Safeguarding Policy
Safeguarding & Child Protection
Our Promise
At Wakitu Kids Out-of-School and Holiday Clubs we take our children’s safety as our upmost priority. As we have daily contact with children, we make sure we can carefully detect any concerns of any of our children’s welfare. All staff are staff guarding trained in detecting any concerns of any signs of abuse, neglect, changes to a child’s behaviour. All sensitive information will keep Confidential.
We will work with any outside agencies to ensure children in our care are safeguarded.
All the staff will be trained to understand that child abuse can be present itself in many forms. Staff will be aware of the following types of abuse:
Physical abuse- Contact intended to cause feelings of intimidation, injury, or other physical suffering or bodily harm.
Examples include hitting, slapping, pushing, biting, and restraining.Sexual abuse- The forcing of undesired sexual behaviour by one person upon another.
This can be direct abuse of the other person such as rape or sexual touching or by making someone watch images of a sexual nature.
Sexual abuse comes about when sexual acts have not been consented to.Emotional abuse- Threats or actions to cause mental or
physical harm, humiliation, or isolation.
Emotional abuse can include threatening a child or trying to coerce them through harassment, verbal abuse, or isolation.Neglect- A passive form of abuse in which the perpetrator is responsible to provide care for someone who is unable to care for themselves but fails to provide adequate care to meet their needs. Neglect may include failing to provide sufficient supervision, nourishment, medical care, or other needs.
Neglect is the most common form of abuse for children and is found in about 60% of all referred cases of abuse.Domestic abuse - The abuse of one partner within an intimate or family relationship using repeated, random and habitual measures to intimidate or control a partner. Children who are witness to this behaviour can be significantly affected by what they see and hear. Domestic abuse also involves ‘honour-based’ violence where children are targeted because they have brought shame to a family, or they have violated cultural or religious rules.
Modern slavery -This type of abuse encompasses slavery, human trafficking and forced labour. The individuals who perpetrate this form of abuse will use whatever they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life they have not agreed to, which is likely to be inhumane and abusive.
Slavery and trafficking can apply to children equally as much as adults.Munchausen syndrome by proxy (fabricated or induced illness – FII) -This form of abuse is serious but quite rare. It occurs when a parent or carer (most often a child’s biological mother) exaggerates of deliberately causes the symptoms of illness in the child.
Bullying- Repeated verbal, physical, social or psychological aggressive behaviour by a person or group directed towards a less powerful person or group that is intended to cause harm, distress or fear.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) -which is a procedure that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons and is considered child abuse in the UK, as well as Breast ironing (sometimes called flattening) is the pounding and massaging of a young girl’s breasts to prevent and stunt breast growth.
They will be kept up to date with child protection issues and relevant legislation including
Prevent Duty (preventing children and young people from being drawn into terrorism) by attending regular training courses to further their knowledge and gain confidence to identify children who may be at risk and by reading relevant publications (newsletters from Families information service and other agencies).
We have a copy of, and we are familiar with, the Barnsley Safeguarding Children partnership (BSCP) procedures and have within our setting the ‘working together to safeguard children’ document.
Child protection concerns that could identify a particular child are always kept confidential, and only shared with people on a need-to-know basis.
Parents must notify a member of staff of any concerns they have about their child and any accidents, incidents or injuries affecting the child, which will be recorded on accident or cause for concern forms.
We work together with parents to make sure the care of their child is consistent. We will work with any existing agencies to ensure we are meeting the children's need.
We will always put the child's protection and safety first. In the event we believe a child is in immediate harm we will contact the police. We will keep up to date documentation.
If a member of staff notices:
Neglect
– Unkempt appearance.
– Constant hunger.
– Unattended medical issues.
– Abuse of alcohol or drugs.
– Inappropriate clothing for the weather.
– Frequent illness.
– Being unsupervised for long periods with no explanation.
– Becoming withdrawn.
– Low self-esteem.
– Failure to ensure that medication is taken.
– Living in unsafe conditions.
Physical abuse
– Multiple bruises.
– Fractures and dislocations.
– Scratches and cuts.
