We fully recognise the responsibility we have under section 175 of the Education Act 2002 to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in our setting. It is our aim to support and promote the five outcomes of Every Child Matters. The policy applies to all staff, students and volunteers.
DFES Circular ‘What To Do If You’re Worried A Child Is Being Abused’ places the following responsibilities on all settings:
All concerns and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to appropriately. We have a commitment to safe recruitment, selection and vetting. If there is cause for concern about a child’s safety and/or welfare or allegations of abuse the following procedure should be followed:
Remember that an allegation may lead to a criminal investigation so do not do anything to jeopardise the investigation.
It is the manager’s responsibility to decide if a referral is to be made, or if urgent action needed to call either the police or social services. OFSTED must also be informed.
All of our staff members are vetted by the Criminal Records Bureau and we are committed to safe selection and recruitment. In the unlikely event that a member of staff is accused of abusing a child this procedure will be followed: