WHITE LODGE SAFE GUARDING POLICY 

Children learn best when they are healthy, safe and secure, when their individual needs are met, and when they have positive relationships with the adults caring for them. The safeguarding and welfare requirements specified below are designed to help teachers and educators create a high quality setting which is welcoming, safe and stimulating, and where children are able to enjoy learning and grow in confidence.

Teachers and educators must take all necessary steps to keep children safe and well. The requirements explain what early years providers must do to:

• Safeguard children
• Ensure the suitability of adults who have contact with children.
• Promote good health
• Manage behaviour
• Maintain records, policies and procedures.

At White Lodge, we accept and recognise our responsibilities to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from all forms of abuse including physical, emotional and sexual harm. White Lodge is committed to creating safe environments in which children can feel comfortable and secure. Personnel will at all times, show respect and understanding for individual’s rights, safety and welfare, and will conduct themselves in a way that reflects the ethos and principles of White Lodge. Our policy applies to all staff, governors and volunteers working in the school.

 GOVERNING PRINCIPLES

The Child Protection Policy is guided by the non-negotiable fundamental principles [1] for realisation of the rights of all children and includes in particular:

1. Principle of Best Interest of the Child: The right of the child to have her or his best interest taken as primary consideration which is a substantive right, a fundamental interpretative legal principle and a rule of procedure [2].It also implies that institutions, services and facilities responsible for care or protection of children will conform to standards established by competent authorities, particularly in the areas of safety, health and supervision; and reiterates the rights and duties of parents, guardians and other individuals legally responsible for them [3].

2. Principle of Safety:(No harm, no abuse, no neglect, no maltreatment) All measures will be taken to ensure that the child is safe and is not subjected to any harm, abuse or maltreatment while in contact with the care of White Lodge.
   
   
3. Principle of Equality and Non-discrimination: All children shall be treated equal and given equal opportunity and treatment. There shall be no discrimination against a child on any grounds including gender, religion, caste, class, place of birth, disability etc. Stigmatising vocabulary or language will also not be used in class or in White Lodge settings.
   
   
4. Principle of Confidentiality: Every child has a right to protection of her/his privacy and confidentiality, in matters that call for such. Confidentiality shall be maintained when there has been abuse, especially when there has been sexual abuse.
   
   
5. Principle of Participation: Every child has a right to be heard, listened to and to participate in all processes and decisions affecting her or his interest and the child’s views shall be taken into consideration with due regard to the age and maturity of the child. It has been noted that the right of a child to be heard is not only a right in itself, but should be considered in the interpretation and implementation of all other rights. The parent/guardian and family of the child also have a right to such participation unless decided otherwise by the Competent Authority.

[1] Principles laid down under the UNCRC

[2] The UN Committee on the Rights of Child, General Comment No 14 (2013)

[3] Article 3 of the UNCRC

[4] General Comment No.12, The right of the child to be heard, COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD Fifty-first session,

Geneva, 25 May - 12 June 2009 

Health & Safety

It is the policy of White Lodge that all reasonably practicable actions will be taken to ensure the maintenance of a safe and healthy working/learning environment, the health and safety of all persons, and to prevent damage to White Lodge property, by promoting awareness of legal, personal and economic responsibilities.

Employees should be aware of their own duty to take responsibility for their own safety and that of other workers and children within the setting, and to co-operate with White Lodge as to enable it to carry out its own responsibilities successfully. They must also carry out safety inspections of the working environment under their control in order to maintain standards. All employees should contribute towards making the work area, and access to it, as safe as possible. All working practices should be periodically appraised to ensure that the safest procedures are adopted.

Hygiene

White Lodge’s daily routines encourage the children to learn about personal hygiene.
Daily and weekly cleaning routines are in place, which includes all classrooms, play areas, gym room and equipment, kitchen, toilets and nappy changing areas.
The toilet area has a high standard of hygiene, including hand washing and drying facilities and disposal for nappies.

Incident & accident reporting

All incidents and accidents occurring at White Lodge, involving staff, volunteers, children or visitors must all be recorded and, depending on the seriousness of the incident, may need to be reported to the relevant agencies. In the event of an incident or accident involving a child a written record must be completed as soon after the incident as possible. A copy will be given to the parent or guardian, and the original will be kept in the incident log at school.

Risk assessment

In the event of a field trip or any type of activity where the children will be taken off site, a risk assessment has to be made. A risk assessment should also be carried out on any activity following an incident, accident or near-miss event in order to prevent any future incidents. The risk assessment should be carried out by the member of staff in charge of the activity and/or the General Manger.

Abuse or neglect

All staff members are trained in spotting the signs of potential abuse, neglect or harm to a child and follow a strict protocol of recording and reporting any such incidents to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Each incident will be thoroughly investigated and reported to the relevant agencies if needed.

Intimate care & physical conduct

Intimate care is defined as care tasks of an intimate nature, associated with bodily functions and personal hygiene. At White Lodge, each staff member will assist children with personal and intimate care, including nappy changing or changing of clothes. All staff receive safeguarding training that is updated every 3 years.

At White Lodge we care for very young children where some staff are required to have close physical contact with the children. It is important for the children to feel safe, secure and loved whilst at school and whilst we are mindful of and respect that children react differently to physical contact, we believe appropriate contact is beneficial for their development.

If a member of staff witnesses any physical contact or action they deem to be inappropriate they must report this to their Manager or Designated Safeguarding Lead such as the Head of Schools immediately.

Contact

If you wish to read the full policies, please contact the safeguarding Lead at gm@whitelodge.edu.my