PRAXIS LEARNING CENTRE
Policy and procedure on Child
Protection
We,
in Praxis Learning Centre, have a primary responsibility for the care, welfare
and safety of the pupils in our charge. We will carry out this duty through our
pastoral care policy, which aims to provide a caring, supportive and safe
environment, valuing individuals for their unique talents and abilities, in
which all our young people can learn and develop to their full potential.
One
way in which we seek to protect our pupils is by helping them learn about the
risks of possible abuse, helping them to recognize unwelcome behaviour in
others, and acquire the confidence and skills they need to keep themselves
safe.
All
our staff and volunteers have been subject to appropriate background
checks. The staff of our school have
also adopted a Code of Practice for our behaviour towards our pupils. In our work with our younger pupils, or with
children whose statement of Special Education Needs requires it, certain caring
personal tasks may present themselves from time to time. These tasks will always be carried out in an
appropriate manner. Close liaison with
parent ensures that there is trust and understanding of such situations. Our school Prospectus and Code of Good
Practice includes guidance for parents on how to make known to our staff any
concerns they may have about the safety of their child or any other child in
their care.
The
purpose of the following procedures on Child Protection is to protect our
pupils by ensuring that every one who works in our school – teachers,
non-teaching staff and volunteers – has clear guidance on the action which is
required where abuse or neglect of a child is suspected. The overriding concern of all caring adults
must be the care, welfare and safety of a child, and the welfare of each child
is our paramount consideration. The
problem of child abuses will not be ignored by anyone who works in our school,
and we know that some forms of child abut are also a criminal offence.
What is child abuse?
We use the following definitions:
NEGLECT – the persistent or
significant neglect of a child, or the failure to protect a child from exposure
to any kind of danger, including cold or starvation, or persistent failure to
carry out important aspects of care, resulting in the significant impairment of
the child’s health or development including non-organic failure to thrive.
PHYSICAL – physical injury to a
child, whether deliberately inflicted or knowingly not prevented.
Procedures for reporting suspected
(or disclosed) child abuse
The designated teacher for child
protection is MS Yashoda. In her absence, MS Poornima will assume
responsibility for child protection matters.
If a child makes a disclosure to a
teacher or other member of staff which gives rise to concerns about possible
abuse, or if a member of staff has concerns about a child, the member of staff
must act promptly.
N.B. He/she should not investigate
this matter, but should report these concerns immediately to the designated
teacher, discuss the matter with her, and make full notes.
The designated teacher will as a
matter of urgency plan a course of action, and ensure that a written record is
made. The designated teacher will decide whether, in the best interests of the
child, the matter needs to be referred to the expert counsellor.
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