Safeguarding Policy – Higham Hill Maktab

Introduction

The designation person for Child Protection (CPO: Child Protection Officer) is:

Abdul Aziz Haffejee (Chairman of the Trust)

The deputy officer (DEPUTY) in his absence is:

TBA(Teacher)

Should both the CPO and DEPUTY be absent, the matter should then be referred to another member of the Trust’s Management Committee.

It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that all staff know the name of the CPO and DEPUTY.

Aims and Objectives

The Maktab strives to educate all its pupils within an environment where the Islamic traditions of learning, truth, justice, respect and community are promoted. Consequently, the overall aim of this policy is to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children in our care (in situations where child abuse is suspected, our paramount responsibility is to the child).

This will be achieved by:

Continuing to develop awareness in all staff of the need of Child protection and their responsibilities in identifying abuse. (Particular care should be taken with children with disabilities and SEN)
Ensuring that all staff members are aware of referral procedures within the Maktab.
Monitor children who have been identified as ‘at risk’.
Ensuring that outside agencies are involved where appropriate.
Create an environment where children feel secure, have their viewpoints valued, are encouraged to talk and are listened to.

Maktab Procedures

Any member of staff or volunteer with an issue or concern relating to Child Protection this should be immediately referred to the CPO, or in his absence the deputy CPO. Allegations of child abuse must always be given the highest priority and referred immediately to the CPO.

It should be made clear to students that CONFIDENTAILITY CANNOT BE GUARANTEED IN RESPECT OF CHILD PROTECTION ISSUES.

The CPO will then decide on an appropriate course of action.
Allegation against Maktab staff – Teachers must protect themselves especially when meeting on a one-to-one basis with students and staff should bear in mind that even perfectly innocent actions can sometimes be misconstrued. Teachers who hear an allegation of abuse against another member of staff should report the matter immediately to the CPO so that ACPC and DFEE circular 10/95 procedures can be followed. If the Allegation is against the CPO it should be taken to the DEPUTY and through him to the appropriate external agency.

Dealing with Disclosures of Abuse

If a child chooses to tell a member of staff about possible abuse there are a number of things that should be done to support the child:

Stay calm and be available to listen
Listen with the utmost care to what the child is saying
Do not question the child, only ask for clarification if you do not understand something he/she has said
Do not put words into the child’s mouth but note the main points carefully
Keep a full record – date, time, what the child did, said, etc.
Reassure the child and let them know they were right to inform us
Inform the child that this information will now have to be passed on
Immediately inform the CPO or when absent the DEPUTY CPO.
Do not discuss the disclosure with anyone other than the CPO, or deputy CPO.

For Types of Child Abuse and their symptoms please refer to Appendix One.

Monitoring and Record Keeping

It is essential that accurate records be kept where there are concerns about the welfare of a child. These records should then be kept in secure, confidential files, which are separate from the child’s Maktab records. It is important to recognise that regulations published in 1989 do not authorise or require the disclosure to parents of any written information related to Child protection; Although the preferred practise is for parents to be informed of and to agree to any referral being made (unless it relates to Sexual Abuse).

Staff must keep the CPO` informed of:

Poor attendance & punctuality
Concerns about appearance and dress
Changed or unusual behaviour
Concerns about health and emotional well being
Deterioration in educational progress
Discussions with parents about concerns relating to their child
Concerns about home conditions or situations
Concerns about pupil on pupil abuse (including serious bullying)

When there is suspicion of significant harm to a child and a referral is made, as much information as possible should be given about the nature of the suspicions, about the child and about the family. Use of previous records (if available) may prove to be particularly useful in this respect.

