Page 23 - TASIS Safeguarding - Child Protection Policy

Overview Panel (CDOP) coordinator whose contact details are by telephone 01372 833319 and by Email: CDOP@surreycc.gov.uk Ofsted and the DfE along with the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences (RIDDOR) in accordance with the regulations of 2013.
Physical Restraint
Our policy on physical restraint is compliant with the local authority’s ‘Physical Restraint in Schools’ guidance along with guidance from the DfE. Events are recorded and signed by a witness. Staff who are likely to need to use physical intervention are appropriately trained. We understand that physical intervention of a nature that causes injury or distress to a student may be considered under child protection or disciplinary procedures. Where a student has been, or alleges they have been subject to chastisement through the use of an implement or substance, this will immediately be reported for investigation to the LADO.
Records And The Sharing Of Information With Relevant Agencies
Written notes will be kept of all incidents relating to individual students. These may be shared with other agencies. All contact with parents and external agencies relevant to Child Protection will be logged and kept in confidential records, which are kept separate from educational records and can only be accessed by designated people within the school. The content of Child Protection reports will be shared with the parents/guardians/carers in advance of any meetings. Referrals made to TASIS are recorded on the Inter-Agency Referral Form. All concerns, discussions and decisions made and the reason for those decisions should be recorded in CPOMS. If in doubt about recording requirements, staff should discuss this with the DSL. As part of meeting a students’ needs we recognise the importance of information sharing between our professionals and local agencies and we follow procedures set out in Working Together to Safeguard Children (HM Government, 2015). Although inter-agency working and information sharing are vital in identifying and tackling all forms of abuse, it is clear they are especially important to identify and prevent child sexual exploitation.
Staff Behaviour Policy—Power, Positions Of Trust And Staff Behaviour
Please refer to the TASIS England Staff Code of Conduct and Teachers’ Standards on how adults can ensure that their behaviour and actions do not place students or themselves at risk of harm or of allegations of harm to a student (for example, in one-to-one tuition, sports coaching, conveying a student by car, counselling and so on). The Staff Code of Conduct is wide-ranging and covers staff/students’ relationships (including working alone with students) and communications including use of social media, “breach of trust” and expands on the whistle-blowing statement in this policy.
Staff Taking Medication Or Other Substances
Staff must seek medical advice if they are taking medication that may affect their ability to care for students, and any staff medication must be securely stored and out of the reach of students at all times.
Whistleblowing
Our Whistleblowing Policy, which is on the school website, is integrated into training and codes of conduct. We make it clear both in induction and other training and in guidance provided for staff that they have a responsibility to speak up about safeguarding and welfare matters within our school and to external agencies where necessary. This is one part of the way in which we establish in our school a positive, safeguarding culture. The school also has a culture of valuing staff and of reflective practice. There are procedures for reporting and handling concerns, including poor or unsafe practice and potential failures in the safeguarding regime, provision for mediation and dispute resolution where necessary. Training and support are provided for staff including transparency and accountability in relation to how concerns are received and handled. Our school has regard to KCSIE (DfE: September, 2016) and as a result has clear processes for reporting and recording allegations. The NSPCC whistleblowing helpline is available for staff that do not feel able to raise concerns regarding child protection failures internally. Staff can call: 0800 028 0285 or