– Loss of clumps of hair.
– Black eyes or bruised ears.
– Scalds or burns.
– A history of unexplained minor falls or accidental poisonings.
– Explanations which are not consistent with injuries.
– Deterioration of health with no obvious cause.
– Withdrawal and mood changes.
– Reluctance for the individual to be with specific people.
– Others not allowing access to the child.
Emotional abuse
– Reluctance for the individual to be with specific people.
– Continual references to the individual in a derogatory way by others.
– Being overly affectionate to strangers.
– Lack of confidence.
– Severe anxiety.
– Aggression towards others.
– Individual not allowed to speak their opinion.
– Disturbed sleep patterns.
Sexual abuse
– Bruises around the genital area.
– Bite marks or scratches.
– Recurrent sexually transmitted infections.
– Blood in underwear.
– Abdominal pain that has no apparent cause.
– Pregnancy.
– Provocative and inappropriate sexual behaviour.
– Self-harming.
– Aggression towards others.
– Refusal to undress in front of others.
– Reluctance for the individual to be with specific people.
– Sexual abuse of others.
Staff who work with children must report any suspicions of child abuse in line with their duty of care, which maintains that they have a moral (or legal) obligation to ensure the safety or well-being of others.
Bullying
Any form of bullying that involves children or staff (including cyber) will not be tolerated and will be challenged. Issues will try to be resolved through discussions with the children/staff involved, parents and school staff. If persistent bullying continues from a child it could result in their place being terminated from the club or in the case of staff members their employment being terminated.
The process
Any concerns are to be recorded on our cause for concern forms and the designated safeguarding lead to be informed.
All staff members are aware that we must notify Ofsted of any allegations of abuse, which are alleged to have taken place whilst the child is in the care of the setting
If abuse has been identified we will ensure we know
Our safeguarding lead for:
School name
Wakitu
Designated leads name
Kerry Hirst
This concern will be communicated with the school and passed on to relevant organisations.
Barnsley Safeguarding Children Partnership is the organisation responsible for agreeing how services and agencies work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people in the borough and ensuring that they do so effectively. The Children and Social Work Act 2017 and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018
There are different ways to be aware of how a child may disclose abuse:
Direct disclosure: This is a specific statement made by a child about the abuse that is happening to them.
Indirect disclosure: One or more ambiguous statements, which imply that something is wrong.
Behavioural disclosure: Deliberate or inadvertent behaviour that indicates that something is wrong.
Non-verbal disclosure: Writing letters, drawing pictures, or trying to communicate in any other way than verbal to let someone know that something is wrong.
A child could covertly disclose abuse. This could be ‘stories’ of abuse that could be happening to them. Example ‘my friend is scared of Daddy,’ ‘I have got a bruise on my leg but I am not sure how it got there.’
Overt disclosure. A direct disclosure.
Dealing with allegations
The club will not carry out any investigation itself into a suspected child abuse incident or concerns relating to radicalisation. The child protection officer will immediately refer the case to the Barnsley Safeguarding children partnership (BSCP).
Further to this, the following principles will govern any suspected or reported case of abuse:
Where actual or suspected abuse comes to the attention of staff, they will report this to the child protection officer at the earliest possible opportunity.
Staff are encouraged and supported to trust their professional judgement and if they suspect abuse has, or is taking place, to report this.
Full written records of all reported incidents will be produced and maintained. This will include full details of the alleged incident, details of all parties involved, any evidence or explanations offered by interested parties, relevant dates, times, locations and any supporting information or evidence from members of staff.
The manager/child protection officer will be responsible for ensuring that written records are dated, signed and kept confidentially.
If an allegation of abuse is made against the manager, then Ofsted will be informed.
Staff will ensure that all concerns and allegations are treated with sensitivity and confidentiality
Any children involved in alleged incidents will be comforted and reassured.
In circumstances where a child makes an allegation or a disclosure, the member of staff concerned will:
Listen fully to all the child has to say
Make no observable judgement
Ask open questions that encourage the child to speak in their own words
Make no promise that cannot be kept such as promising not to tell anyone what they are being told.
