Statement of intent

Deepdene School wants to work with children, parents and the community to ensure the safety of children and to give them the very best start in life.

Trustees, proprietors and all staff working in the school have a duty to ensure that children are safe and protected and have a duty to ensure that if there are any concerns relating to the welfare or safety of the child, the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures are followed.

Aims

We believe that all children and young people have the right to protection from neglect and abuse and that their welfare is of paramount importance.

We aim to:

• create an environment in our school which encourages children to develop a positive self image, regardless of race, language, religion, culture or home background;
• help children to establish and sustain satisfying relationships within their families, with peers, and with other adults;
• encourage children to develop a sense of autonomy and independence;
• enable children to have the self confidence and the vocabulary to resist inappropriate approaches;
• work with parents to increase their understanding of and commitment to the welfare of our children.

Curriculum

• We introduce key elements of child protection into our foundation stage curriculum, so that children can develop understanding of why and how to keep safe.
• We create within the school a culture of value and respect for the individual.
• We include opportunities in the PSHE curriculum for children to develop the skills they need to recognise and stay safe from abuse.
• We ensure that this is carried out in a way that is appropriate for the ages and stages of our children.

The legal framework for this work is:

• The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
• The Children Act 1989
• Human Rights Act 1998
• Date Protection Act 1984
• The Protection of Children Act 1999
• The Children (NI) Order
• Education Act 2002
• TheChildren Act 2004
• Safeguarding Children and Safe Recruitment in Education 2007

Links to other Policies

• We will develop and evaulate all school policies with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils.
• We will take into account of the principles outlined in this policy and ensure that all other policies and procedures support the protection of children from harm or neglect.
• Recruitment Policy - to ensure suitable staff are appointed.
• Positive Behaviour Policy (Anti-Bullying) - to ensure physical and emotional security for all our pupils and staff.
• Positive Behaviour Policy (Behaviour and Restraint) - to ensure that appropriate rules and boundaries are in place and to be clear about the sanctions that apply.
• Attendance and Welfare Policies - to ensure absence is followed up quickly and vulnerable children are supported appropriately (to notify Social Services if there is an unexplained absence of more than 2 days of a pupil who is on the Child Protection Register).
• Curriculum Links - PE, Science and PHSE all contain elements that ensure the children understand what is and is not acceptable behaviour and elements to help them develop the skills they need to stay safe.

We will ensure that throughout our other Policies we are positively safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and contributing to the child protection process appropriately in all areas of our practice.

Recruitment

• We are committed to safe recruitment and selection procedures to ensure that all staff have been appropriately screened prior to appointment.
• Advertisements for recruitment of new staff include statements about our (employers) commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfate of children and refer to the need for applicants to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via the CRB, to provide proof of identity, medical fitness for the job and to provide satisfactory references.
• Applicants for posts within the school are clearly informed that the positions are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.  Candidates are informed of the need to carry out checks before posts can be confirmed.  Where applications are rejected because of information that has been disclosed, applicants have the right to know and to challenge incorrect information.
• We do not allow volunteers in school at any time.

Post Appointment Induction

We provide an induction programme for all newly appointed staff and volunteers, regardless of previous experience.

This:

• Provides information about all our policies and procedures
• Provides information on policies and procedures relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
• Provides child protection training, appropriate to the person's role.
• Confirms the safe practice and stadards of conduct and behaviour expected of staff and pupils
• Provides opportunities for new staff to discuss any issues or concerns about their roles or responsibilities (including whistle blowing).
• Enables the head of department to quickly identify any concerns about the person's ability or suitability and to address this immediately.

Disciplinary Action

Where a member of staff is dismissed from the school or internally disciplined because of misconduct relating to a child, we notify the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCFS) so that the name may be included on the List for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults.

Visitors

• We take security steps to ensure that we control who enters the school.
• We ensure that no person has unsupervised access to the children unless all required checks (CRB, List 99) have been completed.
• We have procedures for recording the details of visitors to the school.

