Child Protection, Challenging Behaviour & Health and Safety

Child Protection, Challenging Behaviour & Health and Safety Tian Barratt Outreach Strand Leader

Aims of Session • To explore child protection issues and increase awareness • To refresh your understanding of your role and responsibilities with regards to child protection issues • To refresh strategies for positive behaviour management • To recap Health & Safety issues and your responsibilities

Safeguarding & Child Protection • All children and young people have the right to grow up in a safe and caring environment • We all have a duty of care and to help us, the children we work with and society, certain protections are in place. Remember these are to protect YOU as well as those we are working with.

What is Child Protection? • Child Protection exists because some children face abuse – physical, emotional, sexual or through neglect • 1989 Children Act brought together all laws relating to child protection into one piece of legislation • For purposes of Child Protection a ‘child’ is anyone under 18

How does Child Protection Work? • Two main ways: • Preventing abuse in the first place e.g. DBS checks • Dealing with it effectively when it is discovered to protect the child • The Local Authority has a duty to investigate claims of abuse or neglect (Children Act 1989)

DBS Check • Disclosure and Barring Service (previously CRB) • Purpose is to keep vulnerable people safe e.g. elderly, learning/physical disabilities and children • Central organisation for checking • No criminal convictions • Not on sex offenders register

Safeguarding & Child Protection All student ambassadors should • Treat everyone with equal respect, whether staff or young person • Be aware that you are a role model for young people and a representative of UoS • Discourage negative attitudes or behaviour (e.g. ridicule, racism etc) • Inform young people if their behaviour is inappropriate • Ensure that the young people are safe • Try to involve all of the young people • Always refer back to the project leader if there are problems

Safeguarding & Child Protection To avoid misunderstanding of your intention or actions… • Avoid any physical contact with the young people • Ensure you are never left alone with a young person • Never give out personal contact details or accept friendship requests on social networking sites • Never agree to meet or make contact with a young person outside the designated hours and location of the event • Dress appropriately for work; also don’t make suggestive remarks or gestures within the hearing or sight of young people • Keep your mobile phone with you during events but keep it out of site • Never use camera phones. Photos should be taken ONLY using the camera supplied by project staff for the event.

Safeguarding & Child Protection Four main definitions of abuse: • Neglect - the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. • Physical - may involve hitting, shaking, burning or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. • Sexual - forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. • Emotional - the persistent emotional ill-treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. If because of someone’s behaviour, speech, attitude or appearance you suspect abuse or have concerns, you should refer it on.

Your Role • There are two ways that you might find out about abuse/neglect in school • You might suspect something • A pupil/student might tell you

Safeguarding & Child Protection If a child or young person discloses something to you… • Tell the child you will listen to what they want to say • Do not interrogate or ask probing questions • Explain that you cannot keep secrets • Tell the child what you are going to do next • Make notes about disclosure and store in a secure place

Safeguarding & Child Protection A disclosure of this nature should be referred to the member of the Recruitment and Outreach Team who is responsible for the event. They will ensure that your concerns are passed on to the Child Protection Officer at the school or college. Similarly, if you have suspicions that a child needs some help, you should discuss this with the person responsible for the event.

Don’t Worry! • Your responsibility is to pass information on • You are not a social worker, nor are you expected to be • The chances of a pupil telling you about abuse are very, very small

Challenging Behaviour

Managing challenging behaviour Examples of Challenging Behaviour….

Managing challenging behaviour • Stay calm • Respect personal space and be aware of body position • Work on the positives • Use reasoning • Keep your non verbal cues non-threatening • Diversion first • Avoid touch • Set and enforce reasonable limits

Managing challenging behaviour Positive strategies for behaviour management • “Catch them being good” • Allow pupils some control • Allow pupils to make mistakes • Don’t over-react • Show pupils respect and you are more likely to receive it • If someone misbehaves, concentrate on the actions rather than the person • Keep trusting them and give them chances to improve their behaviour

Health & Safety

Health & Safety • Need to take ‘reasonable care’ for Health & Safety of yourself and others in school (pupils, teachers, support staff etc.) • You will need to follow all the rules and regulations • Keep your safety and that of the pupils at the forefront of your mind • If in doubt, ask a member of staff

Any questions? ambassador@southampton.ac.uk www.southampton.ac.uk/studentambassadors

Child Protection, Challenging Behaviour & Health and Safety