Pastoral Care/Child Protection Policy
General Principles  

Pastoral Care in Foyle View School is a priority. It is acknowledged as playing a crucial role in the development of the ethos of the school.

This ethos is based on ethical values with emphasis on the intellectual, moral, emotional and spiritual development of each pupil

The Pastoral Care policy supports the school in promoting a caring, supportive environment in which staff and pupils can work in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

In Foyle View School we recognise that central to the success of this is the involvement of parents and other outside agencies within the community. We strive to work in partnership with them to achieve our aims.

The policy will act in compliance with all relevant DENI, WELB and other guidance.

  Aims  

To ensure that every child’s fundamental right to be safe from harm and to have proper care given to their physical, emotional and spiritual well being is upheld.

To ensure that each pupil feels valued, special and unique and a member of the school community.  

To instil a sense of personal worth and dignity in each student

To empower pupils in building and monitoring good relationships with pupils, teachers and others.

To assist individuals to develop their lifestyles, appreciate life and respect the world in which they live.

 To encourage a sense of personal accountability for their own learning and actions.

Organisation  

While it is generally accepted that all adults working within Foyle View have pastoral responsibilities to pupils, a more specified structure also exists.  To ensure a structured approach to the caring for all pupils, we have developed the following structure:

 Class Teacher

Head of Department

Vice Principal

 Principal

Board of Governors Pastoral Care Sub-committee

Board of Governors

The class teacher is identified as the key person who will provide support and leadership in the pastoral domain. In the event of additional support being required the Head of Department and Vice Principal are available to support individual pupils.  The Principal has overall responsibility for pastoral care and will liaise with the Board of Governors Pastoral Care sub-committee on all relevant matters.  The Sub-committee will inform the advice, guidance and support given by the full Board of Governors.

Supporting Policies

Whilst all policies and procedures within the school take cognisance of the pastoral care of pupils and staff some specifically support it in very specific areas.  Cross-referencing the following policies is essential in delivering the pastoral care policy.

These policies include:

 Health and Safety

 Learning and Teaching Policy

 Promoting Self-determination

Anti-Bullying

Promoting Positive Behaviour

Drugs/Misuse of Substances

  Child Protection

Acceptable Use of the Internet

 Use of Reasonable force

Use of Restraints

Medical Policy

Accidents and Incidents Protocol

Inclusion  

Foyle View School supports the fundamental principle that every pupil is entitled to be educated. In ensuring this we ensure that pupils’ individual needs are identified and supported to ensure they continue to feel part of the school community.  The school actively pursues inclusive links with other schools and organisations.  Parents wishing to pursue a transition to a mainstream setting will be supported. 

Curriculum  

A Personal, Social and Health Education programme is delivered to all classes. It aims to empower young people with the knowledge, values/attitudes and skills required to develop as much independence as possible in their lives. Active learning strategies are employed to ensure the delivery of the programme.

The curriculum is organized to facilitate individual pupils personal and social needs.  Effective communication systems are pursued for pupils to enable them to better connect with the world around them.

Liaison With Parents

We see ourselves as partners with parents in the education of pupils. Mutual support and co-operation is an essential element in achieving our objectives. On-going activities to ensure communication and parental involvement include:

Regular parent/teacher meetings

Workshops

Parents Handbook, Induction, News Sheets, Letters

Annual Progress Reports

Sporting events

Fund-raising activities

Extra-curricular activities

Musical shows

Coffee Mornings

School Formal

In addition the Foyle View Parents Support Group provides an opportunity for parents to become more closely involved with the school by joining committees, working with staff as volunteers or attending various school functions

Liaison with External Agencies

We are committed to developing good working relationships with relevant external support agencies to enhance, protect and support individual pupils’ and teachers’ social and emotional welfare.

Resourcing  

Allocation of time, staff and materials will be provided to ensure the effective implementation of the pastoral care policy. This also includes working with multi- disciplinary agencies.

Staff Development and Training  

Pastoral care remains a permanent feature of our School Development Plan and subsequently staff development and training are considered essential to support this. Our on-going development programme helps teachers identify the attitudes, values, skills and knowledge that will enable them to carry out their pastoral roles. Training is delivered through on-site courses, courses organised by WELB, and courses delivered by other agencies.

The school’s pastoral policy is one of a number of core policies regularly reviewed during INSET in August.

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