Designated members of staff

• The designated members of staff with child protection responsibility are:- Mrs Gane - Head of Nursery, Mrs Clark-Darby - SENCO - Head of Pre-Prep Department.   Any concerns should be reported to the relevant Head of Department or, in their absence, the other designated member of staff.
• As designated members of staff for child protection, Mrs Gane and Mrs Clark-Darby will undertake training for Child Protection every 2 years and will make sure that all staff know how to recognise and report any concerns or indications that a child is or has been neglected or abused.
• Mrs Gane or Mrs Clark-Darby will make any necessary contact with Social Services or the Police and will ensure that the school follows the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and contributes fully to the child protection process.

Training

• All members of staff will receive child protection training as part of their induction.
• Staff will be sent on Child Protection Training Courses (led by CEYC) every 3 years, following their initial induction training.
• Copies of the school's Child Protection Policies and Proeducres and referral forms are kept in the entrance hall, staff room and study and are available at all times.
• The School Policy will be reviewed and updated annually by the designated members of staff for child protection.
• The designated members of staff for child protection will monitor both training and training records.

Noticing Indicators of Possible Abuse or Neglect

Through their day to day contact with children and their direct work with families, education staff have a crucial role to play in noticing indicators of possible abuse or neglet and referring those concerns.

Evidence of abuse can include:-

• Physical abuse: non accidental injuries, bruising, wounding burns, fractures
• Neglects: the chronic inattention to basic needs
• Sexual abuse: the involvement of children or young people in sexual activity, this includes the abuse of a position of trust by an adult with professional responsibilty to a child
• Emotional Abuse or neglect: persistant emotional ill treatment such as the extreme denial of love, affection or approval

Action:

Responding to suspicions of abuse

When children are suffering from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, this may be demonstrated through changes in their behaviour or in their play.  Where such changed in behaviour occur, or where childrens play gives cause for concern, staff should:

• Complete a Welfare Concern Form
• Give this to the designated member of staff, who will provide support and guidance and, if appropriate, will make a referral to Social Services or the Police.

Disclosures

When a child makes a disclosure to a member of staff, that member of staff should:-

• Offer reassurance to the child (that they are beleived and they are not at fault).
• Listen, allowing the child to recall freely (not questioning or 'leading' the child).
• Help the child to understand that the information must be conveyed to other professionals so that help can be obtained.
• Make notes as soon as possible and transfer these to a Disclosure Form.
• Give the Disclosure Form to the designated member of staff who will provide support and guiance and, if appropriate, will make a referral to Social Services of the Police.

Allegations against a member of staff

We believe that all members of the school community are entitled to receive care and protection from harm.  We will not accept inappropriate behaviour towards pupils or staff,

• Concerns, or allegations of impropriety against a member of staff are taken very seriously and will always be investigated promptly and thoroughly.
• Any staff disclosing information regarding inappropriate behaviour by colleagues will be listened to and supported.
• The staff member who is the subject of the allegation will also be supported.
• Suspicion or allegations of abuse must always be reported immediately to the designated person/head of department.
• If a head of department is implicated by the allegations, the concern must be reported to the alternative designated person/head of department.
• Information about allegations must be restricted to those who need to know.
• The head of department will take clear, dated, signed statements from all concerned.
• all records will be kept securely.
• The head of department will seek advice from the Local Authority Lead Officer for Child Protection, within, 1 working day, and will agree the procedure to be followed.
• If appropriate, referral will be made imeediately to Children's Social Care.
• The Police CBT will be informed immediately of any matters that may constitute a criminal defence.

Liaison with outside agencies

• Deepdene school regnoises the authority of the Local Safeguarding Children Board and is committed to working in partnership with Social Services and the Police.
• We comply with the procedures described by the Local Safeguarding Children Board or the LEA and are pro-active in working together to safeguard children.
• We contact PRESENS, CAMHS and Education Welfare and Psychology Services for advice and help, whenever appropriate.
• We share, through our designated member of staff, appropriate information with investigating teams and contribute to child protection conferences, core groups and care plans.
• We notify the registration authority (Ofsted) of any serious incident or accident and any changes in our arrangements which affect the well being of children.

