document). All staff should be aware that the possible indicators are not definitive and that some children may present these behaviours for reasons other than abuse. Type of Possible Indicators Neglect The persistent failure to meet a child's Signs that may indicate a child is living basic physical and/or psychological in a neglectful situation: needs, likely to result in the serious excessive hunger impairment of the child's health or poor personal hygiene development. Neglect may occur during frequent tiredness pregnancy as a result of maternal inadequate clothing substance abuse. Once a child is born, frequent lateness or neglect may involve a parent or carer at school failing to: untreated medical problems not brought provide adequate food, clothing poor relationships with peers and shelter (including exclusion compulsive stealing and from home or abandonment); scavenging protect a child from physical and rocking, hair twisting and thumb emotional harm or danger; sucking ensure adequate supervision running away (including the use of inadequate loss of weight or constantly care-givers); or underweight (the same applies to ensure access to appropriate weight gain, or being excessively medical care or treatment. overweight low self esteem It may also include neglect of, or poor dental hygiene unresponsiveness to, a child's basic emotional needs. Physical Abuse May involve hitting, shaking, throwing, that may indicate physical abuse: poisoning, burning or scalding, Physical signs that do not tally drowning, suffocating or otherwise with the given account of causing physical harm to a child. occurrence, Physical harm may also be caused conflicting or unrealistic when a parent or carer fabricates the explanations of causer symptoms of, or deliberately induces repeated injuries illness in a child. delay in reporting or seeking medical advice. Sexual Abuse Involves forcing or enticing a or Signs that may indicate sexual abuse: young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a Changes in: high level of violence, whether or not, Behaviour the child is aware of what is happening. Language Social interaction The activities may involve physical Physical wellbeing contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or
document). All staff should be aware that the possible indicators are not definitive and that some children may present these behaviours for reasons other than abuse. Type of Possible Indicators 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. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to: provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment); protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger; ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers); or ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child's basic emotional needs. Signs that may indicate a child is living in a neglectful situation: excessive hunger poor personal hygiene frequent tiredness inadequate clothing frequent lateness or at school untreated medical problems not brought poor relationships with peers compulsive stealing and scavenging rocking, hair twisting and thumb sucking running away loss of weight or constantly underweight (the same applies to weight gain, or being excessively overweight low self esteem poor dental hygiene Physical Abuse May involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces illness in a child. that may indicate physical abuse: Physical signs that do not tally with the given account of occurrence, conflicting or unrealistic explanations of causer repeated injuries delay in reporting or seeking medical advice. Sexual Abuse Involves forcing or enticing a or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not, the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or Signs that may indicate sexual abuse: Changes in: Behaviour Language Social interaction Physical wellbeing
Template-for-VCS-Safeguarding-and-Child-Protection-Policy-final-draft-1.docx