Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

Effective from 01/09/2023    

(Reviewed Termly)

Contents

Introduction

Policy Statement

Definitions

Roles and Responsibilities

Preventing Child Sexual Exploitation

Preventing Child Criminal Exploitation

Preventing Female Genital Mutilation

Preventing Child-on-Child Abuse

Responding to Domestic Abuse

Supporting Children’s Mental Health

Preventing Extremism and Radicalisation

Preventing Serious Violence

Safeguarding Against Child Abduction and Community Safety

Promoting Online Safety and Protecting Against Cyber-Crime

Supporting Homeless and Unhoused (Peripatetic) Children

Handling Allegations Made Towards Staff Members

Reporting and Managing Concerns Policy

Equality and Diversity Statement

Training and Awareness

Confidentiality and Data Protection

Review and Evaluation

Policy Dissemination

Legal and Regulatory Framework

Confirmation Statement

Important Contacts

1. Introduction

JDS Recruitment is dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people. This Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy outlines our commitment to creating a safe environment and promoting the well-being of those we interact with, including children, young people, and staff. This policy is compliant with the Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2023 guidance and adheres to relevant legislation and best practices.

2. Policy Statement

JDS Recruitment is committed to:

Ensuring the safety and welfare of children and young people.

Preventing all forms of abuse, exploitation, and harm.

Empowering staff to recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.

Collaborating with external agencies and professionals to support children and families in need.

3. Definitions

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE): Child sexual exploitation involves coercing, manipulating, or grooming a child or young person for sexual purposes.

Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE): Child criminal exploitation refers to involving children and young people in illegal activities, often under coercion or manipulation.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): Female genital mutilation involves altering or injuring female genitalia for non-medical reasons, which can lead to severe physical and emotional consequences.

Child-on-Child Abuse: Child-on-child abuse occurs when one child or young person harms another, either physically or emotionally.

Domestic Abuse: Domestic abuse involves any form of controlling, coercive, threatening, or violent behaviour between family members or intimate partners.

Mental Health: Mental health refers to emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and supporting children’s mental health involves promoting positive mental health and addressing mental health challenges.

Preventing Extremism and Radicalisation: Preventing extremism and radicalisation involves safeguarding children from being drawn into extremist ideologies and supporting British values of tolerance and respect.

Serious Violence: Serious violence includes acts such as knife crime and gun crime, which pose significant risks to children and young people.

Child Abduction and Community Safety: Safeguarding against child abduction and community safety involves taking precautions to protect children from potential risks in the community.

Cyber-Crime and Online Safety: Cyber-crime involves illegal online activities, and online safety focuses on protecting children from online risks and promoting safe internet use.

Homelessness and Unhoused (Peripatetic) Children: Supporting homeless and unhoused (peripatetic) children entails addressing the unique challenges they face due to their living situation.

Allegations Made Towards Staff Members: Handling allegations made towards staff members requires a fair and transparent process to protect both the child and staff involved.

Safeguarding – Safeguarding is the term used to describe any activity that protects a person’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.

Neglect – Neglect is the ongoing failure to meet a child’s basic needs and the most common form of child abuse.

Abuse – Abuse covers every form of ‘abuse’, Including sexual, emotional, psychological, material, financial, physical, discriminatory, organisational abuse, and any acts of omission.

Child Protection – This is a general term that refers to the actions, policies, and procedures that children’s services and other organisations put in place to keep children safe from significant harm. It includes measures both for preventing and responding to abuse and neglect. Child protection is also sometimes called child safeguarding.

Consent – Consent refers to the individual’s voluntary and continuing permission for an intervention. The individual must have adequate knowledge of the reason nature, likely consequences, and risks of that intervention.

4. Roles and Responsibilities

4.1 JDS Recruitment Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

The DSL is a member of the Senior Leadership team. The DSLs in JDS Recruitment is

• Danielle Dias – Education Team Leader and DSL for tuition staff – 07423589291 / danielle@jdsrecruitment.co.uk
• Dean Silver – Director/Co-Founder and DSL for education staff – 07957639853 – dean@jdsrecruitment.co.uk

The DSL takes lead accountability for child protection and extensive safeguarding at JDS Recruitment.

During term time, the DSL will be available during school hours for staff to discuss any safeguarding concerns.

