Child Protection Policy
Sections:
1. Introduction
2. Organisation and management
3. Visitor procedure
4. Monitoring and evaluation
5. Child protection procedures
5.1 Types of abuse
5.2 Action by staff
6. Alleged child abuse by a member of staff
7. Appointing staff
8. Safeguarding
9. School photographs
10. Referrals to SIDRA
11. Referrals to AMAN
Appendices:
12. Using and logging incidents on CPOMS
13. Child Protection Officer’s job description
14. CP flowchart
15. Visitor Posters
16. Useful weblinks and contact
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1. Introduction
Our mission is to cultivate: “Well educated, well rounded individuals who have high
aspirations and achieve their potential, in a happy and nurturing school.” However, most
importantly Sherborne Senior School is a caring, inclusive, family-orientated and
supportive school. As such, any Child Protection concerns are dealt with very seriously.
Concerns are reported using the ‘Something is Not Quite Right’ (SNQR) Form, all
concerns are reviewed by the two Child Protection Officers (male and female) and all
concerns are logged.
The current Child Protection team is shown below:
Deputy Head
Pastoral & School
Child Protection
Co-ordinator
(Garry James)
Child Protection
Child Protection
Officer for Girls
Officer for Boys
(Ayeshah Noreen
(Malcolm Ingram)
Arif)
The Child Protection Officers (CPOs) and the Child Protection Co-ordinator meet
regularly.
Our policy applies to all staff, Governors and volunteers working in the School. The main
aims of our policy are:
• ensuring we practice safe recruitment in checking the suitability of staff and
volunteers to work with children.
• establishing a safe environment in which children feel secure, learn, are
encouraged to talk and are listened to.
• raising awareness of child protection issues and equipping children with the skills
needed to keep them safe.
• developing and then implementing procedures for identifying and reporting
cases, or suspected cases, of abuse.
• supporting pupils who have been abused in accordance with his/her agreed child
support plan.
• contributing to the well-being of children by securing their protection from abuse,
in partnership with parents, enabling them to maximise their parental
responsibility (except where to do so would be inconsistent with the duty to
safeguard and promote the welfare of the child).
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• working closely with other agencies as necessary (e.g. The Ministry for Education
and Higher Education, Police, healthcare professionals including Sidra Hospital,
Educational Welfare Services, NSPCC in the UK).
• ensuring that all staff are aware of the different forms of abuse and the correct
procedures to follow if abuse is suspected.
We recognise that because of the day-to-day contact with children, School staff are well
placed to observe the outward signs of abuse. The School will therefore:
• establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are
encouraged to talk, and are listened to.
• ensure that teachers know that it is their responsibility to form positive
relationships with pupils.
• ensure children know that there are adults in the School whom they can approach
if they are worried.
• include opportunities in the PSHE curriculum for children to develop the skills they
need to recognise and stay safe from abuse.
2. Organisation and management
The School will:
• ensure that all staff are training to at least Level 2 in Child Protection. All staff
complete the full EduCare Level 2 course on Child Protection on joining the
school and each year they are required to complete the refresher course.
As shown on the previous page, we have three designated people for Child
Protection who are all qualified up to Level 3 in Child Protection.
• ensure every member of staff (including temporary and supply staff and
volunteers) and governing body knows the staff responsible for child protection
and their roles.
• ensure all staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities in being alert to
the signs of abuse and responsibility for referring any concerns to the designated
senior person responsible for child protection.
• ensure that parents have an understanding of the responsibility placed on the
School and staff for child protection.
• develop effective links with relevant agencies and co-operate as required with
their enquiries.
• keep written records of concerns about children, even where there is no need to
refer the matter immediately.
• ensure all records are kept securely; separate from the main pupil file.
• develop and then follow procedures where an allegation is made against a
member of staff or volunteer.
• ensure safe recruitment practices are always followed.
We recognise that children who are abused or witness violence may find it difficult to
develop a sense of self-worth. They may feel helplessness, humiliation and some sense
of blame. The School may be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives
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of children at risk. When at School, such pupils’ behaviour may be challenging and
defiant or they may be withdrawn.
The School (and the CPOs) will endeavour to support the pupil through:
• the content of the curriculum.
• the School’s ‘Behaviour for Learning Policy’ - which is aimed at supporting
vulnerable pupils in the School. The School will ensure that the pupil knows that
some behaviour is unacceptable but they are valued and not to be blamed for
any abuse which has occurred.
