The purpose of this policy statement is:
• to protect children and young people who receive A Special Education’s services from harm. This includes the children of adults who use our services
• to provide the lead practitioner and staff, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection
This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from https://nspcc.org.uk/childprotection.
We believe that:
• children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind
• we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.
We recognise that:
• the welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take
• working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare
• all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse
• some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues
• extra safeguards may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse
We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:
• valuing, listening to and respecting them
• adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for lead practitioner and any staff
• developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures
• ensuring relevant support and training is regularly sought
• recording and storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance
• sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their families
• making sure that children, young people and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern
• using our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately
• ensuring that a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance
• building a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, children, young people and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns
Contact details:
Nominated child protection lead Name: Andrea Green
Email:agreen@aspecialeducation.co.uk Mobile: 07429 909598
NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000
We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.