Drawn up with reference to DCSF Guidance Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education and in compliance with the Independent Schools Regulations.

Dolphin is concerned that all pupils remain safe and free from harm and is committed to playing a full and active part in the multi-agency response to child protection concerns.

This document sets out Dolphin's position in relation to all aspects of the child protection process including the EYFS, forms part of the School Handbook and is available to current and prospective parents on the school website under the section ‘Policies’. It is reviewed annually by Dolphin LLP, any deficiencies or weaknesses in child protection arrangements are remedied without delay and a check is also made on the efficiency with which related duties have been discharged.

Dolphin works with the Wokingham Child Protection Investigation team which is our LSCB.

Informing principles

All children in whatever setting have an equal right to protection from abuse, neglect or exploitation.

All staff involved with children (teaching and non-teaching) have a responsibility to be mindful of issues related to children's safety and welfare and a duty to report and refer any concerns.

Parents have a right to be informed about any concerns about a child's welfare or any action taken to safeguard and promote a child's welfare, providing this does not compromise the child's safety.

Children are best protected when professionals work effectively together and share responsibility for protective action. There is not necessarily a conflict between a school's need to discharge its child protection responsibilities and its wish to work in partnership with parents.

Where there are possible concerns about a child's safety, unconditional confidentiality cannot be guaranteed and should not be offered. When a child is on the Child Protection Register information about the child and his/her circumstances should only be shared on a "need to know" basis.

Dolphin should be proactive and take positive steps to inform children of their rights to safety and protection and the options available to express their fears or concerns.

Children (regrettably) are sometimes abused and exploited by school staff. Dolphin has in place systems that deter possible abusers and manage effectively any allegations or concerns about abuse when they arise. Dolphin operates safe recruitment procedures including CRB checks and compliance with Independent School Standards Regulations. It also obtains assurance that suitable checks have been made on any other staff employed by another organisation and working with children on another site

Prevention

Dolphin takes seriously its duty of pastoral care and will be proactive in seeking to prevent children becoming the victims of abuse or neglect. It will do this in a number of ways:

Through the creation of an open culture which respects all individuals' rights and discourages bullying and discrimination of all kinds.

By identifying members of staff, with status and authority who have been designated to take responsibility for child protection matters. Veronica Gibbs, the Head, has overall responsibility for Child Protection matters and she receives updated training every two years in child protection and interagency working. Alison Alderson , Teacher of Year One and Rita Robinson, Montessori Directress, are deputy designated persons and also receive updated training every two years in child protection and interagency working. Rita Robinson has specific responsibility for the EYFS.

By providing training in child protection every three years for all staff and ensuring that all part time or voluntary staff are aware of the arrangements that operate in the school so that they thoroughly understand the process that they should follow if they either suspect abuse or that it is disclosed to them.

By specifically training staff to be aware of the four types of potential abuse: Physical, Emotional, Sexual and Neglect, and also that they should be vigilant to the possibility of child to child abuse.

Some very obvious signs to be monitored are physical marks, behavioural changes, emotional changes, sexual drawings, play or promiscuous behaviour and signs of emotional or physical neglect. (See C20ii The Four Types of Abuse in the staff handbook for further information and detail. This is a far more comprehensive list of each type of abuse and the signs to look out for. Each adult in the school has been given a copy of this sheet. It is also available to prospective and existing parents on request)

By giving staff guidance to ensure that their behaviour or actions do not place themselves or pupils at risk of harm, or in a situation where an allegation of harm to pupils by them could be made.

Staff should be aware that an action on their part may be misconstrued by a pupil. When working alone with a pupil, for example, in one-to-one tuition, staff should ensure that they choose an area that is as visible as possible. Other areas where they should exercise caution include sports coaching, conveying a pupil by car, and they should beware of engaging in inappropriate electronic communication with a pupil, as well as other similar situations.

