Child Protection Policy

Reboot Placements aims to positively promote the well-being of children and wishes all of the candidates on our register to be fully aware of the procedures for Child Protection.

Reboot Placements policies and procedures adhere to the law as defined in the Children Act 1989 and the guidance given by the Department of Health, the Department for Education and Employment and the Home

Office Document “Working Together Under the Children Act 1989”.

Reboot Placements wishes to inform all candidates of the position outlines in the 1996 Education Act (Section 548) that any form of physical contact with a child in the form of corporal punishment is prohibited.

Definition:

There are 4 categories of abuse recognised by the 1989

Children Act: Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Emotional Abuse and Neglect

Section 47 of the Children Act 1989 states that a local authority has a duty to investigate when there is “reasonable cause to suspect a child who lives, or is found, in their area as suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm.” It must make such enquiries as it considers necessary in order to decide whether any action

is needed to safeguard or promote the child’s welfare.

Section 47 (9) states that “Where a local authority are conducting enquiries under this section, it shall be the duty of any person…to assist them with these enquiries…if called upon by the local authority to do so.

In view of their daily contact with children, candidates working through Reboot Placements are well placed to observe abuse or neglect. It is their responsibility to report suspected alleged abuse.

If a candidate is working within a school it is his/her duty to take note not only of major incidents, but also of signals which give cause for suspicion or concern. When this occurs, the candidate must report any concerns to the schools designated member of staff with particular responsibility for child protection work and liaison with youth services. It is also the candidate’s responsibility to adhere to the specific guidelines set out in each schools Child Protection Policy.

If a candidate is working outside of the school environment (for example home tuition) it is his/her duty to report any concerns to the Social Service Department. Candidates have a responsibility of explaining on first contact that they cannot keep information confidential.

 If abuse is suspected the concern should be recorded

then discussed with a company Director and reported to Social Services. If a candidate has reason to believe that a young person is being abused the safety and welfare of that child has to be the paramount consideration in deciding what action needs to be taken.

If there is an allegation of abuse made against a candidate, it should be reported immediately to a Company Director. Action will be taken in accordance with the Reboot Placements disciplinary procedure and the local authority childcare procedures.

Under No Circumstances Should a Candidate Ever Intervene On His/Her Own.

The DfE updated policy ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, 2022 is statutory guidance. It is applicable to all schools and colleges. It covers safeguarding information for all staff and the management of safeguarding. In

addition, it covers safer recruitment, allegation about staff and child on child safeguarding issues. These include

harassment and sexual violence.