1. Child Protection Training
St Mark’s Primary School
August 2018

2. Main Legislation underpinning child protection
UN Convention on Rights of the Child 1989
Age of Legal Capacity (Scotland) Act 1991
Children (Scotland) Act 1995

3. ERC’s Vision for Children
We believe that children and young people, at all times and in all situations, have the right to feel safe and be protected from any situation or practice that might result in a child being physically or emotionally harmed.
We recognise that high esteem, confidence, supportive friends and good lines of communication with a trusted adult help to protect children

4. ERC and school policy….. protecting children is a shared responsibility
Standard Circular 57 – Child protection
Copies found on staff intranet
CP Section on staff intranet
CP Section on school website for parents and pupils
Aide memoire postcard for all staff
Further training through CPD website

5. Common responsibility of education and other agencies
To protect children from abuse and neglect by
Responding appropriately where abuse is suspected
Ensuring children’s rights are upheld

6. Types of child abuse Physical injury – being hit, kicked, punched
Physical neglect – not being properly fed, clothed, cared for or poor hygiene
Sexual abuse – inappropriate sexual behaviour / language by an adult to a child
Emotional abuse – constantly criticised, ignored, humiliated
Failure to thrive

7. Key principles underpinning child protection work
Children have rights :
education
best health care
protection
family life
Adults have responsibilities :
Welfare of child is paramount
Children should be listened to and their view taken into account in decisions affecting them

8. Roles and responsibilities
School staff in unique position – “in loco parentis”
Informal situations:
observe a change in behaviour
child may confide in you

9. Roles and responsibilities
5 Key Aspects
Prevention
Monitoring
Making referrals
Providing evidence
Supporting

10. Responsibility of staff
Be alert
Keep an open mind
Note concerns
Report concerns to your child protection coordinator (Head Teacher)

11. Roles and responsibilities
If child confides in you what should you do?
Listen – make time
Stay calm
Keep questions to a minimum
Use… What? Where? Who? When?
Avoid Why? and How? questions

12. Roles and responsibilities
Reassurance – right to tell
Tell the child what you are going to do next
Record what child said in their own words
Act promptly and refer to HT

13. Roles and responsibilities
What should I avoid doing?
Asking too many questions
Making false promises i.e. confidentially
Expressing shock or anger
Making interpretations – report only what is said by the child – use exact words
Delay in listening or passing on concerns
Carrying out your own investigation – do not interrogate

14. Roles and responsibilities
What happens next?
HT will consider next steps:
Discussion with Head of Service, referral to Social Services, report to Children’s Reporter and Director of Education and if appropriate liaise with other agencies
All referrals are recorded by HT
All staff involved monitor situation
Support pupil involved
SMT support staff who have reported abuse

15. Roles and responsibilities
“ For children to be effectively protected it is essential that everyone accepts responsibility for the welfare of children.
For this to be effective within education, it means that everyone must be aware of child protection arrangements, alert to the needs of children and clear about their own contribution to the system.”
(Protecting children – a shared responsibility)

16. Finally remember…… YOU.
Most children grow up in households where they are loved and well cared for, but for one child the difference between being abused or being protected and supported, - could be
YOU.

17. Review of procedures in St Mark’s
Training logs to record annual training of all staff
CP Coordinator – Natalie Fitzsimmons (Christine Healey to deputise)
Supply / visiting staff CP induction
List of vulnerable pupils
Chronology in front of file for all pupils
Pastoral notes training for all staff
CP files in locked cupboards in Office
CP referral to Social Work followed up with written concern within 24 hours
Correct reports to be taken to referrals /case conferences (blank reports on intranet). Bullet point report to review meetings held in school
Information shared on “need to know” basis

18. Protecting Children is the ……………….….Responsibility of All
Teachers and school staff provide support to children in their daily work and have a vital role in protecting children from harm (Safe and Well)
Shared vision :
Working together to keep our children safe
Care and Welfare jotter recording concerns and achievements
Recording of bullying and racist incidents (use exact words of child)
Leaflets and information available in school and nursery
Guidelines on children missing from education (flag up lateness and frequent absences)
Evidence that children’s and parent’s views have been considered (note on file, wellbeing plan, JST minute)