The DSL can also be contacted out of school hours, if necessary, via the emails or numbers provided above for urgent cases.

The DSLs at JDS Recruitment are dedicated to

• Providing advice and support to other staff on child welfare and child protection matters
• Contributing to the assessment of recruitment practices for safe recruitment
• Ensuring all JDS Recruitment staff are fully prepared and trained for their specific placements.
• Working closely with out client schools to full investigate any potential concerns related to JDS Recruitment staff.
• Referring suspected cases, as and when appropriate, to the relevant body, and supporting staff who make such referrals.

Within JDS Recruitment, the DSL will also be responsible for

• Informing the board of directors of any newfound or ongoing safeguarding concerns or allegations.
• Informing the client schools of any concerns, issues or allegations concerning our staff or children attending the school.
• Liaising with the local authority case managers / designated child protection officers when appropriate.

• Staying up-to-date and informed on current and new legislation surrounding safeguarding, child protection and KCSIE to ensure they can provide correct and relevant advice and support to our staff.

4.2 School DSLs

On initiation of employment contract at a specific school, JDS Recruitment will inform their staff on who is the DSL on site, so that they are aware of who they will need to report to.

4.3 All Staff Members

It is the responsibility of all staff who are employed by JDS Recruitment to act in compliance with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022.

All employees, internal and external, have a responsibility to:

• Provide a safe environment in which children can learn.
• Be aware incidents can occur at any school, and safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
• Actively promote welfare and safeguarding, including online safety of children and young people
• Know what to do if a child tells them that they are being abused or neglected.
• Understand the key indicators and impacts of abuse and neglect.
• Understand the difficulties children may have in approaching staff about their situation and consider how to build trusted relationships which facilitate communication.
• Be prepared to identify children who may need help or intervention.
• Have a strong understanding of the school’s safeguarding policies and systems.
• Undertake regular and appropriate training to ensure their knowledge is correct up to date.
• Have a comprehensive understanding of the process of making referrals to children’s social care and statutory assessment under the Children Act 1989.
• Be able to identify clearly and act appropriately and efficiently to indicators that children are, or at risk or developing mental health issues.
• Have a strong understanding of how to maintain the correct level of confidentiality and the importance of recording and information sharing.
• Have a wider understanding and be aware of specific issues such as cyberbullying, sexual harassment and child-on-child abuse as set out in KCSIE part 1 and annex B.

5. Preventing Child Sexual Exploitation

Staff will receive training on recognising signs of child sexual exploitation (CSE) and how to report concerns.

Key indicators: unexplained gifts or money, sudden changes in behaviour, having older boyfriends/girlfriends, suffering from sexually transmitted diseases, sexualised behaviour, or language inappropriate for their age, signs of physical harm or substance misuse.

Staff should be aware that sexual activity can involve non-contact activity and children/young people may believe that they are within a romantic relationship and that exploitation is not occurring. Staff must also remember that children may be involved in relationship online which can be sexually or emotionally exploitative.

Staff should report any concerns to the DSL or deputy DSL immediately.

6. Preventing Child Criminal Exploitation

Staff will be aware of signs of child criminal exploitation (CCE) and understand their duty to report concerns.

Key indicators: unexplained money or possessions, associating with older individuals involved in criminal activities, going missing for periods of time, regularly missing school or education, not taking part, changes in behaviour or appearance, signs of physical harm or substance misuse.

Staff should be aware that CCE can affect children of any age range.

Staff should report any concerns to the DSL or deputy DSL immediately.

7. Preventing Female Genital Mutilation

This form of abuse is not limited to Female Genital Mutilation and can include multiple different types of cultural practices against mainly women and girls which cause harm, often known as honour based abuse. This can include but is not limited to, FGM, Breast Ironing/Breast Flattening and forced marriage.

Staff will receive training on identifying potential signs of female genital mutilation (FGM) and responding appropriately.

Key indicators: extended periods of absence from school, difficulty walking or sitting, frequent urination or infections, behaviour changes, conversations or disclosures regarding FGM.

Staff should report any concerns to the DSL or deputy DSL immediately.

8. Preventing Child-on-Child Abuse

Child-on-child abuse could include but is not limited to bullying, physical abuse, sexual violence, sexual harassment, consensual and non-consensual sharing of nudes or semi-nude images/videos, and up-skirting/down-blousing.

