Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

1. Policy Statement

CJ Schools Limited (trading as "CJ Schools Modern Montessori Education Centre", "CJ Schools", "we", "our", or "the school") is wholly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all pupils and students in our care. We believe that every child, regardless of age, gender, religion, or background, has the fundamental right to be protected from harm, abuse, neglect, exploitation, and any form of maltreatment.

We aim to create and maintain a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment in which pupils can learn, develop, and thrive. Our safeguarding policy is underpinned by a zero-tolerance approach to abuse and neglect. We are committed to responding to all safeguarding concerns in a timely, sensitive, and professional manner, ensuring that the best interests of the child are always the paramount consideration.

2. Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy is to:

• Provide a clear framework for keeping children safe in our school environments (Kotobabi, Tantra Hills, and Adenta branches).
• Define the roles and responsibilities of all staff, governors, volunteers, and third-party partners in relation to safeguarding.
• Ensure consistent good practice across all branches of CJ Schools.
• Promote a culture in which all children are listened to, taken seriously, and their best interests are prioritised.
• Provide clarity on how to identify, report, manage, and respond to safeguarding concerns, including disclosures of abuse.
• Establish robust systems for safer recruitment, induction training, and child-centred practices.

This policy applies to all pupils (regardless of age), staff, governors, volunteers, contractors, and third-party service providers associated with CJ Schools, in all settings (on-site, off-site, and online).

3. Legal and Regulatory Framework

CJ Schools’ safeguarding policy is informed by national and international legal frameworks. We operate in strict compliance with:

3.1 Ghanaian Legislation

• The Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560): This is the primary legislation governing child protection in Ghana. It emphasizes the "welfare principle," stating that the best interest of the child is the paramount consideration in any matter concerning the child.
• The 1992 Constitution of Ghana: Specifically Article 28, which protects children from exposure to physical and moral hazards.
• Domestic Violence Act, 2007 (Act 732): Providing protection against domestic violence, which often affects children.
• Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038): Relevant to our digital safety and online protection measures.

3.2 International Standards

We also align our practices with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

4. Definitions

To ensure clarity and consistency, we define the following key terms:

• Safeguarding: The broad set of measures to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. This includes child protection, health and safety, bullying prevention, and meeting the needs of children with medical conditions.
• Child Protection: A part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. It refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm.
• Abuse: A form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, or neglect.
• Significant Harm: The threshold that justifies compulsory intervention in family life in the best interests of the child.
• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): The senior member of staff with specific responsibility for managing child protection issues and providing advice to other staff.

5. Principles of Safeguarding

Our safeguarding policy is underpinned by the following core principles:

1. Child-Centered Approach: The welfare of the child is paramount. All decisions should prioritize what is best for the child.
2. Prevention: We proactively create a safe environment, teach safe behaviors, and reduce risk before harm occurs.
3. Protection: We ensure robust mechanisms for reporting, responding to, and supporting concerns or disclosures of abuse.
4. Partnership: We collaborate with parents, guardians, the community, and external agencies (Social Welfare, Police) to safeguard children.
5. Accountability: We hold ourselves responsible for implementing safeguarding measures effectively, with clear leadership and assigned roles.

6. Roles and Responsibilities

6.1 Governing Body / Board

The Board is accountable for ensuring that a robust safeguarding policy is in place. They ensure the DSL has adequate resources and that safer recruitment practices are strictly followed.

6.2 Head of School

The Head is responsible for the operational leadership of safeguarding. They work with the DSL to ensure compliance, risk assessment, and that the culture of vigilance is maintained across all branches.

6.3 Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

The DSL is the central point of contact for all safeguarding concerns. Their duties include:

• Receiving, logging, and managing reports of concerns.
• Referring cases to external agencies (DOVVSU/Social Welfare).
• Maintaining confidential safeguarding records.
• Providing advice and training to staff.

6.4 All Staff (Teaching & Support)

All staff must read this policy. They are required to remain alert to signs of abuse and report any concerns immediately to the DSL. Staff must maintain professional boundaries and adhere to the Code of Conduct.

7. Safer Recruitment, Induction & Training

7.1 Recruitment

CJ Schools uses rigorous recruitment procedures for all staff and volunteers. This includes:

• Identity verification (Ghana Card/Passport).
• Mandatory criminal background checks (Police Clearance) where available.
• Verification of professional qualifications.
• At least two professional references, specifically asking about suitability to work with children.

