Anti Bullying Policy Arthog Outdoor Education Centre

 

1.0 Introduction

1.1 The staff and Arthog Management Committee fully recognise the contribution it makes to safeguarding children. We recognise that all staff, including volunteers, have a full and active part to play in protecting them from harm.

1.2 All staff and committee members believe that Arthog should provide a caring, positive, safe and stimulating environment which promotes the social, physical and moral development of the individual child.

1.3 All staff and board members believe that bullying will not be tolerated in any form and is defined to mean; “Deliberate hurtful behaviour repeated over a period of time and in circumstances where it is difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves”

1.4 The aims of this policy are:

1.4.1 To support the child’s development in ways that will foster security, confidence and independence.
1.4.2 To raise the awareness of both teaching and non-teaching staff of the need to safeguard bullied young people, and of their
1.4.3 To provide a systematic means of monitoring young people known or thought to be at risk of harm from bullying. 1.4.4 To emphasise the need for good levels of communication between all members of staff, schools and centre users.
1.4.5 To develop a structured procedure within the facility, that will be followed by all members of the Arthog staff in cases of suspected bullying abuse.
1.4.6 To develop and promote effective working relationships with other agencies, especially the Schools, Police and Social Services.
1.4.7 To ensure that all adults within our facility who have access to children have been checked as to their suitability, and make them aware that bullying has no place in or out of school.

2.0 Procedures

2.1 Our facility procedures for safeguarding children will be in line with Children Services Authority (CSA)* and Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB)** procedures.

We will ensure that:

2.1.1 We have a designated member of staff for Child Protection who undertakes regular training, where bullying is identified as abuse in its own right.
2.1.2 We have a Deputy member of staff who will act in the Designated Person’s absence and deal with any bullying issues.
2.1.3 All members of staff develop their understanding of the signs and indicators of bullying and its direct abuse and all permanent staff have accessed the three hour LSCB training course on raising child protection awareness.
2.1.4 All members of staff know how to respond to a pupil who discloses bullying.
2.1.5 All parents/carers are made aware, if they so wish, of the responsibilities of Arthog staff members with regard to child protection procedures as documented in the “Yellow Compliance Files” and the supporting LSCB standard procedures**.

 

2.2 Our procedures will be regularly reviewed and up-dated.

2.3 All new members of staff will be given a copy of our anti bullying policy as part of their induction into Arthog. *DfES/0027/2004 Safeguarding Children in Education ** Telford & Wrekin Local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures (posted on OLE & Borough of Telford & Wrekin Websites) ***Working together to Safeguard Children HM Government 2005

3.0 Responsibilities

3.1 The Designated Person is responsible for:

3.1.1 Adhering to the LSCB, CSA and school procedures with regard to referring a child if there are concerns about possible bullying abuse.
3.1.2 Keeping written records of allegations of bullying and concerns about a child even if there is no need to make an immediate referral for action.
3.1.3 Ensuring that all such records are kept confidentially and securely and are separate from general information.
3.1.4 Ensuring that an indication of further record-keeping in terms of verbal advice given is logged on a specific form, copies will be included in the “Yellow File”.
3.1.5 Ensuring that any young person who may be at risk is accommodated accordingly in consultation with user groups and their Designated Person.

4.0 Supporting Children

4.1 We recognise that a child who has intermittent or persistent abuse by bullying may find it difficult to develop and maintain a sense of self worth. We recognise that a child in these circumstances may feel helpless and humiliated. We recognise that a child may feel self blame.
4.2. We recognise that the school, and voluntary organisations, may provide the only stability in the lives of children who have been abused or who are at risk of harm. We recognise that this stability could be compromised if bullying is not taken seriously. This will be addressed as soon as it is known or signs of it become apparent.
4.3. We accept that research shows that the behaviour of a child in these circumstances may range from that which is perceived to be normal to aggressive or withdrawn.

4.4. Arthog will support all young persons by:

4.4.1 Encouraging self-esteem and self-confidence whilst not condoning aggression or bullying.
4.4.2 Promoting a caring, safe and positive environment with respect to others within their time at Arthog and when under our care away from the facility. Wherever possible/appropriate the delivery of anti bullying messages in group based activities.
4.4.3 Liaising and working together with all other support services and those agencies involved in the safeguarding of children; including, wherever possible, the facility involving themselves in thematic Local and National anti bullying campaigns.
4.4.4 Notifying Children’s Social Services as soon as there is a significant concern.

