BISHOP CHALLONER

CATHOLIC COLLEGIATE SCHOOL

POLICY : CHILD PROTECTION

Bishop Challoner School Governors agree to the arrangements set out in the Tower
Hamlets ‘Child Protection’ folder. A copy can be found in the staff room and in the
office. The designated teacher is: Ms Rose Seymour and in her absence Mrs
Catherine Myers.

Any member of staff who suspects or knows of abuse must immediately inform the
designated member of staff who will discuss the matter with appropriate staff. If she
is satisfied that there is evidence then she must immediately telephone the Child
Protection Helpline provided by Social Services. Any referrals should be treated in
confidence.

Child Abuse and the Children Act

The Children Act relies upon teachers to report suspicions of abuse as they often
are the only professionals who have daily contact with the children. Abuse is not
defined in the act. HMSO document ‘Working together under the Children Act 1989’
defines 4 distinct categories of abuse.

1. Neglect
Persistent or severe neglect of a child which results in impairment of the
child’s health or development, including non-organic failure to thrive.

2. Physical Abuse
Physical injury to a child including deliberate poisoning, where there is definite
knowledge or a reasonable suspicion that the injury was inflicted or knowingly
not prevented.

3. Sexual Abuse
The involvement of dependent developing immature children and adolescents
in sexual activities they do not truly comprehend, to which they are unable to
consent or that violate the social taboos of family roles.

4. Emotional Abuse
the severe adverse effect on the behaviour and emotional development of a
child caused by persistent or severe emotional ill-treatment or rejection.

What should Teachers do when they suspect abuse?

Teachers are expected to be vigilante and watch out for;

• sudden changes in the student’s behaviour

• student becoming withdrawn
• unexplained bruising
• reluctance to leave the classroom because ‘something’ needs to be discussed
• conversation in which a student reveals information of a worrying nature

POLICY NO. 9 1 of 4 REVIEWED NOV 03

 BISHOP CHALLONER
CATHOLIC COLLEGIATE SCHOOL

POLICY : CHILD PROTECTION

A teacher who has reason to be concerned about a child, should always act in the
best interests of the child and inform the designated person of;

• signs of abuse
• details of a child’s disclosure of abuse
• anxieties about a family

Quick action by a teacher will prevent suffering and in extreme cases may save a
life.

Dealing with Disclosure of Abuse

A child may quite innocently disclose details of abuse that occurs within the family.
It is also the case that children with experience of abuse may unburden themselves
to their teacher as the one adult they can trust.

It is vital that a teacher in whom a child has chosen to confide is sympathetic and
supportive, encouraging dialogue in the following ways.

1. A room which is private and quiet should be found to discuss the concerns.
2. The teacher should always believe what the child is saying - research has
shown that children are very unlikely to fabricate allegations of sexual abuse.
3. The teacher should remain calm and reassuring - children who suffered abuse
may have low self-esteem and may withdraw if they detect signs of doubt or
revulsion.
4. The teacher should listen carefully and quietly but should never attempt to
cross-examine the child or to press for evidence.
5. The teacher should not attach blame to any party.

The teacher must then take the following steps:

1. Explain to the child that her/his disclosure must be reported - it is important for
teachers to stress that they believe the child’s story and want to help.
2. Do not promise to keep secret what the child has said.
3. Do not discuss concerns and fears with the parent(s) or indeed with anyone
who is not involved in the care of the child. If the child’s allegations prove to
be untrue, reporting them to someone who is not concerned with the care of
the child may be deemed defamatory.
4. Inform the designated teacher - this is essential.
5. Prepare a detailed report itemising:
a) the information revealed by the child
b) actions taken by the teacher
• when the suspicions were reported
• to whom the suspicions were reported
• follow-up action taken within the school

The teacher must keep a copy of the report and also pass a copy on to the
designated teacher and the head. If the allegations involve physical abuse, the
report should include a diagram showing the marks on the body.

POLICY NO. 9 2 of 4 REVIEWED NOV 03

 BISHOP CHALLONER
CATHOLIC COLLEGIATE SCHOOL

POLICY : CHILD PROTECTION

What if Abuse is suspected?

• The designated teacher should always be informed.

• If the child is absent from school and the absence may be suspect, this should
also be reported - it may be that the child is kept at home to hide signs of abuse.
• Where injuries have been sustained, the teacher should keep a careful note of
when and how the marks were noticed. If a child or parent makes a reference to
the marks the teacher should record what has been said.
• If a student is examined, another teacher should also be present.

The role of the Teacher who reports allegations of abuse

Some teachers feel disloyal and uncomfortable in reporting abuse; teachers have a
duty to report findings to the social services. Any decision on action is taken by all
support services. Teachers who attend case conferences (usually Year Leaders)
report as accurately as possible on the child’s health and welfare behaviour and
educational attainment.

Recording Information

• All records should be dated and signed.

• The designated teacher will be responsible for recording information about each
case and for collecting reports and notes from those involved in the case. The
designated teacher should not collect statements from the child but record or ask
the person who initially listened to the child to record what the child said.
• The records will document every aspect of the case as it develops including
grounds for initial concern arising from, where appropriate, descriptions of injuries
to the child or of worrying behaviour, a note of what the child said, composition of
the case team, minutes of meetings of the case team and decisions reached,
records of interviews, evidence offered to the case conferences, minutes and
outcomes of case conference.
• Access to records will be confined to members of the School Case Team and
appropriate agencies. All records should be kept in the school safe for security
reasons.

Abuse by Education Employees

• It is essential in that if ever there is a case of suspected abuse by a member of

staff, that action is taken quickly and professionally in the interest and welfare of
the child.
• In the rare event that any member of staff suspects any other member of staff of
being involved in professional abuse it is their responsibility to discuss these
concerns with the director and designated teacher except where the suspect is
either of these.
• Other than in a case where the suspected person is the Director, the Director
should be immediately informed. The Head should contact the Education
Department immediately, in addition to following the normal procedures for Child
Protection.

POLICY NO. 9 3 of 4 REVIEWED NOV 03

 BISHOP CHALLONER
CATHOLIC COLLEGIATE SCHOOL

POLICY : CHILD PROTECTION

• Where the Director is suspected, the designated teacher in conjunction with the
Deputy Head should contact the Education Department.
• If the Director is the designated teacher and there is no other person formally
designated, the member of staff should discuss it with the Deputy Head who will
follow the same procedure.

If the above procedures do not meet the concerns of the members of staff then they
should contact the education department directly.

Review Procedures

Each term the designated person should review all suspected cases and monitor
and evaluate how well the school managed the cases. The procedure for each
case is:-

• Were the guidelines from the LEA followed?

• Was the case well managed by the school; could improvements be made?
• Were the records appropriate?
• Did the outside agencies respond appropriately?
• How was the family relationship dealt with?

POLICY NO. 9 4 of 4 REVIEWED NOV 03