New Cross Street West Bowling Bradford BD5 8BT

Principal: Mr. Stuart Herrington

Tel: 01274 770270 Fax: 01274 770271 Email: office.bowlingpark@gmail.com

Child Protection Policy

1.The Purpose of a child protection policy The purpose of our whole school child protection policy is to provide clear direction to staff and others about expected codes of behaviour in dealing with child protection issues. The policy makes explicit the schools commitment to the development of good practice and sound procedures. This ensures that child protection concerns and referrals may be handled sensitively, professionally and in ways which support the needs of the child. Its aims are: To raise awareness of all staff and identify responsibility in reporting possible cases of abuse; To ensure effective communication between all members of staff when dealing with child protection issues; To outline the correct procedures for those who encounter an issue of child protection. 2. Introduction
At Bowling Park Primary we see the health, safety and well-being of all our children as being of paramount importance to all the adults who work in school.

Our children have the right to protection, regardless of age, race, culture or disability. At Bowling Park we respect our children. The atmosphere within our school is one that encourages all children to do their best. We provide opportunities that enable our children to take and make decisions for themselves. Our school fully recognises the contribution it can make to protect children and support pupils in school. There are three main elements to our Child Protection policy to ensure that all staff in school are clear about the actions necessary with regard to a child protection issue.
a) b) c) Prevention: such as creating a positive school atmosphere, providing teaching and pastoral support to pupils Protection: by following agreed procedures, ensuring staff are trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to Child Protection concerns Support: for pupils and school staff and to children who may have been abused.

3. School commitment We recognise that for children, high self-esteem, confidence, supportive friends and clear lines of communication with a trusted adult helps prevention. Our school will therefore: a) Establish and maintain an ethos where children feel secure and are encouraged to talk, and are listened to e.g. Circle Time, class assembly time and work with Inclusion Mentors b) Ensure that children know that there are adults in the school who they can approach if they are worried or are in difficulty e.g. class teacher, teaching assistants, mentors c) Include in the curriculum activities and opportunities for PSHCE, which equip children with the skills they may need to stay safe from abuse e.g. planned curriculum for each year group, involvement of outside agencies such as Police liaison officer, school nurse and others. d) Include in the curriculum material, which will help children develop realistic attitudes to the responsibilities of adult life e) Ensure that wherever possible every effort will be made to establish effective working relationships with parents and colleagues from other agencies.

4. Roles and responsibilities All adults working with or on behalf of children have a responsibility to protect children. There are, however, key people within schools and the LEA who have specific responsibilities under Child Protection procedures. The role of the Designated Teacher is to: ensure appropriate action is taken and procedures followed maintain a record of pupils on the child protection register and be responsible for monitoring those children attend child protection reviews/meetings (or nominate a member of staff on their behalf) notify Services to Children and or child protection co-ordinator when a child on CPR leaves school and inform the new school organise regular training for staff liaise with PSHCE co-ordinator to ensure that the curriculum offers opportunities for raising students awareness, and developing strategies for ensuring their own protection. At Bowling Park we have a dedicated Child Protection team, this is overseen by, Kate Thompson (deputy head teacher US) and Sarah Buckle (SENCO NCS), supported by inclusion/learning mentors. Anita Milner has also completed named person training.
The role and responsibility of the named governor responsible for Child Protection is to monitor and report back to the Governing Body about the efficiency of procedures within school. Specific details about child protection situations will not be available to the governor as this information is confidential.

It is the role of the Principal to investigate any Child Protection allegations made against a member of staff. If an allegation is made against the Principal this will be referred to the Chair of the Governing body immediately. The Local Authority has a general duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in its area who are in need. 5. Procedures, Training and support We will follow the procedures set out in the guidelines provided by Education Bradford. All teaching and non-teaching staff, are made aware of these procedures as soon as possible upon appointment. Annually there will be a refresher course for all staff. Staff will be kept informed on current child protection issues through staff meetings and information on the staff notice boards If a member of staff has any concerns or queries about child protection they should verbalise these to either of the designated staff. 6. Professional confidentiality Confidentiality is an issue, which needs to be discussed and fully understood by all those working with children, particularly in the context of child protection. The only purpose of confidentiality in this respect is to benefit the child. 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. Adults working in school should never guarantee confidentiality to a child. A child who asks the adult to keep a secret should be advised that the information may need to be shared with others for the childs well being. If a child makes a disclosure to an adult in school the procedures in place must be applied immediately.

7. Records and monitoring Well-kept records are essential to good child protection practice. Our school is clear about the need to record any concerns held about a child or children within our school, the status of such records and when these records should be passed to other agencies. If any member of staff suspects a child may be the victim of abuse, they must immediately inform a member of the Designated staff about their concerns. This may initially be verbal but must be supported by written details, dated and signed (please use available concerns pro forma). It is important this is completed as close to the concern as possible so details are clearly recalled. Welfare or behaviour concerns may be referred to the Inclusion Mentors as part of the school referral system. At any time concerns should be relayed to the Designated teacher if there are grounds for concern. The Designated teacher may pass on a concerns note to staff if there are initial concerns. Staff should immediately inform the Designated teacher of any concerns relating to the named child. The Designated teacher will keep all these records securely for future reference or action. Child Protection records are kept securely, separate from other school records. The Designated staff (and the principal) are the only staff who have access to these records to ensure that staff do not have open access to the information contained in child protection files. In exceptional circumstances access may be permitted. Teacher-held notes become part of school records when the Designated teacher seeks further information following concerns about the welfare of a child. The school monitors children, about whom there are concerns, through referrals to Inclusion Mentors and in response to requests for information from outside agencies, using a common format The Designated staff will make the decision when monitoring records indicate sufficient concern to warrant a referral. Staff should refer all requests from parents for held information to either of the Designated teachers. If a child transfers or leaves the school the Designated staff will contact the Designated Teacher at the receiving school and ensure records are transferred confidentially as soon as possible. 8. Attendance at child protection conferences A Child Protection Conference may be called by outside agencies when concerns are considered to be placing the childs welfare at risk. The conference offers the opportunity to share information and formulate a plan of action. The Chair of the Conference extends an invitation to the school rather than a named person. The person attending is likely to be the Designated teacher but a member of staff may be nominated who has had significant involvement with the child in question. Staff, who attend conferences, will be briefed by Designated teacher prior to attendance at a meeting in order to provide support and observance of basic protocol. They will have relevant information prior to the meeting. The school provides a generic form for producing relevant, concise and professional reports for Child Protection conferences. Staff must prioritise the needs of the child and so must aim to maintain a working relationship with parents, both before, during and after, a referral has been made. Staff are aware that a referral may cause some antagonism between home and school but must recognise the welfare of the child is of paramount importance.

9. Supporting pupils at risk Our school recognises that children who are abused or who witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self worth and to view the world in a positive way. The school may be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives of children at risk. Whilst at school, their behaviour may still be challenging and there may even be cause to consider suspension or exclusion from school, within the policies and procedures in place within the school.
It is also recognised that some children who have experienced abuse may in turn abuse others. This requires a considered, sensitive approach in order that the child can receive appropriate help and support.

This school will endeavour to support pupils through: a) the curriculum to encourage self- -motivation. b) the school ethos which actively esteem and self promotes all the outcomes of ECM. c) the implementation of school behaviour management d) a consistent approach, which recognises and separates the cause of behaviour from that which the child displays. This is vital to ensure that all children are supported within the school setting. regular liaison with other professionals and agencies who support the pupils and their families. the development and support of a responsive and knowledgeable staff group, trained to respond appropriately in child protection situations.

e) f)

10. Safe school, safe staff We require all adults employed in the school to have their application CRB checked in order to ensure there is no evidence of offences involving children or abuse. These checks are routinely reviewed and rechecked. School staff are advised to avoid situations where allegations may be made against them by avoiding working in one to one situations that are not in a public area, or behind closed doors.

Policy Reviewed By ...................................... ......................................

Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Approved by Governors Chair of Governors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Headteacher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

To be reviewed annually.