Friends of Loughton Manor First School (FLMFS) Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy Introduction  This policy sets out the principles for safeguarding within FLMFS. It is relevant to all within the association and is endorsed by the committee of FLMFS. It will be reviewed annually to ensure that it remains appropriate to the Organisation and its volunteers’ needs annually.  Responsibility  Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), of which FLMFS performs the function of, have a duty of care to consider the safety of children and vulnerable adults. This should be taken into consideration when risk assessing an event and the duration of such events. It is best practice for PTAs to have a set of procedures in place and guidelines for volunteers to adhere to at events, this may be developed with guidance from the school.  All FLMFS members should be aware of the designated person responsible for safeguarding within the school, which is the Headteacher at Loughton Manor.  The school may provide training for members on safeguarding and the procedures to follow or the PTA may arrange their own training for its volunteers. 

Guidance for Events: 

  • Designated Safeguarding Lead: Daniela Thompson
  • All Events should be risk assessed 
  • Events where children are dropped off and collected – a register should be available, and children should be checked in and out of the event, by an adult known to them, for example a staff member. The PTA should have a list of any child being collected by another parent/carer
  • Contact details for the child’s parent/carer may be collated by the PTA for the event and shredded afterwards
  • Exits should be monitored to ensure children cannot leave an event unattended 
  • If this is a regulated activity (where children will be unsupervised by parents or staff) the volunteer will need an Enhanced DBS check.

NB Where events such as discos are held where staff are present, the school’s safeguarding policy will be followed. What to do if you have concerns about a child  You may have concerns about a child because of something you have seen or heard, or a child may choose to disclose something to you. If a child discloses information to you, you should: 

  • Listen to the child without displaying shock or disbelief 
  • Accept what is said and reassure the child, do not make promises that you may not be able to keep, e.g. ‘Everything will be alright now’
  • Do not ask leading questions and do not interrogate the child – it is not your responsibility to investigate further
  • Explain to the child what you have to do next and who you have to talk to 
  • Write up the conversation as soon as possible afterwards, stating word for word exactly what was said
  • You MUST contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead, Daniela Thompson or another member of the school leadership team as soon as possible

This policy will be reviewed by the Friends of Loughton Manor First School committee annually before the AGM. 

Written: 26th September 2021 | Agreed by Headteacher: 27th September 2021 | Reviewed: October 2024 | Next Review: October 2025