VOICE CENTRE CHILD PROTECTION
REMOTE LESSONS AND EXAMINATIONS
To ensure our learners have the ability to continue with their lessons and examinations during this Covid-19 pandemic and social distancing we are providing the delivery of streamed lessons and examinations in lieu of face to face lessons and examinations. We are using ZOOM, Click Meeting or Go-Meeting as a platform for these streamed lessons and examinations.
TEACHERS
All teachers have an Enhanced DBS and adhere to the code of conduct for online lessons. All teachers adhere to the Voice Centre Safeguarding Child Policy. (Details included below)
EXAMINERS
All examiners and operators have an Enhanced DBS, and an operator is present at all times to run the waiting room, to check Id of the learners and ensure there are no technical problems.
The online exams have so far met with great success.
In addition to our regular safeguarding policies the following Code of Conduct must be adhered to.
VOICE CENTRE ONLINE LESSONS CODE OF CONDUCT.
Lessons will be timetabled and sent via email to parents
The online lessons must be accessed using the password given.
Lessons must take place with a parent or carer nearby to supervise if required.
Lessons must take place in an appropriate room approved by the parent or carer.
Voice Centre undertake that the lessons are not recorded apart from with prior permission for standardisation.
Voice Centre ask parent/guardians to likewise undertake the lessons are not recorded.
Appropriate clothing must be worn by the learner to ensure a sense of occasion during the lesson
Behaviour must be appropriate for a lesson
Any web browsers and programmes must be closed before the lesson.
No materials must not be shared on any social media site
No materials must be shared over Zoom, Click Meeting or Go-Meeting other than any material passed to the learner for use during the lesson.
No personal information about the teacher or learner will be divulged with no social media links, such as Facebook etc.
Any concerns regarding safeguarding can be directed to katecrane1@mac.com
NEW ERA ACADEMY ONLINE EXAMS CODE OF CONDUCT.
MANDATORY CODE OF CONDUCT FOR STREAMED EXAMS FOR EXAMINERS, PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND LEARNERS
Examinations will be timetabled as normal and sent out to the teacher to give out to their learners.
Zoom or Click Meeting must be logged into by the parent and not the minor learner unless over the age of 18.
Parents/guardians will be issued with an invitation to the examination with a secure password.
The operator and examiner will ensure the learner has positioned the camera correctly.
Examinations must take place in an appropriate room and NOT a bedroom or hallway.
A parent/guardian can be present at the back of the room whilst a minor is taking an exam, but they must not comment or interfere with the examination in any way.
NEA undertake that the exams are not recorded apart from with prior permission for standardisation.
NEA ask parent/guardians to likewise undertake the examination is not recorded.
Appropriate clothing must be worn by the learner to ensure a sense of occasion during the examination. Any learner or parent/guardian not suitably attired risk termination of the examination.
Behaviour must be appropriate for an examination. Any learner or parent/guardian not behave appropriately risk termination of the examination.
No materials must not be shared on any social media site.
No materials must be shared over Zoom or Click Meeting other than any material passed to the learner for use during the examination.
No personal information about the examiner or learner will be divulged with no social media links, such as Facebook etc.
Any web browsers and programmes must be closed before the examination.
Any concerns regarding safeguarding can be directed to the Chief Executive, NEA derren.nesbitt@neweraacademy.co.uk
New Era Academy of Speech and Drama (London) Limited Registered Company Number 365743 n
ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDING POINTS FOR EXAMINERS AND OPERATORS
The examination must take place in an appropriate room and NOT in a bedroom.
The examination room must be neutral and clear with no distractions.
Examiners must ensure other web browsers and programmes are closed before
the start of the examination.
Examiners must be attired in a business-like fashion.
Examiners must ensure no sensitive or personal information is disclosed.
Examinations must not be recorded on any personal devices.
Examiners must not share any files over Zoom or Click Meeting other than those
relevant to the examination.
Examiners should check the learner is in an appropriate space for the
examination and terminate if they have any concerns.
Any concerns regarding safeguarding can be directed to the Chief Executive,
NEA derren.nesbitt@neweraacademy.co.uk
TECHNICAL ADVICE:
Joining the examination on ZOOM or Click Meeting is easy, just click the link that we send you via email.
You will need to download the relevant app but do not need to have a registered account.
Make sure your device is plugged in or fully charged.
Ensure the camera is positioned in an appropriate way for the examination: not too near/far to the device showing enough space for the learner to perform their work-
Check the sound quality is clear, with no interfering background noises –
Have resources available and ready to use that support the relevant examination.
A computer or laptop will work better than a phone.
Ensure that no one else in the house is using the internet for anything that uses a lot of the bandwidth (for example streaming Netflix, downloading music, or playing video games).
This will slow down the examination and make and could cause difficulties with audio or visuals.
