Page 32 - TASIS Safeguarding - Child Protection Policy Mobile

very damaging: children who are neglected often develop more slowly than others and may find it hard to make friends and fit in with their peer group. Neglect is often noticed at a stage when it does not pose a risk to the child. The duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children would suggest that an appropriate intervention or conversation at this early stage could address the issue and prevent a child continuing to suffer until it reaches a point when they are at risk of harm or in significant need. Neglect is often linked to other forms of abuse, so any concerns school staff have should at least be discussed with the DSL. Indicators of neglect: The following is a summary of some of the indicators that may suggest a child is being abused or is at risk of harm. It is important to recognise that indicators alone cannot confirm whether a child is being abused. Each child should be seen in the context of their family and wider community and a proper assessment carried out by appropriate persons. What is important to keep in mind is that if you feel unsure or concerned, do something about it. Don’t keep it to yourself.
Physical indicators of neglect include: Constant hunger and stealing food; poor personal (including dental) hygiene – unkempt, dirty or smelly; being underweight; wearing dress unsuitable for weather; poor state of clothing; Illness or injury untreated and looking sad, false smiles.
Specific safeguarding issues: Our staff are informed of safeguarding issues, some of which are listed below. They are aware that behaviours linked to the likes of drug taking, alcohol abuse, truanting and sexting put children in danger. Our staff are aware safeguarding issues manifest themselves via peer on peer abuse. This is most likely to include, but not limited to: bullying (including cyber bullying), gender based violence/sexual assaults and sexting. Our staff are clear as to the school’s policy and procedures with regards to peer on peer abuse.
Faith Abuse
Some faiths believe that spirits and demons can possess people (including children). The use of any physical or psychological violence to get rid of the possessing spirit should never be considered. This is abusive and will result in a criminal conviction of those using this form of abuse even if the intention is to help the child.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
This comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs. It is illegal in the UK and a form of child abuse with long- lasting harmful consequences.
Circumstances / Symptoms That May Point To FGM Happening
• A child talking about getting ready for a special ceremony; a child’s family taking a long trip abroad
• A child’s family being one of the ‘at risk’ communities for FGM (Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Sierra Leon, Egypt, Nigeria, Eritrea as well as non-African communities including Yemeni, Afghani, Kurdistan, Indonesia and Pakistan);
• Knowledge that a sibling has undergone FGM; a child talking about going abroad to be ‘cut’ or to prepare for marriage; difficulty in walking, sitting or standing; spending lengthier time in the bathroom/toilet than usual;
• Unusual behaviour after a school absence/reluctance to undertake usual medical examinations; and
• Asking for help, but not detailing the problem in full due to fear or embarrassment.
Mandatory reporting duty: Section 5B of the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 (as inserted by section 74 of the Serious Crime Act 2015) places a statutory duty upon teachers along with regulated health and social care professionals in England and Wales, to report to the Police where they discover (either through disclosure by the victim or visual evidence) that FGM appears to have been carried out on a girl under 18. Those failing to report such cases will face disciplinary sanctions. It will be rare for teachers to see visual evidence, and they should not be examining students, but the same definition of what is meant by “to discover that an act of FGM appears to