All school policies (2 to 17) are available by email from the school office on request.  The Child protection policy is reproduced in full below.

Policies to promote and safeguard the welfare of children include:

1                 Child Protection

2                 Pastoral Care

3                 PSHCE - Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education

4                 Assemblies

5                 Health Education

6                 Sex Education

7                 Substance Abuse

8                 Good Behaviour and Sanctions

9                 Equal Opportunities

10               Disability Equality

11               Anti-bullying

12               Racial Incidents

13               First Aid

14               Asthma

15               EpiPens

16               Supervision of Children

17               Educational Visits

Designated Child Protection Officer (CPO) - Mr. Simon H. Larter

The school adheres to the principles outlined in the following documents:

• The Children Act 1989

• Education Act (2002), section 175

• DCSF guidance ‘Safeguarding Children in Education' (2004)

• ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children' (1999)

• ‘Dealing with Allegations of Abuse against teachers and other staff (Nov 2005)

We believe that all children have a right to be protected from abuse. It is the intention of the procedures within this policy to ensure that the appropriate action is taken immediately where it is alleged that a pupil is suspected of being abused. The prime concern at all times must be the interests and safety of the student.

In line with ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children' (1999) we follow the guidelines for protecting children from abuse which are established by Harrow Children's Services Protection Committee.  We have appropriate procedures in place for responding to situations in which there is a belief that a child has been abused or is at risk of abuse - these procedures also cover circumstances in which a member of staff is accused of, or suspected of, abuse.

In line with the DCSF guidance ‘Safeguarding Children in Education' (2004) we aim

•·         To ensure staff understand the different types of child abuse.

•·         To raise awareness of staff regarding the signs of abuse.

•·         To ensure staff are aware of their own responsibilities regarding CP procedures.

•·         To ensure that staff are aware of who the designated CPO is.

•·         To ensure staff are aware of the role of the designated CPO.

•·         To recognise the dilemmas of confidentiality.

•·         To support staff who have experienced disclosure and to pupils who have disclosed.

•·         To provide training for existing and newly-appointed staff.

•·         To operate safe recruitment procedures.

‘Every Child Matters' affects all children, aged from birth to 19 years. It aims to improve educational achievement and reduce the levels of ill health, teenage pregnancy, abuse and neglect, crime and anti-social behaviour.

‘Every Child Matters' is intended to help children and young people achieve the five outcomes that matter most to them and their parents and carers.  These are: being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution to society, and social and economic well-being.

Buckingham College School fully embraces these initiatives.

•·         ensure child protection procedures are in place and updated as appropriate.

•·         ensure all staff are aware of the school policy and procedures;

•·         be available to provide confidential advice/support to staff;

•·         be available to provide support to pupils;

•·         meet with Children's Services and the Police when required;

•·         keep records of any concerns/suspected cases of abuse/referrals;

•·         coordinate arrangements for monitoring pupils on roll who are at risk;

•·         inform Children's Services and any new school when a child who is at risk leaves;

•·         ensure that the curriculum offers opportunities for raising pupils' awareness.

All members of staff have a responsibility to be aware of the procedures to be followed in cases of suspected child abuse. Staff in regular contact with pupils are well placed to notice signs of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, neglect, behavioural change or failure to develop as expected.

If a member of staff suspects a pupil may be at risk or hears a disclosure from a pupil, the CPO must be informed.  The member of staff will then be asked to complete a recording form if they have not already done so, to provide an accurate account of any discussions or observations regarding the pupil concerned.

Any records are then passed to the CPO as they are confidential documents and are kept in a separate locked child protection file.  Ultimately it is the Headmaster, in his role as Designated Child Protection Officer who makes the final decision on matters.  If he is not in school on that day, the matter should be reported to Mr. John Corcut, the school’s Deputy Headmaster.

When the Designated CPO has been informed of a case of suspected abuse or of a young person who may be at risk of abuse, he must refer the matter to Children's Services within 24 hours.  Children's Services will then advise the CPO regarding any contact with the family, as it may be the responsibility of the Children's Services Department to inform the parents.

In compliance with Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education:

·         the Headmaster is required to report to the Secretary of State, via the DCSF in Darlington, within one month of leaving the School, any person whose services are no longer used because he or she is considered to be unsuitable to work with children;

·         the Headmaster and Governors are required to operate safe recruitment procedures;

·         the Governors must undertake an annual review of the school's protection policies and procedures and of the efficiency with which the related duties have been discharged.

It is a teacher's responsibility to recognise signs of abuse and to refer these concerns to the Designated CPO who will decide whether to refer these concerns to the relevant investigatory agency - usually a Children's Services department.

All lists of ‘signs and symptoms' of child abuse should be treated with caution. At times there will be straightforward explanations for injuries or behaviour. What is essential is that staff share their concerns with the Designated Child Protection Officer and that these are discussed in the light of what is known about the child and family, and if necessary, with those professionals with the responsibility for investigating abuse.

There is a growing recognition that children brought up in 'high criticism, low warmth' households are particularly vulnerable.

•·        Physical Abuse:

Where a parent (or somebody else caring for the child) physically hurts, injures or kills a child. This can involve hitting, shaking, squeezing, burning and biting. It also involves giving a child poisonous substances, inappropriate drugs and alcohol, and attempted suffocation or drowning. 

•·        Emotional Abuse:

Where children are harmed by a constant lack of love and affection or threats, verbal attacks, taunting or shouting.

•·        Sexual Abuse:

When adults seek sexual gratification from children.

•·        Neglect:

Where parents (or whoever else is caring for the child) fail to meet the basic essential needs of children, like adequate food, clothes, warmth and medical care. Leaving young children alone and unsupervised is another example of neglect. Refusing or failing to give adequate love and affection is a case of emotional neglect.

The DCSF has statutory guidance on ‘Dealing with Allegations of Abuse against Teachers and other Staff' contained in their document ‘Safeguarding Children in Education' published in November 2005.  This guidance is about managing cases of allegations that might indicate that a person is unsuitable to continue work with children in their present position, or in any capacity.

Any allegations should be reported to the CPO immediately unless the allegation is about the Headmaster in which case it should be reported to the Chair of Governors, c/o The E Ivor Hughes Foundation Office, Hindes Road, Harrow.

When a concern arises, these are three processes that may need to take place:

1. a child protection investigation

2. a criminal investigation

3. action by the School to discipline or remove the member of staff

Buckingham College School will take no direct action against a member of the School without advice and agreement of the investigating agencies {e.g. the Police, NSPCC or Children's Services}, except where such action is necessary to protect a child.

If, following further investigation and any consultation, the concern clearly is about bad practice rather than abuse the Headmaster will take the necessary action to advise, manage or instigate disciplinary action against the member of the School about whom the allegation has been made.

Irrespective of the outcome of the Police and Children's Services investigations, the School may consider suspension and/or disciplinary action in accordance with its usual disciplinary procedure.

Only the Headmaster, or in his absence and with his agreement, the Deputy Headmaster will contact the police and Children's Services.

14th October 2009