NB – Any referral to Social Services by telephone must be confirmed with the specified written form and a copy kept. A note must be made by of the Duty Social Worker and the time at which the call is made. If parents have not been informed about (or if they have agreed to) the referral being made this must be reported to Social Services 020 8496 2310

Reports may be needed for Child Protection Case conferences or the criminal/civil courts. Consequently, records and reports should be:

Factual (no opinions)
Non-judgemental (no assumptions)
Clear
Accurate
Relevant

The Role of the CPO

To ensure all staff are aware of the role of CPO and DEPUTY.
To refer promptly to all cases of suspected child abuse to the local social services department or the police child protection team. If a parent arrives to collect the child before the social worker has arrived then it must be remembered that we have no right to prevent the removal of the child. However, if there are clear signs of physical risk or threat, the Police should be called.
To maintain and update as necessary the Child Protection Monitoring List.
To organise regular training on Child Protection within the Maktab.
To co-ordinate action where child abuse is suspected.
To facilitate and support the development of a whole Maktab policy on Child Protection.
To attend case conferences or nominate an appropriate member of staff to attend on his/her behalf.
Maintain records of case conferences and other sensitive information in a secure confidential file and to disseminate information about the child only on a “need to know basis”.
To pass on records and inform the key worker [who would this be? Do you mean the local authority social worker?] when a child who is on the Child Protection register [you are not expected to maintain a child protection register yourselves] leaves the Maktab. The custodian of the register must also be informed.
To raise staff awareness and confidence on child protection procedures and to ensure new staff, are aware of these procedures.
To keep up to date with current practice by participating in training opportunities wherever possible.

Higham Hill Maktab Declaration

Higham Hill Maktab Trust fully recognises responsibilities for child protection. Our policy applies to all staff and volunteers working in the Maktab. There are five main elements to our policy:

Ensuring we practice safe recruitment in checking the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with children.
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 protection plan.
Establishing a safe environment in which children can learn and develop.
Recording and storing information.
Sharing information and working with other agencies.

We recognise that because of the day-to-day contact with children, Maktab staff are well placed to observe outward signs of abuse. The trust will therefore:

Establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk, and are listened to.
Ensure children know that their adults in the Maktab whom then can approach if they are worried.

We will follow procedures set out by the Area Children Protection Committee and take account of guidance issued by the Department for Education and Skills to:

Ensure we have a nominated member of the Trust responsible for child protection.
Ensure every member of staff, volunteer and committee member knows the name of the designated teacher responsible for child protection and their role.
Ensure all staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities in hearing alert to teacher responsible for child protection.
Notify social services if there is an unexplained absence of more than two days of a pupil who is on the child protection register.
Develop effective links with relevant agencies and co-operate as required with their enquiries regarding child protection matters including attendance at case conferences.
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, and in locked locations.
Develop and then follow procedures where an allegation is made against a member of staff or volunteer.
Ensure staff recruitment practices are always followed.

We recognised that children who are abused or witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of a self-worth. They may feel helplessness, humiliation and some sense of blame. The Maktab may be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives of children at risk. When attending the Madrasa their behaviour may be challenging and defiant or they may be withdrawn. The Maktab will endeavour to support the pupil through:

The content of the curriculum.
The Maktab ethos which promotes a positive, supportive and secure environment and gives pupils a sense of being valued.
The Maktab behaviour policy which is aimed at the supporting vulnerable pupils in the Maktab. The Maktab 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.

Date adopted: 20/10/2021 Date for review: 30/10/2021

Supporting documents

This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational policies, procedures, guidance and other related documents.

• Role description for the designated child protection/safeguarding officer

• Code of conduct for staff and volunteers

• Behavior codes for children and young people

• Photography and sharing images guidance

• Safer recruitment

• Online safety

• Anti-bullying

• Managing complaints

• Whistleblowing

• Health and safety

• Induction, training, supervision and support

• Adult to child supervision ratios

References and resources

Department for Education (DfE) (2020) Keeping children safe in out-of-school settings: code of practice. [Accessed 10/09/2021].

Department for Education (DfE) (2015) What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused: advice for practitioners (PDF). London: HM Government.

Department for Education (DfE) (2018) Working together to safeguard children: a guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.[Accessed 10/09/2021].

