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WESTMINSTER SCHOOL
POLICY ON CHILD PROTECTION (SAFEGUARDING)
Introduction
The Governing Body and staff of Westminster School fully recognise the contribution the
School makes to safeguarding children, and the importance of School as a source of stability
in the lives of children who have suffered or who are at risk of harm. The School is required
to publish a detailed policy based on government regulation and London Child Protection
Procedures that gives details of how we intend to fulfil these responsibilities in practice.
The Children Act (1989), Education Act (2002), and Safeguarding Children in Education
(2004) all outline the duties and responsibilities of educational establishments in regard to
safeguarding and promoting the welfare and protection of children. This policy has regard to
these, to the Every Child Matters agenda, and is in compliance with the DCSF guidance
Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education (2007).
For details of the relevant legislation please refer to the Under Master, who is the School‟s
Designated Teacher for Child Protection; or the Deputy Child Protection Officer, who has
received the appropriate training and can act appropriately in the Under Master‟s absence.
Undertakings
Westminster School gives primacy to the protection of its pupils, and seeks to provide a
caring, safe and positive environment in which each individual child can grow and flourish,
develop their own particular talents, and thereby find enjoyment and fulfilment. To this end:
We will support every pupil‟s development in ways that will foster their sense of
security, confidence and independence, and in a manner that has respect for the
dignity, privacy and beliefs of all, and which does not discriminate on the basis of
race, culture, religion or sexual orientation. Further details are outlined in the Policy
on Behaviour, Rewards and Sanctions, which includes the Code of Conduct.
We will comply fully with the government‟s published policies on safer recruitment,
making the appropriate CRB, List 99 or equivalent checks and taking up thorough
references on any potential new members of staff, and complying with the
Independent Safeguarding Authority to ensure that no-one is employed within, by or
on behalf of the School who is unsuitable to work with children. Furthermore, we will
report to the ISA (Tel: 0300 123 1111), within one month of leaving the School, any
person (whether employed, contracted, a volunteer or student) whose services are
no longer used because s/he is considered unsuitable to work with children.
We will raise the awareness of all teaching and non-teaching staff, both full and part-
time, as to the importance of safeguarding children, and of their responsibilities in
identifying and reporting possible cases of abuse. All members of staff need to be
sensitive to the needs and welfare of all pupils and to be alert to the various possible
changes in behaviour that may indicate some form of neglect, physical, emotional, or
Policy updated December 2009 1
sexual abuse. (See definitions in Appendix A below.) To this end, we shall ensure
that all members of staff receive training in Child Protection every three years (at
least every two years for the Designated Teachers, including inter-agency working).
We will emphasise the need for good levels of communication between all members
of staff to ensure that a structured procedure for the safeguarding of children will be
followed in cases of suspected abuse. (See Appendix B below.) We will provide a
systematic means of monitoring children known to be, or thought to be, at risk from
harm. In particular, if it comes to the attention of any adult member of the School
community that a pupil is suffering or at risk of suffering abuse or neglect, within or
outside the School, swift and appropriate action will be taken to ensure their safety.
We will train those pupils in a position of pastoral responsibility, e.g. Peer Supporters,
House and School Monitors, in basic Child Protection procedures. They will have
clear guidance through their training that their role is to listen, not to investigate and
not to „keep secrets‟ but to refer the matter if they receive any allegations of abuse.
We will ensure full written records of all Child Protection procedures are maintained
and stored confidentially. All causes for concern, disclosures or allegations made by
pupils, decisions and subsequent actions will be recorded securely and confidentially.
We will maintain good working relationships with other relevant agencies, including
the local Police and Children‟s Services (Duty Desk: 020 7641 7668), whom we will
approach for advice and referral. We will ensure that any pupil currently on the Child
Protection Register who is absent without explanation for two days is referred to
Social Services.
We will have regard to the National Minimum Standards for boarding schools
(especially standard 3). In particular, if any pupil (either day or boarding) is found to
be missing from school, the Under Master is informed and the appropriate action
taken to find that pupil. A written record is made of any incident of a boarder missing
from school, the action taken, and any reasons given by the pupil for being missing.
We recognise that the School plays a significant part in the prevention of harm by
providing pupils with good lines of communication with trusted adults within an ethos
built upon care, support and protection. To this end, all pupils (and members of staff)
will have access to the document „If You Have A Concern‟ which sets out whom
pupils should contact if they are worried or in difficulty. This document is also
discussed in PHSE lessons with all new pupils, and reprinted as Appendix C below.
Procedure
If confronted with a possible case of abuse, or disclosure of abuse, each member of staff
should in the first instance follow the simple rules of listening and being supportive, but
without asking any leading questions. Contemporaneous notes should be kept of any
conversation, and signed and dated by the member of staff.
