The policy is structured under two sections: 

1. Statement of the Child Safeguarding Policy.

The policy outlines the commitment to child safeguarding in St Thomas Aquinas and it applies to all members of the school community.

The school authority (in the persons of the School Governing Body/Board of governors and the Principal) is required to sign, date and adopt this mandatory Policy.

St Thomas Aquinas should prominently display the Policy statement and the Policy available to all those who require to adhere to it.

All those involved in the School community are required to understand, commit to and sign their agreement to adhere to the policy throughout their work with children.

St Thomas Aquinas is required to demonstrate that its practice complies with the seven Child Safeguarding Standards.

Each Standard contains;

• The Statement of the Standard, and its rationale.
• Indicators that ensure the Standard is being met.
• Ways of providing evidence that the Standard is being implemented, in the form of a checklist.

Children have a key place in the heart of Jesus who said: “whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it (Luke 18:18.) This place a sacred obligation on all Catholic schools to ensure that children are welcomed, cherished and protected in a manner consistent with their central place in the life of the community.

The United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) outlines the fundamental rights to be implemented in the national law by signatories to the convention. Fill realisation of these rights will ensure that children will be ‘brought up in spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity’ preamble to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989)

States, Parties (and other organizations responsible for the care, development and wellbeing of children) shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of Physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s). Legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child

Such protective measures should, as appropriate, include effective procedures for the establishment of social programmes to provide necessary support for the child and for those who have the care of the child, as well as for other forms of prevention and for identification, reporting, referral, investigation, treatment and follow-up of instances of child maltreatment described heretofore, and, as appropriate, for judicial involvement.​(Article 19 United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child) 

This convention has world –wide recognition and support, and is the foundation of the rights of children. We confirm our commitment to upholding these rights for all children.

The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child further underpins the importance of the safety and the security of the child.

States, Parties to the present Charter shall take specific legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment and especially physical or mental injury or abuse, neglect or maltreatment including sexual abuse.

Protective measure under this Article shall include effective procedures for the establishment of special monitoring units to provide support for the child and those who have the care of the child, as well as other forms of prevention and for identification, reporting, referral, investigation, treatment, and follow-up of instances of child abuse and neglect. (The African Charter on the rights and Welfare of the Child (19190) Article 16)

Every child has the right to a name and nationality from birth; to family care or parental care, or to appropriate alternative care when removed from the family environment; to basic nutrition, shelter, basic health care services and social services; to be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation. (Section 28 of the South African Constitution)

Legal requirements relating to procedures are presented under Standard 3 below. Several of the Provincial Education Departments have policies regarding child abuse.

Or Catholic schools on private property : the Deed of Agreement, the Formal legal contract between the respective Provincial MEC and the Owner of each school, has within its provisions the Schedule describing the Distinctive Religious Character, emphasising in particular the rights of the child to a full, holistic compassionate development. Additionally, specific obligation to safeguarding children should be enshrined in the Constitution of the School Governing Body.

For Catholic Independent Schools: in tine with Signs of God’s presence, it is required that the Constitutions of these schools make specific reference to the obligation of the Board of Governors to safeguard all children and staff on the premises.

This Policy comes from the guiding principles above, but also from recognising that “in all matters concerning the care, protection and well-being of a child, the standard that the child’s best interest is of paramount importance, must be applied’ (SA Children’s Act 2005, Section 9, Section 110)

• To make sure that all learners are safe.
• To make sure that everyone involved in the running of the school – governors, school management, educators, support staff, volunteers and learners – takes every possible measure to safeguard children and prevent abuse.
• To make sure that no person at the school does anything that could allow abuse to occur, or that could be misinterpreted by children, their families or other adults as being or leading to abuse.

Together with the foundations outlined above, this School, as part of the Catholic Schools’ network commits to:

We will continue to strengthen and review measures to create and maintain environments that are safe for children, to prevent abuse, and that create nurturing, caring conditions within the school for children and the adults who work with them. This will be done through training, support, communications and quality assurance.

Anyone who brings any suspicion, concern, knowledge or allegation of current or past abuse of a child to the notice of the School will be responded to sensitively, respectfully, actively and in a timely manner, in line with statutory child safeguarding procedures and requirements. 

 We recognise that each of us has a duty to notify statutory authorities of suspicions, concerns, knowledge of allegations that a child is being or has been abused. Therefore all suspicions, concerns, knowledge or allegations that are required to be reported to the statutory authorities, will be reported via the designated child safeguarding person to the appropriate statutory authorities. This will be done irrespective of the status of the person who is suspected of having abused a child.

Those who have suffered child abuse will receive a compassionate and just response, and will be offered appropriate pastoral care, counselling and support in as far as is possible, with due regard to the right of privacy of those directly involved, and to the administration of justice.

