Child Protection Policy

Everyone at JCP shares an objective to help keep young people safe by contributing to:

• Providing a safe environment for children and young people to learn
• Identifying children and young people who are suffering or are likely to suffer significant harm and taking appropriate action with the aim of making sure they are kept safe at home, at school and at any other CYPES supervised events. 

It also encompasses issues such as children and young people’s: 

• health and safety 
• strategies to address bullying
• the needs of children with medical conditions
• providing first aid
• school security
• alcohol and substance misuse and other issues 

To do this we need to ensure that staff responsible for the children in our care check:

• People who regularly work or support within school have appropriate checks
• That we promote safe practice and challenge poor and unsafe practice
• Identify instances in which there are grounds for concern about a child’s welfare and initiate/take appropriate action to keep them safe
• Contribute to effective partnership working between all those involved with providing services for children and young people 

Staff must consider their own actions. They have a duty to deal with any child protection issue that may arise by immediately reporting any issues they have any concerns about to the DSL. Or if they are unavailable to:•    CYPES Child Protection Co-ordinator, Dani Perrier  – Tel 449477•    Duty Manager at Children’s Services – Tel 443533

What to do if a child makes an allegation

1. An allegation by a child or young person that they have been sexually, physically or emotionally abused must be listened to, taken seriously and heard in private. On no account should suggestions be made to children as to alternative explanations for their worries. 
2. Make a written, dated record of the allegations as soon as practicable (and certainly within 24 hours). This should be recorded on the school’s electronic reporting system, My Concern. 

Members of staff should make it clear to children or young people who approach them asking for complete confidentiality, that members of staff would be bound to pass on the information if the child/young person has suffered abuse or is at risk. Staff should take any further steps as may be necessary to ensure that the child is protected and refer the matter to the DSL as soon as possible.

Rules to Remember when Listening to an Allegation

• Ask no leading questions and use open questionss
• Elicit just as much information as you need in order to ascertain that there is a child protection issue which needs following up
• Log your conversation on My Concern as soon after the event as possible and ensure that the words used are as accurate as possible

Records should be securely retained with restricted access only

Reassurance can be given in order that:

• the child feels that they have done the right thing in talking about their worries
• the child / young person’s disclosure will be addressed
• the child / young person will have continuing involvement in/knowledge of what happens next• they know that only those who need to know will be told, i.e. those who have a necessary and active part to play in the care of the child / young person or the investigation
• the child / young person can choose an adult whom they trust to accompany them throughout the process of clarification/investigation. 

Staff need to be aware of the potential risks to themselves,and should exercise caution when using and storing photographic evidence. Photos and video images of children should not be taken to ensure their actions could not be misconstrued as physical or sexual misconduct. 

Please refer to the full Child Protection policy on the education website and our Safeguarding policy for further details: https://www.gov.je/SiteCollectionDocuments/Education/P%20Child%20Protection%20Policy%2020160629%20SDM.pdf