
  made the record. Keep all handwritten notes, even if subsequently typed. Such
  records should be kept safely for an indefinite period.

• If you are off-site on a school activity, you
must report to the activity leader or other relevant person, who can take
action to see that the child is protected until his or her return to school.
The Headmistress should be informed as soon as possible.

• If the School Child Protection Liaison Officer is
implicated in any way then a report should be made directly to the Chair of
Governors or Social Services.

• Consider your own feelings and seek support if
needed.

APPENDIX C - Further Guidance for Staff/Helpers

• Staff/helpers need to think and act sensibly to avoid situations that
could lead to difficulties or embarrassment or accusations.

• Staff/helpers must ensure that the children feel equally valued.
Favouritism, real or inferred, causes feelings of alienation and can be
misconstrued.

• Staff/helpers should not take pupils out on their own and refrain from
forming personal relationships exclusively with a pupil.

• Conversations and behaviour should be friendly but not over-familiar.
Young people are more comfortable with an adult in role than an adult who seeks
to be ‘one of the gang’. Responsible and appropriate use of authority provides
stability and security.

• Staff/helpers should treat all pupils with dignity and respect in
attitude, language use and actions.

• Respect the privacy of the pupils, avoid questionable activity, e.g.
rough, sexually provocative games and comments.

• Make sure that the only people allowed into a pupil’s activity are the
staff/helpers assigned to the group. You should not allow others to have free
access unless they have a specific reason e.g. guest speaker, maintenance
person.

• Physical contact should only take place in public.

• Physical contact should reflect the pupil’s need not the adult’s.

• Physical contact should be age-appropriate and generally initiated by
the pupil, not the adult.

• Pupils have the right to decide how much physical contact they have
with others, except in exceptional circumstances when they need medical
attention.

• Staff/helpers should monitor one another in the area of physical
contact. They should be free to help each other by pointing out anything that
could be misunderstood.

Other useful websites include:

http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/safeguardingandsocialcare/

What To Do If You’re Worried A Child Is Being Abused website:

http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk

NSPCC Child
Protection Helpline (24 hours): To report or discuss concerns about a child's
welfare. Tel: 0808 800 5000 or textphone: 0800 056 0566 or email:

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Date: 1^st September 2011

Signed: J Staunton

Head teacher

Signed: E Hallam

Chair of Governors