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1.1         Child Protection Policy

The role of the school in cases of suspected abuse is not investigative or interventional but one of recognition and referral, usually, in the first instance, to the appropriate Social Services Department.

Teaching staff have been made aware of the signs of abuse and will report any concerns or suspicions to the Deputy Head (Pastoral) who is the Child Protection Liaison Officer (CPLO). It is the responsibility of the CPLO to coordinate action within the school and liaise with other agencies.  The school has procedures for handling suspected cases of abuse of pupils and these are made clear to staff in the staff handbook.  Of paramount importance is the welfare of the child and it is the school’s policy to reassure pupils that their best interests are the prime concern.  Where appropriate the school seeks to encourage pupils to talk to parents and will offer support to help them do so.  Staff cannot offer unconditional confidentiality, but where confidentiality is broken the school aims to inform the pupil concerned first and to offer appropriate support.  Pupils will be provided with sources of help such as the school matron, counsellor, school doctor or local agencies.  However, if at anytime there is any possibility of abuse then the school’s child protection procedures will be followed which include referral to investigative agencies.

1.1.1        Definition of Abuse

A child is considered to be abused or at risk of abuse when the basic needs of the child are not being met.  The harm must be significant and includes neglect, ill-treatment, physical, sexual or emotional abuse.  If a member of staff suspects or receives information that suggests a child is suffering abuse then they must immediately report the information to the Deputy Head (Pastoral) who is the Child Protection Liaison Officer (CPLO).  In the absence of the Deputy, the Headmaster must be informed.

a)                 It is important that members of staff do not investigate reports of physical or sexual abuse and any information sought should be done tactfully and with sympathy and only until the point at which an allegation of abuse is clear.  The Deputy Head (Pastoral) will record any reports of concern, inform the Child’s Tutor and pass the written report to the School Office for filing.  All child protection records will be filed securely and separately from the main pupil files.

b)                 Disclosure/allegation from a child/young person

If a child volunteers information about abuse to a member of staff, it may sometimes be done obliquely rather than directly.  An abused child is likely to be under severe emotional stress and the staff member may be the only adult whom the child is prepared to trust.  When information is offered in confidence, the member of staff will need to explain with sensitivity, whilst  retaining the child’s trust, that action may be required, that other adults will need to be informed and that complete confidentiality cannot be honoured.  Staff need to be aware that the most important aspect of their response to a child is willingness to listen and to take seriously what the child is saying, without asking questions or making any assumptions (e.g. about who has abused the child) which could later be interpreted as leading the child if criminal proceedings were to follow.  If a child should tell the full story of what has happened he/she should not be asked to repeat this at subsequent interviews.  The member of staff should as soon as possible (certainly within 24 hours) make a written note of the discussion, recording date, place and names of anyone else present, and using the words of the child where they are remembered.  In any criminal proceedings these notes would be potentially disclosable to both the prosecution and defence lawyers.  These details should be transferred straight away to the formal Log Sheet to be found in the Common Room and given as soon as possible to the School’s Child Protection Liaison Officer (the Second Deputy).  In no circumstances should staff contact parents, social Service, the police, suspected perpetrators – this is the job of the CPLO.

c)         Information about or allegation of abuse by a staff member

If a child or his/her parent volunteers to a member of staff information about abuse by another member of staff, the person receiving the information should complete appropriately and immediately the Log Sheet above and hand it as soon as possible to the School’s Child Protection Liaison Officer.  Teachers are particularly vulnerable to accusations of abuse but even though such allegations may be false, malicious or misplaced, reporting must be instantaneous and the informant assured of that.  Such information will be extremely sensitive for abuse in these circumstances is particularly serious but unfounded allegations can be traumatic for the teacher concerned and can inflict long term damage on a person’s health and career.

The Child Protection Liaison Officer will refer to the Headmaster (see CPLO role below) who will consider initially whether there is sufficient substance in an allegation to warrant investigation.  The Headmaster will consult with a representative of Social Services as part of this consideration.

Staff should be aware that they are at risk of accusation or abuse.  It is advisable to avoid physical contact with pupils.

1.1.2        Child Protection Liaison Officer Role (CPLO)

At Hereford Cathedral School the Deputy Head (Pastoral) holds this position.

The CPLO will:

a)                 Draw up the school’s policy and procedures for responding to and dealing with cases involving child protection;

b)                 Amend and update these in line with any revised guidelines for child protection from the local Area Child Protection Committees (ACPCs);

c)                 Ensure that all members of staff, including newly appointed staff, are aware of the ACPC and the School’s own procedures for child protection, and advise on their use;

d)                 Immediately inform the Headmaster, or, if unavailable or inappropriate, the Chairman of Governors or his representative, of any allegation of child abuse made against a member of staff;

e)                 In cases of suspected abuse which require immediate medical attention but where no medical examination has taken place at school, take the pupil to the Hereford’s Emergency Department having notified the Social Services but prior, if necessary, to any discussion with them.