Child Protection Policy

King William's College fully recognises its responsibilities for child protection.

Our policy applies to all staff working in the school.  There are five main elements to our policy.

  • Ensuring we practice safe recruitment in checking the suitability of staff to work with children.
  • Raising awareness of child protection issues and equipping children with the skills needed to keep them safe.
  • Developing and then implementing procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse.
  • Supporting pupils who have been abused in accordance with his/her agreed child protection plan.
  • Establishing a safe environment in which children can learn and develop.

We recognise that because of the day to day contact with children, school staff are well placed to observe the outward signs of abuse.  The school will therefore:

  • Establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk, and are listened to.
  • Ensure children know that there are adults in the school whom they can approach if they are worried.
  • Include opportunities in the PSHE programme for children to develop the skills they need to recognise and stay safe from abuse.

We will follow the procedures set out by the Isle of Man Child Protection Committee, drawn up with reference to the Children and Young Persons Act 2001 to:

  • Ensure we have a designated teacher for child protection who has received appropriate training and support for this role.
  • Ensure every member of staff knows the name of the designated teacher responsible for child protection and their role.
  • Ensure all staff understand their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse and responsibility for referring any concerns to the designated teacher responsible for child protection.
  • Notify social services if there is an unexplained absence of more than two days of a pupil who is on the child protection register.
  • Develop effective links with relevant agencies and co-operate as required with their enquiries regarding child protection matters including attendance at case conferences
  • Keep written records of concerns about children, even where there is no need to refer the matter immediately
  • Ensure all records are kept securely, separate from the main pupil file, and in locked locations
  • Develop then follow procedures where an allegation is made against a member of staff
  • Ensure safe recruitment practices are always followed

We recognise that children who are abused or witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self worth.  They may feel helplessness, humiliation and some sense of blame.  School may be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives of children at risk.  When at school, their behaviour may be challenging and defiant or they may be withdrawn.  The School will endeavour to support the pupil through:

  • The content of the curriculum
  • The school ethos which provides a positive, supportive and secure environment and gives pupils a sense of being valued.
  • Liaison with other agencies that support the pupil
  • Ensuring that when a pupil on the child protection register leaves, their information is transferred to the new school immediately and that the child's social worker is informed.
  • Develop effective links with relevant agencies and co-operate as required with their enquiries regarding child protection matters including attendance at case conferences.
  • Keep written records of concerns about children, even where there is no need to refer the matter immediately.
  • Ensure all records are kept securely, separate from the main pupil file, and in locked locations.
  • Develop and then follow procedures where an allegation is made against a member of staff or volunteer.
  • Ensure safe recruitment practices are always followed.

Copies of all policies are available on request from the Principal's Offfice, alex.chapple@kwc.sch.im

September 2008