If a pupil is deemed to be at risk, or has made an allegation or disclosure of abuse, it must
be explained to the pupil that the member of staff is under a duty to report the matter. All
staff will be made aware that they have a professional responsibility to share information in
order to safeguard children. The pupil will need to be reassured that only the minimum
number of people will need to know in order to keep him/her safe, and that it is in their best
interests that the matter is reported. It is not appropriate for staff to conduct any kind of
investigation; staff cannot undertake to keep confidential what the pupil has told them.
Policy updated December 2009 2
Any concern about abuse should be reported immediately to the Under Master in his
capacity as the School‟s Designated Teacher for Child Protection, except in the
circumstance that a claim is made against a member of staff, in which case reference should
be made immediately to the Head Master. Where the claim is made against the Head
Master, then it must be reported directly to the Chairman of the Governing Body. In cases
involving an allegation against a member of staff, the School will inform the Local Authority
Designated Officer (Carla Acket: cacket@westminster.gov.uk) on the same day in which the
allegation is made, in accordance with government regulation and guidance.
The Under Master will be able to judge how to proceed when cases are reported to him.
Often he will chair a confidential Strategy Meeting of interested parties on a „need to know‟
basis (e.g. the Housemaster, Tutor, School Counsellor and/or others). The Under Master will
thereby formulate a strategy that might include one or several of the following steps:
Discussion with the pupil concerned (usually in the presence of another person)
and/or with parents (except where this is deemed to put the pupil at risk and/or in
cases where there has been an allegation of sexual misconduct or abuse.)
A response through the Housemaster and continued liaison with him or her.
A response to any bullying as laid down in the Policy on Bullying.
A referral to the School Counsellor (possibly through the Housemaster).
An informal consultation, on a no-names basis, with the Education Welfare Service at
Westminster City Council (Melanie Goode: mgoode@westminster.gov.uk).
A rapid referral to Social Services, certainly within 24 hours, thereafter formalised
through submission of a Common Assessment Framework (CAF), in the use of which
the Under Master, the Deputy CPO, and the School Counsellor have been trained.
In each case, discretion and confidence will be maintained at the appropriate level, the
Under Master being responsible for communicating strategies and decisions to fellow
professionals. The Under Master will report his response to the Head Master; keep him
apprised of any developments; and maintain the written record. Continuing support will be
given to a pupil who leaves the School, about whom there have been concerns, by ensuring
that appropriate information is forwarded under confidential cover to the pupil‟s new school.
Follow-up
We recognise that staff working in the School who have become involved with a child who
has suffered harm, or appears to be likely to suffer harm, may find the situation stressful and
upsetting. We will support such staff by providing an opportunity to talk through their
anxieties with the Under Master, School Counsellor or Chaplain. Similarly, during any
protracted procedure arising from claims of abuse, the School Counsellor and the Chaplain
may be able to offer confidential support to the member of staff.
The Governing Body has designated one of its members to have specific Child Protection
responsibility. The Under Master will report regularly to this Governor on the Child Protection
procedures implemented and on particular causes for concern.
Pupils, parents or members of staff may, in addition, report any concerns or allegations
directly to Ofsted (www.ofsted.gov.uk; tel. 08456 404046) without prejudice.
Monitoring, evaluation and review
The Governing Body will receive an annual report on Child Protection matters from the
Under Master, enabling it to review how effectively the School is fulfilling its obligations
under current legislation. The School will regularly assess the effectiveness of its Child
Protection procedures as a whole, and will seek to remedy any deficiencies without delay.
Policy updated December 2009 3
APPENDIX A – DEFINITIONS OF ABUSE
[„What is Bullying‟ and „Examples of Bullying‟ are taken from the Anti-Bullying Policy.]
At Westminster School we try to promote respect and care for each other; but there is
always a risk that abuse will occur in any school or institution, just as it may at home, within
the family or among acquaintances outside School. A child who is abused or witnesses
abuse may find it difficult to develop and maintain a sense of self-worth, may feel helpless
and humiliated, and may feel self-blame. It is the responsibility for all of the community to be
alert to signs of abuse of any pupil. The Child Protection Policy outlines procedures that
should be undertaken; all staff should be conversant with these procedures and will be
regularly trained in order to enable them to do so.
Examples of abuse may include:
Neglect
The persistent or severe neglect of a child (for example by exposure to any kind of danger,
including exclusion from warmth and from food) which results in serious impairment of the
child‟s health and development.
Emotional abuse
Persistent or severe emotional mistreatment.
Physical abuse
Physical injury to a child where there is definite knowledge, or a reasonable suspicion, that
the injury was inflicted or knowingly not prevented.
Sexual abuse
The involvement of children and developmentally immature adolescents in sexual activities.
Children abused by other children;
Domestic Violence
This is a child protection issue and children and young people are at risk physically and
emotionally and also vulnerable in terms of keeping themselves safe from others.
