The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Article 34

The Government should protect children from sexual abuse.

Article 33

The Government should provide ways of protecting children from dangerous drugs.

Article 39

Children who have been neglected or abused should receive special help to restore their self-respect.

Article 19

Governments should ensure that children are properly cared for, and protect them from violence, abuse and neglect by their parents, or anyone else who looks after them.

Article 36

Children should be protected from any activities that could harm their development.

Article 12

Children have the right to say what they think should happen, when adults are making decisions that affect them, and to have their opinions taken into account,

This policy defines the responsibilities, processes and procedures relating to the protection of students at TOME INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL. The overall intention and purpose behind this policy is underpinned by the fundamental principle of the Children Act 1960 and The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This policy should be read in association with the policies on Behaviour, E- Safety, Bullying (including cyber bullying), Attendance and Punctuality, Health and Safety Policy.

AIMS

• To provide clear direction to staff and others about expected codes of Behaviour in dealing with Child Protection issues.
• To make explicit the school’s commitment to the development of good practice and sound procedures so that child protection concerns and referrals are handled sensitively, professionally and in ways that supports the needs of the child.
• To integrate Child Protection issues into the curriculum
• To take account of policies in related areas such as Behaviour and anti – bullying

DEFINITIONS

1. Neglect - The persistent or severe neglect of a child which results in impairment of health or development
2. Physical Abuse - Actual or likely physical injury to a child, or failure to prevent physical injury or suffering.
3. Sexual – Actual or likely exploitation of a child by involvement in sexual activities without informed consent or understanding, or that violate social taboos or family roles.
4. Emotional – actual or likely severe adverse effects on the emotional and behavioural development of a child by persistent or severe emotional ill-treatment, neglect, or rejection.
5. Potential abuse – situations where children may not have been abused but where social and medical assessments indicate a high degree of risk that they might be abused in the future; including situations where another child in the household has been abused, or where there is a known abuser.
6. Bullying - any persistent and uninvited behaviour which insults, hurts or intimidates someone (includes cyber bullying).

FRAMEWORK- WORKING TOGETHER TO SAFEGUARD CHILDREN

Telangana schools are expected to ensure that they have appropriate procedures in place for responding to situations in which they believe that a child has been abused or are at risk of abuse – these procedures should also cover circumstances in which a member of staff is accused or suspected of abuse.

• Staff should be alert to signs of abuse and know to whom they should report any concerns or suspicions.
• Designated Leaders should have responsibility for coordinating action within the school
• All staff should receive Child protection training appropriate to their role.
• Schools should have procedures, of which all staff are aware, for handling suspected cases of abuse of pupils. Including procedures to be followed, if a member of staff is accused of abuse.