The School in its response to suspicions, concerns, knowledge or allegations of child abuse will respect rights under civil law of an accused. A legal presumption of innocence will be maintained during the statutory inquiry processes, insofar as it is possible, requisite steps will be taken to restore the good name and reputation of anyone who has been wrongly accused of abusing a child.

 The policy applies to all Catholic schools and is addressed to all members of the school community; all members are required to comply with it. Full understanding of and adherence to this Policy should lead to a deepening in the understanding of and respect for, the rights of children and young people to participate as people of faith.

The care and protection of children involved in the school activities are the responsibility of the whole school community, and is a requirement that applies regardless of the nature of the activities in which children are involved. Everyone who participates in the life of the School has a role to play in creating an environment in which children can develop and be safe. Child safeguarding measure need to be integrated throughout the School’s systems, processes, and operations.

The Governors, on behalf of the School, commit to the seven safeguarding Standards which are integral to the Child Safeguarding Policy. The School will implement this Policy, ensuring adherence to the seven Standards, These Standards are recommended by best practice, and they show the expected level of performance that all who govern, work, study or volunteer at the school should reach; 

• Adopting the written Child Safeguarding Policy.
• Creating and maintaining Safe environments.
• Responding to suspected or alleged child abuse.
• Access to support and information.
• Training and support for keeping children safe.
• Communicating the School’s Safeguarding Policy.
• Monitoring the implementation of Standards.

What is this Standard?

The School has adopted the written Child Safeguarding Policy approved by the Catholic Board of Education. 

The written Policy communicated that the school is committed to keeping children safe and aims to make sure that no member of the school community, personnel or volunteers does anything that could allow abuse to occur, or that could be misinterpreted by children, their families or other adults as being, or leading to abuse. 

The Policy helps to create a safe and protective environment for children and shows that the school is taking this duty seriously, making it clear that all children have an equal right to protection.

• The Policy is adopted and signed by the School Governing Body/ Board of Governors.
• The Constitution of the School specifies the obligation on the Governors to safeguard all on the premises, especially the children.
• The school community recognises that the Child Safeguarding Policy is an essential aspect of the ethos of the Catholic School.
• The Policy is publicised, promoted and distributed.
• The School Management team takes responsibility for implementing the Policy.
• Workshops address all aspects and contexts of child safeguarding work.
• All members of the school community are obliged to comply with the policy, and staff and volunteers have signed that they know the content and accept the policy.

What is this Standard?

The School is committed to creating and maintaining a safe school environment, promoting a culture of safety, and preventing or reducing the risk of harm to children in order that children are welcomed, nurtured and safe. 

The School provides access to good role models whom the children can trust, and who respect, protect and enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual and social development. 

The School will do this through: 

• Safe recruitment.
• Codes of conduct
• Implementing and ensuring safe activities.
• Maintaining a safe environment in compliance with Health and Safety requirements.

The School is committed to creating and maintaining a safe school environment, promoting a culture of safety, and preventing or reducing the risk of harm to children in order that children are welcomed, nurtured and safe. 

The School provides access to good role models whom the children can trust, and who respect, protect and enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual and social development. 

The School will do this through: 

• Safe recruitment.
• Codes of conduct
• Implementing and ensuring safe activities.
• Maintaining a safe environment in compliance with Health and Safety requirements.

• The School follows good effective recruitment and selection procedures, whether for voluntary or for paid work.
• The recruitment policy has been approved and endorsed by the School Management team/ SGB/Board.
• The School assess the suitability to work with children, of all adults on the premises.
• Police clearance (and other legally required clearance in accordance with National Registers for all employees and volunteers will be sought.
• All job applications will be asked if they have any convictions relating to the abuse of children, regardless of the response, the National registers will be checked.
• South Council of Educators (SACE) must ne contacted to make sure that the person is legally registered as an educator, and that there are no complaints against that person.

• The School follows good effective recruitment and selection procedures, whether for voluntary or for paid work.
• The recruitment policy has been approved and endorsed by the School Management team/ SGB/Board.
• The School assess the suitability to work with children, of all adults on the premises.
• Police clearance (and other legally required clearance in accordance with National Registers for all employees and volunteers will be sought.
• All job applications will be asked if they have any convictions relating to the abuse of children, regardless of the response, the National registers will be checked.
• South Council of Educators (SACE) must ne contacted to make sure that the person is legally registered as an educator, and that there are no complaints against that person.

• • The School has responsibility for ensuring that all who work with children agree to follow effective safeguarding practice.
  • Codes of conduct, including clear procedures, are in place for staff, voluteer, ;earners and parents (if applicable)
  • The School has a clear and concise guide of what is(and is not) acceptable behaviour and practice for adults working with children. This will be signed by all employees and volunteers who work with children.
  • In order to encourage children’s positive behaviour the School has a clear and concise guide of what is (and is not) acceptable behaviour by and among children.

• The School has clear guidelines on how to keep children safe – before, during and after activities.
• The School implements effective practice for personnel on assessment of hazards when working with children.
• The School implements effective practice for appropriate use of information technology, including social media use by personnel and children.

