child.

Everybody who works with children, especially those who have regular daily contact, has a duty to help protect children from abuse. They must know how to Recognise possible abuse both within their own organisation or externally and be familiar with the process of Referral to Childrens Social Services and the Police. Staff working with children need to enable them to learn how to keep themselves safe, and ask for help when they need to.

development, and long-term difficulties with social functioning, relationships and educational progress. Neglect may occur by omission or commission it is important that problems for a childs parent do not obscure neglect of a child in the family. Unborn babies may now be regarded as suffering neglect due to maternal substance misuse.

PHYSICAL ABUSE
Physical Indicators
Unexplained bruises/welts/lacerations/abrasions: on face, lips, mouth on torso, back, buttocks, thighs in various stages of healing clustering forming regular patterns reflecting shape of article used, e.g. belt, buckle, electrical flex on several different surface areas regularly appear after absence, weekend, or holiday bite marks or fingernail marks Unexplained burns: cigar or cigarette burns especially on soles, buttocks, palms or back immersion burns, where hands feet or body have been forcibly immersed in very hot water patterns like electrical burner, iron etc. rope burns on arms, legs, neck or torso Unexplained fractures: to skull, nose, facial structure in various stages of healing multiple or spiral fractures

NEGLECT
Physical Indicators
consistent hunger poor hygiene inappropriate dress consistent lack of supervision, especially in dangerous activities for long periods unattended physical problems or medical needs abandonment

sleep disturbances poor peer relationships possessing money or gifts that cannot be adequately accounted for inappropriate sexually explicit drawings or stories enuresis or soiling, especially at the end of school frequent non-attendance at school avoidance of school medicals

Sexual Abuse
Is the involvement of a child or adolescent in sexual activities that s/he does not understand, cannot give consent to and which are not acceptable by our society. This includes inappropriate touching, taking of obscene photographs, producing/trading in child pornography (including via the Internet) as well as attempted or actual sexual intercourse. Its adverse affects may endure into adulthood.

EMOTIONAL ABUSE
Physical Indicators
failure to thrive delays in physical development or progress

Behavioural Indicators
begging stealing food constant fatigue, listlessness poor relationship with care-giver frequent delays in picking child up from playgroup or school

Rosalind Turner Managing Director, Children, Families & Education August 2009

Behavioural Indicators
sucking, biting, rocking anti-social, destructive sleeping disorders, inhibition of play compliant, passive, aggressive, demanding inappropriately adult or infant impairment of intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development

Introduction
These guidelines have been produced for schools by KCCs Childrens Safeguards Unit to give outline information about child protection, and the procedures that must be observed. It also gives contact names and addresses for further information. The Kent Child Protection Committee has now been replaced by the Kent Safeguarding Children Board. All school staff should be aware of and have reference to Kent and Medway Safeguarding Children Handbook, which was published in 2007, following the updated national guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children 2006. In addition to the handbook (small purple book) there is also a large online procedures manual which contains additional material and specific procedures. The online manual can be found on the KSCB website (www.kscb.org.uk). Schools also now have a statutory duty to have policies and procedures in place that Safeguard and Promote the welfare of Children as identified in Section 175 of the Education Act. Revised guidance Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education has been published and came into effect on 01/01/2007. It can be downloaded from kenttrustweb. The full extent of child abuse is not easily quantified. Research indicates that children are reluctant to report abuse, particularly if it is happening within their family. Abusers come from all walks of life; they may be parents, a known adult who has built up a trusting relationship with the child, a professional or another

TYPES OF ABUSE
Child abuse can take many forms, but they are usually divided into four categories: Physical abuse Neglect Sexual abuse Emotional abuse The definitions can be found at p34 of the handbook.

Emotional Abuse
Ranges from rejecting a child, refusing to show a child love or affection, or making a child unhappy by continually belittling her/him or verbally abusing her/him. It has an important impact on a developing childs mental health, behaviour and self-esteem. It may also include developmentally inappropriate expectations including overly high expectations which the child cannot fulfill. Domestic violence, adult mental health problems and parental substance misuse may be features in families where children are exposed to such abuse. Emotional abuse may occur by omission or commission and it is important the problems for a childs parents do not obscure professionals view of their childs emotional development. Bullying serious bullying causing a child to feel frightened or in danger may now be regarded as emotional abuse.