• the School ethos and values that promotes a positive, supportive and secure
environment and gives pupils a sense of being valued.
• ensuring that, when a pupil on the child protection register leaves, their
information is transferred (when appropriate) to their new school.
3. Visitor procedure
Visitors to the school must report to Security in reception on arrival at the school. The
Security staff will then direct visitors to a sign (14. Visitor Poster) that clearly shows our
expectations of visitors to the school (this sign is on display upon entrance into the
building). Please note that a visitor is defined as any person seeking to enter the school
who is not an employee of the school or a pupil currently enrolled at Sherborne Senior
School.
Having received a form of ID and logged the visitor’s name, arrival time and purpose of
visit, the Security staff then issue all visitors with a visitor’s pass. The visitor’s passes are
attached to a blue lanyard. All staff, including the peripatetic teachers, have their IDs
attached to a black lanyard.
Visitors should then go straight to Reception and await the person that they have come
to meet with. Please see point 14. for the full list of our expectations of visitors.
Child Protection is the responsibility of all staff. It is our expectation that a member of
staff should politely approach and question any person wearing a lanyard that is not
clearly with a member of staff whilst on site (beyond Reception). If necessary, the visitor
should be accompanied back to Reception to await the member of staff that they have
come to visit. All visitors should be reminded to clearly wear their passes if not doing
so. If you are being visited by somebody and that person is not clearly displaying their
visitors pass, then it is your responsibility to ask that person to do so.
If a person is found on site without a pass then they should be brought to Reception by
the member of staff that has encountered them, Security should be immediately notified,
and the member of staff should remain with the person until Security arrive. We expect
all staff to be vigilant of visitors to the school. We also expect all staff to wear their IDs
when in school.
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4. Monitoring and evaluation
Our Child Protection Policy is monitored and regularly reviewed by the Senior Leadership
Team and the Governors. It is reviewed regularly to ensure it is both effective, in line with
latest and best UK practice, and that it considers local cultural issues and legal
requirements.
5. Child protection procedures
All members of staff work to protect the welfare of children and parents are also
expected to be vigilant. Employees have a duty to report, to the relevant CPO, concerns
relating to the welfare of the children in its care, should they feel a child is at risk from
abuse. It may also be necessary to inform the Society for the Protection of Women and
Children in Qatar (this will be decided after consulting the CEO).
When communicating a child protection concern to one of the CPOs it should be
emailed to the CPO and to nobody else, i.e. Form Tutors and Heads of Year should not
be included in the email.
All emails regarding pupils in any capacity should never have the pupil name in the
subject. This is to prevent email notifications containing pupil names appearing on
whiteboards. Furthermore, iSAMS should not be displayed on the whiteboards as it
often contains sensitive information.
All members of staff should be alert to the fact that any pupil may suffer abuse and
recognise their responsibility towards the protection of that child. Child abuse may be
defined as any situation where a child has been the victim of physical, emotional or sexual
abuse on the part of the parents, guardians or any other person having legal custody of
the child. On occasions a child may be the victim of such abuse from a person with no
apparent link.
Diagnosing abuse is extremely difficult but there are a number of indicators that may
alert staff and these may include:
• repeated minor injuries, e.g. bruises or cuts
• being dirty, smelly, poorly clothed or apparently underfed
• having lingering illnesses that are apparently unattended
• unexplained changes in behaviour
• deterioration in School work
• aggressive behaviour
• severe tantrums
• depression or withdrawal
• sexually explicit behaviour or showing inappropriate awareness
• reluctance to go home
• apparent reluctance to trust adults
• reversion to immature behaviour for age.
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• inappropriate attention seeking behaviour
• sudden weight loss or gain
• sign of self-harming
No-one should jump to conclusions on noting one or more of these indicators and they
should act only as a guide and perhaps a trigger towards awareness and closer
observation.
5.1 Types of abuse
Child abuse most commonly falls into 4 main categories:
NEGLECT
The neglected child carries a sense of worthlessness that is hard to bear. The neglect by
parents or guardians causes the bond of trust to be severely damaged and makes home
a less stable and happy environment. It is hard for the child to leave this behind when
he/she comes to School, and the benefit of School’s caring attitude can often be
accordingly minimal. A classic symptom is for the child to fail to respond to stimulus in
class, however interesting.
