child protection and safeguarding policy (updated march 2020) · updated: 30th march 2020...

1|P a g e Updated:30thMarch2020

“Safeguarding”

Marked copy, new text in red.

ChildProtectionandSafeguardingPolicy

(UpdatedMarch2020)

Inlinewith‘KeepingChildrenSafeinEducation’2019

Brize Norton Primary School

Thispolicywasupdatedon1stApril2020Thepolicymustbereviewedandupdatedatleastevery12months.BrizeNortonPrimarySchoolrecognisesitsresponsibilityforsafeguardingandchildprotection.

TableofContentsPart1 ............................................................................................................................ 4

Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust

ChurchHouseOxford!LangfordLocks!Kidlington!Oxford!OX51GF

2 Statutory and required – centrally provided template for adoption without amendment: these are policies which it is statutory for schools to have.


1. Introduction...............................................................................................................................4

2. Terminology.................................................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

3. Aims.............................................................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

4. Therolesandresponsibilitiesofschoolstaff...............................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

5. Whatschoolstaffneedtoknow..................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

6. Whatschoolstaffshouldlookoutfor.........................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

7. WhatschoolstaffshoulddoiftheyhaveconcernsaboutachildError!Bookmarknotdefined.

8. Whatschoolstaffshoulddoifachildisindangeroratriskofharm.........Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

9. Whatschoolshoulddoiftheyhaveconcernsaboutanotherstaffmember...Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

10. Whatschoolstaffshoulddoiftheyhaveconcernsaboutsafeguardingpracticeswithintheschool..................................................................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

Part2 ............................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.11. Keypersonnelatourschool:.......................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

12. Rolesandresponsibilities............................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

13. SupportingChildren.....................................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

14. Confidentiality.............................................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

15. SupportingStaff...........................................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

16. Allegationsagainststaff...............................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

17. Whistleblowing............................................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

18. PhysicalIntervention/PositiveHandling......................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

19. Anti-Bullying................................................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

20. Attendance..................................................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

21. Health&Safety............................................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

22. ChildrenwithSpecialEducationalNeeds....................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

23. Typesofabuseandneglect.........................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

24. Specificsafeguardingissues.........................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

25. Onlinesafety................................................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

26. Opportunitiestoteachsafeguarding...........................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

27. Allegationsofabusemadeagainstotherchildren(peeronpeerabuse)...Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

28. DealingwithDisclosures..............................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

29. RecordKeeping............................................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

AppendixA–Definitions....................................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

AppendixB–AllegationsFlowchart..................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

AppendixC–Actionswherethereareconcernsaboutachild.........Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

AppendixD–ChildProtectionRecordsheldwithinSettings............Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

AppendixE–SaferRecruitment........................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

AppendixF–BriefingSheetfortemporaryandsupplystaff............Error!Bookmarknotdefined.


AppendixG-SupplementaryDfEguidance27thMarch2020………………………………………………….54

AppendixH-Coronavirus(COVID-19):safeguardinginschools,collegesandotherproviders…..58


Overview

ThisdocumentsetsouttheproceduresforODSTschoolsinrelationtoSafeguardingandChildProtection.ThecontentremainssubstantivelythesameasthemodelLocalSafeguardingChildrenBoardsdocuments.IthasbeenamendedwherenecessarytoreflecttheindependentstatusofODSTasaMulti-AcademyTrust.Itiscompliantwith‘KeepingChildrenSafeinEducation’2019andtherequiredstatutorycontentsoisapplicabletoallODSTschools.

ThispolicyalsoreflectsDfEguidancedated27thMarch2020inrespectofCoronavirus(COVID-19):safeguardinginschools,collegesandotherproviders

Whilstacknowledgingthepressurethatschoolsareunder,itremainsessentialthatasfaraspossibletheycontinuetobesafeplacesforchildren.Thispolicysupportslocalgoverningbodies,proprietors,seniorleadershipteamsanddesignatedsafeguardingleads(DSLs)sotheycancontinuetohaveappropriateregardtoKCSIEandkeeptheirchildrensafe.Itsuggestswhereschoolsmightconsidersafeguardingpolicyandprocessdifferentlywhencomparedtobusinessasusual(appendixG). Thewayschoolsarecurrentlyoperatinginresponsetocoronavirus(COVID-19)isfundamentallydifferenttobusinessasusual,however,anumberofimportantsafeguardingprinciplesremainthesame:

• withregardtosafeguarding,thebestinterestsofchildrenmustalwayscontinuetocomefirst

• ifanyoneinaschoolorcollegehasasafeguardingconcernaboutanychildtheyshouldcontinuetoactandactimmediately

• aDSLordeputyshouldbeavailable • itisessentialthatunsuitablepeoplearenotallowedtoenterthechildren’sworkforce

and/orgainaccesstochildren • childrenshouldcontinuetobeprotectedwhentheyareonline

ODSTtakesawholeTrustapproachtosafeguarding.ThisallowsthatanynewpoliciesandprocessesinresponsetoCOVID-19arenotweakeningitsapproachtosafeguardingorunderminingthischildprotectionpolicy.

