Safeguarding

Safeguarding Statement

Child Protection at ISCA is the responsibility of everyone and can be broken down into 5, common-sense tenets:

1. Be observant and notice things

2. Treat students as individuals

3. Be approachable

4. Listen to them and take what they say seriously

5. Know when and where to get help if it is needed

Child Protection is underpinned by legislation and guidance including, but not limited to, the following:

• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 - July 2018

• Information Sharing Guidance for Safeguarding Practitioners

• Children Missing Education; Statutory Guidance for Local Authority

• Statutory Guidance issued under section 29 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act - 2015

• Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment between Children in Schools and Colleges

• The Equality Act - 2010

• The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)

• What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused - March 2015

To ensure compliance with our Child Protection policy we:

• Require all staff to read and adhere to the Staff Code of Conduct, Behaviour Policy, Attendance Policy and Keeping Children Safe in Education (Part 1)

• Practise safe recruitment, following safer recruitment legislation and best practice guidance; checking rigorously the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with students

• Raise awareness of child protection issues with staff and keep them updated with changes to policy and procedure, such as the Prevent Duty and the Duty to report FGM to the Police

• Ensure staff are aware and recognise signs of child sexual exploitation

• Equip students with the skills needed to keep themselves safe

• Keep a copy of this policy in the School office and ensure staff have access to it at all times

• Maintain procedures for identifying issues of concern and reporting cases or suspected cases of abuse, including child sexual exploitation and FGM

• Aim to create a safe environment in which students feel confident to talk about issues without being judged, but also ensure that they understand that confidentiality cannot be guaranteed

• Appoint a designated senior person for child protection who has received appropriate training and support for this role

• Appoint a nominated member of the education board for child protection

• Inform every member of staff (including temporary, supply staff and volunteers) and members of the governing body of the name of the designated person responsible for child protection and their role

• Provide the necessary training so that all staff and volunteers understand their responsibility in safeguarding students

• Develop effective links with child protection agencies and co-operate as required with their enquiries and meetings regarding child protection matters

• Keep confidential written records of concerns about our students

• Ensure allegations against a member of staff are reported to designated staff and BSCB LADO procedures followed

If you have any questions enquiries regarding safeguarding please email Robert Hunter - [email protected]