Recognizing
The term for intended, non-accidental physical injury or cruelty to a child.
Physical abuse
Do or Don't? Discuss a disclosure openly with as many staff members as you'd like to.
DON'T discuss a disclosure with as many staff members as you'd like to.
Keep disclosures confidential and on a 'need to know basis'.
This keeps students safe, gives them trust in the adults at school and respects their privacy.
Report a child protection concern only to the DSL or safeguarding team. Do not talk about the situation with other staff members or students.
True of False? Only teachers, counselors, and administrators must report child protection concerns.
FALSE: All staff are mandatory reporters and should report any concerns to a counselor or administrator.
Name the national document that contains all of the information about safeguarding and child protection.
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024
The following signs may indicate this kind of abuse:
Not receiving medical attention, poor hygiene, stealing food or school supplies, frequent absences, limited parent communication
Neglect
Do or Don't?
After a disclosure, you should stay calm and listen without judgment.
DO stay calm and listen without judgment.
The step to take after "Reporting" a concern.
What is "Recording?"
True or False?
You should hug a student who is crying.
FALSE.
Maintain appropriate physical boundaries at all times, and touch students - when necessary - only in ways that are appropriate, and in public and in a non-sexual way.
Some reasons for this:
-Not everyone likes hugs
-Culture or religion
-School is a professional environment
-It leaves a door open for sexual predators to touch students
-It protects you from false accusations of abuse and from students misunderstanding your intentions.
The following signs may indicate this kind of abuse:
Sexual behavior/knowledge inappropriate for a child’s age, trouble walking or sitting, complaints of genital pain.
Sexual abuse
Do or Don't?
Promise to keep a child protection disclosure a secret.
DON'T.
Never keep secrets if you have a child protection concern. All school staff members are obligated to report any child protection concerns.
True or False?
Child protection concerns need to be reported to a counselor or administrator within 48 hours.
FALSE.
Within 24 hours, you must report a child protection concern.
True or False?
Always be visible when working with students. Avoid being alone with students at school activities where possible.
TRUE.
If you are working one-to-one, protect yourself by propping open a door or ensuring the glass panel/windows are not blocked.
True or False? Sexual abuse can occur without physically touching the victim.
TRUE.
Examples: Exposure to sexually explicit material, communicating sexually explicit messages
Do or Don't?
Gather details and ask leading questions when you have a child protection concern.
DON'T.
Gathering details and asking too many questions can cause problems.
For example:
-A younger child could have trouble recalling events accurately during the investigation.
-Asking questions about a disturbing situation could exacerbate it or make it more difficult for the child to deal with.
Who is the DSL at Waverley?
Henry Mitchell
True or False?
It is okay to engage in private communications with pupils/ex-pupils (via text messaging, email, or any forms of electronic or social media).
FALSE.
The following signs may indicate this kind of abuse:
Social withdrawal, loss of interest/enthusiasm, uncontrollable crying, fear of adults, recurrent somatic symptoms (i.e. headaches, etc.), chronic anxiety
Emotional abuse
Do or Don't?
Before reporting, be sure to begin the investigation.
DON'T investigate.
Be sure to report to the DSL/DDSL as soon as possible. They follow the protocol and have education, training, and experience with child protection reports.
Asking too many questions of the child, peers, or family members could backfire.
For example, if the person who did the abuse finds out about the investigation too soon, they could manipulate the child into silence.
How should you make a report of a disclosure or concern?
Report to the DSL/DDSL as soon as possible. This can be in person, but they will ask you to log this in writing on My Concern as a priority, using as much detail as possible. Make sure that you received a response to your report.
Where can you find information about our schools safeguarding practices and policies and local information on Safeguarding and Child Protection?
Waverley's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.