Part1

1. Introduction

Thispolicyhasbeendevelopedinaccordancewiththeprinciplesestablishedbythe‘ChildrenAct’1989;andinlinewiththefollowing:

• WorkingTogethertoSafeguardChildren2018’• “KeepingChildrenSafeinEducation”-statutoryguidanceforschoolsandfurthereducation

colleges(Sept2019)• DBSGuidetoChildWorkforceRoles(2018)• SafeguardingVulnerableGroupsAct2006.• ChildrenMissingEducation;StatutoryGuidanceforLocalAuthoritiesSept2016• StatutoryGuidanceissuedundersection29oftheCounter-TerrorismandSecurityAct

2015


APPENDIXGSupplementaryDfEguidance27thMarch2020duringCoronavirusoutbreak

ItisimportantthatODSTanditsschoolsreviewandrevisethischildprotectionandsafeguardingpolicyandkeepitunderreviewascircumstancescontinuetoevolve.Therefore,thepolicyreflectsandputsinplace:

• UpdatedadvicereceivedfromODST’slocal3safeguardingpartnersasprescribedat:https://www.oxfordshireccg.nhs.uk/https://www.eastberkshireccg.nhs.uk/important-information-about-the-coronavirus-covid-19/https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/http://schools.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/safeguardinghttps://www3.rbwm.gov.uk/info/200168/schools_and_schooling.

• UpdatedadvicereceivedfromOxfordshireCountyCouncilandRBWMregardingchildrenwitheducation,healthandcare(EHC)plans,thelocalauthoritydesignatedofficerandchildren’ssocialcare,reportingmechanisms,referralthresholdsandchildreninneed:https://www.wamlscb.org/about-the-lscb/new-multi-agency-safeguarding-arrangements/https://www.oscb.org.uk/practitioners-volunteers/schools-safeguarding-team/.

• Whatstaffandvolunteersshoulddoiftheyhaveanyconcernsaboutachild–referencedinthecurrentODSTpolicyandadviceathttps://www.odst.org.uk/duringthecoronavirusoutbreak.

• Thecontinuedimportanceofallstaffandvolunteersactingandactingimmediatelyonanysafeguardingconcerns–referencedinthecurrentODSTpolicyandadviceathttps://www.odst.org.uk/duringthecoronavirusoutbreak.

• DSL(anddeputy)arrangements–theHeadteacherandnormalDesignatedSafeguardingLeadasdeputyattheschool.

• Thecontinuedimportanceforschoolstafftoworkwithandsupportchildren’ssocialworkersandthelocalauthoritiesvirtualschoolhead(VSH)forlooked-afterandpreviouslylooked-afterchildren–refertocurrentODSTpolicyandhttps://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/schools/our-work-schools/virtual-school-looked-after-children-and-care-leavers-0-25https://www.afcvirtualschool.org.uk/.

• Peeronpeerabuse-giventheverydifferentcircumstancesschoolsareoperatingin.Theprinciplesassetoutinpart5ofKCSIEshouldcontinuetoinformourapproach)–referencedinthecurrentODSTpolicyandadviceathttps://www.odst.org.uk/.

• Whatstaffandvolunteersshoulddoiftheyhaveconcernsaboutastaffmemberorvolunteerwhomayposeasafeguardingrisktochildren(theprinciplesinpart4ofKCSIEcontinuetosupporthowaschoolrespondstoanysuchconcerns)–referencedinthecurrentODSTpolicyandadviceathttps://www.odst.org.uk/.

• Anyarrangementstosupportchildrentheschoolisconcernedaboutwhodonotmeetthe‘vulnerable’definition–referencedinthecurrentODSTpolicyandadviceathttps://www.odst.org.uk/.

• Whatarrangementsareinplacetokeepchildrennotphysicallyattendingtheschoolorcollegesafe,especiallyonlineandhowconcernsaboutthesechildrenshouldbeprogressed;ofparticularrelevancewhilstschoolsareclosedandreferencedinthecurrentODSTpolicyandadviceathttps://www.odst.org.uk/.

• Theimportancethatallstaffandvolunteersareawareoftherevisionstothecurrentpolicyandarekeptuptodateasitisrevised.Therevisedisavailablepubliclyhttps://www.odst.org.uk/.


