Safeguarding

OUR FULL SAFEGUARDING AND CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
IDENTIFIES THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE:

• Safeguarding Team;
• Board of Governors;
• Chair of the Board of Governors;
• Designated Governor for Safeguarding / Child Protection;
• Headmaster;
• Designated Teacher for Safeguarding / Child Protection;
• Deputy Designated Teacher for Safeguarding / Child Protection;
• Parent/Carers.

Parents/carers can view a summary of our policy on this website in the Policies page
or they can request a copy from the school office.

Dealing with Allegations of Abuse against a Member of Staff 

Refer to the Department of Education N.I.’s Circular 2015/13

Procedure where the school has concerns or has been given concerns
about possible abuse by someone other than a member of staff

KEY POINTS

Lead individual learns of an allegation against a member of staff and informs the Chair/Vice Chair of BoG as appropriate.

GUIDANCE ON NEXT STEPS

Lead individual then:

Establishes the facts, seeks advice from the key agencies as appropriate, usually through informal discussion.

POSSIBLE OUTCOMES

Following on from establishing the facts, seeking advice from Key Agencies and discussion with the Chair and/or the BoG to agree way forward from the options below.

• Precautionary suspension is not appropriate and the matter is concluded – DE Circular 2015/13: 7.1
• Allegation addressed through relevant Disciplinary Procedures – DE Circular 2015/13: 7.1
• Precautionary suspension under Child Protection Procedures imposed – DE Circular 2015/13: 7.1
• Alternatives to Precautionary Suspension imposed – DE Circular 2015/13: 7.1

Member of staff completes the Note of Concern on what has been observed or shared and must ACT PROMPTLY.

Source of concern is notified that the school will follow up appropriately on the issues raised.

Staff member discusses concerns with the Designated Teacher or Deputy Designated Teachers in his/her absence and provides Note of Concern.

Designated Teacher should consult with the Principal or other relevant staff before deciding upon action to be taken, always taking care to avoid undue delay.

If required advice may be sought from a CPSS officer.

Designated Teacher clarifies/discusses concern with child/ parent/carers and decides if a child protection referral is or

Where appropriate the source of the concern will be informed as to the action taken. The Designated Teacher will maintain a written record of all decisions and actions taken and ensure that this record is appropriately and securely stored.

Child Protection referral is required

Designated Teacher seeks consent of the parent/carer and/or the child (if they are competent to give this) unless this would place the child at risk of significant harm then telephones the Children’s Services Gateway Team and/or the PSNI if a child is at immediate risk. He/she submits a completed UNOCINI referral form within 24 hours.

Child Protection referral is not required

School may consider other options including monitoring the situation within an agreed timescale; signposting or referring the child/parent/carers to appropriate support services such as the Children’s Services Gateway Team or local Family Support Hub with parental consent, and child/young person’s consent (where appropriate).