Child Protection Policy

In Blackwater Integrated College, we give a high priority to the safety and welfare of our pupils. We aim to provide a caring, supportive and safe environment, valuing individuals for their unique talents and abilities, in which all our young people can learn and develop to full potential. Child protection is an important issue for all of us and we must ensure that pupils are protected from any form of abuse from any source whatsoever.

Aims of Child Protection Policy

To inform all staff (teaching and non-teaching) of statutory requirements re suspected or alleged child abuse.
To provide all staff with definitions of abuse.
To provide guidelines for identification of signs of suspected abuse.
To enable parents to make a complaint if necessary.
To provide clear procedures for staff to follow up a case of suspected abuse.
To explain the roles and obligations of personnel involved in reporting suspected abuse.
To provide guidelines for the personal safety of staff dealing with students.
To provide support for staff to cope with the anxieties of initial reporting, and the aftermath of involvement in suspected abuse.
To promote self-protection for students through Personal Development Programmes, to help them recognise and deal with potentially dangerous situations.

Categories of Child Abuse.

Child abuse occurs when a child is neglected, harmed or not provided with proper care. Children may be abused in many settings, in a family, in a residential, hospital or institutional setting or in a community setting, by those known to them, or more rarely a stranger. There are different types of abuse; Emotional Abuse, Neglect, Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse and abuse by a young person whose behaviour places them at Risk of Significant Harm Abuse.

Disclosure

If a child makes a disclosure to a teacher or other member of staff, which gives rise to concerns about possible abuse, or if a member of staff has concerns about a child, the member of staff must act promptly.

Child abuse is a criminal offence and in any case of suspected child abuse must be reported, irrespective of the source of information. A student cannot be given any undertaking of confidentially but should be assured that only those who need to know will be informed. If a student discloses a possible pregnancy the school policy is to inform the Designated Teacher who will inform the parent of the child and then take appropriate action.

A disclosure is not a matter for a staff member to investigate, this is a matter for the Social Services - but concerns should be reported in writing, immediately to the Designated Teacher.

The Designated Teacher will take appropriate action.

The safety of the Child is our first priority

Guidance For Parents

Parents need to know how to proceed if they are concerned about the possible abuse of their child in school. If a parent has a concern about the safety of his/her own child or any other child who is a student of the school the parent/guardian should contact the Designated Teacher for Child Protection without delay.

Complaints against School Staff

Details of procedures for complaints against College staff are in the Full version of the Child Protection Policy.

Guidance of Use of Reasonable Force to Restrain or Control Students

Who may use reasonable force?

Teachers: Article 4 of the 1998 Order authorises teachers to use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances to prevent a student from: committing an offence, causing personal injury to, or damage to the property of, any person (including the student himself); or engaging in any behaviour prejudicial to the maintenance of good order and discipline at the school or among any of its students whether during a teaching session or otherwise.

Non-teaching staff

Other members of the staff at the school are also authorised to use reasonable force in the circumstances described above, provided they have been authorised by the Principal to have lawful control or charge of students.

Choice and Use of Teaching Materials

When using teaching materials of a sensitive nature a teacher should be aware of the danger that their application, either by students or by the teacher, might after the event be criticised.