• • The School ensures that the physical environment of the property is maintained, secure and according to purpose.
  • The physical area for which the School has responsibility is clear and known.
  • Where applicable, boarding establishments are safe and compliant with all regulations, especially fire regulations.
  • The School implements effective practice in safe care for all children, including those with specific needs.
  • There is a designated Child Safeguarding Person who has a clearly fedined role and responsibility for safeguarding children.
  • In event of an alleged offender not being suspended, the school has arrangements in place.
  • External groups using the school property comply with effective child safeguarding practice. Children are adequately supervised at all times including school trips, activities and on playgrounds.
  • There are guidelines regarding the use of Information Technology: cell phones, email, website, and internet.

What is the Standard?

The School follows legally compliant, clear procedures and guidance on what to do when knowledge, suspicions, concerns or allegations arise regarding a child’s safety or welfare. 

In all actions concerning children, the best interest of the child be the primary consideration (UN convention on the Rights of the child1989,#3) At no time will children be put at further risk of harm by delay or inaction.

When it is known that a child has been physically, mentally or sexually abused, South African law requires the following: 

A person who has knowledge  that a sexual offence has been committed against  a child must report knowledge immediately to a police official. (Criminal Law Sexual Offences and related Matters Amendment Act 2007 Section 54 (1) (a). 

When there are suspicions, concerns or allegations that a child has been sexually or physically abused, or deliberately neglected, South African law requires the following: 

Any teacher who on reasonable grounds concludes that a child has been abused in a manner causing physical injury, sexually abused or deliberately neglected, must report that conclusion in the prescribed form to a designated child protection organization, the Provincial Department of Social Development or a police official. (Children’s Act NO 38 of 2005 as amended 2010 Section 110 (1) and (2) 

A person who fails to report child abuse as outlined above is guilty of an offence and may be charged. 

If the alleged offender is a teacher, the South African Council for Educators (SACE) must be informed. 

Catholic schools must also report to the owner.

• These are clear legally compliant child safeguarding procedures in the School that provide steps by step guidance on what action to take if there is knowledge, or there are allegations or suspicions of abuse of a child.
• The child safeguarding procedures are available to everyone (including children, parents, staff and volunteers) and actively promoted. Consideration is to be given to language and different ways of communicating.
• Allegations are responded to immediately and effectively according to national and provincial requirements.
• All current child safeguarding concerns are reported to the civil authority immediately.
• Staff understand the legal obligation to report any case of child abuse.
• There are clear ways to raise allegations or suspicions, anonymously if necessary, of unacceptable behaviour towards children.
• All members of the school community have access to the telephone numbers for Family violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS), the Child Protection Unit or Child line in the area.
• Incidents and allegations and referrals are recorded.
• There is guidance on confidentiality and appropriate information sharing in line with the POPI Act, which makes it clear that the protection of the child is paramount.
• All confidential information will be stored securely.
• The Code of Conduct for staff deals adequately with complaints about unacceptable or abusive behaviour towards children, or adults.
• The school supports and assists personnel to raise concerns about possible dangerous or unethical conduct by others towards children. There is a clear understanding of what constitutes abuse.
• There is a designated person with a clearly defined role and responsibility to handle cases of abuse, whether historical or not.
• All staff know who the designated person is.
• The school community, particularly the staff, recognises that beyond the essential legal compliance in relation to child safeguarding, a Catholic school has the duty of Pastoral Care.

• These are clear legally compliant child safeguarding procedures in the School that provide steps by step guidance on what action to take if there is knowledge, or there are allegations or suspicions of abuse of a child.
• The child safeguarding procedures are available to everyone (including children, parents, staff and volunteers) and actively promoted. Consideration is to be given to language and different ways of communicating.
• Allegations are responded to immediately and effectively according to national and provincial requirements.
• All current child safeguarding concerns are reported to the civil authority immediately.
• Staff understand the legal obligation to report any case of child abuse.
• There are clear ways to raise allegations or suspicions, anonymously if necessary, of unacceptable behaviour towards children.
• All members of the school community have access to the telephone numbers for Family violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS), the Child Protection Unit or Child line in the area.
• Incidents and allegations and referrals are recorded.
• There is guidance on confidentiality and appropriate information sharing in line with the POPI Act, which makes it clear that the protection of the child is paramount.
• All confidential information will be stored securely.
• The Code of Conduct for staff deals adequately with complaints about unacceptable or abusive behaviour towards children, or adults.
• The school supports and assists personnel to raise concerns about possible dangerous or unethical conduct by others towards children. There is a clear understanding of what constitutes abuse.
• There is a designated person with a clearly defined role and responsibility to handle cases of abuse, whether historical or not.
• All staff know who the designated person is.
• The school community, particularly the staff, recognises that beyond the essential legal compliance in relation to child safeguarding, a Catholic school has the duty of Pastoral Care.