Childline

If a child or young person needs confidential help and advice, for example after an image of them has been shared online, direct them to Childline. Calls to 0800 1111 are free and children can also contact Childline online.

You can also text the NSPCC helpline anonymously on 88858.

Waltham Forest Multi Agency Safeguarding Hun

If you would like to get some help, locally contact the Waltham Forest Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) team:

Call 020 8496 2310 (Monday to Thursday 9am to 5.15pm, Friday 9am to 5pm) or 020 8496 3000 (out of hours).

A social worker from MASH will speak to you.

If you feel a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm, and you cannot reach the CPO or deputy, call the police on 999.

Alternatively contact the local police on 101

APPENDIX ONE

TYPES OF CHILD ABUSE AND THEIR SYMPTOMS

Child abuse can be categorised into four distinct types i.e.

Physical Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Physical Neglect

Peer-on-peer abuse/bullying.
Online abuse/grooming for gangs.
Sexual exploitation. Radicalisation.

Grave Concern/at risk (This is not the distinct category but is dealt with separately. A child can be at risk from any combination of the four categories.)

These different types of abuse require different approaches. A child suffering from physical abuse may be in immediate and serious danger. Action should, therefore, be taken immediately. With other forms of abuse there is a need to ensure that adequate information is gathered. There is also a need to make sure that grounds for suspicion have been adequately investigated and recorded. The need to collate information must be balanced against the need for urgent action. If there is a reasonable ground for suspicion then a decision to monitor the situation should only be taken after consultation. A situation that should cause particular concern is that of a child who fails to thrive without any obvious reason. In such a situation a medical investigation will be required to consider the causes. Each of the five categories will now be explored in more detail.

1. Physical abuse

This involves physical injury to a child, including deliberate poisoning, where there is definite knowledge or a reasonable suspicion, that the injury was inflicted or knowingly not prevented.

Typical signs of Physical Abuse are:

Bruises and abrasions – especially about the face, head, genitals or other parts of the body where they would not be expected to occur given the age of the child. Some types of bruising are particularly characteristic of non-accidental injury especially when the child’s explanation does not match the nature of injury or when it appears frequently.
Slap Marks – these may be visible on the cheeks or buttocks.
Twin bruises either side of the mouth or cheeks – can be caused by pinching or grabbing, sometimes to make a child eat or to stop a child from speaking.
Bruising on both sides of the ear – this is often caused by grabbing a child that is attempting to run away. It is very painful to be held by the ear, as well as humiliating and this is a common injury.
Grip marks on arms or trunk – grabbing bruises on arm or trunk can be associated with shaking a child. Shaking can cause one of the most serious injuries to a child, i.e. a brain haemorrhage as the brains hits the inside of the skull. X-rays and other tests are required to fully diagnose the effects of shaking. Grip marks can also be indicative of sexual abuse.
Black eyes – are mostly commonly caused by an object such as a fist coming into contact with eye socket.
NB – A heavy bang on the nose however can cause a bruising to spread around the eye but a doctor will able to tell if this has occurred.
Damage to the mouth – e.g., bruised/cut lips or torn skin where the upper lip joins the mouth.
Bite Marks
Fractures
Poisoning – e.g., by overuse of sedatives or other misuse of drugs.
Burns and/or scalds – a round, red burn on tender, non-protruding parts like the mouth, inside arms and on the genitals will almost certainly have been deliberately inflicted. Any burns that appear to be cigarette burns should be caused for concern. Some types of scalds known as ‘dipping in a hot bath not have splash marks.

2. Sexual Abuse

Definition: The involvement of dependent, developmentally immature children and adolescents in sexual activities they do not truly comprehend, to which they are unable to give informed consent or that violate the social taboo of family roles.

