Safeguarding Briefing Autumn 2016

Dear colleagues,

I hope you have had a lovely summer break and are feeling rested and ready for the new academic year – I cannot believe it is September / autumn term already!

There is a lot to catch up on since the end of last term so I warn you in advance, this is a long briefing…..

I hope to see you at one of the Safeguarding Briefings for Schools later this term – I wish you a good start to the term meanwhile.

Jo Jo BarclaySafeguarding Adviser to SchoolsStandards and Excellence Service, People Commissioning

Essex County Council    www.essex.gov.uk | telephone: 03330 131078 | mobile: 07775 030021 | email: jo.barclay@essex.gov.uk or Schools.safeguarding@essex.gcsx.gov.uk

Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE, 2016)Earlier this year, the DfE published its updated ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (DfE, 2016). It is to take effect from 5 th September. As of 5th September, the latest version on the DfE website is dated May 2016: Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE, May 2016)

Presentations for Level 2 trainingThe Level 2 training presentations have been updated and are on Essex School Infolink under ‘Training’ and then ‘Presentations’: Safeguarding / Level 2 presentations. These include:

Keeping Children Safe in Education (for whole school staff / governors / induction)

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Inspecting Safeguarding (based on new Ofsted document Inspecting Safeguarding in Early Years, Schools and Skills Settings and new Inspection Handbook)

PREVENT in Essex

Model Child Protection PolicyThe model Child Protection Policy has been rewritten to reflect the latest guidance from the DfE (Keeping Children Safe in Education 2016)

Termly safeguarding briefings for schoolsI am renaming the safeguarding network groups and they will be called ‘safeguarding briefing for schools’ from now on. A minor detail, but I felt it would be useful to formalise them as safeguarding training and they can then form part of the regular training and updates for designated safeguarding leads (or deputies). I will continue to hold them termly and the application form for this term will be circulated very shortly.

Inspecting Safeguarding in Early Years, Schools and Skills Settings (Ofsted, 2016)Ofsted has updated its guidance on inspecting safeguarding: Inspecting Safeguarding in Early Years, Schools and Skills Settings (Ofsted, 2016)

Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Teams (MARAT)The new Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Team (MARAT) replaces the previous countywide community Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) and the Joint Domestic Abuse Triaging Team (JDATT).  Under the new MARAT, every high level domestic abuse case will be heard within two weeks of being reported. The new arrangements should also increase agency representation. The Education Liaison Officer role will continue in the new team and be further developed to meet the needs of the new team.

Other changes include a new Research Form and Action Plan. These can be accessed on the ESCB website along with further information about the changes.

Level 3 Training for Designated Leads / Deputy Designated LeadsA reminder that all Designated Safeguard Leads (and Deputies) are required to update their Level 3 training at least every two years. For details of the ESCB Level 3 Designated Lead training, please access the Essex Education Services website here: Designated Safeguarding Lead Training for Schools

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Professional ChallengeThe ESCB is reminding professionals of the importance of understanding how to challenge practice decisions and the appropriate escalation process. Information can be found in the SET Child Protection Procedures (PART B1 - page 292), which explains the process in more detail.

Safeguarding Audit for Schools and CollegesSchools are not required to complete the safeguarding audit for this academic year as we are moving to a two-yearly reporting cycle to the ESCB (in line with the Section 11 audits they undertake with other organisations). I am continuing to chase the small number of schools who did not complete the audit last year. It is important they complete this so we can compare the data to the results of the 2014-15 academic year (when we had a 100% completion rate).

I will be updating the audit for those schools who wish to complete it this year (as many schools have told me they wish to complete it this year too) – this will be available after Autumn Half-term

Advice on Sexting in SchoolsThe UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) Education Group has published non-statutory advice for schools and colleges on responding to incidents of sexting. This includes responding to disclosures; handling devices and imagery; risk assessing situations; involving other agencies; information about preventative education; working with parents; reporting imagery to providers: Sexting in schools and colleges: responding to incidents and safeguarding young people (PDF)

ESCB CSE Update ForumsThe ESCB has realised dates for its CSE Annual Forums . These forums are for anyone who has previously attended CSE Champions training or a CSE Annual Forum prior to 2016.

Female Genital Mutiliation (FGM)Barnardos has produced a poster to raise awareness about FGM – it may be useful to put in your staff room:

For advice and guidance on FGM please contact Catherine Mannu at catherine.mannu@essex.gov.uk

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Use of agencies and third agency staffAs part of their safeguarding checks and risk assessments, schools must obtain written notification from any agency, or third party organisation they use that the organisation has carried out appropriate checks on staff. Where the position requires a barred list check this must be obtained, by the agency or third-party prior to appointing that individual. The school must also check that the person presenting themselves for work is the same person on whom the checks have been made.

FearlessFearless (https://www.fearless.org) is a service that allows young people to pass on information about crime anonymously. The website has lots of information about different crimes, and in the ‘Not a Young Person’ section there are resources for schools and interactive videos / workshops

‘Now I know it was wrong’ (Barnardos, 2016)There are growing concerns that children are engaging in risky behaviours and failing to realise the dangers involved. This inquiry highlights the need for professionals and parents to understand the difference between age appropriate sexual experimentation and actions that maybe harmful and abusive.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES The Essex Safeguarding Children Board (ESCB) offers a range of training

programmes which may be accessed here: http://www.escb.co.uk/en-gb/learninganddevelopment.aspx

Working Together in Essex has a new training programme available for partners to access. To find what is available please click on the link to access their website: Working Together in Essex Website

EES provide a wide range of courses and conferences delivered in venues across the county. They are now also offering WRAP (Workshop to Raise Awareness of PREVENT) as part of their programme: www.eescpdportal.org

Domestic abuse training is being offered by the ESCB and ESAB - this course is a full day training session run at £50 per person and is suitable for anyone wanting to build on a basic working knowledge of domestic abuse. Delegates will gain an enhanced awareness of domestic abuse.

To book a place on this training please, click the relevant link below: 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DAEN8thsept  - 08.09.16- Colchester https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DAEN10nov  - 10.11.16 - Chelmsford

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Alert from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau

The NFIB has seen a significant rise in the number of reports of PBX Fraud affecting schools and colleges. They have asked that this briefing is passed to all schools and colleges in Essex.

National Institute for Health Research EventThis free event will focus on innovation within the education sector regarding the mental health and emotional wellbeing for children and young people.

Leaflet to support parents in identifying tutors, coaches or clubs

The Children Safeguarding Unit has been working in collaboration with Active Essex to develop our new leaflet for parents in choosing activities, clubs or personal tuition for their children

Pokemon GOPokémon GO is a game built around the capturing, training and evolving of creatures called Pokémon – the NSPCC has issued advice on how to use the app safely: NSPCC - Pokemon Go advice

Jo BarclaySafeguarding Adviser to SchoolsSeptember 2016

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