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Child Protection contacts

Child Protection Co-Ordinator (CPC): 

Danny Rowlands 
drowlands@merchiston.co.uk
07435 756 936

Deputy Child Protection Co-OrdinatorWill Ogilvie-Jones
wogilvie-jones@merchiston.co.uk

Child Protection Liaison Governor Dr Ann Deans

WHAT TO DO: Notice—Check—Share

Abuse takes many forms: physical, sexual, financial or institutional through to neglect or discrimination. You must pass on the information to the CPC or Deputy CPC: you must not investigate, but you cannot ignore.

In all cases: Keep notes; record the facts as soon as possible and on the same working day; report the facts as per the guidance in the School’s Child Wellbeing and Protection Policy and Guidelines.

THINGS YOU MUST DO:

- Treat all pupils and their right to personal privacy and dignity with respect

- Try to be an exemplary role model for pupils and colleagues

- Ensure that you are not alone in your dealings with a pupil, and that you are at least within sight or hearing of others

- Operate within the School’s Child Wellbeing and Protection Policy and Guidelines and follow all policies published in the Staff Handbook

- Attend staff training, as required. You must request further training if you are not confident

- Remember that someone else might misinterpret your actions, no matter how well-intentioned

- Record and report, on the appropriate Wellbeing Concern Form or Child Protection Concern Form any incident/disclosure, detailing, where possible, exactly what was said and recording times and individuals involved

- Report concerns to the CPC

THINGS YOU MUST NOT DO:

- Have inappropriate physical, verbal or electronic communication with pupils including social media, texting or email

- Speak to a pupil in an inappropriate way or make suggestive/derogatory remarks or gestures in their presence

- Be drawn into inappropriate attention-seeking behaviour nor show favouritism to any pupil

- Discourage pupils who want to talk about attitudes or behaviours they do not like

- Draw conclusions or make judgements of others without checking facts

- Exaggerate or trivialise abuse issues

- Discuss personal issues about a pupil or colleague or their family casually with others

- Rely on your good name or that of the School to protect you from scrutiny of your conduct

- Think it could never happen to you

- Take a chance when informed common sense, policy and good practice suggest another more prudent approach