Typical signs of Sexual Abuse are:

A detailed sexual knowledge inappropriate to the age of the child.
Behaviour that is excessively affectionate or sexual towards other children or adults.
Attempts to inform by making a disclosure about the sexual abuse often begin by the initial sharing of limited information with an adult. It is also very characteristic of such children that they have an excessive pre-occupation with secrecy and try to bind the adults to secrecy or confidentiality.
A fear of medical examinations.
A fear of being alone – this applies to friends/family/neighbours/babysitters, etc.
A sudden loss of appetite, compulsive eating, anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.
Excessive approaches or assaults – on other children or adults.
Urinary tract infections (UTI), sexually transmitted disease (STD) are all cause for immediate concern in young children, or in adolescents if his/her partner cannot be identified.
Bruising to the buttocks, lower abdomen, thighs, and genital/rectal areas. Bruises may be confined to grip marks where a child has been held so that sexual abuse can take place.
Discomfort or pain – particularly in the Genital or anal areas.
The drawing of Pornographic or sexually implicit images.

3. Emotional Abuse

Definition: The severe adverse effect on the behaviour and emotional development of a child caused by the persistent or severe emotional ill treatment or rejection.

All abuse involves some emotional ill treatment. This category should be used where it is the main or sole form of abuse.

4. Physical Neglect

Definition: The persistent or severe neglect of a child (for example, by exposure to any kind of danger, including cold and starvation) which results in serious impairment of the child’s health or development, including non-organic failure to thrive.

Persistent stomach-aches, feeling unwell and apparent anorexia can be associated with Physical neglect. However, typical signs of Physical Neglect are:

Underweight – a child may be frequently hungry or pre-occupied with food or in the habit of stealing food or with the intention of procuring food. There is a particular cause for concern where persistently underweight child gains weight when away from home, for example, when in hospital or on a Maktab trip. Some children also lose weight or fail to gain weight during Maktab holidays when Maktab lunches are not available and this is a cause for concern.
Inadequately clad – a distinction needs to be made between situations where children are inadequately clad, dirty or smelly because they come from homes where neatness and cleanliness are unimportant and those where the lack of care is preventing the child’ from thriving.

Physical Neglect is a different category because it involves the making of a judgment about the seriousness of the degree of neglect. Much parenting falls short of the idea but it may be appropriate to invoke child protection procedure in the case of neglect where the child’s development is being adversely affected.

5. Grave Concern / At Risk

This is not a separate category of child abuse a such but covers a number of situation where a child may be at risk, Children whose situations do not currently fit the above categories but where social and medical assessments indicate that they are at significant risk of abuse. Grave concern may be felt where a child shows symptoms of stress and distress (see below and any of the following circumstances apply:

There is a known child abuser in the family
Another child in the family is known to have been abused
The parents are involved with pornographic material to an unusual degree
There is an adult in the family with a history of violent behaviour
The child is exposed to potential risk or exploitation via the internet e.g. pornographic material or chat rooms.

The symptoms of Stress and Distress

When a child is suffering from any one or more of the previous four ‘categories of abuse’, or if the child is at ‘risk’, he/she will nearly always suffer from/display signs of the stress and distress. An abused child is likely to show signs of stress and distress as listed below:

A lack of concentration and fall off in Maktab performance
Aggressive or hostile behaviour
Moodiness, depression, irritability, littleness, fearfulness, tiredness, temper tantrums, short concentration span, acting withdrawn or crying at minor occurrences
Difficulties in relationships with peers
Regression to more immature forms of behaviour
Low self-esteem
Wariness, insecurity, running away or truancy – children who persistently run away
Disturbed sleep
Generally, personality changes such as unacceptable behaviour or severe attention seeking behaviour
A sudden change in Maktab performance

Parental Signs of Child Abuse

Particular forms of parental behaviour that could raise or reinforce concerns are:

Implausible explanation of injuries
Unwillingness to seek appropriate medical treatment for injuries
Injured child kept away from Maktab until injuries have healed without adequate reason
A high level of expressed hostility to the child
Grossly unrealistic assumptions about child development
General dislike of child-like behaviour
Inappropriate labelling of child’s behaviour as bad or naughty
Leaving children unsupervised when they are too young to be left unattended