We actively try to remove any barriers to learning and participation that may disadvantage children. We acknowledge that children with SEND are especially vulnerable to all types of abuse and are statically more likely to be targeted due to difficulties they may face in communicating what is happening to them. Therefore, we ensure that SEND children are responded to carefully when they have, or show signs of concern. We feel it is particularly important that all and volunteers are fully informed and adequately trained in order to protect vulnerable groups. Peer on peer Peer on peer can include: all forms of bullying, being coerced into sending sexual images (sexting), physical or sexual assaults, child sexual exploitation or teenage relationship abuse. At Adelaide Primary we do our utmost to ensure that children and young people are protected from harm and will educate pupils on how to build resilience. Our staff receive regular training to help equip them with the tools to recognise different form of peer abuse, and the mechanisms for responding and reporting incidents. A pupil against whom an allegation of abuse has been made may be fixed term excluded pending an investigation and the school ‘Behaviour’ policy may apply. Our school will take advice from Children’s Social Care and/or the police on the investigation of such allegations and will take appropriate action to ensure the safety and welfare of all pupils involved. Children Missing Education (CME) Children are best protected by regularly attending school where they will be safe from harm and where there are professionals to monitor their well-being. At Adelaide Primary we will encourage the full attendance of all our pupils. Where we have concerns that a child is missing from education we will follow the local authority protocols and refer to the Education Welfare Service, CME Officer who will make reasonable efforts to identify the child’s whereabouts. The child will not be removed from our school roll until notified by the CME officer that it is appropriate to do so. (Ref: Attendance policy and Local Authority CME protocols)
8. Referring concerns about a child The designated safeguarding lead will act on behalf of the Adelaide Primary School in referring concerns or allegations of harm to Local Authority Access and Assessment Team or the Protecting Vulnerable People Unit. In the case of it being out of hours the Immediate Help Team should be contacted. If the designated safeguarding lead is in any doubt about making a referral it is important to remember that advice can be sought from the Access and Assessment Team. The name of the child and family should be kept confidential at this stage and will be requested if the enquiry proceeds to a referral. It is not the role of the designated safeguarding lead to undertake an investigation into the concerns or allegation of harm. It is the role of the designated safeguarding lead to collate and clarify details of the concern or allegation and to provide this information to the Access and Assessment Team, or Locality Team if Children’s Social Care is already involved, whose duty it is to make enquiries in accordance with Section 47 of the Children Act 1989. Consent Issues of consent should always be considered. Before making a referral, parents/carers must be informed that you are making contact with Children’s Social Care – including the reasons for you doing this – and be asked to give consent to the referral being made. This includes protecting a child from Significant Harm. are circumstances when it may appropriate to dispense with the requirement to obtain consent to share information, this includes when: Discussion with the parents/ carers could place the child or other family members at risk; The child is in immediate danger (e.g. requires medical attention) Discussion with parents / carers may place you or another member of staff at risk