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Child Protection Policy

Chichester High School for Girls fully recognises its responsibilities for child protection.

Our policy applies to all staff, governors and volunteers working in the school.

There are five main elements to our policy:

1. Ensuring we practise safe recruitment in checking the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with children.
2. Raising awareness of child protection issues and equipping children with the skills needed to keep them safe.
3. Developing and then implementing procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse.
4. Supporting individual pupils who have been abused in accordance with the agreed child protection plan.
5. Establishing a safe environment in which pupils can learn and develop.

We recognise that as a result of their day to day contact with children, school staff are well placed to observe the outward signs of abuse.  We will therefore:

• Establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk, and are listened to.
• Ensure children know that there are adults in the school whom they can approach if they are worried.
• Include opportunities in the curriculum for children to develop the skills they need to recognise and stay safe from abuse.

We follow the procedures set out by the appropriate Area Child Protection Committee and we take account of guidance issued by the DCSF. Specifically:

• The designated teacher (Child Protection Liaison Officer, or CPLO) for child protection has received appropriate training and support for this role.

(For KS4 pupils: Mr D Williams.  For KS3 pupils: Mrs S Lambourne)

• Arrangements are in place for a senior member of staff to deputise for the CPLO in their absence. (All members of The Senior Leadership Team have been trained in procedures)
• We have a nominated governor responsible for child protection. (Currently: Mrs K Jones)
• We ensure every member of staff, volunteer and governor knows the names of the CPLO and their role.
• We ensure all staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse and their legal duty to refer any concerns to the CPLO.
• All new staff and volunteers are trained in CP matters as part of their induction.
• We ensure that parents have an understanding of the responsibility placed on the school and staff for child protection by setting out its obligations in the school prospectus.
• We notify Social Services if there is an unexplained absence of more than two days of a pupil who is on the child protection register.
• We maintain effective links with relevant agencies and co-operate as required with their enquiries regarding child protection matters including attendance at case conferences and CAF (Common Assessment Framework) meetings.
• We maintain written records of concerns about children, even where there is no need to refer the matter immediately.
• All records are kept securely in locked locations.
• We follow procedures where an allegation is made against a member of staff or volunteer.
• We ensure safe recruitment practices are always followed.

We recognise that children who are abused or who witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self worth. They may feel helplessness, humiliation and some sense of blame.  The school may be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives of children at risk.  When at school their behaviour may be challenging and defiant or they may be withdrawn. The school will endeavour to support the pupil through:

• The content of the curriculum.
• The school ethos which promotes a positive, supportive and secure environment and gives pupils a sense of being valued.
• The school behaviour policy which is aimed at supporting vulnerable pupils in the school. The school will ensure that the pupil knows that some behaviour is unacceptable but they are valued and not to be blamed for any abuse which has occurred.
• Liaison with other agencies that support the pupil such as social services, Child and Adult Mental Health Service, Education Welfare Service and Educational Psychology Service.
• Ensuring that, where a pupil on the child protection register leaves, theirinformation is transferred to the new school immediately and that the child's social worker is informed.
  
  Policy reviewed:     September 2009

For Review:            September 2010