They should also be aware that physical contact of any type, even when appropriate, may be unwelcome to a pupil. If they feel that an action on their part may give cause for concern, it is always advisable to err on the side of caution. (See C22 Guidance on physical contact in the staff handbook for more details. All adults in the school have been given a copy of this document. It is also available to prospective and existing parents on request). Staff have been given clear guidance of when and why physical restraint should be used and are all aware that corporal punishment is never used at Dolphin. Physical restraint would only be used in cases where children are a danger to themselves or to others and in danger of causing themselves or othersserious harm .

By informing children of their rights to be free from harm and encouraging them to talk to School staff if they have any concerns.

Through PSHE and an ongoing programme of support, at an age appropriate level, which promotes self-esteem and social inclusion and addresses the issue of child protection in the wider context of child safety in general.

Responding to concerns

Staff are given guidance and training in what to do if a child approaches them with a disclosure.

It is stressed that they cannot ask leading questions, and understand that confidentiality cannot be promised to a pupil but they should give reasons.

They should keep a written record of the information and ensure that they have signed and dated it.

They are also given clear guidelines on what they must do if they suspect abuse and how to recognise the different types of abuse.

If one of the designated child protection people at Dolphin receives information about a child which suggests that he/she has been abused or neglected or that this is likely, she has a duty to refer these concerns to:

the Referral and Assessment (R&A) team on 0118 908 8002

or the Emergency Team (EDT) on 01344 786543 within twenty four hours of receiving the disclosure.

A phoned referral to R&A or EDT must be followed up by a written referral using the multi agency referral form within forty eight hours. This should be sent by fax unless there is a secure or encrypted email system. The duty social worker must confirm receipt of your referral within one day.

In these circumstances the CPI’s child abuse investigation procedures apply.

If there is uncertainty about how to proceed and there is no immediate danger to the child it is possible to discuss concerns with The Wokingham Early Years and Childcare team on 0118 974 6101 if the child is of that age.

In the course of an investigation the CPI team or Police might wish to speak to a child, without parental knowledge or consent. The Head Teacher, acting 'in loco parentis' has discretion to agree this to allow the authorities to explore concerns and determine whether there are grounds for further action. In these cases the Head Teacher will ensure that the child's welfare is secured and he/she has access to a trusted adult.

The Head Teacher will not allow a child to be removed from School premises without either:

• Parental consent.

• An order of the Court or a Police Protection Order.
• The child's own consent (providing the child is of an age and understanding to give informed consent - Gillick competent).

If Dolphin receives information which suggests a child may have been abused or neglected or abuse or neglect may be likely, then it will consult with the Social Services Department.

In these circumstances the Social Services Department may decide to begin a child protection investigation in which case its procedures will apply.

In either case parents will be informed of what has happened at the earliest opportunity consistent with the child's best interests.

NB

It is important to remember that a referral or consultation with the Social Services Department is an expression of concern about a child's welfare. It is not an accusation or a presumption of responsibility about a parent/carer.

To avoid any misunderstandings parents of children who sustain accidental injuries which result in cuts/bruises/fractures should inform Dolphin on the next school day.

If Dolphin has general concerns about a child's welfare these will be raised with parents/carers at an early stage in an attempt to work together to remedy the situation. If concerns persist over a period of time, Dolphin may consult with the Social Services Department to discuss a way forward.

In all of the above circumstances Dolphin will keep a confidential record of its concerns and actions (see later).

Child/child abuse

In the event of physical or emotional abuse of one child by another this will be taken seriously and dealt with through the school's anti-bullying policy.

If it emerges that a child is being bullied by a sibling who may not be a pupil then Dolphin in the first instance will inform the children's parents of its concerns. If the problem persists and the pupil continues to be the victim of abuse then Dolphin will refer its concerns to the Social Services Department.

In all matters of suspected sexual abuse, either victimisation or perpetration, Dolphin will refer its concerns to the Social Services Department.

Child Protection Conferences

If pupils become the subject of child protection conferences then Dolphin will be represented and will provide information about the child and his/her family. Usually this will be in the form of a written report, the contents of which will be shared with parents/carers prior to the meeting. Where Dolphin provides a verbal report, again parents/carers will be informed what is to be said prior to the conference.

