SAFEGUARDING POLICY

INTRODUCTION
To provide protection for the children and young people who receive Deaf Reach School &
Colleges. To provide staff and volunteers with guidance on procedures they should adopt
in the event that they suspect a student may be experiencing, or be at risk of harm. This policy
applies to all employees including the senior management as well. FESF/DRS has a zero
tolerance policy for the following types of abuse.

Definitions of Abuse

Physical Abuse- hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning,

suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a student.

Emotional Abuse- Serious bullying, causing student frequently to feel frightened or in

danger, or the exploitation or corruption of Student or using words such as worthless.

Neglect- Ignoring a students’ physical and psychological needs which might result in serious
impairment of the student’s health. Also ignoring the student’s emotional needs.

Family Violence- Violence at home always affects the students. When an employee gets
observes or it comes to their attention that a student is residing in a home where there is
emotional, physical or sexual violence, they should attempt to find out whether the family are
receiving help and should consider contacting the referral or advice lines below.

Bullying- A student may encounter bullying attacks from fellow peers and employees that are:
Physical: pushing, kicking, hitting, pinching and other forms of violence or threats
Verbal: name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumors, persistent teasing

Child Trafficking- Child trafficking is the recruitment and movement of children for the
purpose of exploitation; it is a form of child abuse. Children may be trafficked locally or abroad,
or from abroad. Students may be trafficked for:
 Labor exploitation
 Domestic servitude
 Cannabis cultivation
 Criminal activity
 Benefit fraud
 Forced marriage
 Moving drugs.

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Underage Marriages- A young person cannot legally marry until they are 18 years of age

Ritualistic Abuse -Some faiths believe that spirits and demons can possess people (including
Student). What should never be condoned is the use of any physical violence to get rid of the
possessing spirit. This is physical abuse and people can be prosecuted even if it was their
intention to help the student.

Signs to look for before taking the case forward:

Changes in behavior that can also indicate physical abuse:

 Fear of parents being approached for an explanation
 Aggressive behavior or severe temper outbursts
 Flinching when approached or touched
 Depression
 Running away from home
 Unexplained bruising, marks or injuries on any part of the body
 Multiple bruises- in clusters, often on the upper arm, outside of the thigh
 Cigarette burns
 Human bite marks
 Broken bones

Changes in behavior that can also indicate Neglect

Constant hunger, sometimes stealing food from other children
Constantly dirty or ‘smelly’
Loss of weight, or being constantly underweight
Inappropriate clothing for the conditions.
Complaining of being tired all the time
Not requesting medical assistance and/or failing to attend appointments

Code of Conduct for all employees under Safeguarding Policy

Must
 Treat all students equally and with respect
 Be a role model for others to follow
 Be aware that physical interaction with a child may be misinterpreted no matter what
your intentions are
 One must be cautious when it comes to discussing a child’s sensitive issues

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  Must report all sorts of suspicious behavior and allegations
 Treat the issue confidentiality, and only involve those within the boundaries of the
investigation, as appropriate.

Must Not
 Accept any sort of gifts from a student
 Jump to conclusions without thoroughly investigating the matter
 Show favoritism to any student
 Exaggerate child abuse cases
 Rely on your good name to protect you
 Invite a student to your home for any sort of activity

HOW TO RESPOND TO A CHILD TELLING YOU ABOUT ABUSE

Sometimes you will be concerned about abuse because of what a child says to you. If this
happens you should:
 Stay calm and reassuring. Respond with tact and sensitivity and do not make judgements.
 Find a quiet place to talk and allow the child to speak in their own time (this
should still be in the open but away from the crowd and you should tell someone else
where you are going and with whom).
 Believe in what you are being told; take allegations or suspicion of abuse
seriously.
 Listen, possibly confirm details but do not press for information or ask leading
questions as this may void any disclosure you receive in a court case or investigation.
 Make brief notes using the person’s own words. Do not interpret what has
been said or make assumptions.
 Say that you are glad that the child told you.
 Acknowledge that the child may have angry, sad or even guilty feelings about
what happened, but stress that the abuse was not the child's fault.

Do not:
 Investigate the allegation yourself and do not contact the parents until advised to do so by
the local authority/officer in charge of the allegation.
 If it will help the child to cope say that the abuser has a problem.
 Say that you will do your best to protect and support the child.

