School of Curiosity

Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy reviewed 07.25

Introduction

The School of Curiosity is committed to ensuring the safety, protection, and well-being of all children by providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge. This policy outlines our safeguarding procedures in accordance with statutory guidance and legislation found within Children Acts 1989 and 2004, Working Together to Safeguarding Children 2023, Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2024.

Aims and Objectives

  • To create a safe and secure environment where children feel valued and protected.
  • To establish clear procedures for reporting and responding to safeguarding concerns.
  • To ensure all staff, volunteers, and students understand their responsibilities and are equipped to protect children from abuse.

The School of Curiosity has defined abuse as:

  • Neglect - the persistent failure to meet the basic physical and physiological needs of the young person that results in serious impairment of their health and development, including the failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter and failure to respond to basic emotional needs, such as being cared for when sick.
  • Abandonment - leaving a child alone and unattended in circumstances that are inappropriate for their age and/ or level of ability.
  • Emotional abuse – persistent, emotional ill treatment that has a severe adverse effect on the emotional development of children and young people. It may involve conveying to them that they are not wanted, not loved or worthless. It may involve inappropriate expectations (such as taking on the responsibility of an adult within the family) being placed on the young person leaving them frightened and unable to cope. It may also involve the threatening, exploitation or corruption of children and young people.
  • Physical abuse – hitting, kicking, shaking, slapping, and throwing, scalding, burning, poisoning, drowning, suffocating, or other action intended to cause physical harm or ill health to the child or young person. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer covers up the symptoms of, or deliberately causes ill health to a child or young person within their care.
  • Racial abuse – any type of verbal or physical abuse that is directed at an individual or group because of their racial or ethnic background.
  • Witnessing ill treatment, including domestic abuse of another person- this may impact the health or development of a child or young person.
  • Sexual abuse or sexual exploitation - forcing or enticing a child or young person to participate in sexual activities, whether or not the child or young person is aware or has knowledge of what is happening. It includes child prostitution, encouraging children or young people to watch or participate in the production of pornographic material, online grooming, encouraging children and young people to behave in sexual inappropriate ways.

Recognising and Reporting Concerns

  • Staff must be alert to signs of harm and have completed training in how to recognise these.
  • Detailed, dated notes must be recorded including the body map if required. (see below)
  • All concerns will be recorded and addressed in accordance with safeguarding procedures.
  • All concerns that a child may be being harmed must be reported to Victoria Harlin, LADO 01225 396810 or Social Services in an emergency 01454 61 51 65 or online https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/make-referral-childrens-services

·      If early help is appropriate to prevent harm call 01225 395448, if child in need assessments, referral or other services including mental health or domestic abuse support and information is found here:    https://www.bathnes.gov.uk

·      Local Authority Designated Safeguarding Lead responsible for overseeing child protection issues and acting as the main point of contact for School of Curiosity is the Local Authority Designated Officer:

Victoria Harlin

Phone 01225 396810

Email  LADO@bathnes.gov.uk 

(details available on website, displayed in school and parents made aware)

Further help and advice can be sought from NSPCC 0808 800555  help@nspcc.org

Staff

  • All staff and volunteers must undergo DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks.
  • All staff have safeguarding training.

Online Safety

  • Students will be educated on safe internet use.
  • Children do not use any IT without staff support.

 

 Allegations Against Staff

·      Any allegations against staff can be reported directly to the

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). 

Victoria Harlin                                                                                                         

Phone 01225 396810 Email  LADO@bathnes.gov.uk 

Confidentiality & Record-Keeping

  • All safeguarding records will be securely stored and only shared when necessary and required.
  • The school complies with GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 regulations.

Policy Review

  • This policy will be reviewed annually or in response to changes in legislation.

By implementing this Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy, we are creating a secure environment where every person can thrive.

Review due 26.07.26