Occasionally Dolphin may have information which is confidential and which will be shared in a closed section of the conference. If this is necessary the Chair of the conference will discuss the matter with parents/carers.

When any child becomes the subject of a conference, local procedures require all the other children of the family are considered. It may well be therefore that Dolphin will be required to provide information on children about whom there appear to be no direct concerns. In these situations the same procedure on prior disclosure of information will apply.

Dolphin will contribute to the process of risk assessment and the decision about registration of children.

Child Protection Registration

When a pupil's name is added to the Child Protection Register the school will be represented on the core group and will play an active part in the creation and implementation of the child protection plan.

For as long as a child's name appears on the Register he/she will be supported by the school and his/her progress will be monitored. The school will keep a confidential record of the child's progress and any further concerns (should they arise) and share this information with other members of the core group in order to evaluate the progress of the child protection plan.

If Dolphin receives information that a child whose name appears on the Register already has suffered further abuse or neglect, this will be referred immediately to the child's key worker.

Confidentiality

If Dolphin receives information from any source that a child has suffered abuse or neglect or may suffer in this way, whether the child is a pupil or otherwise, it has a duty to pass this information to the Social Services Department.

If parents/carers wish to share such information with Dolphin they must be aware that it will not be possible to guarantee confidentiality.

When a pupil's name is added to the Child Protection Register this information will be shared on a 'need to know' basis with the minimum number of staff necessary to ensure the child's safety and welfare. These people will receive the minimum amount of information they need to enable them to implement the child protection plan. They will not have access to all the information shared at the initial child protection conference.

Dolphin will ensure that the confidentiality of information is maintained by keeping records in a safe and secure place with access strictly limited. All records of a child's progress while the subject of registration will be kept similarly secure.

Transfer of records

If a child whose name appears on the Child Protection Register transfers to another school then the key worker will be notified of this change and Dolphin will arrange for the transfer of the child's records including information about registration. The key worker will then notify the new school of the next core group meeting so that the responsibility for monitoring the child's progress can be officially transferred.

If a child whose name has appeared on the Register in the past, but is no longer the subject of registration, transfers to another school then information about past registration will not be transferred. The information relating to this child will be retained in line with the policy on retaining records.

De-registration

A child's name can only be removed from the Child Protection Register by a child protection review conference. Dolphin will be represented at these meetings and will play an active part in the process of risk re-evaluation and the decision regarding de-registration. In line with the policy above, Dolphin will share with parents prior to any review the information they intend to present.

Allegations against staff

All allegations against any member of staff or volunteers working with Dolphin children which have implications for the safety and welfare of children will be taken seriously and investigated in line with agreed Child Protection and Disciplinary Proceedings Policy. When concerns come to the attention of Dolphin staff they should refer to the procedures (Staff Handbook C20i) on how to progress these.

Any allegations against staff, volunteers or the designated person with responsibility for safeguarding should be reported to the head. If the head is absent, the allegation should be passed to the chair of the LLP, Nancy Follett. If the allegation concerns the head, the person receiving the allegation should immediately inform the chair of the LLP, Nancy Follett without notifying the head first. In case of serious harm, the police should be informed from the outset

The Head, the Designated Child Protection Officer should record the allegation (subject, allegation, time , date, referrer etc)using the multi agency referral form and then ring:

01189746000 and ask for the duty LADO

If the allegation is against the Head, the Chair of the LLP, Dr N Follett should be informed.

Members of the public who have concerns should speak to the Head Teacher or follow the above instructions if it is the Head Teacher who is the cause for concern.

If a member of staff ( employed, contracted, voluntary or a student) is no longer used by the school because they are deemed to be unsuitable to work with children, the school will report to the ISA within one month of their leaving the school at the following address:

Independent Safeguarding Authority, PO Box 181, Darlington DL1 9FA ( tel 0300123111)

APPENDIX 1

Wokingham District Council Model Child Protection Policy and notes cross referencing to Dolphin Child Protection Policy which are housed in the Executive Co-Ordinator’s Permanent Files.