Informing Parents

• Parents of a child allegedly abused by a member of staff in the school will be kept informed of the progress and outcome of any investigation.
• Parents are normally the first point of contact.  If a suspicison of abuse is recorded, parents are informed at the same time as the report is made, expect where the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board does not allow this.  This will usually be the case where the parent is the likely abuser.  In these cases the investigating officers will inform parents.

Confidentiality

All suspicions and investigations are kept confidential and shared only with those who need to know.  Any information is shared under guidance of the Sussex Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures.

Support to families

• The school takes every step in its power to build up trusting and supportive relations among families, staff and volunteers in the group.
• The school continues to welcome the child and the family whilst investigations are being made in relation to abuse in the home situation.
• Confidential records kept on a child are shared with the child's parents or those who have parental responsibility for the child only if appropriate under the guidance of the Sussex Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures.
• With the proviso that the care and safety of the child is paramount, we do all in our power to support and work with the child's family.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY

Deepdene School is open to all members of the community regardless of gender, race, religion and disability.  All our children are treated equally: they will be respected and their individuality and potential recognised, valued and nurtured"

Admissions

• We advertise our service widely.
• We provide information in clear and concise language via our Prospectus and our website.
• We give additional information over the telephone.
• We do not discriminate or reguse entry to a child with a disibility or special educational needs.

Employment

• The school will appoint the best person for each job, subject to satisfactory references and clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau.
• The School will treat fairly all applicants for jobs and all those appointed.
• The School will advertise each job widely to ensure access to as many and as diverse groups of people as possible e.g. job centres, local newspapers etc.
• All the staff are involved in regular staff appraisals.  As well as discussing performance these highlight any training needs they may have.  A file of all the courses offered is kept in the staff room.  We offer regular in-house training sessions.

Curriculum

• The curriculum offered is inclusive of all children including those with special educational needs.
• All children will be respected and their individuality and potential recognised, valued and nutured.
• Activities and the use of play equipment offer children opportunities to develop in an environment free from prejudice and discrimination.
• The children's multi-cultural knowledge and understanding is fostered through displays, role play corners, books and posters throughout the school.  Assemblies encourage children to celebrate their festivals and share their beliefs and expierences with others at the School.
• The School ensures that children whose first language is not English have full access to the curriculum and are supported in their learning.
• Meetings are held to talk to parents/carers before their children move up to the next group or class.  This enables a smooth transition.  If we have a parent who has a hearing impairment we provide B.S.L. interpreters if necessary.  If parents have English as a second language we will see them individually to make sure they have understood all they need to.
• Staff are positive role models to the children and are expected to challenge any stereotypical behaviour.

Valuing diversity in families

• We welcome the diversity of family life and work with all families.
• We encourage children to contribute stories of their everyday life with regular circle times and news sharing.
• We offer a flexible paying system for families of differing needs.
• We accept the Nursery Education Grant vouchers.

Food

• We work in partnership with parents to ensure that the medical, cultural and dietary needs of children are met.
• Full details of children who have special dietary needs are kept and are accessible to relevant members of staff.
• We help children to learn about a wide range of different food.  This is helped with our broad menus of cooked lunches and via. regular cooking sessions which all the children participate in.  For example during the Chinese New Year the children may make Chinese dishes.

Settling in

• We offer an individual settling in programme to suit each child and meet their needs.
• We understand that working parents/carers may have different needs to those of at home parents/carers.

Information given to parents

• We send out letters highlighting any events that are occurring in the School.
• We also display posters with information on them.
• We send out a weekly sheet explaining to parents what their children will be doing the folllowing week, and this also includes a menu.
• We update our website on a weekly basis with details of the curriculum School events etc.
• Parents and carers are invited into regular consultation sessions.  There is an option to attend these in the evenings to help people who work.
• Children under two will receive a daily sheet.

Attendance

• We offer a full range of sessions - full-time, part-time, term time only and all year to meet the different needs of our families.