EMOTIONAL ABUSE
This is not based on denial or neglect but is a more active form of direct abuse. The child
is often a scapegoat when things go wrong at home and suffers taunting or derision,
instilling a sense that he/she can never do anything right.
SEXUAL ABUSE
The complexities of this form of abuse are hard to grasp but usually entail the child
keeping intolerable secrets, often under threat. The child may not be aware that what is
happening to them is abnormal, but the abnormality of his/her behaviour at School may
be an indicator of abuse.
PHYSICAL ABUSE
The physically abused child lives with violence and often accepts this as normality.
Physically abused children often react defensively to any swift movement made by an
adult and may even strike out. The nature of this form of abuse may make it easier to
spot, with the most obvious indicators, sometimes including violence to staff. Care is
taken to acknowledge that some types of punitive measures in the home are more
accepted in Qatar than in the UK. However, any suspected cases of physical abuse
should be reported to the relevant Child Protection Officer.
5.2 Action by staff
If a member of staff is informed about, or believes that a child is being abused s/he must
tell the appropriate CPO about it as soon as possible It is important to stress that
confidentiality cannot be promised to a pupil giving evidence.
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Any member of staff with such suspicions should record in writing, using the SNQR form,
all relevant details, being careful to distinguish between fact and impression. These
details should then be passed to the relevant CPO to keep on file. If deemed necessary,
the concerns will be brought to the attention of the Headteacher, and a course of action
agreed upon.
If a pupil is of major concern they may be placed on the Child Protection Group on
iSAMS. This will alert the CP officer for girls, boys and the Headteacher if the pupil is
recorded as "N" once AM registration has closed. There will then be an attempt to clarify
the reason for absence for the child in question.
If the suspicion was probably or definitely well founded, the child should receive
protection. In this case the Child Protection Officer and the Headteacher should refer
the matter to the Society for the Protection of Women and Children in Qatar as soon as
possible.
If the suspicion was probably or definitely well-founded but, while concern remains, there
is nothing tangible with which to take the matter further then a close eye will be kept on
the child, observing any changes in behaviour or any other abnormality. However,
guidance may be sought from Social Services, notwithstanding the lack of tangible
evidence.
If the suspicion is unfounded, then the notes taken will be preserved and the member of
staff asked to report any further suspicion to the Child Protection Officer.
Everybody should remember that this is a very serious matter. The consequences of a
failure to take action or of taking precipitate action based on malicious or unwarranted
allegations are severe.
6. Alleged child abuse by a member of staff
If there is cause for a member of staff to be formally investigated for an alleged act of
abuse, the member of staff will be suspended from duty. In cases where abuse is proved
to have occurred, the member of staff may face prosecution, as well as formal disciplinary
proceedings. The National College for Teaching and Leadership (UK) will also be
informed where appropriate and the School is aware of its statutory obligation to report
instances of misconduct by teachers (Part II, Regulation 7, of the Education (Particulars
of Independent Schools) Regulations 1997).
7. Appointing staff
The School will act in accordance with the law and follow the Safer Recruitment
Guidelines in carrying out thorough checks on the suitability of all staff prior to
appointment for the responsibilities they are to undertake.
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The School will confirm that a prospective employee is not listed as ‘a person unsuited
to working with either children or young persons’. Checks will be made through the
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for overseas appointments and relevant checks for
local-hire appointments will also be carried out by the HR Department. The CEO has
completed the safer recruitment online course.
8. Safeguarding
All members of staff within the School wear identification badges on a lanyard around
their neck. The School has procedures in place to monitor visitors to the site. Parents and
other visitors are asked to sign in at our security gate, where they exchange their Qatar
ID cards for a visitor’s badge. This, again, is worn on a lanyard around their neck, meaning
that all adults on site are immediately identifiable.
Members of staff are encouraged to challenge any stranger on the premises who is not
wearing some form of identification.
Pedestrian traffic is controlled at the start and end of the school day. Senior School
parents/drivers drop their children in the outer car park. Visitors can only enter the school
via the main school entrance which is supervised and managed by school security. Staff
can enter school via the main entrance and underground parking area, which requires
smart card access. A similar procedure is followed at the end of the day.
