To promote the highest standards of teaching and learning
To encourage the development of each pupil’s potential
To make every pupil feel an important part of the school
To ensure equality of treatment to all pupils in all areas of school life
To prepare pupils for responsible, healthy and independent adulthood
To provide the requirements of the N.I.Curriculum and provide many extra opportunities for a wider leaning experience
To create a pleasant, stimulating and well ordered environment
To promote caring, tolerant and responsible attitudes towards others in the community and in the wider world
To guide and prepare pupils for education at 14+
To encourage participation in a wide variety of extra curricular activities

CHILD PROTECTION- A GUIDE FOR PARENTS

Killicomaine fully recognises its specific responsibilities for child protection. As a school we acknowledge that children and young people have a fundamental right to be safeguarded from harm and with proper care given to their physical, emotional, spiritual well being by those looking after them. It is a guiding principle of the policy that the protection and welfare of the child must be the paramount consideration. (Children order 95/UN 91)
The policy draws on the advice provided by Southern Education Library Board, the Southern Area Child Protection Committee Procedures, DENI Circular 1999/10, 2006/8.
The aim of the policy is to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the welfare of our pupils is safeguarded, and that they are protected from harm.
The policy applies to all staff who work at KJHS- teachers, non teaching staff, governors and volunteers.

At Killicomaine we are aware that more child protection referrals come from schools than from any other sources. We recognise that the daily contact with pupils means all staff are well placed to observe the outward signs of different forms of abuse. So it is important that all KJHS staff be aware of and alert to all such possible signs of abuse, particularly if they appear in combination or are regularly repeated.

FORMS OF ABUSE:

NEGLECT
The actual or likely persistent or significant neglect of a child, or the failure to protect a child from exposure to any kind of danger, including cold or starvation, or persistent failure to carry out important aspects of care, resulting in the significant impairment of the child’s health development, including non organic failure to thrive.

Possible indicators of neglect;

Inadequate clothing
Poor growth
Hunger or apparently deficient nutrition
Poor standards of personal hygiene

PHYSICAL INJURY
Actual or deliberate physical injury to a child, or wilful or neglectful failure to prevent physical injury or suffering to a child.

SEXUAL ABUSE
Actual or likely sexual exploitation of a child. The involvement of children and adolescents in sexual activities (including exposure to pornography) they do not comprehend, to which they are unable to give informed consent or that violate normal
family roles.

EMOTIONAL ABUSE
Actual or likely persistent or significant emotional ill treatment or rejection resulting in severe adverse effects on the emotional, physical and or behavioural development of a child. All abuse involves some emotional ill treatment.

Possible indicators of emotional abuse:

Excessive dependency.
Excessive attention seeking

No list of symptoms can be exhaustive. It must always be remembered that alternative medical, psychological or social explanations may exist for the signs and symptoms described above. (E.g. bereavement, family problems)

What KJHS staff will do if abuse is suspected or where serious concerns exist about the welfare of a child?

They should as a first step seek some clarification from the child, with tact and understanding. Where a classroom assistant or auxiliary staff see such signs they should bring it to the attention of the class teacher.
The teacher should not investigate; this is a matter for social services. The designated teacher must always be informed even if abuse is merely suspected.

Parents should be aware that once informed of a complaint or allegation in regard to Child Protection certain procedures must be followed by the school as part of the Duty of Care to its pupils. In light of this, we reserve the right to make a referral to an outside agency if concerns exist about the welfare of a child.

What if a parent has a child protection concern?

We place a high value on the close working relationship we enjoy with the parents/carers of our pupils at KJHS. We would encourage any parent or carer to help us to identify any areas of concern as early as possible, so that any problems, or potential problems, can be dealt with quickly and effectively.
The school takes all complaints/concerns seriously and they will be treated with the utmost appropriate confidentiality. If you have a concern about a child’s emotional, physical or sexual safety then follow the steps below which give advice on how to make such a complaint regarding child protection.

If I have a concern about my / a child’s safety:

I can talk to the child’s form teacher/ year head/ school counsellor
If I am still concerned, I can talk to the Designated Teacher for Child Protection- Mrs J Murphy.
If I am still concerned I can talk to the Principal- Mr H McCarthy
If I am still concerned, I can talk to the Chairman of the Board of Governors.
School Phone number 02838332021

At any stage you may wish to avail of any of the following external services:

Social Services ( PORTADOWN) 02838 393328
Social Services ( PORTADOWN) Out of hours 02838 334444
PSNI ( PORTADOWN) 02838 332424 ask to be put though to CARE UNIT

PARENTS who require further information or clarification of this policy should contact school (028 3833 2021) and ask for the Vice-Principal (Pastoral Care)

A FULL VERSION OF KJHS CHILD PROTECTION POLICY IS AVAILABLE.
CONTACT SCHOOL OFFICE 02838332021