This article is an abridged version of our comprehensive Child Protection Policy document at S-TEE Schools.
INTRODUCTION
This safeguarding and child protection policy applies to all staff, including managers and the board of trustees, volunteers, students or anyone working on behalf of S-TEE SCHOOLS.
This policy is one of a series in the school’s integrated safeguarding portfolio. Our core safeguarding principles are:
At S-TEE Schools, we recognize our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice.
S-TEE SCHOOLS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, along with their protection and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As such, all employees are required to sign a declaration that they are in the possession of the qualifications they claim; that they are not disqualified from working with children; that they have no convictions, cautions or bind-overs or are subject to any sanctions imposed by any regulatory bodies. School requires all employees to produce evidence of qualifications and references are sought from previous employers. Finally, police checks are carried out on all employees. We recognize that for children, high self-esteem, confidence, supportive friends and clear lines of communication with a trusted adult help to protect them.
S-TEE SCHOOLS will, therefore, establish and maintain an ethos where children feel secure and are encouraged to talk and are listened to, with staff making time to support children whenever the need arises. We will ensure that children know that there are adults in school who they can approach if they are worried, or in difficulty. This will be achieved through, assemblies, students village meetings and the work of the school council.
S-TEE SCHOOL CODE OF CONDUCT FOR CHILD PROTECTION
Employees and others (volunteers, visitors and interns) who come in contact with children in S-TEE Schools should ALWAYS;
a. Understand that all staff are responsible for ensuring that “EVERY CHILD MATTERS’’ so that our children are healthy; stay safe; enjoy and achieve social well-being; make a positive contribution.
b. Give consideration to all aspects of children’s safety, namely
● Safety from injury and accident; self-harming.
● Safety from society, the neighbour and the community
● Safety from all forms of abuse and neglect
● Safety at S-TEE from staff and children; bullying including cyber-bullying, use of mobile phones and cameras
c. Ensure that ‘THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD is paramount in all decisions concerning all children
d. Possess the knowledge, skill and attitude to work with children.
e. Treat children with respect and dignity irrespective of their age, sex, ethnic, religious background or disability
f. Avoid situations in which children are outside the scope of adult supervision within the STEE and when out under the custody of the STEE
g. Ensure that contact with children takes place in an open and accessible place and apply the ‘’two adult rule’ (supervision by at least two adults at a time) and where this is impossible, a suitable alternative arrangement should be made.
h. Identify and avoid compromising and /suspicious situations which might lead to accusations of improper behavior/ conduct.
i. Beware that physically handling a child (e.g. hugging, holding or touching) perhaps to offer comfort can be misconstrued by observers.
j. Identify their limits and ensure referrals where necessary, particularly where it is suspected that a child is behaving in appropriately to the care giver
k. Ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times, except for the purpose of bringing the matter to the notice of appropriate authorities for treatment.
We breathe excellence at S-TEE Schools…since 1978.