7.2 Induction & Training

All new staff complete a safeguarding induction before having unsupervised access to pupils. Ongoing training is provided annually to ensure staff can identify signs of abuse and understand reporting procedures.

8. Code of Conduct

To maintain a safe environment, all staff must adhere to the following:

• Physical Contact: Only appropriate, non-intrusive, age-appropriate contact is allowed (e.g., high-fives, guiding a child). Corporal punishment is strictly prohibited.
• Online Communication: Staff must not communicate with students via personal social media or private messaging apps. All digital communication must occur through official school channels.
• Language: Staff must use positive, encouraging language and never use humiliating or threatening terminology.
• Relationships: Staff must maintain professional boundaries and never engage in inappropriate relationships with students.

9. Recognising Signs of Abuse

Staff are trained to recognize indicators of abuse, which may include:

• Physical Abuse: Unexplained bruising, burns, fractures, flinching when approached, or fear of physical contact.
• Emotional Abuse: Withdrawn behavior, aggression, anxiety, delayed development, or low self-esteem.
• Sexual Abuse: Sexualized behavior or language inappropriate for the child's age, pain or itching in genital areas, or withdrawal.
• Neglect: Poor hygiene, constant hunger, inappropriate clothing for the weather, or untreated medical conditions.
• Peer-on-Peer Abuse: Bullying, cyberbullying, or physical aggression between students.

10. Reporting Procedures

If a staff member, parent, or student has a concern:

1. Immediate Action: If a child is in immediate danger, contact the police or emergency services.
2. Record: Write a factual, detailed note of what was observed or disclosed. Do not interpret—stick to the facts (dates, times, words used).
3. Report: Submit the report immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
4. Referral: The DSL will assess the information and decide whether to refer the matter to external statutory agencies (Social Welfare/Police).

Do not investigate personally. Your role is to report, not to interview the child or the accused.

11. Responding to a Disclosure

If a child discloses abuse to you:

• Listen: Listen carefully and calmly. Allow the child to speak at their own pace.
• Reassure: Tell the child they have done the right thing by speaking up.
• Do Not Promise Confidentiality: Explain gently that you cannot keep secrets if it means they might be unsafe, and that you have to tell someone who can help.
• Do Not Ask Leading Questions: Use "TED" questions (Tell me, Explain, Describe) rather than "Did he hit you?"
• Record and Report: Document the conversation immediately and report to the DSL.

12. Investigation Procedures

Internal investigations are led by the DSL or Head of School, often in consultation with external experts. The school ensures a fair process for all parties. If an allegation is made against a staff member, the Head of School (or Board, if the allegation is against the Head) will oversee the process, which may involve suspension pending investigation.

13. Support Systems

CJ Schools is committed to supporting victims of abuse. This includes pastoral care, counseling referrals, and academic support adjustments. We also work with families to ensure the home environment is safe and supportive.

14. Specific Contexts

14.1 Photography & Images

We obtain parental consent for the use of student images. Identifying information (full names) is generally not used with images on public platforms without specific permission.

14.2 Off-Site Trips

Comprehensive risk assessments are conducted for all school trips. Staffing ratios are increased, and a specific Trip Safeguarding Lead is appointed.

15. E-Safety and Digital Safeguarding

We actively monitor internet usage within our computer labs. Students are taught about online safety, cyberbullying, and responsible digital citizenship. Filters are in place to block inappropriate content on school networks.

16. Data Protection in Safeguarding

Safeguarding records are stored securely and separately from general student files. Access is restricted to the DSL and Head of School. Information is shared on a strict "need-to-know" basis, compliant with the Data Protection Act, 2012.

17. Monitoring and Review

This policy is reviewed annually or following any significant safeguarding incident. The Board receives regular reports on safeguarding metrics (anonymized) to ensure procedures are working effectively.

18. Whistleblowing

CJ Schools encourages a culture where staff feel safe to raise concerns about the behavior of colleagues. Whistleblowers are protected from victimization. Reports can be made to the DSL, Head of School, or directly to the Board Chair if necessary.

19. Contact Information