Please be patient as examinations may run late due to possible disruptions, such as connection problems.
VOICE CENTRE.
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN POLICY
SAFEGUARDING AND CHILD PROTECTION POLICY 2019
Here at Voice Centre we are aware that safeguarding is fundamental to the welfare of all children in our care. We, therefore, recognise the importance of providing an ethos and environment that will help children to feel safe, secure and respected; encourage them to talk openly; and enable them to feel confident that they will be listened to. Voice Centre has a child-centred approach to everything that we do, and this means that we consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.
We understand the term of ‘Safeguarding’ and promoting the welfare of children as: “protecting children from maltreatment; preventing impairment of children’s health or development; ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care: and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.
We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support and protection if needed.
Voice Centres core safeguarding and child protection principles are:
That we are an important part of the wider safeguarding system for children.
It is everyone’s responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children that are in our care.
All children (defined as those up to the age of 18) regardless of age, gender, ability, culture, race, language, religion or sexual identity, have equal rights to protection.
All children have a right to be heard and to have their wishes and feelings considered.
All staff understand safe professional practice and adhere to our code of conduct and other associated policies.
All staff have a responsibility to recognise vulnerability in children and act on any concern in accordance with this guidance.
The staff at Voice Centre acknowledges that this policy will incorporate a range of specific safeguarding issues including (but not limited to):
Bullying (including cyberbullying)
Child missing from home or care
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
Domestic violence
Drugs and alcohol misuse
Fabricated or induced illness
Faith abuse
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Forced marriage
Gangs and youth violence
Gender based abuse and violence against women and girls
Hate
Honour based abuse
Mental health
Missing children and adults
Online safety
Prevent duty (radicalisation and extremism)
Private fostering
Relationship abuse
Human trafficking and modern slavery
Youth produced sexual imagery or “Sexting”
There are three main elements to our safeguarding policy:
1.Prevention (e.g. positive and supportive, curriculum for children, safe recruitment of new staff).
2.Protection (by following the agreed procedures, ensuring all staff are trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to safeguarding concerns).
3.Support (All matters of concern to be reported to the relevant member of staff within the school).
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Voice Centre has appointed a member of the leadership team as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). The DSL has the overall responsibility for the day to day oversight of safeguarding and child protection systems in school. The DSL is currently Kate Crane.
Responsibilities
The DSL will undergo appropriate and specific training to provide them with the knowledge and skills required to carry out their role. The DSL’s training will be updated formally every five years, but their knowledge and skills will be updated through a variety of methods (keeping up to date with changes in policy and the requirements for out of school activity clubs etc) at regular intervals, at least annually, to keep up with any developments relevant to their role. The DSL has the overall responsibility for the day to day oversight of safeguarding and child protection systems at Voice Centre. It is the role of the DSL to:
Act as the central contact point for all staff to discuss any safeguarding concerns.
Maintain a confidential recording system for safeguarding and child protection concerns.
Coordinate safeguarding action for individual children.
Liaise with the school to safeguard children.
Be available to discuss any safe guarding concerns.
Ensure all staff access appropriate safeguarding training.
The DSL will adhere to the school’s decision whether reported concerns/incidents should be reported as a safeguarding issue to local authorities.
All adults working for Voice Centre (including visiting staff and volunteers) are required to report all instances of actual or suspected child abuse or neglect to the DSL. However, if any member of staff has ongoing concerns of harm to a child, they can report these concerns directly to the school.
Particular vigilance will be exercised in respect of:
Any incidents or concerns involving one who is the subject of a Child Protection Plan. These must be reported immediately.
A pupil who discloses that they have witnessed domestic violence, or it is suspected that they may be living in a household which is affected by family violence. This must be referred to the DSL as a safeguarding issue.
A pupil who is thought to be at immediate risk because of parental violence, intoxication, substance abuse, mental illness or threats to remove the child during the school day, for example. Urgent police intervention must be requested.
A child who has an unexplained or suspicious injury that requires urgent medical attention.
A child who is severely distressed as a result of reported chastisement or alleges that they have been chastised using an implement or substance. This must immediately be reported, by the DSL, to the school.
Members of Staff
All members of staff have a responsibility to:
Provide a safe environment in which children can learn.
Ensure all children can develop appropriate strategies to recognise and respond to risk and build resilience.
Identify and recognise children who may need early help, who are suffering, or are likely to suffer significant harm.
Provide help for children, where appropriate and reasonable.
Take appropriate action to prevent safeguarding concerns escalating and liaise with the school.
Maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned and to always act in the best interests of the child
Respond to and refer any concerns about children or other members of the community in accordance with this policy.
Read and adhere to this policy.
All members of staff at Voice Centre know what to do if a child tells them he/she is being abused or neglected. Members of staff know to maintain an appropriate level of confidentiality whilst at the same time liaising with the DSL and the school as appropriate. Members of staff know they must never promise a child that they will not tell anyone about a concern or allegation as this may ultimately not be in the best interests of the child.
The welfare and safety of children are the responsibility of all staff in school and any concern for a pupil’s welfare MUST always be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Recognition and Types of Abuse and Neglect
All staff in school should be aware of the definitions and signs and symptoms of abuse. There are four categories of abuse:
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Emotional abuse
Neglect
Abuse and neglect can happen over a period of time but can also be a one-off event. This can have major long-term impacts on all aspects of a child’s health, development and well-being.
Record Keeping
Staff will record any welfare concern that they have about a child on the setting’s safeguarding incident/concern form (with a body map if injuries have been observed) and pass them without delay to the DSL. Records will be completed as soon as possible after the incident/event, using the child’s words and will be signed and dated by the member of staff.
All safeguarding concerns, discussions and decisions (and justifications for those decisions) will be recorded in writing. If members of staff are in any doubt about recording requirements, they should discuss their concerns with DSL.
Confidentiality and Information Sharing
Voice Centre recognises that all matters relating to child protection are confidential. The DSL will only disclose information about a pupil to other members of staff on a ‘need to know’ basis.
All members of staff must be aware that whilst they have duties to keep any information about children, families and colleagues which have access to as a result of their role confidential, they also have a professional responsibility to share information with the DSL in order to safeguard children.
All staff must be aware that they cannot promise a child to keep secrets which might compromise the child’s safety or wellbeing.
Induction and staff training
The DSL will ensure that all new staff and volunteers (including temporary staff) are appropriately inducted as regards Voice Centres internal safeguarding procedures and communication lines.
All staff members (including temporary staff) will receive appropriate safeguarding and child protection training (organised by the DSL) which will enable them to:
Recognise potential safeguarding and child protection concerns involving pupils and adults (colleagues, other professionals and parents/carers).
Respond appropriately to safeguarding issues and act in line with this policy.
Record concerns in line with Voice Centres policies.
Refer concerns to the DSL and be able to seek support from the school external to the Voice Centre if required.
Safer Recruitment of staff.
Voice Centre is committed to ensure a safe culture and that all steps are taken to recruit staff and volunteers who are safe to work with our pupils/students and have their welfare and protection as the highest priority. All staff have enhanced CRB checks updated every three years.
We advise all staff to disclose any reason that may affect their suitability to work with children including convictions, cautions, court orders, cautions, reprimands and warnings.
All staff and volunteers should feel able to raise concerns about poor or unsafe practice and such concerns will always be taken seriously by the senior leadership team.
Members of Staff can also go directly to the school if they do not feel able to raise concerns regarding child protection internally.
Peer on Peer Abuse (Allegations of abuse made against other children)
All members of staff at Voice Centre recognise that children are capable of abusing their peers. Peer on peer abuse can take many forms, including (but not limited to) bullying, cyberbullying, gender-based abuse, hazing (initiation type violence), sexually harmful behaviour and violence and ‘sexting’. Voice Centre is mindful that some potential issues may be affected by the gender, age, ability and culture of those involved. Voice Centre believes that abuse is abuse and it will never be tolerated, dismissed or minimised. Any incidents of peer on peer abuse will be managed in the same way as any other child protection concern.
Monitoring and Review
Voice Centre will ensure that all staff have read, understood and signed this policy to show that they will adhere to its guidelines. This policy will be reviewed annually, and any changes / editions will be made. The process will be carried out by the DSL.
All staff should be aware that abuse, neglect and safeguarding issues are rarely standalone events that can be covered by one definition or label. In most cases multiple issues will overlap with one another.
Abuse: a form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. They may be abused by an adult or adults or another child or children. It should be noted that abuse can be carried out both on and offline and be perpetrated by men, women and children.
Sexual abuse: involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.
Signs that MAY INDICATE Sexual Abuse
Sudden changes in behaviour and school performance
Displays of affection which are sexual and age inappropriate
Self-harm, self-mutilation or attempts at suicide
Alluding to secrets which they cannot reveal
Tendency to cling or need constant reassurance
Regression to younger behaviour for example thumb sucking, playing with discarded toys, acting like a baby
Distrust of familiar adults e.g. anxiety of being left with relatives, a child minder or lodger
Unexplained gifts or money
Depression and withdrawal
Fear of undressing for PE
Sexually transmitted disease
Fire setting
Physical abuse: a form of abuse which may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child.
Signs that MAY INDICATE physical abuse
Bruises and abrasions around the face
Damage or injury around the mouth
Bi-lateral injuries such as two bruised eyes
Bruising to soft area of the face such as the cheeks
Fingertip bruising to the front or back of torso
Bite marks
Burns or scalds (unusual patterns and spread of injuries)
Deep contact burns such as cigarette burns
Injuries suggesting beatings (strap marks, welts)
Covering arms and legs even when hot
Aggressive behaviour or severe temper outbursts.
Injuries need to be accounted for.
Inadequate, inconsistent or excessively plausible explanations or a delay in seeking treatment should signal concern.
Emotional abuse: the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to a child that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may include not giving the child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond a child’s developmental capability as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying (including cyberbullying), causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, although it may occur alone.
Signs that MAY INDICATE emotional abuse
Over reaction to mistakes
Lack of self-confidence/esteem
Sudden speech disorders
Self-harming
Eating Disorders
Extremes of passivity and/or aggression
Compulsive stealing
Drug, alcohol, solvent abuse
Fear of parents being contacted
Unwillingness or inability to play
Excessive need for approval, attention and affection
Neglect: the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to: provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment); protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger; ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers); or ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.
Signs that MAY INDICATE neglect.
Constant hunger
Poor personal hygiene
Constant tiredness
Inadequate clothing
Frequent lateness or non-attendance at School
Untreated medical problems
Poor relationship with peers
Compulsive stealing and scavenging
Rocking, hair twisting and thumb sucking
Running away
Loss of weight or being constantly underweight
Low self esteem
Keeping yourself safe when responding to disclosures
RECEIVE – Keep calm – Listen to what is being said without displaying shock or disbelief -Take what is being said to you seriously -Note down what has been said
RESPOND – Reassure the pupil that they have done the right thing in talking to you – Be honest and do not make promises you cannot keep e.g. “It will be alright now” – Do not promise confidentiality; you have a duty to refer – Reassure and alleviate guilt, if the pupil refers to it e.g. “you’re not to blame” -Reassure the child that information will only be shared with those who need to know
REACT – React to the pupil only as far as is necessary for you to establish whether you need to refer the matter, but do not interrogate for full details – Do not ask leading questions; “Did he/she….?” Such questions can invalidate evidence. – Do ask open “TED” questions; Tell, explain, describe – Do not criticise the perpetrator; the pupil may have affection for him/her – Do not ask the pupil to repeat it all for another member of staff – Explain what you have to do next and who you have to talk to
RECORD – Make some brief notes at the time on any paper which comes to hand and write them up as soon as possible – Do not destroy your original notes – Record the date, time, place, any non-verbal behaviour and the words used by the child. Always ensure that as far as possible you have recorded the actual words used by the child. – Record statements and observable things rather than your interpretations or assumptions
REMEMBER – Contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) – The DSL may be required to make appropriate records available to the school.
RELAX – Get some support for yourself, dealing with disclosures can be traumatic for professionals
National Support Organisations
Support for staff:
Education Support Partnership: www.educationsupportpartnership.org.uk
Professional Online Safety Helpline: www.saferinternet.org.uk/helpline
Support for Pupils:
NSPCC: www.nspcc.org.uk
ChildLine: www.childline.org.uk
Papyrus: www.papyrus-uk.org
Young Minds: www.youngminds.org.uk The Mix: www.themix.org.uk
Support for adults:
Family Lives: www.familylives.org.uk
Crime Stoppers: www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Victim Support: www.victimsupport.org.uk
Kidscape: www.kidscape.org.uk
The Samaritans: www.samaritans.org
Mind: www.mind.org.uk
NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood): www.napac.org.uk
MOSAC: www.mosac.org.uk
Action Fraud: www.actionfraud.police.uk
Support for Learning Disabilities:
Respond: www.respond.org.uk
Mencap: www.mencap.org.uk
Domestic Abuse:
Refuge: www.refuge.org.uk
Women’s Aid: www.womensaid.org.uk
Men’s Advice Line: www.mensadviceline.org.uk
Mankind: www.mankindcounselling.org.uk
Honour based Violence:
Forced Marriage Unit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/forced-marriage
Sexual Abuse and CSE:
Lucy Faithfull Foundation: www.lucyfaithfull.org.uk
Stop it Now! www.stopitnow.org.uk
Parents Protect: www.parentsprotect.co.uk
CEOP: www.ceop.police.uk Marie Collins Foundation: www.mariecollinsfoundation.org.uk
Internet Watch Foundation (IWF): www.iwf.org.uk
Online Safety:
Child net International: www.childnet.com
UK Safer Internet Centre: www.saferinternet.org.uk
Parents Info: www.parentinfo.org
Internet Matters: www.internetmatters.org
Net Aware: www.net-aware.org.uk
Parent Port: www.parentport.org.uk
Get safe Online: www.getsafeonline.org
Radicalisation and Hate:
Educate against Hate: www.educateagainsthate.com
Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit: www.gov.uk/report-terrorism