Other actions to cause concern
Children may find themselves in situations that are not listed above but still might be at
significant risk. These might include, for example, situations where another child in the
household has been harmed or the household contains a known abuser.
What is bullying?
Bullying can take many forms. Broadly, it is unkind and usually persistent behaviour intended
to assert the power of one person over another, usually by frightening or humiliating them.
Bullying makes the lives of its victims a misery: it undermines their confidence and self-
esteem; and destroys their sense of security. Once a victim is sensitised, a threatening look
alone may reinforce their fearfulness. Bullying – which is often fuelled by ignorance or
prejudice - may take the form of verbal, physical or emotional abuse or harassment. A victim
may be picked on because of gender, race, religion, culture, physical appearance or
disability, sexual orientation – or for no obvious reason at all. Bullying has the effect of
hurting, threatening or frightening another person; it is oppressive, coercive and an abuse of
power. It can involve things like „initiation ceremonies‟ in a boarding house. It is often
planned and secret, and increasingly takes place via the internet. Above all, bullying tends to
be systematic rather than a one-off act: thus a child is repeatedly the target of taunts or
physical attacks; or, in the case of so-called indirect bullying, rumours and social exclusion.
Policy updated December 2009 4
Examples of bullying may include:
i) Punching, hitting, pushing, spitting, throwing things. This can be considered as “assault”
and obviously more serious physical attacks could be seen as a criminal offence.
ii) Damaging or throwing property around; invading rooms, bags, boxes or lockers; being
involved in „initiation ceremonies‟ in a boarding House.
iii) Whispering, name-calling, teasing, writing unkind or obscene letters or texts, making
anonymous calls, spreading malicious rumours, writing offensive graffiti.
iv) Making inappropriate sexist/sexual comments; sexual advances, sexual harassment.
v) Isolating someone, intimidating someone; using threatening language or gestures.
vi) Making racist or homophobic comments to other pupils (sometimes encouraged by
unpleasant films or websites) claiming that the victim regards them as „a joke‟.
vii) Using a mobile phone, email or the internet to cause distress/insult to another person,
whether on personal, racial, religious, cultural, sexual/sexist or other grounds.
Bullying impacts on its victims‟ attendance and attainment at school, marginalises those
groups who may be particular targets for bullies and can have a life-long negative impact on
some young people‟s lives. At worst, bullying has been a factor in pupil suicide. In this light,
although bullying is not a specific criminal offence, there are criminal laws which apply to
assault, harassment and threatening behaviour – including over the internet or by SMS.
Policy updated December 2009 5
APPENDIX B – CHILD PROTECTION PROCEDURES
[taken from the Westminster School Staff Handbook.]
YOU MUST: YOU MUST NOT:
Treat all pupils with respect and be Have inappropriate verbal or physical
mindful of their right to privacy contact with pupils
Be an exemplary role model to pupils Make suggestive or derogatory remarks
Contribute to the establishment of an or gestures to pupils
environment in which children will feel Show favouritism or undue attention to
respected and listened to by adults any individual
and have the confidence to approach Rely on your / the school‟s good name
them about matters of concern to to protect you
them Believe that „it could never happen to
Ensure that, where possible, there is me / my school / my colleague‟
another adult present, or you are Exaggerate or trivialise child abuse
within sight or earshot of others, if you issues
intend to discuss sensitive issues with Jump to conclusions or make
a pupil assumptions without checking (do not
Remember that someone else may investigate – refer)
misinterpret your actions or words, no Allow yourself to be drawn into
matter how well-intentioned inappropriate patterns of behaviour
Report any concerns to the Under Fail or forget to report something you
Master (or to the Head Master if they are concerned about to the Child
involve another member of staff.) Protection Officer (the Under Master.)
WHAT TO DO IF…
…a pupil discloses to you abuse by someone else:
Stop, listen and offer the pupil immediate support, understanding, and reassurance
Explain that you cannot promise confidentiality but must tell the people who can help
Allow the pupil to speak without interruption or leading questions, accept what is said
Alleviate the pupil‟s feelings of guilt and isolation while passing no judgement
Use non-judgemental / supportive phrases like „I believe you‟ and „I‟m going to help‟
Let the pupil know you are glad that he/she has shared this information with you
…you suspect a pupil is being abused emotionally, physically or sexually:
Report the matter immediately to the Child Protection Officer (the Under Master)
Do not tell other adults or pupils what you have been told – keep the loop tight
…you receive an allegation about another member of staff:
Report the matter immediately to the Head Master (and no-one else)
IN ALL CASES:
Record the facts at the time (you can write your notes up later but keep the originals)
Report the facts to the Child Protection Officer (the Under Master) or Head Master
NB - YOU MUST LISTEN AND REFER; YOU MUST NOT INVESTIGATE.