Children are not allowed to leave the site during the school day without an exit slip. This
is provided by either their Head of Year or a member of the SLT or by the School Nurse
in an emergency. This exit slip is given to the School Receptionist who will then issue the
pupil with a pass to get through security.
There is a comprehensive network of security cameras around the school which act as a
deterrent and enable us investigate incidents (if needed).
9. School photographs
Please note that we are sensitive to some parents’ wishes that their child/ren should not
appear in any school photos that might appear in the public domain (e.g. on the school
website, in the local paper, etc.). Therefore, parents who do not want their child’s
photograph to appear in the public domain should inform the Headteacher in writing.
10. Referrals to SIDRA
In some case pupils will need additional help in the form of medical professionals. If the
case is an emergency and there is immediate risk of severe harm to the child, they will
be taken to the accident and emergency department at SIDRA, or an ambulance will be
called.
Location of SIDRA: https://goo.gl/maps/8nnbg7bjABq5bsu79
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If a case is either urgent or not urgent a referral form will be used and sent through to
the CAMHS team at SIDRA. This will normally be processed within 24 hours and an
appointment made with a specialist within 2-3 weeks. Only members of the Child
Protection Team should make referrals, if a staff member feels that a child needs
additional help, they should follow the normal procedure and fill out a SNQR form. One
of the CP team will then decide on whether to refer or not. Parental permission is needed
for a referral, therefore there must be communication with the parents prior to sending
the form home.
Email for referral: OPCReferrals@sidra.org
Referral Form: https://www.sidra.org/documents/referral-form-fillable.pdf
11. Referrals to AMAN
The options available in Qatar are as follows:
11.1 In the case of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), or Physical Abuse; the Designated CP
officer must contact AMAN Protection and Rehabilitation Centre to ensure appropriate
level of intervention is sort and current local Child Protection procedures are being
followed. (NB The Local Child Protection Legislation and Policy are in the process of
being fully developed). The Designated Safeguarding Lead Safeguarding (Child
Protection) must telephone and liaise with AMAN to establish a Point of Contact
AMAN Hotline contact number: 919. Upon which:
a. The Designated Safeguarding Lead should ensure that the Safeguarding and
Referral Form is then forwarded to AMAN Protection and Rehabilitation Centre in
order to establish and/or initiate a formal investigation upon request.
b. Send the Referral form as an email to protection@psrc.org.qa with details and
contact information. AMAN will then respond and send a social worker to the
School to discuss appropriate action.
c. AMAN Protection and Rehabilitation Centre will contact Capital Police who will
then ensure that the District Attorney is made aware of the case should the case
require legal intervention.
d. The Designated Safeguarding Lead must speak with parents to inform parents of
course of action taken following any disclosure.
e. School staff must work with parents to resolve any concerns in the family home,
through dialogue and interventions to support parent’s capacity to provide safe
and nurturing care for their child.
11.2 In all cases The Designated Child Safeguarding Lead (or CP officer) should ensure
that the following information is passed to AMAN Protection and Rehabilitation Centre
regarding the referral, it must include:
1. Child’s full name.
2. Siblings names.
3. Date of birth.
4. Address in Qatar.
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5. Parents’ contact numbers.
6. Parents’ Names. First language spoken in the family home. Any reports you have
made. Sherborne Senior School Safeguarding and Referral Form - Completed,
signed and dated (“Something is not quite right” form).
11.3 In the case of any concern about a child such as Emotional Abuse or Neglect the
Designated Safeguarding Lead (or CP officer) should make a referral to AMAN Protection
and Rehabilitation Centre:
Phone number: 919
Email: protection@psrc.org.qa
The Designated Safeguarding Lead should ensure that the information listed in sub-
clause 11.2 is passed to AMAN Protection and Rehabilitation Centre regarding the
referral.
12. CPOMS
12.1 Log in to CPOMS and enter your email address and password
Login - CPOMS ( https://sqp.cpoms.net/school1/dash)
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12.2 Add an incident (pupils name, linked pupils, location, body map if applicable,
record keeping must be clear and in the child’s voice)
12.3 When submitting you do not need to assign just Alert the relevant Safeguarding
leads (Refer to flow chart)
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13. Job Descriptions
J O B D E S C R I P T I O N f o r a C H I L D P R O T E C T I O N O F F I C E R (B O Y S AND
GIRLS)
Reporting to: the Headteacher
Responsible for: There are two Child Protection Officers (CPOs) at Sherborne Senior
School, one for boys and one for girls. CPOs act as a point of contact for both staff and
pupils. Having liaised with the Headteacher, they also need to take action when any
child protection incidents are reported to them, including providing support to affected
members of the school community.
