Child Protection Policy
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Introduction
This policy has been developed in accordance with the principles established by the Children Act 1989, Sections 175 and 176 Education Act 2002 and related guidance including The Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families and Working Together to Safeguard Children.
The Governors and staff of St Lawrence College take seriously our responsibility to promote the welfare and safeguard all the children and young people entrusted to our care.
The Deputy Head is the Designated Child Protection Co-ordinator (DCPC) who has overall responsibility for child protection practice in School. In the DCPC’s absence the Registrar will assume the role of DCPC.
St. Lawrence College is committed to:
- Maintaining children’s welfare as our paramount concern;
- Providing an environment in which children and young people feel safe, secure, valued and respected – where they are confident to talk openly and sure of being listened to;
- Providing suitable support and guidance so that pupils have a range of appropriate adults who they feel confident to approach if they are in difficulties;
- Using the curriculum to provide opportunities for increasing self-awareness, self-esteem, assertiveness and decision-making so that pupils have a range of contacts and strategies to ensure their own protection and understand the importance of protecting others;
- Working with parents to build an understanding of the school’s responsibility to ensure the welfare of all children including the need for referral to other agencies in some situations;
- Ensuring all staff are able to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and are aware of the school’s procedures and lines of communication;
- Monitoring children and young people who have been identified as “in need” including the need for protection; keeping confidential records which are stored securely and shared appropriately with other professionals;
- Developing effective and supportive liaison with other agencies.
