All child protection concerns need to be acted on immediately.  If you are concerned that a child may be at risk or is actually suffering abuse, you should tell one the Designated Safeguarding Leads at Twyford C of E School.

All adults have a duty of care to refer all known or suspected cases of abuse to the relevant agency including social services or the police.  Where a disclosure is made to a visiting staff member from a different agency, such as the School Nurse etc, it is the responsibility of the agency staff to formally report the referral to the school’s DSL in the first instance. 

Recognising Concerns, Signs and Indicators of Abuse

Safeguarding is not just about protecting children from deliberate harm.  For Twyford C of E School it includes such things a pupil safety, bullying, racist abuse and harassment, radicalisation, intimate care, children missing education and internet safety.

The witnessing of abuse can also have a damaging effect on those who are associated with any person who may have suffered abuse, as well as the child subjected to the actual abuse.  This can and often will have a significant impact on the health and emotional well-being of the child.  Abuse can take place in any family, institution or community setting.  It can be by telephone or on the internet also.  Abuse can often be difficult to recognise as children may behave differently or seem unhappy for many reasons, as they move through the stages of childhood or if their family circumstances change.  However, it is important to know what the indicators of abuse are and to be alert to the need to act upon any concerns.

Physical Abuse

This can involve shaking, hitting, throwing, poisoning, kicking, punching, burning, scalding, suffocating and drowning.  It can also result when a parent or carer deliberately causes the ill health of a child in order to seek attention through fabricated or induced illness. 

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is where a child’s need for security, love, praise and recognition is not met.  It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of someone else such as in domestic abuse or domestic violence.  A parent, carer or authority figure is considered emotionally abusive when they are consistently hostile, rejecting, threatening or undermining toward a child or other family member.  It can also occur when children are prevented from having social contact with others or if inappropriate expectations are placed upon them.  Symptoms that indicate emotional abuse include:

• Clingy or attention seeking that is excessive
• Excessive self-criticism or very low self-esteem
• Fearfulness or withdrawn behaviour
• Lack of appropriate boundaries with strangers; too eager to please
• Self-harm or eating disorders

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a young person or child to take part in sexual activities.  Whether or not the child is aware of what is happening.  This may include physical contact or viewing pornographic material including through the use of the internet.  Indicators of sexual abuse include: allegations or disclosues, injuries or disclosure, genital soreness, inappropriate sexualised behaviour including play, words or drawing, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs that can significantly harm their health and development.  Neglect can include supervision that is inadequate (being left alone for long periods of time), lack of stimulation, social contact or education, lack of shelter, lack or provision of appropriate food, clothing for correct conditions and medical attention or treatment when necessary.