APPENDIXG

ExemplarandbestpracticeadjustmentspursuanttoDfEguidance27thMarch2020

Duringthistimeofunprecedentedclosure,thisappendixoutlinesourproceduresandpracticeinrelationtokeepingchildrensafeduringthisperiod.KCSIEcontinuestoapplyatalltimes,andisadditionallyguidedbythelatestversionoftheGovernmentrecommendationsinCoronavirus(Covid-19):safeguardinginschools,collegesandotherproviders.TheODSTChildProtection&SafeguardingPolicycontinuestoremaininplace,withtheadditionoftheGovernmentrecommendationstoguidepracticeatthisunprecedentedtime,togetherwiththemulti-agencyandlocalauthorityresourceslinkedabove.Theoverviewatpage3ofthispolicyreiteratesanumberofimportantsafeguardingprinciplesthatcontinuetoapplyintheDfE’sguidance.DesignatedSafeguardingLeadroleandavailability

● TheDesignatedSafeguardingLeadduringtheschool’sclosureisAnnaFairhurst● TheDeputyDesignatedSafeguardingLeadduringschoolclosureisKerryMills● ADesignatedSafeguardingLeadisavailableoncallatalltimesthattheschoolisopenfor

reducedprovision,andduringnormalschoolopeninghours.● WhilsttheDSLisnotonsite,theprovisionleaderisresponsibleforcoordinatingthe

safeguardingonsite,andliaisingwiththeDSL.

Reportingconcerns● Staffwithsafeguardingconcernsshouldreporttheseintheusualway,alertingthe

DesignatedSafeguardingLeads.Thisincludesmakingareportwhichcanbedoneremotely.TheycancalltheDSLatanytime.Concernswillbeescalatedintheusualway.Contactwithsocialworkersandsocialservicescontinuesasusual.

● Staffshouldcontinuetoreportconcernsimmediately.● ParentshaveaccesstotheMASHcontactdetails,DSLemailcontactandremindersabout

onlinesafetythroughourschoolHomeLearningZonewebsite,whichcontainsadedicatedsafeguardingpage.

● Childlinecontactdetailsareavailableintheforegoingpolicy.

VulnerableChildren● Weidentifyvulnerablechildreninlinewithusualschoolprocesses,andalsobecausewe

haveagoodknowledgeofourchildrenandourcommunity.● Wehavedrawnupacommunicationplantoensureweareinregularcontactwith

vulnerablechildrenandfamilies,allowingustosignpostexternalsupportorrefertoamemberofstaffinschoolwhocanhelp.Ouraimistoprovidesupportandreassurancetofamilieswhoneedit,alongsideensuringoursafeguardingdutyofcare.WherefamilieshaveanEarlyHelpWorker,weareinregularcontactwiththem.

● Vulnerablechildrenwithasocialworkerareofferedaplaceintheschool’sreducedprovision.

Attendance

• WemonitorattendanceofthechildreninduringreducedprovisionusingthenewDfEregistrationrequirements.Thereisnorequirementforusualday-to-dayattendanceprocessestofollowuponnon-attendance,butnon-attendancewillbefollowedupafterwardsviaatelephoneconversationandtheschoolwill,whencommunicatingwith


parents/carersandcarers,confirmemergencycontactnumbersarecorrectandaskforanyadditionalemergencycontactnumberswheretheyareavailable.

StaffTrainingandSafeguardinginduction• Allstaffwithinoursettingwhocoverourreducedprovisionclassorwhocontactparents

haveup-to-dateDBSchecksandGeneralistSafeguardingTraining.Wherethisbecomesout-of-date,wewillfollowtheOSCBguidanceoninterimarrangementsforrefreshertraining,althoughthisisnotenvisagedtobeanissue.OurSingleCentralRecordremainsinplaceasusual,asarecordofthesechecks.

Saferrecruitment• Wemaintainsaferrecruitmentchecksonallnewstaff.Werecognisethefollowing

Governmentguidance:

“ThereisnoexpectationthatanewDBScheckshouldbeobtainedwherethatmemberoftheworkforcetemporarilymovestoanotherschoolorcollegetosupportthecareofchildren.ThetypeofsettingontheDBScheck,forexampleaspecificcategoryofschool,isnotabarrier.Thesameprincipleappliesifchildcareworkersmovetoworktemporarilyinaschoolsetting.Thereceivinginstitutionshouldriskassessastheywouldforavolunteer(seeabove).Whilsttheonusremainsonschoolsandcollegestosatisfythemselvesthatsomeoneintheirsettinghashadtherequiredchecks,includingasrequiredthosesetoutinpart3ofKCSIE,intheabovescenariothiscanbeachieved,ifthereceivinginstitutionchoosesto,viaseekingassurancefromthecurrentemployerratherthanrequiringnewchecks.”

Childrenmovingschools• Wherechildrenmoveschoolstoattendreducedprovision,wefollowtheGovernment

guidanceoutlinedinthedocumentabove,andthelocallyagreedguidancefromtheLADO.ThismeansthattheDSLremainsoverallresponsibleforthesafeguardingofthatchild,andthattheDSLpassesonallrelevantwelfareandchildprotectioninformationtothehostschool’sDSL.Thereceivinginstitutionwillbemadeawareofthereasonthechildisvulnerableandanyarrangementsinplacetosupportthem.Thiswillideallyhappenbeforeachildarrivesand,wherethatisnotpossibleassoonasreasonablypracticable.

