This policy was updated in November 2009 and complies with:

Sir Roger Singleton’s report: Keeping our Schools Safe 2009

Working Together to Safeguard Children 2006

Safeguarding Children in Education 2004

Education Act 2002

 

It is published on the School website and available on request to all parents of current and prospective pupils.

 

In all matters relating to child protection the School will follow the procedures as laid down by the Berkshire Local Safeguarding Children Board’s:  Child Protection Procedures 2006 as revised September 2009 and November 2009. These procedures are published and updated on a dedicated web-site at http://proceduresonline.com/berks.

 

Mrs Elizabeth Hewer has status and authority to take responsibility for child protection matters and is the designated person responsible for co-ordinating action within the school and liaising with other agencies. All teaching and support staff, ancillary staff and all adults working at the school should familiarise themselves with the procedures outlined below.

 

Mrs Oonagh Berry is the school governor with an overview of child protection procedures within the school.

The aim of the child protection policy at St Mary's is to safeguard and promote the welfare, health and guidance of our pupils at St Mary's Ascot by fostering an honest, open, caring and supportive ethos. The welfare of the pupils is of paramount importance. As a full boarding school we fully recognise and are committed to the responsibility we have to safeguard and promote the welfare of each pupil and to protect and support them. 

Prevention of harm:by creating and maintaining a positive school atmosphere with excellent pastoral support and stimulating teaching of a varied curriculum.

Protection from harm: by following agreed procedures as laid down by Berkshire Local Safeguarding Children Boards - Child Protection Procedures 2006, by ensuring that appropriate staff are properly recruited, trained and are supported to respond sensitively and appropriately to child protection concerns.

Support: by giving appropriate support to pupils and staff if incidents concerning child protection issues occur.

We recognise that high self-esteem, confidence, supportive friends and a clear line of communication with a trusted adult help all children especially those who may be worried or anxious. St Mary's therefore promotes an ethos where pupils feel secure and are encouraged to talk and are listened to.

Pupils are reminded in assemblies taken by the Headmistress or Deputy Headmistresses or the School Council, in House meetings, tutor groups, the Skills for Life programme and in their study diaries to whom they are able to talk. That may be their Head of House, their tutor, their residential member of staff, the School Chaplain, their teachers, their house captains, their tutor monitor, School prefects, the Independent Listener, the School nurses or the School doctor, the Headmistress or the Deputy Headmistresses. They are encouraged to find a person they trust. Pupils are kept aware of the Anti-Bullying policy which encourages them to speak about issues worrying them.

The school also values and promotes effective relationships with parents and colleagues from other agencies.

 

 

St Mary’s ensures the implementation of safe recruitment practices (see the Recruitment and Selection Policy and the CRB Procedures). Statutory procedures for checking the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with children are always followed including enhanced CRB checks and compliance with Independent Schools Standards Regulations.

 

All staff including the Headmistress, part-time staff and voluntary staff are made aware of this policy and will receive training which will include which signs to look out for and appropriate record keeping. Refresher training for staff is provided every 3 years with the designated person receiving training every 2 years. As part of their induction programme newly appointed staff who come into contact with pupils receive training in child protection issues. 

 

Assurance is obtained that appropriate child protection checks and procedures apply to any staff employed by another organisation and working with the School’s pupils on another site.

 

As part of their induction programme the head girls, upper sixth and lower sixth prefects and tutor monitors also receive training on the action to take if they receive any allegations of abuse from other pupils.

 

Allegations of abuse may be against a member of staff or against another pupil or pupils.

 

If a member of staff is made aware of an allegation of abuse, or if knowledge of a possible abuse comes to his/her attention it is his/her duty to listen to the child, to provide re-assurance and to record the child's statements, but not to probe or put words into the child's mouth.

 

On hearing an allegation or complaint directly from a child, a member of staff should limit questioning to the minimum necessary for clarification. Leading questions should be avoided. No inappropriate guarantees of confidentiality should be given; rather the informant should be told that the matter will be referred in confidence to the appropriate people.

 

The member of staff should make and submit an accurate written record and inform the designated person immediately so that appropriate agencies can be informed within 24 hours. The designated person will inform the Headmistress, local agencies and OFSTED if appropriate

 

Should the allegation of abuse concern the designated person the member of staff should inform the Headmistress who will act in the place of the designated person. Should the allegation be against the Headmistress the designated person will immediately inform the Chairman of Governors.

 

 

All concerned should act with the utmost discretion. A complaint swept aside on the pretext that it is frivolous or malicious can damage the child. A mistaken allegation can damage the career of a member of staff.

 

The Headmistress/designated person and local authority manager will judge whether or not an allegation or concern indicates possible abuse. It is for the local authority manager and the Headmistress/designated person to decide in the circumstances what further steps should be taken. This could involve informing parents and calling the police.

 

If the allegation concerns a member of staff or another pupil he/she would normally be informed as soon as possible after the result of the initial investigation is known. He/she will be warned that anything said will be recorded.

 

If it is established that the allegation is not well-founded, either on the basis of medical examination or further statements, then the person against whom the complaint has been made would normally be informed that the matter is closed.

 

If the police decide to take the case further, the member of staff or pupil concerned will be suspended immediately and in the case of staff the matter will be dealt with in accordance with the Disciplinary Procedure.  Where a member of the residential staff is suspended pending an investigation of a child protection nature, the Headmistress will make suitable arrangements for alternative accommodation away from children, as required by the National Minimum Standard 3.

 

During the course of the investigation the School will decide what information should be given to parents, staff and other pupils and how press enquiries are to be dealt with.

 

Any pupils who are involved will receive appropriate care.

 

If an investigation leads to the dismissal or resignation prior to dismissal of the member of staff, the DCSF will be informed.

 

St Mary’s follows ISA (Independent Safeguarding Authority) guidance and procedures regarding referrals and barring decisions under List 99, the Protection of Children Act (PoCA) and the Protection of Vulnerable Adults Act (PoVA) (see the Recruitment and Selection Policy and the CRB Procedures). The School will report to the ISA, within one month of leaving the School any person (whether employed, contracted, a volunteer or student) whose services are no longer used because he or she is considered unsuitable to work with children. This includes dismissal, non-renewal of a fixed term contract, no longer using a supply teacher engaged directly or supplied by an agency, terminating the placement of a trainee or volunteer, no longer using staff employed by a contractor and resignation and voluntary withdrawal from any of the above.

 

The Governing Body carries out an annual review of the School’s Child Protection Policy and procedures and of the efficiency with which the related duties have been discharged. The School will remedy any deficiencies or weaknesses in child protection arrangements without delay, not just at the next policy review date, should any be necessary.

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead website for child protection:

Ofsted Safeguarding Children:

08456 404046 (Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm)

PO BOX 181, Darlington, DL1 9FA

Tel: 0300 123 11111