5.0 Confidentiality

5.1 We recognise that all matters relating to bullying and general Child Protection are confidential.
5.2 The Designated Person at Arthog will disclose any bullying information about a young person to other members of staff on a need to know basis only.
5.3 All staff must be aware that they have a professional responsibility to share bullying information with other agencies in order to safeguard children***.
5.4 All staff must be aware that they cannot promise a child to keep secrets. A child’s concerns must be sensitively handled in the case of those perpetrators of the bullying, where cessation is the key outcome and re assurance for the victim paramount.

6.0 Supporting Staff

6.1 We recognise that staff working at Arthog who have become involved with a child who has suffered harm from bullying, or appears to be likely to suffer harm from bullying may find the situation stressful and upsetting.
6.2. We will support such staff by providing an opportunity to talk through their anxieties with the Designated Person and to seek further support as appropriate.

7.0 Allegations against staff

7.1 We understand that a pupil may make an allegation of bullying against a member of staff. This will be treated like any other form of abuse.
7.2 If such an allegation is made, the member of staff or facility user receiving the allegation will immediately inform the Arthog Designated Person.
7.3 The Designated Person on all such occasions will discuss the content of the allegation with the Principal Officer Child Protection for Schools & Early Years, or in their absence, the Safeguarding Advisory Service.
7.4 If the allegation made to a member of staff or facility user concerns the Designated Person, then they will immediately inform the Deputy Head at Arthog, who will consult with the Principal Officer for Schools & Early Years or the Safeguarding Advisory Service.
7.5 Arthog has adopted policies for managing allegations against staff, a copy of which will be readily available from Human Resources However;
7.5.1 If such an allegation is made, the member of staff subject to the allegation will be assigned a designated HR contact to support them through the process.
7.5.2 Soon after the allegation is made, a decision will be taken as to whether a Joint strategy Meeting needs to be convened to discuss the matter further.
7.5.3 If it is decided at that meeting that an investigation should commence, this may be initially led by the Police and Social Services, prior to it being referred back to the Local Authority to Investigate under agreed disciplinary procedures.

8.0 Whistleblowing

8.1 We recognise that children cannot be expected to raise concerns in an environment where staff fail to do so.
8.2 All staff should be aware of their duty to raise concerns, where they exist, about the attitude or actions of colleagues or other users.

9.0 Physical Intervention

9.1 We have adopted a policy on Physical Intervention and understand that staff must only use physical intervention as a last resort, and that at all times it must be the minimal force necessary to prevent injury to another person.
9.2 We understand that physical intervention of a nature which causes injury or distress to a child may be considered under child protection or disciplinary procedures.
9.3 This policy is in line has been adopted in line with the Local Authority Policy on Physical Intervention (see Yellow File).

10.0 Racist Incidents

10.1 Our policy on racist abuse by bullying is set out in a separate document and acknowledges that repeated racist incidents of bullying or a single serious incident may lead to consideration under child protection procedures.

11.0 Prevention

11.1 We recognise that the facility plays a significant part in the prevention of harm to young people by providing pupils with good lines of communication with trusted adults, supportive friends and an ethos of protection.

11.2 The Arthog community will therefore:

11.2.1 Establish and maintain an ethos where children feel secure and are encouraged to talk about bullying and are always listened to, whether they are the victim or the perpetrator.
11.2.2 Ensure that all children know there is an adult in or out of the Arthog setting, whom they can approach if they are worried or in difficulty in regards to bullying as a specific issue. Access to helpline numbers will be displayed and encouraged.
11.2.3 Include in the Arthog syllabus, where possible, opportunities to equip children with the skills they need to stay safe from harm and to know to whom they should turn for help.

12.0 Health & Safety

 

12.1 Policies on Health & Safety are set out in a separate document (see Yellow File). It reflects the consideration we give to the protection of children both within the facility environment and when away from the facility, when undertaking trips and visits. This includes all staff working with children. Our staff adhere to high standards of instruction and follow National Guidelines in all Outdoor and Indoor Activities.

13.0 Useful Contacts

13.1 This policy has been written in conjunction with Arthog by Safeguarding Advisory Service;

For further assistance, please contact:

• Mark Turner Principal Officer Child Protection (Schools & Early Years) Tel: 01952 385686

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