MentalHealth

• Werecognisethatnegativeexperiencesanddistressinglifeevents,suchasthecurrentcircumstances,canaffectthementalhealthofpupilsandtheirparents.Teachersareawareofthisinsettingexpectationsofpupils’workwheretheyareathome,andisawaitingGovernmentguidanceonexpectationsregardinghomelearning.

• Forourchildreninreducedprovision,wealsoensureappropriatesupportisinplaceforthem.Childrenhavetimetodiscusscurrenteventswhereappropriate,todiscusstheirconcernsandworries,andtoworkthroughtheseusingresourcesprovidedbytheprovisionleader.Bykeepingthisgroupsmall,staffinthesettingcanbevigilantandworkwithindividualchildrenwherenecessary.

OnlineSafetyGovernmentguidanceonexpectationsregardinghomelearning,willbeissuedshortly.Inthemeantime:

● WecontinuetoreceivetargetedITsupportfromTurnITOnandtheChairofGovernorsandareinregularcontacttoensuresafesettingsareinplace,alongwithanyothertechnicaladviceneededtoensure,asmuchasisreasonablypracticable,thatourchildrenaresafeonlineathome.

● Childrenaccesshomelearningthrougharangeofonlinelearningenvironmentswhicharerunbyrecognised,safecompanies.Theselearningenvironmentsdonotallowforonlinechatorothersocialnetworking.


● Emailssentaretoparentsratherthanchildren.● OurHomeLearningWebsitehasonlinesafetyguidance,alongsideourKS1andKS2

AcceptableUseAgreements,governingsafeuseoftheinternetandtheCEOPreferralsystem.

● OurESafetypolicycontinuestoguideourresponsetoincidentsorconcernswherenecessary.

• TheUKSaferInternetCentre’sprofessionalonlinesafetyhelplinealsoprovidessupportforthechildren’sworkforcewithanyonlinesafetyissuestheyface.

• AllstaffhaveDSLandDeputyDSLmobilenumbersinordertocontactiftheyarenotonsite.• StaffremindedofpolicyregardingreportingtoDSLifanythingconcernsthemduringcontact

withchildorfamilies:AllreferralstobeemailedviaDSLthroughEarlyHelpandMASHteamusingonlineform.

• Whilstonsiteatleasttwomembersofteachingstafftosupervisechildrenevenifnumbersareextremelylow.

• Novolunteersinschoolduringclosure.• SchoolopentochildrenwithEHCPsandthosewithasocialworker.• Contactwithchildrenwithasocialworkereverythreedaysviaatelephonecalliftheyare

self-isolatingornotattending.• Informationsenttoallparentsaboutkeepingchildrensafeonlinewhileworkingfromhome.• Protocolsenttostaffaboutcontactingparents/familiesduringschoolclosurewithparticular

referencetoremoteteachingandlivemeetings.

• Nolivelessonstotakeplacefromstaff’shome• Allteachershaveaclassemailaddressforparentstosendinphotographsofworkfor

celebrationpurposes.• Allparentshavebeengivenrulesaroundcontactingteachers–between9and3:15pm

duringtheweekandwithanexpectationthattheywillreceiveareplywithin24hours.• ParentsdailyreminderstocontactODST,DSL,officestaff,SeniorLeadershipTeamor

teachersiftheyhaveanyconcerns.


APPENDIXH

1. Coronavirus(COVID-19):safeguardinginschools,collegesandotherproviders

1. DepartmentforEducation

Guidance

Coronavirus(COVID-19):safeguardinginschools,collegesandotherproviders

Published27March2020

Contents

1. Background2. Helpandsupport3. Roleofthelocalauthority4. Safeguardingandclusters5. Keepingchildrensafeinschoolsandcolleges6. Childprotectionpolicy7. Designatedsafeguardingleads(DSLs)8. Vulnerablechildren9. Attendance10. Stafftrainingandsafeguardinginduction11. Childrenmovingschoolsandcolleges12. Saferrecruitment/volunteersandmovementofstaff13. Mentalhealth14. Onlinesafetyinschoolsandcolleges15. Childrenandonlinesafetyawayfromschoolandcollege

ThispublicationislicensedunderthetermsoftheOpenGovernmentLicencev3.0exceptwhereotherwisestated.Toviewthislicence,visitnationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3orwritetotheInformationPolicyTeam,TheNationalArchives,Kew,LondonTW94DU,oremail:[email protected].

Wherewehaveidentifiedanythirdpartycopyrightinformationyouwillneedtoobtainpermissionfromthecopyrightholdersconcerned.

Thispublicationisavailableathttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-safeguarding-in-schools-colleges-and-other-providers/coronavirus-covid-19-safeguarding-in-schools-colleges-and-other-providers

Background

Thisguidanceisrelevanttoallschools,whethermaintained,non-maintainedorindependent(includingacademies,academytrusts,freeschoolsandalternativeprovisionacademies),maintainednurseryschoolsandpupilreferralunits.