SEXUAL ABUSE
Physical Indicators
difficulty in walking, sitting down stained or bloody underclothing pain or itching in genital area bruising, bleeding, injury to external genitalia, vaginal and/or anal areas vaginal discharge bed wetting excessive crying sickness

New technology
The internet and related technologies has created new opportunities for creativity and communication. However, with this has come new concerns about sexual grooming of children, cyberbullying and access to inappropriate material. School staff should be aware of the Kent School esafety policy and safer practice advice. http://www.kenttrustweb.org.uk/kcn/esafety_home.cfm

Behavioural Indicators
flinching when approached or touched reluctance to change clothes for PE lessons wary of adult contacts difficult to comfort apprehension when other children cry crying/irritability frightened of parents afraid to go home rebelliousness in adolescence reports injury caused by parents behavioural extremes - aggressiveness, withdrawal, impulsiveness regression to childlike behaviour apathy depression poor peer relationships panics in response to pain

Physical Abuse
Can range from over-chastisement, slapping with the hand, a belt, a stick or other object, to shaking, punching or throwing a child across the room. It can lead directly to neurological damage, physical injuries, disability or at the extreme death. Harm may be caused by the abuse itself and by abuse taking place in a wider family or institutional context of conflict and aggression. It also includes a parent/carer fabricating symptoms of or inducing illness in a child. Some physical abuse is reactive, some may be clearly premeditated with an intent to cause harm.

Behavioural Indicators
inappropriate sexual behaviour or knowledge for the childs age promiscuity sudden changes in behaviour running away from home wary of adults feeling different from other children unusual avoidance of touch reporting of assault substance abuse (e.g. glue sniffing) emotional withdrawal through lack of trust in adults over compliance with requests of others frequent complaints of unexplained abdominal pains eating problems

DISCLOSURE
What to do if a child starts to disclose abuse
Reassure the child that s/he is right to tell and is not to blame DO NOT promise not to tell anyone else; explain that you have to make sure the child is safe and may need to ask other adults to help you to do this DO NOT question the child; let her/him tell you what s/he wants to tell you and no more; s/he may need to have to disclose to a specialist later, and too much detail now may interfere with later investigations.

INDICATORS OF ABUSE
The following is a list of signs and symptoms that may be consistent with abuse; some children can exhibit one or more of these signs for other reasons. However, if there are concerns about a child displaying any of these indicators, discussions should be held as soon as possible with the designated child protection co-ordinator in the school (DCPC), or in an emergency see contact details contained later in this leaflet.

Neglect
Can range from ignoring a childs developmental needs to not feeding or clothing her/him adequately and not properly supervising her/him. Persistent neglect can lead to serious impairment of health and

When the child is finished, make sure s/he feels secure; explain what you are going to do next. Write down notes, including the date and time of the interview and sign them; record as much as you can remember, using the childs own words.

What to do if you are concerned:

immediately inform the designated person in the school Every Kent school is required by DfES (now DCSF) Guidance Safeguarding Children in Education to designate a member of staff for child protection (DCPC). It is essential that all staff know who this is (and who to inform if they are not available). The designated person (DCPC) will decide whether the child should be referred to Childrens Social Services. To help him/her decide this, s/he may consult with the local CSS Duty and Initial Assessment Team or the KCCs Childrens Safeguards Unit. Although we would encourage you to use the Schools Child Protection process in certain cases it may be appropriate for any person who is concerned about a child to contact the Childrens Safeguards Unit or Childrens Social Services directly. E.g. if the concern relates to the Headteacher.

be obtained in writing before a referral of a child in need is made to the Social Services or the Police, including where a child is in need of protection. Where informing the parents/carers may be thought to increase the risk of harm to the child or other persons, including the referrer, advice should be sought from Childrens Social Services.

children who may be being abused. Various elements can be incorporated into everyday teaching, including issues around touch, secrets, selfesteem, assertiveness and feelings and emotions. Resources such as SEAL are used in many Kent Schools. Schools need to develop a whole school policy that includes non-teaching staff, Governors and parents. Thought must also be given to the physical environment, e.g. are there blind spots where bullying can take place or are there sufficient quiet areas or rooms where staff may have confidential conversations with children and parents.

USEFUL NAMES AND ADDRESSES

Your Schools Designated Person:

Shepway Local Office, Folkestone Dover Local Office

01303 253476 01304 204915

West Kent:
Joynes House, Gravesend Dartford Local Office 01474 328664 01322 277744 01732 362442 01892 515045 01322 611000

Local Social Services Duty Number: Name:

Croft House, Tonbridge Montague House, Tunbridge Wells The Willows, Swanley

Allegations of abuse made against a Member of Staff

When an allegation is made against a member of staff, the designated teacher must consult with the Area Childrens Officer (Child Protection) who will help to determine how the matter is to be investigated. Each Local Authority must now have Designated Officer (LADO) responsible for ensuring that allegations are managed in a proper way. The LADO for Kent Education is the Head of the Childrens Safeguards Unit, Kel Arthur.