Reassure the child that they are doing the right thing by telling you and they are not to blame
Referring allegations to child protection agencies
If the manager/ child protection officer has reasonable grounds for believing that the child has been or is in grave danger of being subject to abuse, the following procedure will be followed:
Contact will be made, at the earliest possible opportunity with the BSCP by phone call as well as an email.
The manager/child protection officer will communicate as much information about the allegation and related incidents as is consistent with advice given by social services and the police.
At all times, the safety, protection and interests of the children concerned will take precedence. The manager and staff will work with and support parents/carers as far as legally able.
The club will assist the social services and the police, as far as it is able, during any investigation of abuse or neglect. This will include disclosing written and verbal information and evidence.
OFSTED will be informed of any allegations of abuse against a member of staff, student or volunteer or any abuse that is alleged to have taken place on the premises or during a visit or outing.
It is the staff’s/ students/ volunteers responsibility to report any concerns about their colleague’s which may affect the welfare of the children/ young people to the managers or if they have concerns about the managers to report to Ofsted or other appropriate agencies.
Our Aims:
We aim to ensure that no member of staff is left open to possible allegations of child abuse by minimising times when staff members are left alone with a child.
Staff will not carry out a personal task that the child is capable of doing themselves. Where this is essential (i.e. when a child has soiled themselves) staff will help a child and if possible be accompanied by a colleague. Unless a child has a particular need, staff should not accompany children to the toilet.
If a child makes inappropriate physical contact with a member of staff, student or volunteer, this will be recorded fully on a incident record form
Staff will be mindful of how and where they touch children, given their age and emotional understanding. Unnecessary or potentially inappropriate physical contact will be avoided at all times
All allegations made by a child against a member of staff will be fully recorded, including any actions taken, on a incident record form. In the event of there being a witness to an incident, they should sign the records to confirm this.
Procedure on dealing with child abuse allegations against staff, volunteers and students
The club is committed to ensuring that it meets its responsibilities in respect of child protection by treating any allegations seriously and sensitively.
If an allegation were ever made against a member of staff then the following course of action would come into force (even if the accused person resigns):
The manager or designated lead would contact the appropriate assessment team (LADO) within 2 working days and OFSTED within 14 days of the allegation been made, to inform them of the situation & follow their guidance, ensuring confidentiality at all times.
A full investigation will take place, Which,
Will be documented thoroughly and depending on the outcome one of the following courses of action will take place:
Reinstatement with no further action to be taken.
Reinstatement with written warning given.
Dismissal due to GROSS misconduct. See terms of employment.
If any staff, volunteers or students leave as a result of a child protection matter, LADO, OFSTED, and DBS will be informed immediately or as soon as possible.
To be able to contact OFSTED: -
Ofsted
Piccadilly Gate
Store Street
Manchester
M1 2WD
Helpline: - 03001234666
Assessment service team - 01226 772423
Emergency Duty team – 01226 787789
LADO - 01226 772341
Links for support:
Barnsley Safeguarding Children Partnership
How we promote children’s safety and wellbeing
We have a high expectation for our staff to help creating a safe secure environment that children can feel safe. We do this in the following ways:
by creating safe and secure play environments
by helping the children identify ways to keep themselves safe and safe to disclose information that maybe worrying/concerning them. Helping them identify inappropriate behaviours
Always having an open door policy for the parents/carers or children to feel confident in communication concerns to any member of Wakitu staff
All staff are training in Paediatric first aid
Children and our families are welcomed regardless of socio economics, ethnicity, gender and SEN.
Any additional medical needs will be supported.
We promote the awareness and positive outlook of different ethnicities, socio economics, genders and special educational needs with our activities, wallboards, games and meals.
Bullying, threating or racist behaviour/language will not be tolerated, parents/carers will be contacted.
Any access to the internet will be monitored and internet safety will be promoted in sessions. Making children aware of anything that may make them feel uncomfortable and how they should tell a responsible adult.
Children will be dropped off by appropriate adults (over 18) and collected by appropriate adults. They will remain on school premises.