The Education Act (2002) places a duty on schools to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The Children Act (2004) further emphasises the arrangements that are needed so that all agencies follow child protection procedures and put safeguarding measures in place.
Schools need to provide a safe school environment for children to learn. Children need to feel secure and supported through the PSHE curriculum and have adults in the school they can talk to.
All schools must have an effective child protection policy demonstrating the school’s commitment to:
- safe recruitment practices
- follow child protection procedures
- multi-agency working
- adhere to the informatio n sharing protocol
- recognise it’s pastoral role
School’s have a responsibility to:-
- make referrals where there are concerns about a child
- have a designated teacher for child protection
- have a nominated governor for child protection
- attend child protectio n case conferences
- keep records
- follow and review its child protection policy
- follow procedures where there are allegations against a member of staff
- provide a safe school environment
- regularly train staff in child protection
TRAINING
Schools are expected to undertake regular child protection training.
Teaching and non-teaching staff should be trained every 3 years
Head teachers and leads in child protection should do multi-agency training every 2 years
To organise training please call Kate Cole 922 3973 or Chris Stevens 903 7735