Safeguarding Policy for

Catarman National High School

Framework
ANGELA DOMINIQUE T. LOMAGDONG
SPEAKER
 
1. Safeguarding Policy for Catarman National High School Framework
We do not operate in isolation. The welfare of students is a corporate responsibility of the
entire local authority, working in partnership with other public agencies and the voluntary sector. All
local authority services have an impact on the lives of children and families and local authorities have a
particular responsibility towards children and families most at risk of social exclusion. Child Protection
is the responsibility of everyone.
The Catarman National High School recognizes that it has a duty to safeguard and protect
children from abuse and will do whatever is possible to exercise this duty mindful of the fact that the
welfare of the child is paramount.
The first priority of Catarman National High School is the welfare of our children (students).
We are well-placed in protecting and safeguarding all of the children entrusted to our care against any
act of child-abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination and other forms of abuse.
All teachers who work with children (students) in Catarman National High School Senior
High Department is advise to read this policy within the framework of DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012.
This policy aims to:
• Promote zero tolerance policy for any act of child abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination, bullying
and other forms of abuse.
• Ensure that all necessary procedure for child protection is in place.
• Identify key individual and their specific roles in the promotion of this policy.
• Ensure children (students) that the school head and the teachers are in the school who they can approach
if they are worried of something.
 
Principles
• This school shall be conducive to learning and children shall have the right to education free from fear.
• All children shall be protected from all forms of abuse and bullying to develop self-esteem and self-
confidence.
• This school shall advocate a positive and non-violent mode of disciplining children to foster self-discipline
and to improve self-esteem;
• Corporal punishment shall not be imposed on any child in this school for the purpose of discipline, training
or control.
• Corporal punishment shall not be imposed on any child in this school for the purpose of discipline, training
or control.
• The school head shall take steps to prevent bullying and ensure that the appropriate interventions,
counseling and other services are provided for the victims of abuse, violence exploitation, discrimination
and bullying.
• Pupils, students or learners shall respect the rights of others and refrain from committing acts of bullying
and peer violence.
• Parents shall be actively involved in all schools activities or events that raise awareness on children’s
rights, positive discipline, and the prevention of bullying.
Specific Areas of Concern
Bullying or Peer Abuse- refers to willful aggressive behavior that is directed towards a particular victim, who
may be outnumbered, younger, weak, with disability, less confident. or otherwise vulnerable.

Child Abuse- refers to the maltreatment of a child, whether habitual or not, which includes any act by deeds
or words which debases, degrades or demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of a child as a human being;
failure to immediately give medical treatment to an injured child resulting in serious impairment of his or her
growth and development or in the child’s permanent incapacity or death.
Child Exploitation- refers to the use of pupils for someone else’s advantage which include sending pupils for
an errand during class hour which expose pupils to harm on his or her way , exposure to domestic violence by
keeping pupils outside for longer period of time which deprive him or her of learning development
Corporal punishment- refers to a kind of punishment or penalty imposed for an alleged or actual offense,
which is carried out or inflicted for the purpose of discipline, training or control by a teacher, school
administrator, an adult, or any other child who has been given or assumed authority or responsibility for
punishment and discipline.
Neglect- when pupils are deliberately and frequently left in their own during class hour, working time or
activity time; expose them to condition detrimental to their health as when they are forbid to wear their
slippers or shoes inside their classroom; neglect them extending their recess time by staying outside doing
unnecessary things.
Violence against children committed in schools refers to a single act or a series of acts committed by school
administrator and or teachers against a child which result in or is likely to result in physical harm or suffering.
It includes:

Physical violence- refers to acts that inflict bodily or physical punishment, beating, slapping, hitting, choking
or hair- pulling, pinching, terrorizing with threats, use of excessive force in handling.
Emotional violence- is the persistent maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent effect on
the child’s emotional development, and may involve;
Conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate because they cannot meet the
expectations of their teachers.
Seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another
Serious bullying, causing children to feel frighten frequently.
Disciplinary Measures
This school does not use physical intervention or corporal punishment but rather a positive and non-
violent approach of discipline which may take the form of an individual training program like counseling,
education and other activities that will enhance his/her psychological, emotional and social well-being.
Integration of value formation in the different subject areas can also be undertaken to foster self-discipline.
Legal action can be taken against a teacher who had gone against this child-protection policy.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Child – Protection Committee who are working on or on behalf of children (students) have a
responsibility to protect them. They have specific roles and responsibilities under child protection procedure.
The names of those carrying out these responsibilities for this current year are listed on the cover sheet of
this document.

It is the role of the Child-Protection Committee to ensure that the child protection procedures are followed
within the school; hence they should attend training about child protection.
The school head as the chairperson shall be the first focal point of contact for parents, pupils, teaching staff
and external agencies in all matters of child protection.

