Safeguarding Children and Child Protection

Madrid Active School has in place a Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy and Procedures.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children refers to the process of protecting children from abuse or neglect, preventing the impairment of their health or development, ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective nurturing care, and undertaking that role so as to enable those children to have optimum life chances and to enter adulthood successfully.

Our Policies and Procedures include a safer recruitment protocol.

The school’s commitment:

Our core safeguarding principles are:

·         Policy statement: We recognize our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children. We endeavor to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection, and justice.

·         It is the school’s responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

·         Children who are and feel safe make more successful learners.

·         Representatives of the whole school community of parents, staff, and governors will be involved in policy development and review.

·         Policies will be reviewed annually, unless an incident or new legislation or guidance suggests the need for an earlier date of review.

·         The school will ensure that the welfare of children is given paramount consideration when developing and delivering all school activities.

·         All children, regardless of age, gender, ability, culture, race, language, religion or sexual identity, have equal rights to protection.

·         All staff have an equal responsibility to act on any suspicion or disclosure that may suggest a child is at risk of harm in accordance with the school’s policies and procedures.

·         All staff involved in child protection issues will receive appropriate support from the senior management of the school who will follow this policy guidance in doing so.

Aims of our Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy and Procedures

·         To provide all staff with the necessary information to enable them to meet their statutory responsibilities to promote and safeguard the well-being of children.

·         To ensure consistent good practice across the school.

·         To demonstrate the school’s commitment regarding safeguarding children.

Code of ethical practice for school staff

All school staff are valued members of the school community. Everyone is expected to set and maintain the highest standards for their own performance, to work as part of a team and to be an excellent role model for our children.

All school staff should:

·         Place the safety and welfare of children above all other considerations.

·         Treat all members of the school community, including children, parents, colleagues, and governors with consideration and respect.

·         Adhere to the principles and procedures contained in the safeguarding policy.

·         Treat each child as an individual and make adjustments to meet individual needs.

·         Demonstrate a clear understanding of and commitment to non-discriminatory practice.

·         Recognize the power imbalances between children and staff, and different levels of seniority of staff and ensure that power and authority are never misused.

·         Understand that school staff is in a position of trust and that sexual relationships with a child are considered a criminal offense.

·         Be alert to, and report appropriately, any behavior that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm.

·         Encourage all children to reach their full potential.

·         Never condone inappropriate behavior by children or staff.

·         Take responsibility for their own continuing professional development.

·         Refrain from any action that would bring the school into disrepute.

·         Value themselves and seek appropriate support for any issue that may have an adverse effect on their professional practice.