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 abuse 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.