Wheretheguidancerefersto‘colleges’thisincludesallofthefollowing:


• furthereducationcolleges• sixth-formcolleges• institutionsdesignatedasbeinginthefurthereducationsector• otherfurthereducationproviders,fundedbytheEducationandSkillsFundingAgency,such

as16to19academiesandindependentlearningproviders,includingspecialpost-16institutions.

Thisisinterimsafeguardingguidance,itisunderreviewandwillbeupdated.

Helpandsupport

Advicefortheeducationsectorisbeingupdateddaily.

TheDepartmentforEducationCOVID-19helpline,isavailabletoanswerquestions.

DfEcoronavirushelpline

[email protected]

Telephone08000468687

Ifyouhaveaqueryaboutcoronavirus(COVID-19),relatingtoschoolsandothereducationalestablishmentsinEnglandcontactourhelpline.LinesareopenMondaytoFridayfrom8amto6pmandweekends10amto4pm.

Ifyouworkinaschool,pleasehaveyouruniquereferencenumber(URNorUKPRN)availablewhencallingthehotline.

Roleofthelocalauthority

Thedepartmentisworkingverycloselywithalllocalauthoritiestoensurethatchildrenofcriticalworkersandvulnerablechildrencan,whererequired,attendaschoolorcollege.Thedepartmentwill,viaregionalschoolcommissioners,continuetosupportlocalauthorities’crucialresponsibilitiesinmaintainingeffectivesafeguardingandchildprotectionservicesinthischallengingtimetoensureschoolsandcollegescanaccessthesupporttheyneed.

Safeguardingandclusters

Whereschoolsandcollegescollaborateandchildrenand/orstafffrommultiplesettingsareclusteredinoneplace,theprinciplesinKeepingchildrensafeineducation(KCSIE)andthisguidancecontinuetoapply.Inparticular,theschoolorcollegethatisactingasthehubintheclustershouldcontinuetoprovideasafeenvironment,keepchildrensafeandensurestaffandvolunteershavebeenappropriatelycheckedandriskassessmentscarriedoutasrequired.Additionaladviceonclustersandsafeguardingwillbeprovidedinduecourse.

Keepingchildrensafeinschoolsandcolleges

KCSIEisstatutorysafeguardingguidancethatschoolsandcollegesshouldcontinuetohaveregardtoaspertheirlegislativedutyand/orfundingagreementrequirements.

Whilstacknowledgingthepressurethatschoolsandcollegesareunder,itremainsessentialthatasfaraspossibletheycontinuetobesafeplacesforchildren.Thisguidancesupportsgoverningbodies,


proprietors,seniorleadershipteamsanddesignatedsafeguardingleads(DSLs)sotheycancontinuetohaveappropriateregardtoKCSIEandkeeptheirchildrensafe.Itsuggestswhereschoolsandcollegesmightconsidersafeguardingpolicyandprocessdifferentlywhencomparedtobusinessasusual.

Thewayschoolsandcollegesarecurrentlyoperatinginresponsetocoronavirus(COVID-19)isfundamentallydifferenttobusinessasusual,however,anumberofimportantsafeguardingprinciplesremainthesame:

• withregardtosafeguarding,thebestinterestsofchildrenmustalwayscontinuetocomefirst

• ifanyoneinaschoolorcollegehasasafeguardingconcernaboutanychildtheyshouldcontinuetoactandactimmediately

• aDSLordeputyshouldbeavailable• itisessentialthatunsuitablepeoplearenotallowedtoenterthechildren’sworkforce

and/orgainaccesstochildren• childrenshouldcontinuetobeprotectedwhentheyareonline

Schoolsandcollegesshould,asfarasisreasonablypossible,takeawholeinstitutionapproachtosafeguarding.ThiswillallowthemtosatisfythemselvesthatanynewpoliciesandprocessesinresponsetoCOVID-19arenotweakeningtheirapproachtosafeguardingorunderminingtheirchildprotectionpolicy.

Childprotectionpolicy

Schoolsandcollegeswillhaveaneffectivechildprotectionpolicyinplacereflectingbusinessasusual.ItislikelythatthepolicywillnotaccuratelyreflectnewarrangementsinresponsetoCOVID-19.Itisimportantschoolsandcolleges(ledbyaDSLordeputy,whereverpossible)reviewandrevisetheirchildprotectionpolicyandkeepitunderreviewascircumstancescontinuetoevolve.Insomecases,aCOVID-19annex/addendumthatsummariesanykeyCOVID-19relatedchangesmightbemoreeffectivethatre-writingandre-issuingthewholepolicy.Amongstotherthingstherevisedchildprotectionpolicyshouldreflect:

• anyupdatedadvicereceivedfromthelocal3safeguardingpartners• anyupdatedadvicereceivedfromlocalauthoritiesregardingchildrenwitheducation,health

andcare(EHC)plans,thelocalauthoritydesignatedofficerandchildren’ssocialcare,reportingmechanisms,referralthresholdsandchildreninneed

• whatstaffandvolunteersshoulddoiftheyhaveanyconcernsaboutachild• thecontinuedimportanceofallstaffandvolunteersactingandactingimmediatelyonany

safeguardingconcerns• DSL(anddeputy)arrangements• thecontinuedimportanceforschoolandcollegestafftoworkwithandsupportchildren’s

socialworkersandthelocalauthorityvirtualschoolhead(VSH)forlooked-afterandpreviouslylooked-afterchildren

• peeronpeerabuse-giventheverydifferentcircumstancesschoolsandcollegesareoperatinginarevisedprocessmayberequiredformanaginganyreportofsuchabuseandsupportingvictims(theprinciplesassetoutinpart5ofKCSIEshouldcontinuetoinformanyrevisedapproach)

• whatstaffandvolunteersshoulddoiftheyhaveconcernsaboutastaffmemberorvolunteerwhomayposeasafeguardingrisktochildren(theprinciplesinpart4ofKCSIEwillcontinuetosupporthowaschoolorcollegerespondstoanysuchconcerns)

• anyarrangementstosupportchildrentheschoolorcollegeareconcernedaboutwhodonotmeetthe‘vulnerable’definition


• whatarrangementsareinplacetokeepchildrennotphysicallyattendingtheschoolorcollegesafe,especiallyonlineandhowconcernsaboutthesechildrenshouldbeprogressed

Itisimportantthatallstaffandvolunteersareawareofthenewpolicyandarekeptuptodateasitisrevised.Therevisedpolicyshouldcontinuetobemadeavailablepublicly.

Designatedsafeguardingleads(DSLs)

TheoptimalscenarioforanyschoolorcollegeprovidingcareforchildrenistohaveatrainedDSLordeputyavailableonsite.Itisrecognisedthismaynotbepossible,andwherethisisthecasethereare2optionstoconsider:

• atrainedDSLordeputyfromtheschoolorcollegecanbeavailabletobecontactedviaphoneoronlinevideo-forexampleworkingfromhome

• sharingtrainedDSLsordeputieswithotherschoolsorcolleges(whoshouldbeavailabletobecontactedviaphoneoronlinevideo)

WhereatrainedDSLordeputyisnotonsite,inadditiontooneoftheaboveoptions,thedepartmentrecommendaseniorleadertakesresponsibilityforco-ordinatingsafeguardingonsite.Thismightincludeupdatingandmanagingaccesstochildprotectionfiles,liaisingwiththeoffsiteDSL(ordeputy)andasrequiredliaisingwithchildren’ssocialworkerswheretheyrequireaccesstochildreninneedand/ortocarryoutstatutoryassessmentsattheschoolorcollege.

Whateverthescenario,itisimportantthatallschoolandcollegestaffandvolunteershaveaccesstoatrainedDSLordeputyandknowonanygivendaywhothatpersonisandhowtospeaktothem.

ItisacknowledgedthatDSLtrainingisveryunlikelytotakeplaceduringthisperiod(althoughtheoptionofonlinetrainingcanbeexplored).FortheperiodCOVID-19measuresareinplace,aDSL(ordeputy)whohasbeentrainedwillcontinuetobeclassedasatrainedDSL(ordeputy)eveniftheymisstheirrefreshertraining.

Everyschoolandcollegewillfaceuniquechallengesatthistime.Wherereasonablypossible,theDSL(ordeputy)shouldconsidertheseinachildprotectioncontextandreflecttheminthechildprotectionpolicyasappropriate.

Vulnerablechildren

Ensuringthatvulnerablechildrenremainprotectedisatoppriorityforthegovernment.Vulnerablechildrenincludethosewhohaveasocialworkerandthosechildrenandyoungpeopleuptotheageof25withEHCplans,readmoreintheguidanceonvulnerablechildrenandyoungpeopleforfurtherinformation.

Localauthoritieshavethekeyday-to-dayresponsibilityfordeliveryofchildren’ssocialcare.SocialworkersandVSHswillcontinuetoworkwithvulnerablechildreninthisdifficultperiodandshouldsupportthesechildrentoaccessthisprovision.Thereisanexpectationthatchildrenwithasocialworkerwillattendprovision,unlessinconsultationwiththechild’ssocialworkerandfamilyitisagreedthisisnotinthebestinterestsofthechild.

Seniorleaders,especiallyDSLs(anddeputies)knowwhotheirmostvulnerablechildrenareandhavetheflexibilitytoofferaplacetothoseontheedgesofreceivingchildren’ssocialcaresupport.

Schoolandcollegestaffshouldcontinuetoworkwithandsupportchildren’socialworkerstohelpprotectvulnerablechildren.ThiswillbeespeciallyimportantduringtheCOVID-19period.


