Child Protection Policy Modified October 2004 Modified November 2006
We recognise that we have a pastoral responsibility towards the pupils in our charge and that they have a fundamental right to be protected from harm. We have a responsibility to ensure that their welfare is safeguarded and their safety is preserved.
The designated teacher for child protection is Mrs A McDonnell. In case of absence the designated teacher will be the Principal.
Abuse may take a number of forms, including:
Neglect: the actual or likely persistent or significant neglect of a child, or the failure to protect a child from exposure to any kind of danger, including cold or starvation, or persistent failure to carry out important aspects of care, resulting in the significant impairment of the child�s health or development, including non-organic failure to thrive;
Physical injury: actual or likely deliberate physical injury to a child, or wilful or neglectful failure to prevent physical injury or suffering to a child;
Sexual abuse: actual or likely sexual exploitation of a child. The involvement of children and adolescents in sexual activities which they do not truly comprehend, to which they are unable to give informed consent or that violate the social taboos of family roles;
Emotional abuse: actual or likely persistent or significant emotional ill-treatment or rejection resulting in severe adverse effects on the emotional, physical and/or behavioural development of a child. All abuse involves some emotional ill-treatment. This is where it is the main or only form of abuse
All staff, both teaching and ancillary are well placed to observe outward signs of abnormality or change in appearance, behaviour, learning pattern or development. These may sometimes be due to child abuse.
For example:
Bruises, particularly bruises of a regular shape which may indicate the use of an implement such as a strap, or the mark of a hand, lacerations, bite marks and burns may be apparent, particularly when children change clothes for physical education or swimming;
Possible indicators of physical neglect, such as inadequate clothing, poor growth, hunger or apparently deficient nutrition, and of emotional abuse, such as excessive dependence or attention seeking, may be noticeable;
Sexual abuse may exhibit physical signs, or lead to a substantial behavioural change including precocity, withdrawal or inappropriate sexual behaviour.
It must be remembered that alternative medical, psychological or social explanations may exist for the signs and symptoms described above.
Where teachers see signs, which cause them concern, they should, as a first step, seek clarification from the child with tact and understanding. Where a classroom assistant or an ancillary staff member sees such signs, he or she should immediately bring them to the attention of either the class teacher or the designated teacher and it may be appropriate for the necessary clarification to be carried out by the class teacher.
Where a member of staff is concerned that abuse may have taken place, he or she must report this immediately to the designated teacher or, in her absence, the principal.
Care must be taken in asking, and interpreting children�s responses to, questions about indications of abuse. The same considerations apply when a child makes an allegation of abuse. Staff should be aware that the way they talk to a child can have an effect on the evidence which is put forward if there are subsequent criminal proceedings:
they should not ask the child leading questions, as this can be interpreted later as putting ideas into the child�s mind;
they should, therefore, not ask questions which encourage the child to change his or her version of events in any way, or which impose the adult�s own assumptions. For example, staff should say, �Tell me what happened�, rather than, �Did they do X to you?�
the chief task at this stage is to listen to the child and not to interrupt if he or she is freely recalling significant events, and to make a note of the discussion to pass on to the designated teacher. The note should record the time, date, place and people who were present, as well as what was said. Signs of physical injury observed should be described in detail, or sketched, but in no circumstances should a child�s clothing be removed;
any comment by the child, or subsequently by a parent or other adult, about how an injury occurred should be written down as soon as possible afterwards,
preferably quoting words actually used;
No promise of confidentiality can or should ever be given where abuse is alleged.
In all cases where abuse is suspected, or where an allegation has been made by a pupil or a third party that abuse has taken place, or where serious concerns exist about the welfare of a child, teachers and other members of staff should report the information to the designated teacher. The designated teacher should notify the principal who will further notify the CCMS and or NEELB in order to seek advice on how to proceed further.
If a parent has a child protection concern regarding a member of staff speak to the designated teacher or in her absence the Principal (Deputy Designated Teacher). At any time a parent is able to contact the Chairperson of the Board of Governors: -
Mr. Randal McDonnell: Telephone 028 217 61243
Serious concerns may be brought to the attention of Ballymena Care unit PSNI Station, 26 Galgorm Road (Tel: 028 25 653355) or
The Social Workers at Homefirst Trust, Ballymoney (Tel: 028 276 61404)
Parents wishing to act as volunteers (e.g. helping out on school trips or transporting children to and from Church practices, sporting events) will be required to complete an Application form and be prepared to have a criminal record check carried out. These forms are available in the office and should be returned to the Principal.
� Never interview a child without another adult being present.
� In the event of injury to a child, ensure that it is recorded and witnessed by another adult.
� Keep records of any false allegations a child makes against you or other staff including � �you�re always picking on me,� to �you hit me� or comments such as �don�t touch me�. Keep record of dates and times. Get another adult to witness the allegation, if possible.
� If a child touches you or talks to you in a sexually inappropriate way or place, record what happened and tell another adult. As it could be totally innocent, do not make the child feel like a criminal. However, remember that ignoring this or allowing it to go on may place you in an untenable situation.
� Do give firm guidelines on sexually inappropriate behaviour to the child. Another adult must be present. Explain that the behaviour is unacceptable and could get the child into difficulty, but do not make the child feel guilty. The behaviour may be an imitation of abuse the child has suffered and is not the child�s fault.
� If you take children on journeys, always have two along. If it is an overnight trip, always check the rooms in pairs.
� Do not spend excessive amounts of time alone with one child away from other people. If it is a one-to-one, make sure the door is open. Tell another member of staff if you are going to see another child on your own.
� If you are in a holiday or residential situation never take a child or children into your own room.
� If you are in a care situation with children with special needs, try to have another person present when changing nappies or clothing or bathing a child.
� Never do something of a personal nature for children that they can do for themselves. This includes cleaning bottoms etc. or any other activity that could be misconstrued. (See Pupil Record � Parental Consent).
� Do not go into the toilet alone with children if possible.
� Be mindful of how and where you touch children. Never pat a child on the bottom. If you work with young children or children with special needs who sit on your lap, get a �lap cushion� which they can sit on.
� Be careful of extended hugs and kisses on the mouth from children. This might be particularly relevant to those working with children with special needs. This guideline is important not only for your protection, but for the children as well.
� When taking children on an outing, think of how you appear to the public � they may misunderstand your actions. It may mean that disruptive children cannot go on outings.
� All members of staff should carry identification when on journeys with children.
� If you must physically restrain a child for any reason, be aware that it could be misinterpreted as assault.
� Do not make sexually suggestive comments about a child even in jest.
� Never keep suspicions of abuse or inappropriate behaviour by a colleague to yourself. If there is an attempted cover-up, you could be implicated in the silence.
� Ensure that you have the opportunity to discuss your own feelings, if possible, with other members of staff.
Ballymena Care Unit ������. 028 25 653355
Duty Social Worker
Social Services �����.���� 028 276 64101
Armour
6 Newill Road
Ballymoney
BT53 6HD
Copies of referrals sent to:
Moyle Child Care Team���� 028 276 64101
Dalriada Hospital
Coleraine Road
Ballycastle
CCMS Designated Child Protection Officer�
028 90 327 875
Angela Armstrong
CCMS
Down & Connor Office,
193-195 Donegal Street,
Belfast,
BT1 2FL
Designated Office For Child Protection
Co. Hall
182 Galgorm Road,
Ballymena,
BT42 1QB
Criminal Records Check to be sent to:
Collette Gribben
CCMS
High Street
Holywood
Co. Down.
BT18 9HT