Page 23 - Handbook for House Staff Aug2024

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Procedure for Dealing with Significant Behavioural Incidents
Significant incidents such as vaping, smoking, alcohol and challenging or anti-social behaviour must always be reported to
the HouseM and Head of Pupil Guidance and be entered on CPOMS. Any incidents involving drugs, bullying, harmful sexual behaviour, sexual violence or sexual harassment need to be reported FIRST to the DSL/DDSL, who will record it appropriately on CPOMS. The usual procedure is:
1. The HouseM and /or relevant members of staff become aware of an incident. There may be an initial very brief investigation to ascertain what has happened and whether it needs to be referred to the Safeguarding Team (DSL/DDSL) and/ or the HouseM and Head of Pupil Guidance (HoPG). The Housem/Deputy will make sure that the pupils involved are safe
and supported. Further investigation and written statements will not usually be taken at this stage. Depending on the nature of the incident, the relevant member of staff may deal with the incident themselves, following the School or House Sanction Escalation structure (see Promoting Good Behaviour Policy) or they may refer it to the Safeguarding Team/ HoPG.
2. Safeguarding incidents should be referred immediately to the Safeguarding Team. Please call or email the DSL or DDSL. CPOMS is a recording system, not a communications system. Safeguarding incidents include: physical violence, abuse, drugs, bullying and harmful sexual behaviour.
3. In the case of a significant behavioural incident, the HouseM and/or relevant members of staff will inform the HouseM and HoPG and, if appropriate, the Safeguarding Team about the incident. The Housem/Deputy will enter brief details of the incident onto CPOMS. They will also alert the HoPG and Safeguarding Team in person or by email, Teams or phone call. CPOMS is a recording system, not a communications system.
4. If an incident has been referred to the HoPG, then the Housem/Deputy will contact parents/guardians to inform them of the incident. The HouseM (or Deputy) will continue to keep parents/guardians updated during the process. A phone call will often be better than an email. Good practice, depending on the nature of the incident, is to give the pupil the opportunity to contact home first.
5. The victim (if there is a victim) will meet with a member of the Safeguarding Team. The member of the Safeguarding Team will ask the victim to provide an account of what has happened. The Safeguarding Team will support and assess the victim and determine whether any safeguarding or welfare measures need to be put in place during, and after, the investigation. The member of the Safeguarding Team will enter details of this meeting onto CPOMS.
6. The pupils involved will meet with the HoPG who will carry out an investigation. The Head of Pupil Guidance may refer the matter to the Deputy Head Pastoral to carry out the investigation (this may depend on workload and who is available/ on duty at the time). The aim is to complete the investigation as promptly, thoroughly, and supportively as possible. First-hand notes from the investigation should be entered onto CPOMS.