Attendance

Localauthoritiesandschoolsdonotneedtocompletetheirusualday-to-dayattendanceprocessestofollowuponnon-attendance.Schools/collegesandsocialworkersshouldbeagreeingwithfamilieswhetherchildreninneedshouldbeattendingeducationprovision–andtheschoolorcollegeshouldthenfollowuponanychildthattheywereexpectingtoattend,whodoesnot.Schoolsandcollegesshouldalsofollowupwithanyparentorcarerwhohasarrangedcarefortheirchildrenandthechildrensubsequentlydonotattend.Tosupporttheabove,schoolsandcollegesshouldtaketheopportunitywhencommunicatingwithparentsandcarerstoconfirmemergencycontactnumbersarecorrectandaskforanyadditionalemergencycontactnumberswheretheyareavailable.Inallcircumstanceswhereavulnerablechilddoesnottakeuptheirplaceatschoolorcollege,ordiscontinues,theschoolorcollegeshouldnotifytheirsocialworker.

Thedepartmenthasintroducedadailyonlineattendanceformtokeeparecordofchildrenofcriticalworkersandvulnerablechildrenwhoareattendingschool.Thisallowsforarecordofattendanceforsafeguardingpurposesandallowsschoolstoprovideaccurate,up-to-datedatatothedepartmentonthenumberofchildrentakingupplaces.

Stafftrainingandsafeguardinginduction

Allexistingschoolandcollegestaffwillalreadyhavehadsafeguardingtrainingandhavereadpart1ofKCSIE.Theimportantthingforthesestaffwillbeawarenessofanynewlocalarrangementssotheyknowwhattodoiftheyareworriedaboutachild.

Wherenewstaffarerecruited,ornewvolunteersentertheschoolorcollege,theyshouldcontinuetobeprovidedwithasafeguardinginduction.Anuptodatechildprotectionpolicy(describedabove)willsupportthisprocessaswillpart1ofKCSIE.

TheexistingschoolandcollegeworkforcemaymovebetweenschoolsandcollegesonatemporarybasisinresponsetoCOVID-19.Thereceivingschoolorcollegeshouldjudge,onacase-by-casebasis,thelevelofsafeguardinginductionrequired.Inmostcases,theexistingworkforcewillalreadyhavereceivedappropriatesafeguardingtrainingandalltheywillrequireisacopyofthereceivingsetting’schildprotectionpolicy,confirmationoflocalprocessesandconfirmationofDSLarrangements.

Childrenmovingschoolsandcolleges

Itwillbeimportantforanyschoolorcollegewhosechildrenareattendinganothersettingtodowhatevertheyreasonablycantoprovidethereceivinginstitutionwithanyrelevantwelfareandchildprotectioninformation.Thiswillbeespeciallyimportantwherechildrenarevulnerable.Forlooked-afterchildren,anychangeinschoolshouldbeledandmanagedbytheVSHwithresponsibilityforthechild.Thereceivinginstitutionshouldbeawareofthereasonthechildisvulnerableandanyarrangementsinplacetosupportthem.Asaminimumthereceivinginstitutionshould,asappropriate,haveaccesstoavulnerablechild’sEHCplan,childinneedplan,childprotectionplanor,forlooked-afterchildren,theirpersonaleducationplanandknowwhothechild’ssocialworker(and,forlooked-afterchildren,whotheresponsibleVSHis).Thisshouldideallyhappenbeforeachildarrivesand,wherethatisnotpossibleassoonasreasonablypracticable.AnyexchangesofinformationwillideallyhappenatDSL(ordeputy)level,andlikewisebetweenspecialeducationalneedsco-ordinators/namedindividualwithoversightofSENprovisionforchildrenwithEHCplans.However,itisacknowledgedthismaynotalwaysbepossible.Wherethisisthecaseseniorleadersshouldtakeresponsibility.


WhilstschoolsandcollegesmustcontinuetohaveappropriateregardtodataprotectionandGDPRtheydonotpreventthesharingofinformationforthepurposesofkeepingchildrensafe.Furtheradviceaboutinformationsharingcanbefoundatparagraphs76-83ofKCSIE.

Saferrecruitment/volunteersandmovementofstaff

Itremainsessentialthatpeoplewhoareunsuitablearenotallowedtoenterthechildren’sworkforceorgainaccesstochildren.Ifschoolsandcollegesarerecruitingnewstaff,theyshouldcontinuetofollowtherelevantsaferrecruitmentprocessesfortheirsetting,including,asappropriate,relevantsectionsinpart3ofKCSIE.InresponsetoCOVID-19,theDisclosureandBarringService(DBS)hasmadechangestoitsguidanceonstandardandenhancedDBSIDcheckingtominimisetheneedforface-to-facecontact.

Whereschoolsandcollegesareutilisingvolunteers,theyshouldcontinuetofollowthecheckingandriskassessmentprocessassetoutinparagraphs167to172ofKCSIE.Undernocircumstancesshouldavolunteerwhohasnotbeencheckedbeleftunsupervisedorallowedtoworkinregulatedactivity.

