Waverley Abbey Update on Safeguarding for Parent Volunteers Autumn 2017

WA has a number of DSLs (Designated Safeguarding Lead) Kate Redman – Lead DSL Rebecca Marshall (DHT) Sarah Stevenson (Inclusion/ pastoral leader) Lloyd Sutcliffe (SENCo) Debs Down – will complete qualification mid Sept Matt Collier – will complete qualification mid Sept Rosamary Pointon (Home School Link Worker)

Key Elements of the role of DSL Manage concerns Act as a source of expertise and advice to school staff and parent volunteers Provide induction and training Ensure Child Protection policy and procedures are updated annually by the Governing Body and made known to all staff, students, volunteers, governors and parents Attend and contribute to case conferences as required Liaise with HT/Chair/Nominated governor about child protection matters Keep clear child protection records and copy confidentially to the next establishment when child moves Attend relevant or refresher training at least every two years

Safeguarding children ‘The action we take to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.’

Why is safeguarding important? https://vimeo.com/229825015/9141dcfcee

Intended outcomes To be able to recognise the signs and indicators of the four main types of abuse To know what to do when you suspect a child or young person may be experiencing, or is at risk of, significant harm To develop an awareness of specific safeguarding issues

4 main categories of abuse Physical abuse Sexual abuse Neglect Emotional abuse

Signs and Indicators Of Abuse The following ‘may’ indicate something is wrong: Significant change in behaviour Extreme anger or sadness Aggressive and attention-seeking behaviour Suspicious bruises with unsatisfactory explanations Lack of self esteem Self injury Depression Age inappropriate sexual behaviour

Waverley Abbey Safeguarding policy Whistleblowing Whistleblowing? If you have concerns about the actions of an adult in school you must report it to a WA DSL, Waverley Abbey Safeguarding policy Speak to a WA DSL Speak to the Head Teacher If you concerns about the Head Teacher speak to the Chair of Governors NSPCC whistleblowing advice line 0800 028 0285 help@nspcc.org.uk

Dealing with disclosures What golden rules do you think you should follow when dealing with disclosures? You should: Listen and be supportive, take the child seriously Reassure them that what has happened is not their fault Be honest about your own position, who you will have to tell, and why Keep the child fully informed about what you are doing and why Write an account of the conversation as soon as possible but not during the disclosure (this may be intimidating for the child)

: You should avoid: Panicking or expressing extreme emotion Making promises that you can’t keep Interrogating with lots of questions Asking leading questions (see next slide) Casting doubt on what the child is saying Saying anything that might lead the child to feel responsible Stopping the child whilst they are freely recalling significant events or pushing them to tell you more than they wish

What is a leading question? Leading questions: “You’ve told me someone hit you, was it your dad?” “I think you are trying to tell me that someone hurt you - is that right?” “When you say she touched you, do you mean she touched your private parts?”   Non- leading questions: TED (Sentence openers - Tell, Explain, Describe) “Can you explain that to me?” “Will you tell me what happened?” “Can you describe where the mark is?”

Why might a child not report an abuse?

Why is it important to think the unthinkable?

Key Features of a Safer Culture at Waverley Abbey Junior School Open/no secrets Belief that ‘it could happen here’ Clear procedures for reporting concerns Support in raising concerns and commitment to take action Code of Conduct Polices and procedures put into practice Constant review and update of how we operate to ensure a safer environment

Who can contact Social Care services if they are concerned? Anyone Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility