QUEEN ELIZABETH’S FOUNDATION FOR DISABLED PEOPLE
This policy applies to QEF and its family of charities
INTERIM CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
INTRODUCTION
The safety and welfare of children and young people is of the utmost importance
at QEF. It is the duty of all our staff and volunteers to protect each child from
abuse and to be alert to the possibility of abuse.
DEFINITION
Child protection relates to any child (under 18) who has suffered from, or may be
at risk of physical injury, neglect, and emotional or sexual abuse.
RECOGNITION
The first indication of concern about a child's welfare is not necessarily the
presence of an injury. You should be concerned if you see any of the following:






Bruises, bite marks, burns/scalds, scars or fractures on a child's body;
Remarks made by the child, another child, a parent or another adult;
Observations of the child's behaviour or reactions;
Unexplained changes in the child's behaviour or personality;
Evidence of disturbance or explicit detail in a child's play, drawing or
writing;
Neglect - where lack of due care for a child is creating significant risk to
their health and well being.
DESIGNATED PERSON FOR CHILD PROTECTION
Your Service Head has the designated responsibility for child protection. If you
have any concerns about a child, you should contact your Service Head
immediately. If your Service Head is not available, you should contact any other
member of the QEF Senior Management Team.
The designated person is responsible for liaison with Local Education Authority,
Social Services, Area Child Protection Committee and/or any other relevant
agencies about individual cases of suspected or identified child abuse;
SAFE RECRUITMENT PROCEDURES
The QEF Recruitment and Selection Policy states that all staff will complete an
application form, detailing past work history and an interview will be held. All
offers are made subject to satisfactory references being received.
In addition, all staff, volunteers and student placements working directly with
children (under 18 years of age) and vulnerable adults, are required to have an
enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before
starting work or placement at QEF.
1
New employees are also required to produce evidence to confirm their identity in
accordance with DBS guidelines, to prove they are eligible to work in the UK.
New employees should not undertake any unsupervised face-to-face work with
children and vulnerable adults until the above checks have been completed.
THE ROLE OF INDIVIDUAL STAFF / VOLUNTEERS
You should be aware that any child may be the victim of abuse. If you have any
concerns about a child or young person, you must immediately inform your
Service Head. A referral to the necessary agency(ies) may then be made
without delay.
You should never investigate concerns yourself. This is the role of the
statutory agencies. However, if a child does say something to you, it is vital to
listen carefully, so that it can be reported accurately to your Service Head in
order to assist any investigation.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Children and young people have the right to expect that all QEF staff and
volunteers will deal sensitively and sympathetically with their situation. It is
important that confidentiality is maintained appropriately.
SAFE WORKING PRACTICES
The following practices should be avoided - except in emergencies:
1.
Avoid spending excessive amounts of time with children on your own or
away from other people;
2.
Avoid doing things of a personal nature for children that they cannot do for
themselves – always advise the child’s parent or guardian, as such tasks
should only be carried out with their full understanding. If a child is fully
dependent, talk with him/her about what you are doing and give choices
where possible.
You should never do any of the following in the course of your duties at QEF:
1.
2.
Never allow allegations by a child to go unchallenged or unrecorded as
action must always be taken;
Never allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching;
3.
Never engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games;
4.
Never allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged;
5.
Never make sexually suggestive comments to a child.
2
If any of the following instances occur, you should report this immediately to
your Service Head as detailed in the procedure below in order to record the
incident:
1.
If you accidentally hurt a child or young person;
2.
If any child seems distressed in any way;
3.
If a child misunderstands or misinterprets something you have done
4.
If you have any concerns that the child may be being abused
PROCEDURE - WHAT TO DO:
Concern may arise from observations of the child (e.g. injury, behaviour,
appearance and nature of play or work produced) or as a result of something
said by the child, another child or an adult.
Do not delay:
1.
Tell your Service Head immediately.
Early referral gives more time to help the child and family before the
situation becomes severe or serious. When necessary, early referral gives
more time for others to protect the child.
2.
Make written notes. Be clear when you are expressing an opinion and on
what your opinion is based.
As soon as you can, make an accurate written record of the facts and your
concerns. Your notes must be given to your Service Head as soon as
possible as they will help to ensure accuracy in recalling events.
ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES
If you have any concerns about what a child or someone else says:
a)
Listen - do not ask questions or interrogate.
b)
Remain calm - If you are shocked, upset or angry the child will sense this
and this may prevent them from talking further.
c)
Reassure - The child has done nothing wrong - tell her / him it is all right
to talk.
d)
Do not promise to keep it secret - Tell the child that what they have
said cannot be kept secret and that you will tell someone who can help.
3
ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES continued
Remember if you are in any doubt, consult with a senior staff member or with
your Service Head. Do not ignore your concerns, even if these are vague.
Your first responsibility is to the child.
You should never speak to any of the child's family about your concerns without
first talking to your Service Head, who may consult with people outside QEF.
If you have concerns about a member of staff or volunteer, you should inform
your Service Head immediately.
GENERAL ISSUES
All staff and volunteers should be given details about this policy and procedure
as part of their induction. You should observe these guidelines at all times in all
aspects of your work with QEF.
Parental Consent needs to be sought for all individual children and young people
taking part in any on or off site activities/events
Risk assessments should also be carried out for all on and off site activities, with
staff taking full responsibility for using measures to reduce risk for activities
within QEF.
This policy and procedure will be reviewed at least every three years, or earlier if
there are any material changes.
DOING NOTHING CAN MAKE YOU GUILTY OF ABUSE THROUGH NEGLECT
DO NOT LEAVE IT TO SOMEONE ELSE –
ALWAYS REPORT CONCERNS TO YOUR SERVICE HEAD
December 2013
Ref: Policies/Child protection interim
4