Local Childrens Services Partnership Manager:

Tel No:

East Kent:
St Peters House, Broadstairs Canterbury Local Office Swale Local Office, Sittingbourne 01843 860000 01227 598500 01795 473333

Every School should have

Kent Safeguarding Children Board/Kent & Medway Safeguarding Children Handbook (purple handbook) www.kscb.org.uk Resource pack for Designated Child Protection Co-ordinators in Schools people who have attended DCPC training will also receive a CD of training and other materials. What to Do if You're Worried a Child is Being Abused DfES 2006 (www.teachernet.gov.uk) DfES (now DCSF) Guidance Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education (kenttrustweb and www.teachernet.gov.uk) This replaces the 3 separate documents, Safeguarding Children in Education, Safer Recruitment, and Managing Allegations. KCC Child Protection Procedures for Managing Allegations Against Staff Updated December 2007 (www.kenttrustweb.org.uk) Kenttrustweb access to Childrens Safeguards Unit www.kenttrustweb.org.uk click on Children's Trust & CFE Services' then click on Childrens Safeguards Service on left hand menu. Policies can be downloaded via this web page. Schools esafety policy which can be downloaded at http://www.kenttrustweb.org.uk/kcn/esafety_home.cfm Area Childrens Officer (Child Protection) Name: Tel No:

UNCONFIRMED WORRIES ABOUT CHILD ABUSE

Staff often have unconfirmed worries about pupils, but little real evidence, and so feel unsure about how to proceed. Many cases have shown that these unconfirmed worries are in fact the tip of the iceberg; that if the teachers information were placed alongside that of, say the School Medical Officer, or a Midday Supervisor, it all added up to a serious cause for concern. It is vital, therefore, that even vague worries are passed on at the earliest stage to the DCPC, who is in a position to involve other agencies, collate information and make decisions about further referral. Again, staff should record incidents or suspicions, dating and signing the record that should be kept in a secure part of the school with other confidential material.

HELPLINES (there are national lines who will put callers in touch with local support if wanted):
For Children - Childline For adult survivors of abuse 0800 1111 01752 666777 Tel: 01622 605539 Fax: 01732 875792 email: supportline@kent.gov.uk

Community Child Health Consultant: Named Nurse Child protection

Referring to Social Services

If the child is to be referred to Childrens Social Services, the DCPC will ensure that an inter-agency referral form is completed. This can be obtained from Social Services County Duty Service telephone number is on the contact list later in this leaflet, or alternatively can be downloaded from the Childrens Safeguards Unit web page on kentrustweb www.kenttrustweb.org.uk or www.kscb.org.uk

OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS:

LA Childrens Safeguards Unit Care Standards Training & Development Early Years West Kent Area Childrens Officer (Child Protection) East Kent Area Childrens Officer (Child Protection) Mid Kent Area Childrens Officer (Child Protection) 01622 696366

Supportline for KCC Staff:

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children:

01732 525035 01227 284682 01233 898644 http://www.nspcc.org.uk/ Kent Tel: National Helpline: 01634 308200
16795/SB

Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Guidelines for School Staff

This leaflet contains important and sensitive information for adults. Please keep it in a safe place.

0800 8005000

National Domestic Violence Helpline

http://www.womensaid.org.uk/ 08082000247 01622 690690

UNLESS
the situation is urgent or grave (such as when a child has disclosed abuse), when the referral can be made by telephone to the Social Services Duty Officer for Children and Families, and the inter-agency referral form completed afterwards.

Police non urgent

SOCIAL SERVICES OFFICES:

County Duty Service (24hrs) 08458 247100

Ask for the Public Protection Unit for your area

PREVENTATIVE WORK IN THE CLASSROOM

There are many training and resource packs available to help teachers design a curriculum that empowers

Childrens Social Services Duty Teams: Mid Kent:

Ashford Local Office Maidstone Local Office 0845 3302967 01622 691640

Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre Drug Information

Ask Frank

0870 0003344

Informing Parents that a Referral is being made

The agreement of the childs parents should usually

CEOP / ThinkUknow http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

0800 776600

Printed by County Print & Design. Tel: 01622 605368

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Updated September 2009