1. Waverley Abbey Update on Safeguarding for Parent Volunteers
Autumn 2017

2. 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)

3. 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

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

5. Why is safeguarding important?

6. 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

7. 4 main categories of abuse
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Neglect
Emotional abuse

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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)

11. : 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

12. 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?”

13. Why might a child not report an abuse?

14. Why is it important to think the unthinkable?

15. 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

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