Child Protection

Child Protection within Corsehill Primary School – Protecting and Safeguarding North Ayrshire’s Children

Doing nothing is not an option

Within Corsehill Primary School, we take all issues relating to Child Protection very seriously. All of our staff are trained in Child Protection every year in August and we follow North Ayrshire’s policies and procedures in relation Child Protection. You can find further information on the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland by clicking on the link below:

National guidance for child protection in Scotland 2021 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Child protection’ means protecting a child from child abuse or neglect. Abuse or neglect need not have taken place; it is sufficient for a risk assessment to have identified a likelihood or risk of significant harm from abuse or neglect in order for the family to receive support from services to prevent abuse or neglect.

Child protection is closely linked to the risk of ‘significant harm’. ‘Significant Harm’ is a complex matter and subject to professional judgement based on a multi-agency assessment of the circumstances of the child and their family.

Where there are concerns about harm, abuse or neglect, these must be shared with the relevant agencies so that they can decide together whether the harm is, or is likely to be, significant.

Safeguarding and Protecting is Everyone’s Responsibility. ALL staff working in and supporting Education must:

  • Be aware of arrangements for protecting children and adults
  • Be alert to children’s needs
  • Be clear about their own role in relation to safeguarding
  • Know who the Child Protection Co-ordinator is. Within Corsehill Primary School our CP Co-ordinator is Lorna Marshall, Head Teacher. If unavailable, Gregor Kirk our DHT.
  • Know if CP Co-ordinator/Head of Establishment/member of Senior Management Team is not available where to locate the emergency contact phone tree (Staff Child Protection & Safeguarding Noticeboard)

Responding/Reporting to Disclosure/Allegations

In Corsehill, if any child makes a disclosure or allocation, legally we have to respond to this and follow the correct NAC procedures set out in policy. Whoever receives the information from the child (or other person) follows the procedures below:

  • Let the child speak
  • Let them know you are listening carefully
  • Stay calm and not show disbelief or panic
  • Avoid expressing views on the matter
  • Take the allegation seriously, reassure the child and advise what you will do next.
  • Not guarantee confidentiality
  • Advise that they or the CP Co-ordinator will keep the child or young person informed
  • Advise they will remain available should the child wish to speak again. Ask how they feel and check if there is anything the child needs.
  • Report concerns immediately to Child Protection Co-ordinator
  • Record what the child has said in their own words and follow advice of CP Co-ordinator
  • Not discuss concern/disclosure with anyone other than Child Protection Co-ordinator or Senior Management Team

We are not allowed to question the child further – this is the responsibility of agencies trained to carry out investigative interviews of children.  Questions inappropriately phrased could be thought to be suggestive and then lead to evidence being held as inadmissible in possible future criminal proceedings.

We will NEVER carry out an investigation or gather any photographic evidence into the allegation  – this is not our role.

Child’s Rights

Each child has a right to be treated as an individual. We want to recognise, respect and promote children’s rights. These include rights to be treated fairly, to be heard and to be as healthy as possible.

Please see attached leaflet for parents for further information.