Policy for the Protection of Children, Young People and Vulnerable AdultsContents
A) General Policy StatementSouth Cheshire College has a statutory and moral duty to ensure that it functions with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and those adults deemed vulnerable receiving education and training at the College.The college is committed to providing a safer learning environment that is based upon positive well-being, personal safety and security essential for all learners and all staff. Throughout these policies and procedures, reference is made to:
The Principal and all staff working with children will receive training adequate to familiarise themselves with protection issues and responsibilities and the College procedures and policies, with refresher training at least every 3 years. There will be a senior member of the College management team with special responsibility for protection issues (the designated senior member of staff with lead responsibility for protection). S/he shall be assisted by other members of staff with responsibility for the protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults. The governing body will receive from the designated senior member of staff with lead responsibility for protection an annual report which reviews how the duties have been discharged. The governing body recognises the following definition of abuse:
The following 6 categories of abuse have been identified: 1) PHYSICAL ABUSE Physical abuse may include hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate sanctions. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes ill health to a child, young person or vulnerable adult they are looking after. This situation is commonly described using terms such as factitious illness by proxy or Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Some of the recognised signs of physical abuse are: unexplained burns, scratches, bruising and abrasions, drowsiness from misuse of medication and anxiety in the presence of the abuser. 2) NEGLECT AND ACTOS OF OMISSION This may include ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate heating and nutrition. Some of the recognised signs of neglect and acts of omission are: dehydration, infections, malnutrition and hypothermia. 3) SEXUAL ABUSE This may include rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the child, young person or vulnerable adult has not consented, or could not consent or was pressured into consenting. It also includes forcing a person to look at pornographic materials. Some of the recognised signs of sexual abuse are: changes in behaviour; torn, stained or bloody underclothing; bruising around the breasts or genital area; sexually transmitted diseases; difficulties in walking or sitting and sexualised behaviour. 4) PSYCHOLOGICAL/EMOTIONAL ABUSE Psychological abuse may include emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or support networks. Some of the recognised signs of psychological or emotional abuse are: fear, passivity, confusion, apathy, lack of eye contact, low self-esteem, disturbed sleep patterns and reluctance to talk openly. 5) FINANCIAL OR MATERIAL ABUSE This may include theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits. Some of the recognised signs of financial or material abuse are: loss of jewellery and personal property, lack of money to purchase basic items, a bill not being paid when money is entrusted to a third party, inadequate clothing, unexplained withdrawal of cash and loss of money from a wallet or purse. 6) DISCRIMINATORY ABUSE This may include abuse, bullying and harassment based on the individual's age, sex, disability, religion, race or ethnicity or sexual orientation. Some of the recognised signs of discriminatory abuse might be very similar to psychological or emotional abuse. B) The Designated Staff with Responsibility for the Protection of Children, Young People and Vulnerable AdultsSENIOR STAFF MEMBER WITH LEAD RESPONSIBILITYThe designated senior member of staff with lead responsibility for protection issues is
She has received training in protection issues and inter-agency working, as required by the Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC), and will receive refresher training at least every 2 years. She should keep up to date with developments in protection issues. The designated senior member of staff is responsible for:
DESIGNATED STAFF MEMBERS Other designated members of staff with responsibility for child protection issues are:
C) Dealing with Disclosure of Abuse and Procedure for Reporting ConcernsIf a child, young person or vulnerable adult tells a member of staff about possible abuse:i) Listen carefully and stay calm ii) Do not interview them, but question normally and without pressure, in order to be sure that you understand what they are telling you iii) Do not put words into their mouth iv) Reassure them that by telling you, they have done the right thing v) Inform them that you must pass the information on, but that only those that need to know about it will be told. Inform them of to whom you will report the matter vi) Note the main points carefully vii) Make a detailed note of the date, time, place, what they said, did and your questions etc Staff should not investigate concerns or allegations themselves, but should report them immediately to the designated senior member of staff with lead responsibility for protection issues or a designated staff member or a college counsellor. D) Allegations against members of staffIf an allegation is made against a member of staff, this should be reported immediately to the senior staff member with lead responsibility for protection issues. Actions will be taken both to protect children, young people or vulnerable adults and the accused member of staff. These may include ensuring that the member of staff is not placed in a vulnerable situation while investigations take place, giving the staff member leave of absence on full pay or ensuring they are not working alone.E) Associated policiesThe Policy for the Protection of Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults should be read in conjunction with the following College policies and procedures:
F) Starting Point Nursery - Additional Child Protection Procedures1) All parents/guardians will be requested to report any injury, e.g. bruising, cuts etc sustained by the child to the staff on arrival at the nursery.2) Staff will record the injury. 3) Nursery staff will respect the right to confidentiality at all times. 4) Any member of staff concerned about an injury or other evidence of abuse will report it to the Nursery Manager or Deputy. 5) It is the Manager's responsibility (or Deputy in her absence) to take appropriate action following Cheshire Social Services and ACPC guidelines. PROCEDURE (staff only) 6) In the event of Social Services needing to be notified, the designated senior member of staff with lead responsibility for child protection issues should be contacted, who will then take the appropriate action following ACPC guidelines. 6.1) Physical Abuse This will be discussed with the parent at the earliest possible opportunity. If the manager continues to have concerns after the discussion, she will contact the designated senior member of staff. 6.2) Sexual Abuse The Nursery Manager will discuss any concerns about a child in this area with the designated senior member of staff, who will contact the ACPC. They will follow their own procedures and take appropriate action. 6.3) Neglect or Emotional Abuse Staff observing signs of neglect or emotional abuse will report this to the Manager or her Deputy, who will record any incidents. If such incidents become a regular occurrence, these will be discussed by the Manager with the designated senior member of staff who will follow ACPC guidelines. 7) Child Protection Training Child Protection procedures will be discussed at staff meetings to ensure that staff are aware of ACPC guidelines and procedures, and the importance of taking appropriate action. Nursery staff will attend courses on Child Protection procedures organised by the Area Child Protection Co-ordinator. This information will be cascaded to all Nursery staff and the College designated member of staff. Any information provided by Social Services on the subject of Child Protection will be available in the Nursery for staff. NOVEMBER 2008 |