In the absence of the same, the vice- chairperson can act upon all suspicion, belief and evidence of abuse
reported to her.

The committee should provide an annual report regarding relevant issues and incidence of child abuse. They
should also review this policy annually. The same should provide the General Parents Teachers Association a
copy of this School-Based Child Protection Policy.
Child- Protection Procedure
In an instance when a member of the teaching staff is suspecting or hearing a complaint of abuse:
Must listen carefully to the student and keep an open mind. Staff should not take a decision as to whether or
not the abuse has taken place.
Must not ask leading questions, that is, a question which suggest its own answer.
Must reassure the person but not to give a guarantee of absolute confidentiality. The member of the staff
should explain that they need to pose the information to the chairperson who will ensure that the correct
action is taken.
Must keep a sufficient written record of the conversation. The record should include the date, time and place
of the conversation and the essence of what was said and done by whom and whose presence. The record
should be signed by the person making it which must be kept securely and handed to the chairperson.
Child- Protection Procedure
In an instance when a member of the teaching staff is suspecting or hearing a complaint of abuse:
Must listen carefully to the student and keep an open mind. Staff should not take a decision as to whether or
not the abuse has taken place.
Must not ask leading questions, that is, a question which suggest its own answer.
Must reassure the person but not to give a guarantee of absolute confidentiality. The member of the staff
should explain that they need to pose the information to the chairperson who will ensure that the correct
action is taken.
Must keep a sufficient written record of the conversation. The record should include the date, time and place
of the conversation and the essence of what was said and done by whom and whose presence. The record
should be signed by the person making it which must be kept securely and handed to the chairperson.
In other instances, a complaint of abuse should be reported immediately to the chairperson to expedite
action.
Parents will normally be kept inform of any actions to be undertaken under this procedure.
The safety of the child over-rides confidentiality. Staff must be clear about when information can be shared
and in what circumstances it is appropriate to do so. They must not promise to keep ‘secrets’ with students
and that if the students disclose abuse this must be passed on to the designated child protection coordinator
as soon as possible and the students should be told with whom their disclosure will be shared.

 
When an allegation or complaint is made against a staff, the chairperson should immediately inform the
teacher concern. In this case, detailed guidance is given to a teacher to ensure that her behavior and action
does not place a students or herself at risk or harm or of allegation of harm to a pupil.
A students against whom an allegation of abuse has been made should be interviewed by the Chairperson
and guidance counselor and the school policy on positive and non- violent  discipline of students will apply.
Suspected harm From Outside The School
A students who disclosed to his or her teacher that she is suffering harm from outside the school should be
reported to the chairperson. During the interview, the chairperson should seek information with tact and
sympathy using ‘open” and not leading questions. A sufficient record should be made of the conversation.
 
Confidentiality and Information Sharing
The school will keep all child protection records confidential allowing disclosures only to those who need the
information to safeguard and promote welfare of the students . The identity or other informations that may
reasonably identify the students whether victim or offender, shall be withheld from the public to protect his
or her privacy.
Similarly, no publicity should be given to any disciplinary action against a teacher during the pendency of her
case as provided for in Magna Carta for Public School Teachers.
 
Referral and Assessment
In all cases involving child abuse, the Child Protection Committee (CPC) shall accomplish the referral sheet to
guidance officer. The school head as the chairperson may refer the victim and the offender in extreme cases
involving child abuse, etc. to the Local Social Welfare & Development Officer (LSWDO) for assessment. The
LSWDO should determine the appropriate intervention.
Record keeping
To monitor the keeping, confidentiality and storage of records in relation to child protection, these records
should be stored in a file in the principal’s office.
 
Policy Review
The Child Protection Committee (CPC) is responsible for the annual review of this policy and that the list of
key persons on cover sheet is kept up to date.
 
This Policy has been drawn up following consultation and should be read in conjunction with the Health and
Safety Policy and Guidelines on the Use of Physical Contact with Pupils Policy. It will be reviewed regularly.

Legislation in relation to safeguarding includes:

Children’s Acts 1989 and 2004
Education Act 2002
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2013
Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families 2000
What to do if you are worried a child is being abused 2003
The guidance reflects “Keeping Children Safe in Education” 2014.
Safeguarding Statement of Intent
The Catarman National High School are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all
of our students so they can learn in a calm and secure atmosphere. We believe every pupil should be able to
participate in all school activities in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from harm. This is
the responsibility of every adult employed at Catarman National High School. We recognize our responsibility
to safeguard and promote the welfare of all our students by protecting them from physical, sexual or
emotional abuse, neglect and bullying.