Safeguarding Pupils

All members of staff, both teaching and support, and volunteers are aware of the Child Protection Policy and the procedures to follow should they be concerned about the welfare of any boy. Members of staff and volunteers are also aware of the support available to them when raising concerns. All adults working in the school should be alert to the possibility of abuse or harm

The School aims to:

  • ensure that staff are able to identify boys at risk
  • ensure that those considered to be at risk receive the necessary care and support needed
  • work with other practitioners and agencies concerned with child protection
  • establish an ethos of mutual support amongst all staff, so that any questions and concerns can be shared
  • observe safeguards for the selection and appointment of staff

Abuse can take different forms (emotional, physical, sexual or neglect) and might be taking place either in school or elsewhere. It must be remembered too that the effects of past incidents might emerge whilst at school.

A boy suffering abuse might:

  • be withdrawn socially
  • look anxious or depressed
  • behave unusually towards adults of one or both sexes
  • shun the company of those older than himself
  • be unwilling to respond to adults or to look them in the eye
  • behave in an abusive fashion towards others
  • under-perform or fail in his work
  • carry bruises or burns or other marks
  • be unhappy about undressing or changing clothes in others’ presence
  • be unusually interested in pornography
  • consume large amounts of alcohol or take drugs to escape anxieties
  • harm himself in some other way

If a member of staff is concerned about a boy or has concerns reported to him or her, he or she should:

  • listen carefully and patiently, asking questions for clarification only because leading questions are to be avoided;
  • not offer to listen in confidence, but give reassurance that only those who need to know and who might be able to help will be told;
  • make and keep written notes of the conversation either at the time or as soon as possible afterwards, noting only what is said;
  • pass on the concerns immediately to the appropriate person. In the case of concerns about a boy the matter must be reported to the Child Protection Officer. If the concern involves a member of staff it must be reported to the Headmaster. If the concern is about either the Headmaster or the Child Protection Officer it must be reported to the Chairman of Governors and the local Social Care and Health office.

Concerns reported to the Child Protection Officer or Headmaster will be referred to Social Care and Health within twenty-four hours either for guidance or to initiate the formal statutory procedures.

As part of the School’s commitment to safeguarding the boys in its care, all members of staff receive training at the appropriate level, and all are encouraged or required to undertake training via the distance learning programme offered by the NSPCC. This programme is also offered to all Prefects.

The School has a Whistleblower Policy in place and those who report in good faith are protected by it.

The School has a procedure in place which is followed if a boy (day or boarding) is reported missing from school.

The School’s safeguarding policies and procedures are consistent with the requirements of the Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole Inter-agency Procedures for Safeguarding Children and Young People (2006), and also with Safeguarding children in education: dealing with allegations of abuse against teachers and other staff (2005).

The School’s safeguarding policies and procedures are reviewed annually and amended as appropriate.

The School’s Child Protection Officer is Mr M A Weston; the Deputy Child Protection Officer is Mrs S Salmon; the Governor responsible for Child Protection matters is Mr S H J Macdonald.

The local Social Care and Health office is at Bath Road, Sturminster Newton (tel 01258 472652).

 

M A Weston
Deputy Head (Pastoral)
Michaelmas Term 2009