Liaising with: All staff, parent/carers, external agencies and governors.
Roles and responsibilities
The CPOs (for whichever gender they are working with) will:
• lead in facilitating the development of safeguarding and child protection policies,
training and procedures and guidance for the school.
• monitor and review the implementation of the relevant policies and
documentation and procedures to ensure they are adhered to, remain current and
fit for purpose.
• promote good practice by encouraging and championing the policies and
procedures.
• receive and coordinate referrals and arranging action
• maintain accurate, confidential and up to date documentation on all cases of
safeguarding and child protection.
• ensure that students in need are supported appropriately and sensitively.
• where appropriate, provide support and guidance to parents/carers.
• liaise with colleagues to share good practice and plan collaborative activities.
• report to the Headteacher (and possibly governors) with regards to child
protection matters.
• keep abreast of developments in the field of child protection, including the
requirements for child protection in Qatar.
• assist with the compilation of references for or reports about pupils for outside
agencies.
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Professional specification
• An interest in the well-being of children and in safeguarding and child protection
matters.
• Strong listening skills and the ability to deal with sensitive situations with integrity.
• To be able to communicate effectively with parents, pupils, colleagues and other
interested parties
• The confidence and good judgment to manage situations relating to the poor
conduct/behaviour of others towards a child.
In addition, the CPOs will have an ability and willingness to:
• successfully complete child protection training.
• accept the authority of line managers.
• act as a good role model in behaviour.
• maintain confidentiality and act with discretion.
• work beyond the normal school day when necessary.
This job description, roles and responsibilities are not exhaustive. All members of staff
are expected to fulfil any reasonable request made by or on behalf of the Headteacher.
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Sherborne Senior School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of
children. All members of the academic staff must be willing to undergo child protection
screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the
Disclosure and Barring Service. The post-holder’s responsibility for promoting and
safeguarding the welfare of children and young people for whom he or she is
responsible, or with whom he or she comes into contact, will be to adhere to and ensure
compliance with Sherborne Senior School’s child protection policies and procedures.
Data Protection
In the course of employment at Sherborne Senior School, staff may have access to
confidential information relating to pupils and their families. They are required to
exercise due consideration in the way such information is used. Staff should not act in
any way which might be prejudicial to the School’s interest. Information which may be
included in the category covers both the general business of the school and information
regarding specific individuals. A strict code of confidentiality must be adhered to at all
times. Members of staff must not at any time use the personal data about others held by
the school or disclose such data to a third person.
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14. CP Flowchart
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15. Visitor Procedure Poster
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16. Useful weblinks and contacts
• https://almeezan.qa/Default.aspx - Qatar Legal Portal – a portal for all Qatar’s laws stated, of
which several refer to children and safeguarding, custody law etc.
• https://www.sidra.org/clinics-services/childrens-and-young-people/child-and-adolescent-
mental-health-services/ - Sidra Hospital CAMHS – we can directly refer into their services (We
know of this service already)
• http://www.qatarsocial.org/En/Pages/QSWHomepage.aspx - Qatar Social - all aspects of
“social care” including:
• http://www.wifaq.org.qa/en/Pages/default.aspx – Wifaq – Family Consulting Centre
– Al Jawhara stated that this centre has been a very big support in aiding parents who
are going through divorce and custody battles
• http://www.aman.org.qa/En/Pages/Home.aspx - Aman - protection of women and
children who are victims of violence or break up
• https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/Mental-Health/Pages/default.aspx - The old Covid Hotline
number (16000) is the new National Mental Health Hotline – press Option 4 and this is
targeted for children 18 and under
• https://sehanafsia.moph.gov.qa/english/pages/default.aspx - Young Mind Matters –
Resources for mental health
• https://www.imaginablefutures.com/partners/rapid-ec/ - Research from the US which was
undertaken during and after the pandemic
• https://www.end-violence.org/members/international-society-prevention-child-abuse-and-
neglect-ispcan - the ISPCAN conference was held here in 2020 and following on from that
they produced a National Workflow document for child abuse, which is currently still being
worked on nationally
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