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Policy for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults
Introduction
This policy sets out the arrangements for ensuring the safety and welfare of children whilst on the University’s premises or while engaging in activities controlled by the University.
When any child or vulnerable person is due to come on to the University premises, the host at the University must ensure that the children or adults are suitably protected from abuse. Staff planning activities which may involve children or vulnerable people must ensure that activities are competently supervised and that the University’s procedures are followed. Risk management procedures for parties of children visiting University premises can be found on the Bath Spa website at:
www.bathspa.ac.uk/services/health-and-safety/4-travel-visits/02-risk-assessment-for-visits.asp
The University will:
- work with the relevant authorities to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults;
- refer children or vulnerable adults to the relevant agencies as necessary;
- offer all possible support to children and vulnerable adults;
- train staff to maintain awareness of child and vulnerable adult protection and the procedures which must be followed;
- periodically review and monitor this policy.
Criminal Records Bureau checks
Members of staff who work with children as part of their teaching or research responsibilities are required to apply to the Criminal Records Bureau for advanced disclosure. Members of staff visiting schools carry photographic identification and authorisation of CRB disclosure by the Dean of the School of Education. The University's policy on Criminal Records Bureau disclosure for all staff is available on the Bath Spa website at: www.bathspa.ac.uk/services/hr/for-staff/general-hr-info/crb-policy.asp
Policy aims
The aims of this policy are:
- to protect and ensure the safety of children and young people visiting the University or in the care of its staff;
- to enable University staff to respond in an informed and confident manner to specific child protection issues.
Safeguarding children
The Police and Social Services within the Local Authority carry prime responsibility for the protection of children. Under the Children Act (1989) Local Authorities and the Police are required to take action to protect children in certain circumstances. The Act defines a child as a person under the age of 18 years old. If child abuse is suspected it is not the responsibility of the University to investigate such concerns. However, the University has a duty to notify the appropriate authorities of any concerns so that these can be investigated and any necessary action can be taken.
Context and definitions
In the University context there are four main categories of children covered by this policy:
- students under the age of 18;
- children visiting the university for events, workshops or taught sessions;
- children with whom the University staff come into contact through research activity or placements.
The University is committed to providing a safe environment for children in its care, whether as students or visitors. In all situations the welfare of the child will be paramount and all staff have a responsibility to help prevent abuse and to report any concerns they may have to the designated Child Protection Officer. It is not the responsibility of University staff to make a judgement about whether abuse is occurring, but a member of staff does have a duty to report concerns.
Child protection officers
The nominated members of staff with responsibility for Child Protection are:
- Professor Stephen Ward - Child Protection Officer
- Ms Debra Parsons - Deputy Child Protection Officer
Forms of abuse
Child abuse can involve one or more of the following categories of abuse:
- Neglect
- Physical injury
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional abuse
Definitions of these categories can be found in Appendix A.
How might staff become aware of child abuse?
There are a number of ways in which abuse can become apparent:
- A child discloses abuse
- Another person indicates that a child has disclosed abuse or that person strongly believes a child has been or is being abused
- A child shows signs of physical injury for which there appears to be no satisfactory explanation
- A child's behaviour indicates that he/she may be being abused
- A member of staff's behaviour or the way in which he/she relates to a child causes concern
Responding to disclosure of abuse
Becoming aware of abuse can cause a range of emotional reactions, which are personal to each individual. Whatever the reaction, and whether the abuse is disclosed or suspected, it must be responded to in the correct manner according to the procedure outlined below. Even if the truth of the disclosure is uncertain an appropriate response must be made. A table summarising how staff should respond immediately to disclosure or suspicion of abuse can be found here.
It is the duty of anyone who works with children to report disclosure of abuse. It is not for University staff to decide whether or not a suspicion or allegation is true. All suspicions or allegations must be taken seriously and dealt with according to this procedure.
Procedure for dealing with allegations or suspicions of abuse
Members of the University must immediately inform the Child Protection Officer or Deputy of any disclosure or concerns. The Child Protection Officer has the responsibility to act on behalf of the University in dealing with allegations or concerns.
Confidentiality must be maintained and suspicions must not be discussed with anyone other than the Child protection Officer or Deputy.
It is the responsibility of the Child Protection Officer to collate details of the allegation or suspicion and refer the matter to the appropriate statutory authorities. It is the task of Social Services, not the University, to investigate the matter.
Under no circumstances should members of the University carry out their own investigation into suspicions or allegations of abuse, nor should they question children closely. Inappropriate questioning of children may distort any subsequent investigation by the Police or Social Services.
Record the concern or disclosure. This record should include:
- A detailed record of the child's disclosure. This may be used later in a criminal trial and it is vital that what the child discloses is recorded as accurately as possible. Therefore, the record must be drafted in the child's words and should not include the assumptions or opinions of others.
- The nature of the allegation or concern
- A description of any visible physical injury (the child's clothing should not be removed)
- The child's account of what has occurred
- Any dates, times or places and any other potentially useful information
Submit this report immediately to the University Child Protection Officer or Deputy who will take the appropriate action.
It is recognised that staff may need support after receiving a disclosure from a child and this will be offered by the University.
Allegations of suspicions of abuse against a member of the University staff
This can be an extremely difficult issue to deal with. It can be difficult to accept that a colleague may deliberately harm a child. However, all allegations, disclosures or concerns of abuse by a member of the University staff must be reported to the Child Protection Officer.
Guidelines for minimising risk when working with children
All staff should ensure that they do not put themselves in a position in which allegations of misconduct can be made against them. The following are steps which should be taken to minimise risk:
- Always work with children in an open setting and do not work alone with a child. There may be rare occasions when a confidential interview or a one-to-one meeting is necessary. If so, this should take place in a room with an open door or visual access, or with another adult nearby.
- Avoid any unnecessary physical contact with a child. If a distressed child needs comfort, staff should use their discretion to ensure that contact is appropriate and not open to misinterpretation. Do not do things of a personal nature for children that they can do for themselves, such as applying sunscreen.
- Avoid inappropriate familiarity with children. Do not invite a child to any social event or to visit at home.
- Never use physical force against a child, unless it constitutes restraint to protect him/her or another person or to protect property. If it is necessary to restrain a child because they are an immediate danger to themselves or others or to property then the minimum amount of force should be used for the shortest amount of time. Remain calm and get the attention and support of other staff. The incident should be recorded in writing, with a witness statements (where possible), immediately afterwards.
- Keep a written record of any injury that occurs to a child. If first aid is given this should be recorded in writing and reported to the parent of carer.
- Request written parental consent if it is necessary to transport young people in a car.