Recognizing
The term for intended, non-accidental physical injury or cruelty to a child.
Physical abuse
Do or Don't?
Keep a disclosure confidential.
DO keep disclosures confidential.
This keeps students safe, gives them trust in the adults at school and respects their privacy.
Report a child protection concern to the DSL/DDSL Do not talk about the situation with other staff members or students.
True of False? Only children can be abused
FALSE: It may come to our attention through children or talking to a parent that they themsleves are in an abusive relationship. If this is the case report to the DSL
Name of the document that contains important information about the policies on child protection.
Bonus point for stating where you can find it.
Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
Board outside staffroom/Padlet/Website
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.
Where do you report a concern?
CPOMs/DSL
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.
Secrets and confidentiality are not the same. You can report a child protection concern to a counselor or administrator, and it can remain confidential.
True or False?
Child protection concerns need to be reported to the parent?
FALSE.
If by a parent knowing that there has been a disclosure puts the child at risk of harm then the parent should not be told.
True or False?
Always be visible when working with students. Avoid being alone with students at school activities.
TRUE.
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 can make a referral to Social Care?
Anyone.
In school it is best practice for the DSL to make the referral.
True or False?
It is okay to engage in private communications with students (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/psychological abuse
Do or Don't?
Before reporting, be sure to begin the investigation.
DON'T investigate.
Be sure to report to a member of the safeguarding team as soon as possible.
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 long should you wait before you put your concern on CPOMS?
Ideally 15 minutes (if not on CPOMS the DSL/DDSL)
What is the name of the document that we all agreed to read and understand in order to support us supporting children in our school?
KCSIE (Keeping Children Safe in Education)