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Responding to Concerns & Allegation
It is not the responsibility of DRS staff to decide whether or not child abuse has taken place.
However, there is a responsibility to act on any concerns through contact with the Principal or Vice
Principal so that they can then make inquiries and take necessary action to protect the young
person. Principal and Vice Principals should report any issues under safeguarding policy
immediately to the Director of Education and Safeguarding Officer. This applies BOTH to
allegations/suspicions of abuse occurring within DRS and to allegations/suspicions that abuse is
taking place elsewhere.

Concerns may be raised directly by an abused child, or through the suspicions of staff or others.
The accused could be members of DRS staff, DRS students, volunteers, or outsiders.
In all instances recording accurate and detailed information is vital
Information should be shared only with appropriate staff, officials or relations

This section describes procedures for raising, recording and monitoring a concern.

Action to be taken when Abuse or Safeguarding Concern is suspected or reported

If a child or young person discloses to you abuse by someone else

If a child who is a service user approaches you about an issue of abuse of trust, you must proceed
with great caution.

Without stopping the child from disclosing, but if possible before the child goes into detail, explain
the consequences of you knowing and the action you will take. Assure them that you will offer
support but must pass any information to another professional who may take appropriate action.

Keep calm and listen to the child - do not have physical contact at any time. Allow the child to
speak without interruption, accepting what is said.

Do not make judgements or offer opinion, and as soon as is practically possible make an accurate
written record of what the child has said, being careful to use their own words as accurately as
possible.

Explain again what will happen next. Find out when the child is next due to see the individual who
is the subject of the complaint. (You will then be able to make a judgement as to the appropriate
timing of your follow-up actions to ensure that the child remains safe.)

Whether the concern is about a situation not related to DRSs (e.g. at home or at school) or is about
an DRS worker where contact with the individual is a direct result of DRS activity, - Inform the
Principal or Vice Principal as soon as possible. Pass on all information disclosed to you by the
child.

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The Principal or Vice Principal will then decide with you on the appropriate action to be taken

When abuse is suspected or reported by others

Concerns about the welfare of a child, including the possibility of abuse or neglect, may also be
raised by behavior or other indicators noticed by a member of staff / volunteer, but not disclosed
by the child. In these instances, it is equally important to take action, and these concerns should be
raised.

Suspected abuse of trust by DRS staff members/volunteers

DRS is fully supportive of ‘whistle blowing’ for the sake of the child, and will provide support
and protect those who ‘whistle blow’. While it is difficult to express concerns about colleagues,
it is important that these concerns are communicated to the Principal or Vice Principal. All
workers will be encouraged to talk to the Principal or Vice Principal Officer if they become aware
of anything that makes them feel uncomfortable.

The Role of Parents/ Guardians:

Parents/ Guardians of children who attend to be aware that any concerns that a child or vulnerable
adult has, or may be experiencing harm, which comes to their attention may be referred to the local
Principal.

The Principal or Vice Principal will then decide with you on the appropriate action to be taken

This section describes procedures for raising, recording and monitoring a concern.

Action to be taken when Abuse or Safeguarding Concern is suspected or reported

If a child or young person discloses to you abuse by someone else

If a child who is a service user approaches you about an issue of abuse of trust, you must proceed
with great caution.

Without stopping the child from disclosing, but if possible before the child goes into detail, explain
the consequences of you knowing and the action you will take. Assure them that you will offer
support but must pass any information to another professional who may take appropriate action.

Keep calm and listen to the child - do not have physical contact at any time. Allow the child to
speak without interruption, accepting what is said.

Do not make judgements or offer opinion, and as soon as is practically possible make an accurate
written record of what the child has said, being careful to use their own words as accurately as
possible.

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Explain again what will happen next. Find out when the child is next due to see the individual who
is the subject of the complaint. (You will then be able to make a judgement as to the appropriate
timing of your follow-up actions to ensure that the child remains safe.)

Whether the concern is about a situation not related to DRSs (e.g. at home or at school) or is about
an DRS worker where contact with the individual is a direct result of DRS activity, - Inform the
Principal or Vice Principal as soon as possible. Pass on all information disclosed to you by the
child.

Contact Details for Communication:

Email ID: hr.complaints@fesf.org.pk

Mobile Number: 0300 – 8238289

WhatsApp 0300 – 8238289

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