Camberwell After School Program

Camberwell after school project is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for children, staff and visitors and promoting a climate where children and adults will feel confident about sharing any concerns which they may have about their own safety or the well-being of others.

1) All adults working in this organisation (including visiting staff, volunteers and students on placement) are required to report instances of actual or suspected child abuse or neglect to the Designed Person with the responsibility for the child protection.

2) The parent/carer will normally be contacted before a referral to social services is made. However, if the concern involves alleged or suspected sexual abuse or the Designated Person has reason to believe that informing parents at this stage might compromise safety of the child or a staff member, nothing will be said ahead of the referral. In circumstances where a child has unexplained or suspicious injury that requires medical attention, the CP referral process should not delay the administration of First Aid or emergency medical assistance. If a child is thought to be in immediate risk because of parental violence, drunkenness, substance abuse or mental illness, urgent Police intervention will be requested.

3) Where a child sustains a physical injury or distressed as a result of reported chastisement or alleges that they have been chastised by the use of an instrument or substance, this will be immediately reported for social services or police investigation. Referrals to Social Services will be confirmed in writing, using the Inter-agency Referral Form and copied to the LEA’s Lead Officer.

4) Particular vigilance will be exercised in respect of children who are included on the Child Protection Register and any incidents or concerns involving these children will be reported immediately to Social Services (and confirmed in writing; copied to the LEA Lead Officer). If the child in question is a Looked After child, this will also be brought to the notice of the Designated Person with the responsibility for the children in public care.

5) If a child discloses that they have witnessed domestic violence or it is suspected that they may be living in a household which is affected by family violence, this will be referred to the Designated Person as a child protection issue. CASP acknowledges the additional needs for support and protection of children who are vulnerable by virtue of disability, homelessness, refugee/asylum seeker status, and the effects of substance abuse within the family, those who are young carers, mid-year admission and children who are excluded from school.

6) Where it comes to our notice that a child under the age of 13 is, or may be, sexually active, whether or not they are a child of this organisation, this will result in an immediate referral to Social Services. In the case of a young person between the ages of 13 and 16, an individual risk assessment will be conducted in accordance with the London Child Protection Committee procedures. This will determine how and when information will be shared with parents and the investigating agencies.