Page 11 - TASIS Safeguarding - Child Protection Policy

supportive policies on drugs, alcohol and substance misuse. We recognise that children have a right to feel secure and are unable to learn effectively unless they do so. Any adult can harm a child either by direct acts or failure to provide proper care, or both. This may be through neglect, emotional, physical or sexual abuse or a combination of such types.
Our children have the right to respect and protection from abuse, regardless of age, gender (including transgender), ability, language, religion, race, nationality, sexuality, culture or disability. They have the right to feel valued and confident, knowing how to approach adults if they are in difficulty. In our school a bullying incident is treated as a child protection concern when there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm. Our safeguarding Child Protection Policy is also dovetailed with the Behaviour Management and Anti- Bullying Policies. Whilst the school will work openly with parents as far as possible, the school reserves the right to contact Children’s Services or the Police, without notifying parents if this is in the child’s best interests. In preparing this policy, we have been attentive to the nature, age range and other significant features of the school in the provisions made for safeguarding. In TASIS England, with the age range of 3 to 19 years, we are aware of the potential scope for problems relating to emotional health issues, body image, eating disorders, self-harm, and also radicalisation and extremism. In the early years setting, staff are required to look beyond the setting in order to understand and respond to the needs of young children.
This policy provides staff, volunteers and the Proprietor with the guidance they need in order to keep children safe and secure in our school and informs parents and guardians how we will safeguard their children whilst they are in our care. TASIS promotes safe practice and professional conduct to safeguard children and to mitigate against the potential for misunderstandings or situations being misconstrued so teachers and other staff are not vulnerable to allegations. Our staff maintains an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ as far as safeguarding is concerned. We understand the importance of children receiving the right help at the right time to address risks and prevent issues escalating.
Definition Of Safeguarding From Keeping Children Safe In Education (Kcsie)
(DFE: SEPTEMBER 2016)
This is defined as protecting children from maltreatment; preventing impairment of children’s health or development; ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes. Children include everyone under the age of 18. However, we also have students up to the age of 19, to whom this policy is applicable.
Underpinning Values
Where there is a safeguarding issue, TASIS will work in accordance with the principles outlined in the Surrey Safeguarding Children Board Inter-agency child protection procedures:
• A child’s welfare is paramount. Each child has a right to be protected from harm and exploitation and to have their welfare safeguarded;
• Each child is unique. Action taken by child welfare organisations should be child-centred, taking account of a child’s cultural, ethnic and religious background, their gender, their sexual orientation, their individual ability and any special needs;
• Children, parents and other carers should be made aware of their responsibilities and their rights, together with advice about the power of professionals to intervene in their family circumstances.;
• Parents will be advised about TASIS’s Safeguarding Policy on admission to the School. A copy of this policy is available on the TASIS website;
• Individual family members should always be involved in decisions affecting them. They must be treated with courtesy and respect and with due regard given to working with them in a spirit of partnership in safeguarding children’s welfare. However, it may not be appropriate to advise parents/carers immediately about a referral depending on circumstances and the advice given by