KEEP CHILDREN SAFE FROM HARM

SCHOOLS are adding their weight to the multi-agency Safe From Harm campaign with the launch of guidelines which encourage an integrated approach to the care and welfare of pupils.

Within schools, there is a key role for teachers to recognise any signs of potential abuse and be able to react appropriately within agreed guidelines. The Care and Welfare guidelines have been prepared by Fife Council education staff working alongside specialists in the field of Child Protection, Domestic Abuse and Education for Racial Equality.

The Care and Welfare guidelines are designed to provide valuable support and advice to school staff about all types of abuse and puts the focus on protecting children while they are at school. Co-ordinators for these three areas have been nominated in every school in Fife to inform staff of their responsibility to ensure that pupils at risk receive the appropriate support.

Now The Care and Welfare advice has also been produced in a user-friendly credit card sized leaflet which is being circulated not just to staff but also to pupils from P4 up to S6

The credit card leaflets fold out in a quick reference design to highlight important points for both teachers and pupils on what to do if they suspect abuse or if, as a child, they are being abused.

IIt emphasises to pupils that abuse is when someone hurts you by what they say or do. In addition it includes some useful contacts for general advice and for reporting issues of concern.

Helen Law, Fife Council's Chair of the Children’s Services Committee said “This is an extremely iimportant and also topical issue for every single parent and person working with children. It is also essential that any messages for parents encourage a measured response that empowers them to protect their children.

''Protecting our children and keeping them safe from harm is everyone's priority. We don't want to cause alarm, simply to educate parents and pupils with some of the facts and realities.

''Schools and all of their staff have a key role to play in the care and welfare of children and I am delighted that our guidelines aim to prevent as well as to respond to risk”.

The distribution of the new Care and Welfare Guidelines comes just months after Fife launched a specialist Safe From Harm campaign to raise awareness of child abuse issues with the key message that there is no typical child abuser.

Every nursery parent has also received a copy of the advice leaflet from the child protection campaign which gives practical help on how parents can focus on what they can do to keep their own children from the risk of abuse.