Staff will be educated on recognising and responding to child-on-child abuse, ensuring the safety of all children involved.

Staff must be always vigilant and ensure they are able to spot the indicators listed below.

Key indicators: unexplained injuries, changes in behaviour, sexualised behaviour or language, signs of physical harm or emotional distress.

Staff must be aware that this type of abuse can take place online as well as in person, and this should be treated with the same urgency.

Staff should report any concerns to the DSL or deputy DSL immediately and be aware of the guidance in part 5 of KCSIE, ensuring that they respond appropriately to incidents.

9. Responding to Domestic Abuse

Staff will receive training on responding to domestic abuse and understanding its impact on children.

Domestic abuse can include a wide range of behaviour and may be a single incident, or a continuous sequence of occurrences. This type of abuse can be, but is not limited to, psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional, and can have long term, harmful impacts on a child’s health, development and ability to learn.

Key indicators: frequent absences or lateness, changes in behaviour or appearance, signs of physical harm or emotional distress, disclosure of domestic abuse.

Operation Encompass is a police and education early information safeguarding partnership enabling schools to offer immediate support to children experiencing domestic abuse. Operation Encompass provides an advice helpline service for all education professionals who

have a concern regarding a child who they may have experienced domestic abuse. The helpline is available from 8AM – 1PM, Mon-Fri, on 020 4513 9990, charged at local rate.

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline Run by Refuge is available 24 hours a day, free of charge on 080 8200 0247.

Staff should report any concerns to the DSL or deputy DSL immediately.

10. Supporting Children’s Mental Health

Staff will be trained to identify signs of mental health issues and how to provide appropriate support or signposting.

Staff should be aware of how children’s and young people’s experiences  can impact their mental health, behaviour and education.

Staff should make themselves aware of the key indicators of developing mental health issues within children and be primitive when students display such indicators.

Key indicators: changes in behaviour or mood, social withdrawal, difficulties concentrating, self-harming behaviours, talking about self-harm or suicide.

Staff should report any concerns to the DSL or deputy DSL immediately.

11. Preventing Extremism and Radicalisation

Staff will receive training on recognising signs of extremism and radicalisation and know how to respond.

Key indicators: expressing extremist views, changes in behaviour, isolation from peers, accessing or sharing extremist material.

Staff should report any concerns to the DSL or deputy DSL immediately.

In cases where a child or vulnerable adult is in immediate risk, staff should consider calling 999.

12. Preventing Serious Violence

Staff will be aware of signs of serious violence among children and young people and understand their duty to report concerns.

Key indicators: carrying weapons, involvement in gangs, changes in behaviour, threats or acts of violence, increased absence from school, a significant decline in performance, signs of self-harm or a significant change in wellbeing, signs of assault or unexplained injuries and unexplained gifts or new possession ns.

Risk Factors which may increase the likelihood of involvement in serious violence are as follows: being male, being frequently absent or excluded, having experience child neglect or abuse, or being involved in criminal activity such as theft.

Staff should report any concerns to the DSL or deputy DSL immediately.

13. Safeguarding Against Child Abduction and Community Safety

Child abduction is the unauthorised removal or retention of a minor from a parent or anyone legally responsible for the child. Child abduction can be committed by parents or other family members, by people known but not related to the victim and by strangers.

Staff will be knowledgeable about child abduction risks and take appropriate precautions to ensure community safety.

Staff should have a full understanding of KCSI Annex B which deals specifically with child abduction and community safety incidents, and it is compulsory that all JDS Recruitment have a comprehensive understanding of this document.

Key indicators: attempts to coerce or lure a child, changes in behaviour, disclosure of contact with strangers, changes in routines or unexplained absences.

Staff should report any concerns to the DSL or deputy DSL immediately.

14. Promoting Online Safety and Protecting Against Cyber-Crime

Staff should be aware that cybercrime is a criminal activity committed using computers and/or the internet, and that children/young persons with specific skill and interest in computers and technology may unintentionally or intentionally stray into cybercrime.

Staff should be aware that children and young people are particularly vulnerable to online risks, including but not limited to, grooming, cyberbullying, radicalisation and child sexual and criminal exploitation and sexual harassment.

Staff will be provided with the placement schools resources, police and procedures regarding online safety and protecting children. Staff must be sure to well familiarise themselves with these materials before starting their role.

