Explain why schools have policies and procedures
Every child care setting have got policies and procedure in place so that both children and staff are protected
Some of these include,
Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
Provide and maintain safety equipment and safe systems of work – carrying out risks assessments including checking all toys and putting broken toys out of reach of the children.
Ensure materials used are properly stored, handled, used and transported – putting cleaning equipment into the cosh cupboard.
Provide information, training, instruction and supervision – continue to update our skills by going on appropriate courses.
Provide a safe working environment – by working together to make the school a safe and happy place to work in.
Provide a written safety policy/risk assessment – which is updated when needed and that all staff understand and carry out the assessments daily.
The Children’s Act – 1989 – makes it clear to all the staff what their duties are and how they should all work together in the event of allegation of child abuse.
If we notice any types of abuse we report it straight away to the manager and we should also record the information that includes:
Childs name, age and address
The date and time
The exact words spoken by the child only if they can talk
Where the injury or mark is on the body
The names of any other staff who witnessed it
Any talks held with the parent
The records will be signed by the member of staff and also the manager, dated and kept in a confidential file.
If a child starts to talk to a member of staff about potential abuse the member of staff will allow the child to talk openly and not to put words into their mouth.
When a child discloses information to you, you should never make them confused in what they are saying and also without realising it you could be putting words into their mouth, so the child will use your words and not their own words.
The information written down should be in the children words. Do not ask questions – only write what the child has said and, if possible, have a witness listening in.
Contact will be made at the earliest possible opportunity, with the local social services department
The member of staff who has the concern will communicate as much information about the allegation and related incidents as is consistent with advice given by social services and the police
The staff will work with and support parents/carers as far as they are legally able
The human rights act 1998
Makes sure that every person working with children knows there job role and what to do if a child abuse allegation was made.
After the death of Victoria Climbie in 2000 it changed the way of how abuse of a child was dealt with and how many children are still not being safeguarded. This intruded the child act 2004
Make sure every member of staff has got a crb check, are never in a room alone with a child especially a close one and no visitor is left alone with a child even if the child knows them.
Our school has got easy access to the outside area so the children can choice where they would like to play but are still in the view of the staff
Task 12 Summarise the policies and procedures schools may have relating to
Staff
Pupil welfare
Teaching and learning
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Parental engagement
Staff
Have policies they need to follow in order to protect themselves, as well as outlining their responsibilities to the pupils and to the school.
This will include the schools bullying policy,
At my school any form of bullying will be recorded and acted upon, e.g. the older children will be made to apologize and be explained to why it is wrong.
All parents will receive a copy of this policy when their child is expected into the school.
And the ‘whistle blowing policy’
At my school the things you need to think about and do are:
Think about what exactly is wrong and can you dealt with it before hand?
Can you talk to the manager or does it concern them?
Make sure that you have put your concerns in writing and that you include the dates, and the places where it took place
Tell someone as soon as you can
Ring the local Safeguarding Children Board and Ofstead
You must remember that no member of staff will suffer for making such a disclosure in accordance with this procedure and raising their concerns. Also, the manager will provide you with all the support you need. Any problems raised or if you lose your job from making the call the UK Public Interest Disclosure Act will offer you protection.
This will also include pay, contract of employment, and harassment policy this usually provide in a staff handbook
Pupil welfare policies will include;
The child protection policy, which means the staff, will keep every child safe, including following the:
Working together to safeguard children – 1999:
“This Act provides an update on safeguarding and promotes the welfare of children”.
This means we have to
Provide and safe and secure setting for the children
Protect children from harm
Reporting any concerns they might have about a child.
Ensuring that children are learning and are happy in a safe setting
We will also support children that have been a victim of abuse
Will work together to help children understand how to keep themselves safe e.g. online
Making them aware of the behaviour policy that includes how they should treat other children and members of staff.
The pupil’s policy will include
Data protection, child protection and health and safety.
Teaching and learning:
Includes
Teaching the national curriculum to all pupils, and providing extra support to children who need it.
Following the special needs policy:
This law sets out the duty of local authorities (including schools) to provide services according to the needs of children and to ensure their safety and welfare.
As our school has several children who have different needs they are assessed individually so they can be given the correct help and tools they need including one on one support so that they can achieve their goals.
These policies make sure all children are learning in a safe environment, and that the school are providing for each child’s learning needs
Equality, diversity and inclusion:
All school setting should follow the
The Human Rights Act 1989- “this makes sure the children
Get a right to a full education regardless of their background and religion”
This means that we will treat every child the same, and give them the same rights and opportunities as the other children
An equal opportunities policy: which state that all staff and children should understand that each child is unique and to recognize their differences this can include the childes age, background, and religion. For example in my setting we have a child who is Chinese so we respect that by celebrating Chinese New Year and it also gives the other children a chance to learn about this culture. We also make sure we follow these policies
Equality
Means being fair to all children, and to take full account of their needs and development and letting the children achieve their goals. E.g. if there is a child who’s English is not there first language I try and encourage them to teach the other children his language that way it makes him feel included.
Inclusion
To make sure all children are included as part of a group and removing barriers so this happens while making sure we understand the child’s needs. For example at my setting we have a child who is shy and hardly talks but we try and include him in story time by asking him questions and listening to his answers, giving him time to speak, and not over looking him for someone else.
Parental engagement:
Parents can help with their child education by helping them with their homework and giving them extra support in subjects they are struggling with.
Homework should provide and help them remember what they learned at school and give the parents a change to see what they are being taught.
Parents should also be aware of the
Admissions, attendance and complaints policy