Designated Persons:


Joanne Shreeve (Safeguarding children officer)
Ann Sinclair (School Nurse and assistant)

The aims of this policy are:

1. To support the child’s development in ways that will foster security, confidence and independence.

2. To raise the awareness of both teaching and non-teaching staff of the need to safeguard children and of their responsibilities in identifying and reporting possible cases of abuse and of children in need.

3. To provide a systematic means of monitoring children known or thought to be at risk of harm.

If a child discloses to you:

  • Treat the disclosure with empathy and tact.
  • Do not promise to keep a confidence, let the child know that you will have to inform the appropriate staff.
  • Listen to what the child has to say. Try not to ask questions, but if necessary use open-ended questions.
  • Make sure that the child knows that his/her wishes will be taken into consideration.
  • Write down exactly what has been said at the first available opportunity after the disclosure.
  • Contact the designated teacher as soon as possible – do not delay. The designated teacher will always consult with the appropriate class teacher.
  • It is always best to express your concern.

There are four categories of abuse and children can suffer from one or any combination of these. Abuse can take place anywhere where children spend time. It can happen to babies and children regardless of age, sex, race or disability. In almost all cases the abuser is someone known by the child.


1. Physical abuse happens when:

  • Someone physically hurts or injures a child by hitting, shaking, squeezing, burning, biting, or attempting to drown or suffocate them.
  • Someone harms a child by giving them substances such as alcohol, or inappropriate drugs.

There are, of course injuries to children which are not abuse. A parent or older child may cause injury by accident e.g. when playing football. What matters is whether the child is knowingly put at risk or whether enough attention has been given to the child’s safety.


2. Sexual abuse involves:

  •  
    • Forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening.
    • Making a child observe inappropriate sexual behaviour or showing a child pornographic books, videos or photographs or inappropriately discussing sexual matters.

3. Emotional abuse involves persistent or severe emotional ill- treatment or rejection that is likely to have a serious effect on the child’s development. It includes:

  • The persistent denial of love and affection.
  • Persistently shouting at, threatening or demeaning the child or over protecting.
  • Preventing the child from having friends or taking part in normal activities.
  • Persistently causing humiliation.

4. Neglect
Children suffer neglect when:

  • Their basic needs are not being met, including inadequate diet, denial of necessary health care or being inadequately dressed.
  • They are left unsupervised in situations which represent possible dangers, whether at home or elsewhere.
  • They are left alone when it is inappropriate.

Signs to look out for:

In considering whether a child is suffering some form of abuse, look for physical and behavioural signs. Your knowledge of a child will help when considering the significance of changes in behaviour or physical appearance. Most children get cuts and bruises as part of their daily lives and this makes it difficult to spot non-accidental injuries.
Look out for:

  • Injuries which the child cannot explain or the explanation is inconsistent or unconvincing.
  • Injuries that are inadequately treated or not treated at all.
  • Injuries on parts of the body less likely to receive an accidental injury, such as cheeks, chest, thighs, or stomach.
  • Hand or finger mark bruising
  • Cigarette burns or human bite marks
  • Broken bones
  • Scalding

Look out for unusual behaviour such as:

  • Not wanting you to contact their parent
  • Aggressive behaviour or outbursts of temper
  • Not wanting to go home
  • Flinching when approached or touched
  • Reluctance to get undressed for PE
  • Depression or moods which are out of character
  • Excessive fear of making mistakes
  • Compulsive nervous behaviour
  • Excessive need for approval, attention and affection

Also look out for the following physical signs:

  • being hungry, sometimes stealing food
  • being uncared for; frequently dirty or smelly or inappropriately dressed
  • untreated medical conditions;
  • being tired all the time
  • frequently absent from school
  • a failure to grow and thrive
  • the start of a speech disorder

Physical signs of sexual abuse might be:

  • Pain, itching, bruising or bleeding in the genital are anal areas.
  • Stomach pains or discomfort when the child is walking or sitting down.

Behavioural signs to look out for:

  • Changes in behaviour that are sudden and unexplained
  • Showing fear of someone
  • Nightmares or bedwetting
  • Sexualised behaviour or knowledge in young children
  • Reluctance to get undressed for PE.

Allegations Against a Member of Staff

We understand that a pupil may make an allegation against a member of staff. If such an allegation is made, the member of staff receiving the allegation will immediately inform the Headteacher or the most senior teacher if the Headteacher is not present.

  • The Headteacher/senior teacher on all such occasions will discuss the content of the allegation with the Academic Co-ordinator of King’s Group.
  • If the allegation made to a member of staff concerns the Headteacher, the person receiving the allegation will immediately inform the Academic Co-ordinator of King’s Group.
  • The school will follow the King’s Group agreed procedures for managing allegations against staff.
  • Suspension of the member of staff against whom an allegation has been made needs careful consideration, and King’s Group will be fully consulted in making this decision.

Training

All designated persons should undergo training re Child Protection at least every 2 years.
The lead designated person should receive training every two years.
The Head and staff should undergo training every three years.
If you suspect that a child is at risk of harm or has been harmed, discuss your concerns with the appropriate designated member of staff. The designated person will decide on the next steps in consultation with the Head. Appropriate action will then be taken as necessary.
Child Protection disclosures and any subsequent actions are confidential, and not accessible to staff.

Inter Agency Links

The Head will contact the local Murcia Social Services department, as appropriate, when aware of a child protection issue. This is done within 24 hours of a disclosure or suspicion of abuse.
In the case of allegations against staff, it is necessary to refer any unsuitable employee to the ISA for consideration for the ‘barred’ list.

  • Instituto de Servicios Sociales de la Región de Murcia (ISSORM)
    Crta. de Pueblo Nuevo, s/n
    30007 Murcia
    Telf: 968 36 20 91

  • ISA
    PO Box 181
    Darlington
    DL! 9FA
    England
    Tel: 01325 953795

Other contacts in Murcia which may be useful are:

  • GUARDIA CIVIL – Equipo EMUME
    (Sección especial de ayuda a mujeres y menores)
    Telf : Genérico emergencias menores : 062
    Extensión Murcia :
    C/ Pintor Inocencia Medina Vera 5
    30007 Murcia
    Telf : 968 23 45 65 Extensión : 270
  • Policía Nacional Murcia:
    Telf : 091 – ask to be put through to S:A:F: : women & children
    968 35 55 13
    Grumel : grupo de menores 968 35 55 17
  • Dirección de AMAIM
    Asociación Murciana de Apoyo a la Infancia Maltratada
    C/ Puerta Nueva, 22, puerta 5
    30008 Murcia
    Telf : 968 20 11 87  (tardes de 17.30 a 19.30)
    Email : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • Cuartel de la Guardia Civil
    Avenida Gertardo Molina 41, Torre Pacheco
    Telf: 968 33 63 90