Staff will receive training on online safety, including recognising risks and responding to cyber-crime incidents.

Key indicators: secretive or excessive internet use, sudden withdrawal from online activities, receiving explicit or inappropriate messages or images, cyberbullying.

Contact with children and vulnerable adults should only take place within explicit professional boundaries. This includes the use of computers, phones, tables, text, WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, email, webcams and videos.

Staff should not request or respond to any personal information from children or young people other than which may be necessary in their professional role. They should ensure that their communication is open and transparent and avoid anything that could be interpreted as ‘grooming behaviour’. They should not give their personal contact details to children or young people.

Staff should report any concerns to the DSL or deputy DSL immediately.

15. Supporting Homeless and Unhoused (Peripatetic) Children

Staff will be sensitive to the needs of homeless and unhoused (peripatetic) children and provide appropriate support.

Key indicators: irregular attendance, changes in appearance or personal hygiene, expressing worries about accommodation, fatigue or lack of sleep.

Staff should report any concerns to the DSL or deputy DSL immediately.

16. Handling Allegations Made Towards Staff Members

JDS Recruitment has a robust procedure for handling allegations made towards staff members.

When a JDS Recruitment staff member has a concern about another member of staff posing a risk of harm to children, they should immediately inform the schools DSL, and then follow

all school instructions and carry out the reporting procedure as per that school’s policy.  Once able, in line with GDPR, the JDS Recruitment staff member should contact their dedicated consultant at JDS Recruitment to report that they have reported an incident. This will then be passed onto the JDS Recruitment DSL who will follow up with the school and assist with any appropriate and necessary investigation.

Where the staff member believes there is a conflict of interest in reporting a concern or allegation about a member of staff to the DSL, they should report it directly to the local authority designated officer (LADO).

17. Reporting and Managing Concerns Policy

JDS Recruitment has a Reporting and Managing Concerns policy in place, outlining the process for reporting and managing safeguarding concerns.

All staff members must familiarise themselves with this policy before starting a placement.

18. Equality and Diversity Statement

JDS Recruitment is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of its work.

We value and respect the diversity of individuals and will not tolerate any form of discrimination or prejudice-based bullying.

Staff are expected to treat all individuals with fairness, respect, and dignity, regardless of their background, race, gender, disability, or other protected characteristics.

Staff should have special consideration for children who have Special Educational Needs or Disabilities or health conditions which affect their ability to access schools, children or young people who are young carers, children who may experience discrimination due to their race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality or gender identification, children who have English as an additional language, children who are known to be living in a difficult situations (e.g. temporary accommodation), children who are asylum seekers, children who are at risk of FGM, sexual exploitation, forced marriage or radicalisation and children who are at risk due to either their own or a family members mental health records.

19. Training and Awareness

All staff working through JDS Recruitment are required to

• Pass all recruitment checks in line with the JDS Recruitment Compliance Checklist.
• Complete Safeguarding Level 1 training through our trusted partner Caredemy.
• Read the JDS Recruitment Code of Conduct.
• Read the most up-to-date version of KCSIE.

JDS Recruitment provides regular training and updates to all staff members on child protection and safeguarding topics.

Staff will receive training on recognising signs of abuse, understanding relevant legislation, and responding appropriately to concerns.

Training records will be maintained to ensure staff members are up to date with their safeguarding responsibilities.

20. Confidentiality and Data Protection

All safeguarding information will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection regulations. 

Staff will maintain strict confidentiality while sharing information on a need-to-know basis to ensure the safety and well-being of children.

Personal information will be stored securely and only accessed by authorised individuals for safeguarding purposes.

21. Review and Evaluation

This policy will be reviewed termly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation and best practices.

Regular evaluations will be conducted to assess the effectiveness and implementation of the policy.

22. Policy Dissemination

This Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy will be communicated to all staff members, schools, and relevant stakeholders.

Staff members are required to acknowledge their understanding and compliance with the policy.

The policy will be readily accessible to all stakeholders through appropriate channels.

This Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy is effective from the date mentioned above and will be reviewed regularly to ensure compliance with KCSIE 2023 and other relevant guidelines.

