Safeguarding Update for SchoolsSummer Term 2015

Jo Barclay

Safeguarding Adviser to Schools

Standards & Excellence Service

Updated documents:

• Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE, March 2015)•  • Keeping Children Safe in Education - information for all school a

nd college staff (DfE, March 2015)

•  • SET Procedures (ESCB, 2015) •  • Working Together to Safeguard Children (HM Government,

March 2015)•  • Inspecting Safeguarding in Maintained Schools and Academies

(Ofsted April 2015)

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SET Procedures 2015:

• Updated in response to new statutory guidance ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ (HMG, 2015) and also to reflect current practice

• No substantial changes to the way practitioners work together to safeguard children

• Now in two sections:– Section A – ‘Core’ statutory procedures– Section B – Additional guidance

• A change from initial and core assessments to single social work assessments

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SET Procedures (2015)• With effect from 16th March 2015

• Part A – Section 7: Allegations against staff or volunteers, who work with children

• Part B – Section 2.3.5: Designated safeguarding children lead

• Part B – Section 2.11.20: Schools and further education institutions

• Part B – Section 3: Sharing information• Part B – Section 12.1.1: Safer recruitment• Part B – Section 21: Children not attending school

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SET Procedures (2015)

• Part B – Section 24: CSE• Part B – Section 32: Children harming others• Part B – Section 33: Bullying• Part B – Section 35: Self-harming and suicidal

behaviour• Part B – Section 36.10: Foreign exchange visits • Part B – Section 40: Child Abuse linked to faith or

culture• Part B4 - appendices

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Keeping Children Safe in Education (March 2015)• Clarifies that a member of staff should discuss any

concerns with the Designated Lead in the first instance (not Social Care)

• Clarifies arrangements for reporting concerns about members of staff (to Headteacher / Principal rather than Designated Lead)

• Additional information on preventing radicalisation (to include The Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015) which places a duty on specified authorities (including local authorities and children’s services providers)

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Keeping Children Safe in Education (March 2015)• Additional information about ‘staff behaviour / code of

conduct’ policy and what should be included – both should be provided to all staff (including temporary and volunteers) on induction

• Additional information about safer recruitment (DBS Update Service and regulated activity)

• Additional information about Single Central Record

• Additional information to Annex A (Legislation)

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Working Together 2015

• Aims to help professionals understand what they need to do, and what they can expect of one another, to safeguard children

• focuses on core legal requirements, making it clear what individuals and organisations should do to keep children safe

Effective safeguarding of children can only be achieved by putting children at the centre of the system, and by every individual and agency playing their full part, working together to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children.

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Update on Safeguarding Audit for schools• Audit went ‘live’ October 2014

• Around 55% of schools have started the audit

• Average of over 80% score on each category (and over 90% in 10 of the 12 categories)

• Completion date for schools is 31st July 2015

• Format will be reviewed August 2015

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Update on Safeguarding Audit for schools:

Enables schools to:

• Rate themselves against county-wide safeguarding standards agreed by ESCB and ECC

• Upload documentary evidence to be held in one place for easy reference

• Create action plans for any standards which are not fully met

• Use it throughout the year to monitor the progress of actions and record improvements

• Provide summary charts and tables which can printed out and used in reports for governing bodies, Ofsted etc.

Mental Health / Emotional Well-being

• DfE has updated its document Mental Health and Behaviour in School’ – latest version March 2015 is available on Essex School Infolink

• Prevention of Youth Suicide Toolkit Guidance for Schools was distributed in January 2015 – available on Essex School Infolink

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What To Do If You’re Worried a Child is Being Abused (March 2015)

New document from HMG – non-statutory advice for practitioners:

• Be alert to signs of abuse• Question the behaviour of children and parents /

carers• Make sure you know where to go if you need to ask

for help (refers school staff to Designated Lead)• Outlines signs of abuse

New Family Operations HubDuring Spring 2015 the Initial Response Team (IRT) and the Early help and Advice Hub (EHAH) will be merging to become the Family Operations Hub. This will be a single point of contact for all those requiring support from Children`s Social Care, Family Solutions and advice / guidance / consultation for needs at level 2/3. It is hoped this streamlining of access to services will:

o Increase capacity to ensure that timescales are met;

o Reduce call waiting times;

o Provide advice and guidance to those seeking support at the appropriate level

The phone number to access the hub will not change: 0845 6037627

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Current training opportunities

• Available on ESCB website: http://www.escb.co.uk/

– Child in Need – Child Protection Conferences– CSE– Designated Lead (Level 3) – Honour based abuse– Serious Case Review feedback sessions

• PREVENT training – 23rd June 2015 – flyer available on ESI

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Contact for Safeguarding Adviser to Schools:

jo.barclay@essex.gov.uk

033301 31078

http://schools.essex.gov.uk/Pages/EssexSchoolsInfolink.aspx