YogaBuds Child Protection Policy
Our policy applies to all teachers working in schools. 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.
We recognise that because of the week-to-week contact with children, YogaBuds teachers are well placed to observe the outward signs of abuse. The YogaBuds Organisation will together with the school:
- Establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk, and are listened to.
- 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.
We will follow the procedures set out by the Area Child Protection Committee and take account of guidance issued by the Department for Education and Skills to:
- Ensure we have a designated teacher for child protection who has received appropriate training and support for this role.
- Ensure we have a nominated a senior member of our organisation responsible for child protection.
- Ensure every member of our organisation knows the name of the designated teacher responsible for child protection and their role.
- Ensure teachers understand their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse and responsibility for referring any concerns to the designated teacher responsible for child protection.
- Ensure that parents have an understanding of the responsibility placed on the school and staff for child protection by setting out its obligations in the school prospectus.
- 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 and in locked locations.
- 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 and yoga class may be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives of children at risk. When at school their behaviour may be challenging and defiant or they may be withdrawn. YogaBuds will endeavour to support the school and its pupils through:
- The content of the yoga lesson.
- The school ethos and the yoga class which promotes a positive, supportive and secure environment and gives pupils a sense of being valued.
- Supporting the school behaviour policy, which is aimed at supporting vulnerable pupils in the school. YogaBuds teachers will support the school by ensuring that the pupil knows that some behaviour is unacceptable but they are valued and not to be blamed for any abuse that has occurred.
- Liaison with other agencies that support the pupil such as social services, Child and Adult Mental Health Service, education welfare service and educational psychology service.
