Child / Young Learner Protection Policy
Policy Statement
Vocational Training Services has a statutory and moral duty to ensure a safe environment for children/vulnerable adults. Everyone has the right to be free from abuse and neglect and to be treated with dignity and respect.
This policy and procedure document refers to 'children and young people'; this term is used to mean those under 18 years of age '(The Children Act 1989)'. VTS recognise that some adults are also vulnerable; accordingly the same procedures may be applied. We will take into account any guidance issued by the Department for Education and Skills, along with other advisory agencies.
Policy Aims
VTS is committed to:
• Providing an environment for children/young people to train in.
• Identifying children/young people who may be vulnerable or at risk.
• Always taking the appropriate action to see that children/young people are kept safe, both at home and within VTS.
• Establishing procedures for reporting and dealing with allegations of abuse.
• The safe recruitment of staff.
Designated Staff with Responsibility for Child Protection
The senior designated member of staff with the lead responsibility for all child protection issues is:
Gail Cooksey - VTS General Manager.
This person is a senior manager, and is responsible for raising awareness within VTS of all issues relating to the welfare of children/young people, and promoting a safe working and learning environment.
Other designated staff members with responsibility for child protection issues are:
Elizabeth Buxton - Early Years Team Leader / Assessor / Verifier
Kasey Brazier - Alternative Education Tutor / Assessor
These staff members will:
- Assist with child/young person protection issues where necessary
- Report to the senior member of staff with lead responsibility
- Know how to make an appropriate referral
- Be able to provide advice and support to other staff on issues of child/young person responsibility
- Make themselves available to listen to children / young people
- Deal with individual cases, including attending case conferences and review meetings as appropriate
Definitions of Abuse
Physical Abuse causes harm to a child/young person. This may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, scalding, drowning or suffocating. It may be done deliberately or recklessly, or be the result of deliberate failure to prevent injury occurring.
Neglect is the persistent or severe failure to meet a child/young person's basic physical and/or psychological needs. This will result in serious impairment of the child/young person's health or development.
Sexual Abuse involves a child / young person being forced or coerced into participating in or watching sexual activities. It is not necessary for the child/young person to be aware that the activity is sexual and the apparent consent of the child/young person is irrelevant.
Emotional Abuse occurs where there is persistent emotional ill treatment or rejection. It causes severe and adverse effects on the child / young person's behaviour and emotional development, resulting in low self worth. Some levels of emotional abuse are present in all forms of abuse.
Further details of abuse are available from the following VTS documents:
VTS Anti Harassment and Bullying Policy - PLY-06
VTS Equal Opportunities Policy - PLY 05
Child Protection Procedures
VTS aims to ensure a safe learning environment which is supportive, where individuals are treated with both courtesy and respect. We will not tolerate harassment or bullying in any form and will take firm action to protect students whenever incidents are identified.
All staff must be familiar with the Equal Opportunities PLY 05, Complaints and Appeals policies P-14, and related procedures and guidance. The designated staff will consider whether any incident requires referral to the relevant external persons / organisation. These may include: Parent / Guardian, the Police and / or Social Services.
If a child / young person tells a member of staff about possible abuse, that member of staff should:
- Listen carefully and stay calm
- Avoid interviewing, question normally and without exerting pressure
- Not put words in the child / young person's mouth
- Reassure the child/young person that by telling they have done the right thing
- Inform the child/young person that you must pass information on, but only those who need to know
- Note points (using the Student Record Form - F-SR-01) carefully Make a detailed note of the date, time, place, what the child / young person said and questions asked
- Report immediately to the designated person
Note:
Referrals to Social Services should only be made by the designated person or her named nominees
If a child / young person makes an allegation about another member of staff follow the above guidelines. This situation should be reported immediately to the lead manager.
VTS's recruitment and selection procedure will be reviewed and the following taken into account:
- The post should be clearly defined
- Key selection criteria for the post should be identified
- Documentary evidence of academic/vocational qualifications are required
- Both professional and character references are required
- Previous employment history should be verified
- CRB checks carried out
Records
It is important that all records relating to any allegation or investigation are retained in a secure place. These are held together with a written record of the outcome and what action has been taken.
