At Lincoln Castle Academy we are wholly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our students. The health, safety and wellbeing of every student is of the highest importance. We have robust safeguarding processes and procedures which are under continuous development and improvement to ensure we promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our staff.
Introduction
Safeguarding legislation and guidance from government and agencies says that safeguarding means:
- Protecting children from maltreatment
- Preventing impairment of children’s health or development
- Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
- Taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcome.
Safeguarding includes child protection, health care plans, health and safety, site security, safety on school trips, and so much more.
Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a student’s welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our students are discussed with his/her parents or carers first unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be counter to the student’s welfare.
All staff receive annual Child Protection and Safeguarding update training and are aware of the procedures for passing on concerns within school. If any members of the school or local community have concerns about the welfare of a child in the school, please pass them on to the Welfare Team.
Policy & Practice:
The academy maintains an environment where students are protected from abuse or neglect by ensuring teaching and non-teaching staff are skilled at recognising the signs of abuse and taking appropriate action when it is suspected. Training is conducted bi-annually and includes all staff in the academy. This is in line with the guidance set out by the Lincolnshire Safeguarding and Children’s Board and the government’s latest guidelines as set out in ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (April 2014). Our PCC programme serves to reinforce parental responsibilities and actively addressed a range of human interpersonal relationships. The ‘Safeguarding Team’ is listed in every pupil’s planner so that they know who to contact if they have any concerns about themselves or one of their peers.
During the staff induction/training process the DSL highlights the procedures that staff within the Academy will follow. If a student begins to disclose possible abuse or neglect, staff know to immediately find time and a suitable place to listen to the pupil. Emergency lesson cover is put in place as necessary. Although staff know to reassure the pupil at this stage and to listen carefully to their disclosure, they also know they cannot promise confidentiality in any circumstance.
The policy states clearly that staff will not cross-examine, interview, probe or ask to see any injury that is not visible (without adjustment of clothing). If staff are in doubt, they will seek support (Part five of the policy).
Staff record alleged incidents of child abuse as soon as the disclosure has been made to the DSL, Deputy DSL or Inclusion officer. At this point the staff member may be provided with guidance, remembering that the information may well be shared with parents so it is important to be factual.
The DSL, Deputy DSL or Inclusion officer will then decide on the next course of action which could include a referral to Children’s Services, a referral to the police, a referral to a medical professional, contact with the parents or a combination of the above. The DSL will/may then inform other staff if a child has special needs relating to the disclosure, raise awareness of the situation that may cause a child difficulty, liaise with direct members of staff regarding further concerns/problems, liaise with other members of staff regarding concerns/problems. At every stage the academy ensures that records are kept of significant events regarding a child, and referral or liaison with other agencies. In the first instance, academy CPOMS detail actions and ensure the key ‘Welfare Group’ are informed. Where necessary, staff attend child protection conferences/supply a report to the conference and represent the academy as a member of a core group.
The academy operates safer recruitment procedures.
Evidence/key information/developments:
- CPOMS
- Central Student Registry
- Spotlight meeting minutes.
- Referrals to social care & outcomes.
- Student voice
- Attendance records
- Minutes of TAC meetings/CIN meetings/CP meetings.
Safeguarding Summary
Policy & Practice:
This policy applies to all staff, governors and volunteers working at Lincoln Castle Academy and works in conjunction with our existing Child Protection, Restraint, Anti-Bullying, Behaviour, Confidentiality, Whistle-blowing and Work Experience Policies. There are six main elements to our policy:
- RECRUITMENT AND INDUCTION – We apply safer recruitment processes in checking the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with children and provide appropriate induction. The induction programme is designed to include appropriate levels of training for staff. Staff are clear and confident about what is expected of them in their day-to-day work in order to safeguard students and are trained to identify signs of abuse, how to manage a disclosure from a child, when and how to record a concern about the welfare of a child. This training takes place on day one of employment. All staff receive annual training on safeguarding. This is a continuous process throughout the academic year depending on the level of need for each individual member of staff. ‘Staff’ includes teaching staff, support staff, admin staff, site staff, cleaning staff and catering staff. This is documented on the FYP.
- CHILD PROTECTION – Our practice ensures we raise awareness of child protection issues and equip children with the skills needed to keep them safe. We recognise that children who are abused or witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self-worth. They may feel helplessness, humiliation and some sense of blame. The academy may be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives of children at risk. Staff understand that victims’ behaviour may be challenging and defiant or they may be withdrawn. The academy is committed to fully supporting these students as stated in the policy.
- INFORMATION SHARING AND REFERRALS – Staff are clear about their safeguarding duties and responsibilities and recognise the need to intervene quickly to provide support and assessment. If a child discloses something that could be considered to be abuse whether physical, emotional or sexual or neglect directly to a member of staff, then a clear sequence of events is laid out in the policy. The academy supplements the policy with CPOMS which serve as a ‘red flag’ to the 8 members of staff in the group and allow sensitive information and issues that may only surface as a ‘niggle’ or ‘instinct’ from a member of staff to never get lost or ignored.
- PUPIL SUPPORT – By supporting pupils who have been abused in accordance with the Academy’s child protection policy, we recognise the significant part staff play in the prevention of harm to our pupils. We provide clear lines of communication with trusted adults, supportive friends and an ethos of protection.
- SAFETY – We provide a safe environment in which children can learn and develop. We work to ensure E-safety and Cyber bullying are prevented via training delivered to Year 7 (& Year 8/9 who may have been absent) by the local police/positive futures. This includes advice regarding the use of social media and sexting. Cyberbullying is also in the anti-bullying policy and it is covered in PSME as stated in the policy.
- SAFEGUARDING STAFF – We recognise that staff working in the Academy who have become involved with a child who has suffered harm, or appears to be likely to suffer harm, may find the situation stressful and upsetting. We support such staff by providing an opportunity to talk through their anxieties with the DSL and to seek further support as appropriate.
Evidence/key information/developments:
- CPOMS
- Central Student Registry
- Referrals to social care & outcomes.
- Attendance records
- Minutes of TAC meetings/CIN meetings/CP meetings(CFPP)
Useful Information
CEOP Police Safety Centre
Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health
Keep them Safe Guide for Professionals
NSPCC – Shareaware
Self Harm Free Online Course
Thinkuknow