CHILD PROTECTION POLICY AND PROCEDURES
INTRODUCTION
Bosworth College provides a caring and supportive atmosphere for its students. This involves caring for both the emotional and academic development of its students. The vast majority of the adults that the students encounter both at College and in their lives outside will also be a positive influence on them. However, we should be alert to the fact that this may not always be the case. We are one of the few universal services to young people and children, i.e., we see them most days of their life. The college recognises the five key outcomes laid out in the Every Child Matters Agenda i.e.
• Being Healthy
• Staying safe
• Enjoying and achieving
• Making a positive contribution
• Achieving economic well being.
POLICY
We believe that all children deserve the opportunity to achieve their potential. They should be enabled to:
• Be as physically and mentally healthy as possible.
• Gain the maximum benefit possible from good quality educational opportunities.
• Live in a safe environment and be protected from harm.
• Feel loved and valued with a network of reliable and affectionate relationships.
• Become competent in looking after themselves and coping with every day living.
• Have a positive image of themselves and a secure sense of identity.
• Develop good inter personal skills and social confidence.
As professionals we should:
• Be alert to potential indicators of abuse or neglect.
• Be aware of how to deal with confidential information
• Be aware of the identity of the Child Protection Officer for the College.
• Be alert to the risk which individual abusers may pose.
• Contribute to whatever actions are needed to safe guard the child.
• Be aware of the ECM agenda
PROCEDURE
If abuse is suspected either because of signs exhibited by the student or resulting from allegations made by the child or other agency the Child Protection Officer, Mrs Carter, for the College, must be informed immediately. In her absence Mr Steve O’Hare will act as her deputy. If this is inappropriate Mr McQuin should be the point of contact.
The Child Protection Officer will make contact with the appropriate local Social Services Department. This will be in writing or with a written confirmation of a telephone referral.
The College will then work appropriately with the agency and where applicable with the Police to deal with these allegations. The Child Protection Officer will be responsible for liaison between these different bodies and the College and ensure that recommendations made by them are carried out.
All members of the College will contribute to whatever actions are needed to safeguard the child.
Staff are required to raise concerns with the Child Protection Officer about school practices or the behaviour of a colleague or colleagues that they feel puts students at risk of abuse or other serious harm.
If Staff feel that their concerns have not been adequately dealt with they should contact OFSTED and/or LSCB.
If they have concerns about the behaviour or practices of the Child Protection Officer, the deputy Child Protection Officer, the Executive Principal, the Proprietors or members of the board they should raise their concerns with OFSTED and/or LSCB.
An employee of the college will suffer no adverse repercussions if they bring a concern to the Child Protection Officer/OFSTED or LSCB.
OFSTED can be contacted directly:
Complaints or concerns – 08456 014772
Whistle blowing advice – 0207 404 6609 helpline@pcaw.co.uk.
Whistle blowing hotline - 08456 404046 or whistleblowing@ofsted.gov.uk.
LSCB can be contacted on – 01604 654040.
The College will provide, if requested, the name of an Independent professional to support an employee if an allegation is made against them.
Any allegation or suspicions of abuse must be referred to the local Social Services department within 24 hours.
INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL
Where a child has a complaint with respect to a member of staff, they may contact CIFE (see page 66 for contact details) if they feel it is inappropriate or they feel they are unwilling to discuss the situation with a Senior Manager within college.
