03 Safeguarding Allegations Against Staff and Volunteers Policy

Purpose

This policy makes sure that allegations or concerns about adults working with pupils are managed quickly, consistently, and with the confidentiality each case needs.

Definitions

• Allegation: a claim that an adult has harmed a child, behaved in a way that suggests a child may have been harmed, or behaves in a way that indicates they may pose a risk to children.
• Low level concern: behaviour that does not meet the threshold of an allegation but still causes concern about an adult's suitability for work with children.

Reporting

Any concern must be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, who decides whether it is:

• a low level concern, managed under the school's behaviour and suitability processes and recorded as such; or
• an allegation, which goes straight into formal procedures.

Where the concern is about the Designated Safeguarding Lead themselves, it is reported to the Chair of Trustees instead.

Confidentiality

Information is shared only with those who need to know it to safeguard pupils and manage the case. Staff involved are told what they need to hear, and no one is told more than their role requires.

Actions

The school may:

• remove the adult from contact with pupils as a temporary measure, without prejudice;
• investigate internally where that is appropriate and does not prejudice a wider investigation;
• refer to external authorities where required, including the local authority designated officer, children's services and the police.

Record-keeping

Every allegation and concern is recorded with dates, facts and the actions taken, and held securely by the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Timescales

The school acts without delay. Decisions and the reasons behind them are recorded as they are made, so a case can be followed from start to finish.

Review

This policy is reviewed at least once a year.