Policy updated December 2009 6
WHAT TO DO WHEN / IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT A PUPIL
At the point of a concern coming to the attention of a member of staff he/she has to decide
what to do, even if the matter seems, on the surface at least, to be relatively low level. Quite
often, the staff member simply wants to talk over/share feelings about the situation because
he/she is uncertain. As a result of this, he/she may decide that the matter is not so serious
(or indeed that it may be more serious) than first thought. What is crucial is that we work
together to support each other and the pupil whenever there is a concern about that pupil‟s
welfare.
The crucial decision for a member of staff is to decide what action to take in the light of a
concern/disclosure, e.g. sleep on it; speak to the Housemaster or Under Master etc. The
following is designed to be a broad guide to the kind of action which might be taken in
different circumstances. If in any doubt, please do not hesitate to contact the Under Master.
Member of staff is told Member of staff is told
something by a pupil in person something by or about a pupil,
and feels it is an emergency (i.e. or has a concern/anxiety (but
the pupil is clearly distressed, not an emergency) based on
talking about self-harm, etc.) disclosure, observation etc:
Stay with the pupil Consult the pupil’s
and get help asap. Housemaster asap.
Call the Under Master (or He/she will then inform the
School Counsellor, Deputy Under Master. They will
CPO, HoM) who will advise together discuss how best to
about what to do next… take things forward…
Under Master will
Advice will most strategise the best Discussion with
probably be to escort way forward and pupil, who may
the pupil up Surgery, (usually via HoM) then go to see the
to the Duty Matron, inform the parents, School Counsellor
or School Counsellor tutors, chaplain etc. and/or School
Doctor
UNDER MASTER COORDINATES ONGOING REVIEW
and contacts outside agencies as required
Remember – you should never promise confidentiality to a pupil, but explain that it may be
necessary to tell someone who can help, e.g. the Under Master, his/her Housemaster etc.
Policy updated December 2009 7
APPENDIX C - IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN
[published termly in the School Almanack and circulated to House notice boards.]
Most of the things that concern you at School are likely to be sorted out informally before
they become major problems. We hope that you feel able to share any worries about your
work with your teachers and parents. However, there may be other problems occasionally
which could require slightly different treatment. For example:
You may feel you are being unfairly treated by a member of staff or a pupil
You may feel that you are the victim of verbal and/or physical abuse.
You may feel that you are being badly taught in a particular subject.
Someone may have taken something of yours and not returned it.
It is important that you feel able to share concerns such as these with us so that where
necessary we can work together to sort out misunderstanding or to take remedial action.
INFORMAL HELP
If you have a concern, you should first talk informally to:
Your Housemaster or
Your House Tutor or Matron;
One of your subject teachers or
Any teacher you trust.
If for any reason you do not feel able to share your concern with a member of staff, then you
may consider discussing it with one of the Peer Supporters whose names can be found in
the School List and on House boards. Some matters of concern to you may cause the
person with whom you have talked anxiety that you may be in a vulnerable situation or that
you are being hurt in some way. If so, these concerns will need to be shared with another
professional to ensure your safety and well-being. Please be assured that this will be
managed sensitively, keeping you informed of all actions or plans.
You may of course share your anxiety in confidence with the School Counsellor, Mr Philip
Hewitt, who comes to School each week and can also be contacted Monday to Friday on
020 8402 2984 (which is also a fax and answering machine.)
You could also talk in confidence to
The Chaplain, Rev Gavin Williams, on 020 7963 1128; or
The School Nursing Sister, Mrs Kate Carberry-Long; or
The School Doctor, Dr Joanna Hayes; or
Kidscape- telephone number 0207 730 3300 or
Childline – telephone number 0800 1111 (calls are free)
FORMAL HELP
If, after trying to resolve your concern in this way, you are still feeling unhappy, or if for any
reason you do not feel that this route is appropriate, then you should ask formally for help. It
is often useful to you and to us for you to clarify your thoughts by putting them in writing.
This must be signed, as it is not possible to respond to anonymous information. We
therefore suggest that you do this and give it to either:
Policy updated December 2009 8
Your Housemaster or
The Under Master,
who will then discuss the matter with you. If that action fails to sort things out, then you may
pass your written summary to the Head Master. Alternatively, you may prefer to contact the
Head Master immediately on 020 7963 1042, rather than getting in touch with others first. A
meeting will be arranged to discuss your concern and try to work out a solution. You will
probably find it helpful to come to that meeting with someone who understands how you feel,
such as your parents, a friend or a trusted member of staff. You can also call Westminster
Children‟s Services Department on 020 7641 7668.
We assure you that once your concern is shared with the School every effort will be made to
work with you to sort it out swiftly and sensitively.
If you believe that, for whatever reason, your concerns have not been dealt with
satisfactorily, you should ask your parents to follow the complaints procedure.
Policy updated December 2009 9
