Staff should be aware that breaches of the law and other professional guidelines could result in criminal or disciplinary action being taken against them. Safe Working Practices for the Protection of Pupils and Staff at Egerton Rothesay School 1. Introduction This guidance has been produced to help all staff establish the safest possible learning and working environments. The aims are to safeguard young people and reduce the risk of staff being falsely accused of improper or unprofessional conduct. This means that these guidelines: apply to all adults working in education settings whatever their position, roles, or responsibilities. 2. Duty of Care Teachers and other staff are accountable for the way in which they exercise authority; manage risk; use resources; and protect pupils from discrimination and avoidable harm. All staff, whether paid or voluntary, have a duty to keep young people safe and to protect them from physical and emotional harm. This duty is in part exercised through the development of respectful, caring and professional relationships between staff and pupils and behaviour by staff that demonstrates integrity, maturity and good judgement. There are legitimate high expectations about the nature of the professional involvement of staff in the lives of pupils. When individuals accept a role that involves working with children and young people, they need to understand and acknowledge the responsibilities and trust inherent in that role. The sharing of information regarding concerns about pupils is paramount. Employers have a duty of care towards employees which requires them to provide a safe working environment for staff and guidance about safe working practices. This means that staff should: understand the responsibilities, which are part of their employment or role, and be aware that sanctions will be applied if these provisions are breached always act, and be seen to act, in the child’s best interests avoid any conduct which would lead any reasonable person to question their motivation and intentions take responsibility for their own actions and behavior, promoting and modeling good behaviour. This means that ERS should: ensure that safeguarding procedures are in place and reviewed ensure that systems are in place for concerns to be raised and incidents recorded. ensure that adults are not placed in situations which render them particularly vulnerable Be aware of the PREVENT duty and not engage or invite speakers promoting extremism Be aware it is our duty to uphold and report incidences of FGM Ensure regular safeguarding training and updates for all staff.
Additional vulnerabilities that may from a physical disability should be considered with regard to individual teaching and care plans for each child. As with all arrangements for intimate care needs, agreements between the child, their parents and the organisation must be negotiated, agreed and recorded. 26. Curriculum Many areas of the curriculum can include or raise subject matter which is sexually explicit, or of an otherwise sensitive nature. Care should be taken to ensure that resource materials cannot be misinterpreted and clearly relate to the learning outcomes identified by the lesson plan. This plan should highlight particular areas of risk and sensitivity. The curriculum can sometimes include or lead to unplanned discussion about subject matter of a sexually explicit or otherwise sensitive nature. Responding to pupils' questions can require careful judgement and staff may wish to take guidance in these circumstances from a senior member of staff. Care should also be taken to abide by the governing body's required policy on sex and relationships education and the wishes of parents. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of any sex education provided (but not from the biological aspects of human growth and reproduction necessary under the science curriculum). This that staff should: have clear written lesson plans. This means that staff should not: enter into or encourage inappropriate or offensive discussion about sexual activity. 27. Photography, Videos and other Creative Arts Many school activities involve recording images. These may be undertaken as part of the curriculum, out of school activities, for publicity, or to celebrate achievement. Staff need to be aware of the potential for these aspects of teaching to be misused for pornographic or 'grooming' purposes. Careful consideration should be given as to how these activities are organised and undertaken. This means that staff should: be clear about the purpose of the activity and about what will happen to the photographs when the lesson/activity is concluded ensure that a senior member of is aware that the photography/image equipment is being used and for what purpose. ensure that all images are available for scrutiny in order to screen for acceptability be able to justify images of children in their