Children in Residential Settings (including boarding schools)
Last updated: December 9, 2008
Table of Contents
1. Introduction and principles
Working Together to Safeguard Children states:
“Concern for the safety of children living away from home has to be put in the context of attention to the overall developmental needs of such children, and a concern for the best possible outcomes for their health and development. Every setting in which children live away from home should provide the same basic safeguards against abuse, founded on an approach which promotes their general welfare, protects them from harm of all kinds, and treats them with dignity and respect”.
There are a number of essential safeguards which should be observed in all settings in which children live away from home in residential care including, armed forces bases, healthcare, boarding schools [including residential special schools]. For other settings refer to specific procedures for private foster care and children in custodial settings.
Where services are not directly provided, essential safeguards should be explicitly addressed in contracts with external providers.
Children who live away from home in residential settings should be safeguarded and the following ensured and adopted in each setting:
Children
- children should feel valued and respected and have their self esteem promoted
- children are listened to and their views and concerns are responded to
- contact between children, their parents and wider community should be encouraged and maintained
- children must have contact with a trusted adult from outside the setting i.e.: family member, advocate, independent visitor
Staff and carers
- carers are appropriately trained in safeguarding and have knowledge about children’s vulnerability
- carers ascertain the wishes and feelings of children and be aware of how individual children communicate including non verbal ways
- respect for diversity and sensitivity to race, culture, religion, gender, sexuality and disability, staff and carers are aware of the vulnerability of children living away from home and aware of safeguarding procedures and how to make referrals to Children’s Social Care
Procedures
- there is a clear, effective, readily understood complaints procedure accessible to children
- an effective anti-bullying strategy is in place
- a rigorous recruitment and selection process is in place
- effective supervision is given to all staff and volunteers
- contractors are effectively monitored whilst on site
- clear and effective procedures are in place for staff to raise concerns: whistle blowing and ensure that their position is protected away from home and are alert to people prepared to exploit children’s vulnerability.
And the setting is open to external scrutiny.
