Child Protection Policy

CHILD PROTECTION AND SAFEGUARDING POLICY

Aim

This policy aims to:

• Protect all students from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and harm.
• Ensure that every student feels safe, respected, and supported.
• Help staff identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
• Promote a culture of safety, respect, and wellbeing throughout the school.

Purpose

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students. We recognize that children learn best when they feel safe and secure.

This policy aims to:

• Provide a safe, caring, and welcoming environment for all students.
• Ensure all members of the school community understand their safeguarding responsibilities.
• Promote the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of every child.
• Identify and respond promptly to concerns about abuse, neglect, bullying, or exploitation.
• Work in partnership with parents, guardians, and relevant authorities to protect children.

Guiding Principles

All members of the school community will:

• Treat each other with dignity and respect.
• Act as positive role models.
• Encourage students to express their views and participate in decisions affecting them.
• Promote safe and responsible behaviour.
• Listen carefully to students and take their concerns seriously.
• Be alert to changes in a child’s behaviour or wellbeing.
• Understand that challenging behaviour may indicate an underlying safeguarding concern.
• Follow all school safeguarding, anti-bullying, behaviour, and online safety policies.
• Maintain professional boundaries at all times.
• Obtain permission before providing physical assistance where appropriate.
• Use respectful and appropriate language with students.

Abuse of Trust

All staff must maintain professional relationships with students. Any inappropriate behaviour, favouritism, grooming, or misuse of authority is unacceptable and may result in disciplinary action.

Types of Abuse

Staff should be aware of the following forms of abuse:

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Neglect
• Bullying and cyberbullying
• Child exploitation and grooming
• Online abuse
• Domestic abuse affecting children

Reporting Concerns

All staff have a duty to report concerns immediately.

If a staff member:

• Receives a disclosure from a student,
• Observes signs of abuse or neglect,
• Has concerns about a student’s welfare,

they must report the matter to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or a member of the Senior Leadership Team without delay.

Staff must:

• Remain calm and listen carefully.
• Reassure the child that they have done the right thing by speaking up.
• Not promise confidentiality.
• Record the information accurately and factually.
• Report concerns immediately.

Support for Students and Staff

The school will:

• Take all concerns and disclosures seriously.
• Support affected students and their families where appropriate.
• Maintain confidentiality on a need-to-know basis.
• Keep safeguarding records secure.
• Provide access to counselling or wellbeing support when required.
• Appoint a designated contact person for safeguarding matters.
• Support staff involved in safeguarding cases.

Complaints and Allegations

Concerns about poor practice that do not meet the threshold for child protection should be managed through the school’s complaints procedures.

Examples include:

• Bullying or humiliating a student.
• Discrimination.
• Unfair treatment.
• Inappropriate language or behaviour.

Any allegation against a staff member must be reported immediately to:

• The Principal/Head of School, or
• The Chair of Governors if the allegation concerns the Principal.

The Senior Leadership Team and Board of Governors will:

• Review the allegation promptly.
• Maintain written records.
• Decide on appropriate action.
• Ensure fair treatment of all parties involved.
• Seek guidance from relevant authorities where required.

Staff Training

All staff and governors will receive safeguarding training.

Training will include:

• Recognising signs of abuse and neglect.
• Reporting procedures.
• Professional conduct and boundaries.
• Online safety and cyber protection.
• Preventing bullying and harassment.

Refresher training will be provided regularly.

Safer Recruitment

The school is committed to recruiting suitable individuals to work with children.

All applicants must:

• Complete an application form.
• Attend an interview.
• Provide proof of identity and qualifications.
• Provide at least two references, including one related to working with children.
• Complete required background and security checks before employment.

New staff members will receive safeguarding induction training before commencing duties.

Management of Safeguarding

The Board of Governors, Principal, Heads of Section, and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) are responsible for overseeing safeguarding within the school.

Their responsibilities include:

• Monitoring safeguarding procedures.
• Reviewing policies regularly.
• Ensuring staff training is up to date.
• Maintaining accurate safeguarding records.
• Liaising with relevant authorities when necessary.

Online Safety (E-Safety)

The school recognizes the importance of protecting children online.

Students will be encouraged to:

• Use technology safely and responsibly.
• Report online bullying or inappropriate contact.
• Protect personal information online.
• Follow the school’s acceptable use policy.

Staff will monitor and address online safety concerns appropriately.

Photography and Images

To protect students:

• Written parental consent will be obtained before photographs or videos are used publicly.
• Only first names will be used with images where appropriate.
• Students will be appropriately dressed in photographs.
• Students should report any concerns about photographs taken of them.
• Parents may only take photographs at school events with permission and must not post images of other children on social media without consent.
• Permission from the Senior Leadership Team must be obtained before photographing students during PE lessons, sporting events, swimming activities, assemblies, or other school activities.

Confidentiality and Record Keeping

• Safeguarding information will be stored securely.
• Information will only be shared with individuals who need to know in order to protect the child.
• Accurate and confidential records of safeguarding concerns will be maintained.

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Governors to ensure compliance with current safeguarding requirements and best practice.

Safeguarding Commitment

Cadet College Malir is committed to ensuring that every child is safe, valued, respected, and protected from harm. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and all members of the school community share a duty to promote the welfare and wellbeing of children.