23. Legal and Regulatory Framework

2.1 JDS Recruitment adheres to the legislative and regulatory frameworks governing child protection and safeguarding, including but not limited to:

a) Children Act 1989 and 2004

b) Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2023

c) Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015

d) Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003

e) The Equality Act 2010

24. Filtering and Monitoring Standards for Schools and Colleges

The importance of meeting the standard

Schools and colleges should provide a safe environment to learn and work, including when online. Filtering and monitoring are both important parts of safeguarding pupils and staff from potentially harmful and inappropriate online material. 

Clear roles, responsibilities and strategies are vital for delivering and maintaining effective filtering and monitoring systems. It’s important that the right people are working together and using their professional expertise to make informed decisions.

How to meet the standard

Governing bodies and proprietors have overall strategic responsibility for filtering and monitoring and need assurance that the standards are being met. 

To do this, they should identify and assign: 

1. a member of the senior leadership team and a governor, to be responsible for ensuring these standards are met.
2. the roles and responsibilities of staff and third parties, for example, external service providers 

We are aware that there may not be full-time staff for each of these roles and responsibility may lie as part of a wider role within the school, college, or trust. However, it must be clear who is responsible, and it must be possible to make prompt changes to your provision.

Technical requirements to meet the standard.

1. The senior leadership team are responsible for:
2. procuring filtering and monitoring systems
3. documenting decisions on what is blocked or allowed and why.
4. reviewing the effectiveness of your provision
5. overseeing reports

They are also responsible for making sure that all staff: 

1. understand their role.
2. are appropriately trained. 
3. follow policies, processes, and procedures.
4. act on reports and concerns

Senior leaders should work closely with governors or proprietors, the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and IT service providers in all aspects of filtering and monitoring. Your IT service provider may be a staff technician or an external service provider. 

Day to day management of filtering and monitoring systems requires the specialist knowledge of both safeguarding and IT staff to be effective. The DSL should work closely together with IT service providers to meet the needs of your setting. You may need to ask filtering or monitoring providers for system specific training and support.

The DSL should take lead responsibility for safeguarding and online safety, which could include overseeing and acting on:

• filtering and monitoring reports
• safeguarding concerns
• checks to filtering and monitoring systems.

The IT service provider should have technical responsibility for:

1. maintaining filtering and monitoring systems
2. providing filtering and monitoring reports
3. completing actions following concerns or checks to systems.

The IT service provider should work with the senior leadership team and DSL to:

1. procure systems.
2. identify risk.
3. carry out reviews. 
4. carry out checks.

25. Confirmation Statement

I have read and understood the contents of this Child Protection and Safeguarding policy and agree to comply with its provisions. I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to familiarise myself with the policy and seek clarification from JDS Recruitment’s designated representative if I have any questions or require further guidance.

I understand that JDS Recruitment reserves the right to amend, modify, or update this policy as necessary, and it is my responsibility to stay informed about any changes. I agree to abide by the most recent version of the policy available on JDS Recruitment’s official channels or through authorised personnel.

I understand that non-compliance with this policy may result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment/contractor engagement, in accordance with applicable laws and JDS Recruitment ‘s policies and procedures.

By signing/submitting this confirmation, I confirm that I have read, understood, and agree to abide by the provisions outlined in this policy.

Name: ____________________________

Date: _____________________________

Signature:

Important Contacts

Dean Silver – Director of JDS Recruitment, DSL for education staff – 07957639853 – dean@jdsrecruitment.co.uk  

Jaimie Sinclair – Director of JDS Recruitment – 07931775853 – jaimie@jdsrecruitment.co.uk  

Danielle Dias – Education Team Lead, DSL for tuition staff – 07423589291 / danielle@jdsrecruitment.co.uk 

Jennifer Walsh – Compliance Manager – 020 3794 6662 / jennifer@jdsrecruitment.co.uk 

Gala Merryweather – Data Protection Officer – 020 3794 6662 / gala@jdsrecruitment.co.uk 

General Enquiries and Complaints – info@jdsrecruitment.co.uk 

Police Emergency – 999

Non-emergency number – 101

Dedicated DFE Prevent Line – 020 7340 7264

NSPCC National Whistleblower Helpline – 080 0028 0285 / help@nspcc.org.uk

Operation Encompass Helpline – 020 4513 9990 (charged at local rate)

National Domestic Abuse Helpline Run by Refuge – 080 8200 0247 (free of charge)