General Introduction

It is recognised that teachers play an important role in identifying potential cases of child abuse. It is also important that all relevant agencies involved in child abuse co-operate together for the benefit of the child. All schools have a designated teacher for child protection, who liaises with Social Service departments and with teachers in school. For this procedure to work, it relies on skills and expertise of every class teacher and adult within the school to recognise or report concerns. Every member of teaching & ancillary staff have been issued with a “Protection of Children and Young People” card, this outlines procedures relating to this policy.

At Sgoil nan Loch, the HT is the designated person for child protection. All staff have total commitment to child protection. They raise children’s awareness about themselves through Personal and Social Development and Health Education and develop a trusting climate so that children feel able to talk and share their thoughts and feelings.

Sgoil nan Loch has a policy of partnership between home and school, but with child abuse, or suspicion of child abuse, our first and only responsibility is to the child. This may not be able to prevent child abuse, but by following child protection procedures, we are trying our best to protect all of our children and this is our first and only responsibility.

All teachers make sure, through their care of children, to try to ensure that children keep safe, remain healthy and are able to say “No”. Suspected cases of child abuse are reported to HT, procedures are then adhered to and subsequent actions are left to appropriate agencies. We also care for children who have been abused.

Aims

By following child protection procedures we at Sgoil nan Loch

• Care for the child

• Care for our school

• Care for the community we serve

• Respond to the guidelines and procedures of other agencies

Guidelines

In reporting concern or suspicion, all adults in school must follow the following procedures. The HT/DHT will then follow the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Child Protection Procedures.

Reasons for following procedures

• It protects the child to the best of our ability

• It avoids delay

• It provides consistency

• It protects staff

It ensures that, if further action is taken by another agency, then the school has followed protection procedures.

If a child discloses abuse or staff are suspicious, there are three things to do:

• Report immediately to HT, DHT (if HT not available)

• Do not speak to the parents
• Do not promise the child that it will be kept secret.

It is very important in these cases that prompt and correct procedures are followed under Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Protection Procedures.

The reporting teacher will be told of any further action taken i.e. Social Service referral, monitor etc. If the reported case is taken up and investigated by an external agency, then any meetings, case conferences or action taken will be notified to the teacher concerned.

Staff have an important roll in hearing what children have to say. The school can provide a neutral place where the child feels safe to talk. Sensitivity to the disclosure is vital. Staff must listen carefully to what the child is saying, treat it seriously, and value what they say.

Children may feel they will not be believed, or that they will be punished. Staff will need to say that whatever has happened it is not their fault. Fear of the consequences of telling is very common. It can be very tempting to offer a promise of confidentiality to the child. This is not realistic. The child needs to hear the truth about what is going to happen, together with a commitment to support the child. It is crucial not to ask leading questions. Our role is to enable the child to speak and then know what to do next.

A list of children causing concern is kept in the HT office. This includes all children, ho, for whatever reason, need to be monitored. Staff are kept informed of any child in their class who is on the register. Teachers must inform HT of any changes/additions so that this list can be kept up to date.

In the unlikely event of HT, DHT not being available to deal with an emergency involving Child Protection issues, then the teacher must speak to the Team Leader Children & Families in the Social Work Department, who will deal with the matter. This would only occur in extreme circumstances.

Signs and Symptoms

This is intended as a guide. Please remember that the presence of one or more factors does not necessarily give proof that child abuse has occurred. It may, however, indicate that investigation should take place.

• Unexplained delay in seeking treatment which is needed
• Incompatible explanations
• Constant minor injuries
• Unexplained bruising:
  • Bruise marks in or around the mouth
  • Black eyes, especially if both eyes are black and there are no marks to forehead or nose
  • Grasp marks
  • Finger marks
  • Bruising of the ears
  • Linear bruising (particularly buttocks or back)
  • Differing age bruising
• Bite marks
• Burns or scalds
• Cigarette burns
• General physical disability
• Unresponsiveness in a child
• Soiling or wetting
• Change in behavioural pattern
• “Frozen look”
• Attention seeking
• Apprehension
• Antisocial behaviour
• Unkempt appearance
• Sexually precocious behaviour
• Sexualised drawings and play
• Sudden poor performance in school
• Poor self-esteem
• Self-mutilation
• Withdrawal
• Running away
• Reluctance to return home after school
• Resistance to PE (undressing)
• Resistance to school medicals
• Difficulty in forming relationships
• Confusing affectionate displays
• Poor attendance-repeated infections etc.

Definitions of Child Abuse

An abused child is a boy or a girl under the age of 17 who has suffered from physical injury, physical neglect, failure to thrive, emotional or sexual abuse, which the person who has had custody, charge or care of the child either caused or knowingly failed to prevent. Having custody, charge or care includes any person, in whatever setting, who, at the time, is responsible for that child.

Physical Abuse

Physical injury to a child, including deliberate poisoning, where there is definite knowledge, or a reasonable suspicion that the injury was inflicted or knowingly not prevented.

Sexual Abuse

The involvement of dependant, developmentally immature children and adolescents in sexual activities that they do not truly comprehend, and to which they are unable to give informed consent; or they violate the social taboos of family roles.

Neglect

The persistent or severe neglect of a child (for example by exposure to and kind of danger including cold or starvation) which results in serious impairment of the child’s health or development, including non-organic failure to thrive.

Emotional Abuse

The severe adverse effect on the behaviour and emotional development of a child by persistent or severe emotional ill-treatment or rejection. All abuse involves some emotional ill-treatment; this category should be used where it is the main or sole form of abuse.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Child Protection Procedures

These procedures are to be followed in reported abuse cases or suspicion of abuse. Copies of the procedure are held by the HT, also a copy in the staff workbase.

Central to all procedures for child abuse is a case conference called by Social Work Team Leader. The following people and agencies must be invited to attend:

• Social Services

• Senior Medical Officer

• Senior Nurse

• NSPCC

• Probation Service

• Police

Other agencies may be involved:

Clinical or Educational psychologist
Consultant Psychiatrist (if hospital is concerned)
Senior Educational Welfare Officer
Headteacher or Designated teacher
Headteacher from siblings’ school
Community worker if appropriate
Housing Department
Council Chief Executive/Clerk’s Department
Recognised voluntary organisations
Emergency duty team (Social Service)

The Child Protection Register is held at the Social Services department, with a copy in Education Department. This contains information about confirmed and suspected cases of child abuse.

Sexual abuse cases are investigated by the police. Social services can be present to assist the Police when interviewing a child.

 

Nov. 2013