LEGISLATION, LEGISLATION, POLICIESPOLICIES

& PROCEDURES & PROCEDURES

LEGISLATIONLEGISLATION

•Children Act, 1989

•Education Act, 1996

•The Protection of Children Act, 1999

•Children Act, 2004

•United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

Relevant legislation you need to be aware of:

Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board

An organisation, funded by the council, made up of representatives of the main statutory agencies in Oxfordshire responsible for ensuring that there are suitable policies and procedures in place within organisations with welfare and safeguarding responsibilities. This includes abuse and neglect, but also things that can impair the health and development of children and young people such as accidents and domestic violence.

Provide you with guidelines when working with children & young peopleProvide you with guidelines when working with children & young people

IMPORTANT ORGANISATIONS TO BE AWARE IMPORTANT ORGANISATIONS TO BE AWARE OF…..OF…..

The NSPCC is the UK's leading The NSPCC is the UK's leading charity - specialising in child charity - specialising in child protection and the prevention protection and the prevention of cruelty to children of cruelty to children

It was founded in 1884 & is the only UK children's charity with statutory powers that enables it to take action take action to safeguard children at risk of abuse.

Supporting children with ChildLine provided by the NSPCCSupporting children with ChildLine provided by the NSPCC

They provide local projects to protect children and help them get over the effects of abuse

The NSPCC also The NSPCC also provides the Child provides the Child Protection in Sport Protection in Sport Unit. More details Unit. More details can be found at can be found at http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/cpsu/cpsu_wda57648.html

POLICIES &PROCEDURES TO POLICIES &PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW….FOLLOW….

Contact the FA’s Child Protection Team who will allocate an FA Case Manager. Complaints are usually dealt with at this level; however in some rare cases it will be passed on to the FA Head of Equality & Child Protection.

The FA Complaints ProcedureThe FA Complaints Procedure

•Stage 1 – Concern is raised informally with an appropriate member of staff. The matter is discussed. If it is not resolved;

•Stage 2 – Write a formal letter complaint. If the matter is not resolved then the complaint progresses to:

•Stage 3 – The Principal arranges a further investigation. If the matter is still not resolved then the complaint progresses to:

•Stage 4 – Complaint to the Chair of Governors

•Stage 5 - The Governing Board’s Complaints’ Appeal Panel for a formal hearing of the complaint.

The Oxford Academy’s Complaints Policy.The Oxford Academy’s Complaints Policy.

5 main stages are summarised below:

Reporting child abuse or neglect

If you are:If you are:

concerned that a child may be suffering physical, sexual or emotional abuse or is being concerned that a child may be suffering physical, sexual or emotional abuse or is being neglectedneglected

are a child or young person and you are being abused or neglectedare a child or young person and you are being abused or neglected

are a parent or carer and you feel you are harming your child or are close to doing soare a parent or carer and you feel you are harming your child or are close to doing so

Phone the relevant contact numbers:Phone the relevant contact numbers:

Access to Information and Services Team: 0845 050 7666Emergency Duty Team: 0800 833 408Banbury Assessment Team: 01865 816670Oxford Assessment Team: 01865 323048Abingdon Assessment Team: 01865 897983

SOCIAL SOCIAL SERVICESSERVICES

What do Social Services do when child abuse is reported?What do Social Services do when child abuse is reported?

1. Support families, help them care for their children & improve family life.

2. Work with the family & other agencies to make sure the child safe

3. Families unable or unwilling to co-operate where children are still at risk of harm will be helped by schools, health services & the police Child Protection Unit in circumstances of crime.

What Happens Next?What Happens Next?

A child protection conference will take place involving the authority & family members. A child protection plan is drawn up to help ensure the safety and welfare of the child.

In a very small number of cases children cannot remain safely at home. In these cases the local authority to obtain a court order to remove the child from the home. Whenever possible they will be cared for by relatives or friends.

Further information is available at the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board.