RegardingmembersoftheschoolorcollegeworkforcealreadyengaginginregulatedactivityandwhoalreadyhavetheappropriateDBScheck,thereisnoexpectationthatanewDBScheckshouldbeobtainedwherethatmemberoftheworkforcetemporarilymovestoanotherschoolorcollegetosupportthecareofchildren.ThetypeofsettingontheDBScheck,forexampleaspecificcategoryofschool,isnotabarrier.Thesameprincipleappliesifchildcareworkersmovetoworktemporarilyinaschoolsetting.Thereceivinginstitutionshouldriskassessastheywouldforavolunteer(seeabove).Whilsttheonusremainsonschoolsandcollegestosatisfythemselvesthatsomeoneintheirsettinghashadtherequiredchecks,includingasrequiredthosesetoutinpart3ofKCSIE,intheabovescenariothiscanbeachieved,ifthereceivinginstitutionchoosesto,viaseekingassurancefromthecurrentemployerratherthanrequiringnewchecks.

SchoolsandcollegesmustcontinuetofollowtheirlegaldutytorefertotheDBSanyonewhohasharmedorposesariskofharmtoachildorvulnerableadult.Fulldetailscanbefoundatparagraph163ofKCSIE.

SchoolsandcollegesshouldcontinuetoconsiderandmakereferralstotheTeachingRegulationAgency(TRA)asperparagraph166ofKCSIEandtheTRA’s‘Teachermisconductadviceformakingareferral.DuringtheCOVID-19periodallreferralsshouldbemadebyemailingMisconduct.Teacher@education.gov.uk.AllreferralsreceivedbytheTRAwillcontinuetobeconsidered.Wherereferralsonserioussafeguardingmattersarereceivedanditisdeemedthatthereisapublicinterestindoingsoconsiderationwillbegivenastowhetheraninterimprohibitionorder(IPO)shouldbeputinplace.TheTRAwillcontinuetoprogressallcasesbutwillnotscheduleanyhearingsatthecurrenttime.

Whilstacknowledgingthechallengeofthecurrentenvironment,itisessentialfromasafeguardingperspectivethatanyschoolorcollegeisaware,onanygivenday,whichstaff/volunteerswillbeintheschoolorcollege,andthatappropriatecheckshavebeencarriedout,especiallyforanyoneengaginginregulatedactivity.Assuch,schoolsandcollegesmustcontinuetokeepthesinglecentralrecord(SCR)uptodateasoutlinedinparagraphs148to156inKCSIE.TheSCRcan,ifaschoolorcollegechooses,providethemeanstologeveryonethatwillbeworkingorvolunteeringinaschoolorcollegeonanygivenday,includinganystaffwhomaybeonloanfromotherinstitutions.TheSCRcanalso,ifaschoolorcollegechooses,beusedtologdetailsofanyriskassessmentscarriedoutonvolunteersandstaffonloanfromelsewhere.

Mentalhealth


Negativeexperiencesanddistressinglifeevents,suchasthecurrentcircumstances,canaffectthementalhealthofpupilsandtheirparents.Teachersshouldbeawareofthisinsettingexpectationsofpupils’workwheretheyareathome.Thedepartmentisprovidingseparateguidanceonprovidingeducationremotely.

Wheretheyareprovidingforchildrenofcriticalworkersandvulnerablechildrenonsite,schoolsandcollegesshouldensureappropriatesupportisinplaceforthem.Ourguidanceonmentalhealthandbehaviourinschools(whichmayalsobeusefulforcolleges)setsouthowmentalhealthissuescanbringaboutchangesinayoungperson’sbehaviouroremotionalstatewhichcanbedisplayedinarangeofdifferentways,andthatcanbeanindicationofanunderlyingproblem.Supportforpupilsandstudentsinthecurrentcircumstancescanincludeexistingprovisionintheschool(althoughthismaybedeliveredindifferentways,forexampleoverthephone)orfromspecialiststafforsupportservices.Youcanreadytheguidanceonmentalhealthandbehaviourinschools.

Onlinesafetyinschoolsandcolleges

Itwillbemoreimportantthaneverthatschoolsandcollegesprovideasafeenvironment,includingonline.Schoolsandcollegesshouldcontinuetoensurethatappropriatefiltersandmonitoringsystems(readguidanceonwhat“appropriate”lookslike)areinplacetoprotectchildrenwhentheyareonlineontheschoolorcollege’sITsystemsorrecommendedresources.SchoolsandcollegesshouldconsiderwhointheirinstitutionhasthetechnicalknowledgetomaintainsafeITarrangements.SchoolsandcollegesshouldalsoconsiderwhattheircontingencyarrangementsareiftheirITstaffbecomeunavailable.

TheUKCouncilforInternetSafetyprovidesinformationtohelpgoverningboardsandproprietorsassurethemselvesthatanynewarrangementscontinuetoeffectivelysafeguardchildrenonline.

TheUKSaferInternetCentre’sprofessionalonlinesafetyhelplinealsoprovidessupportforthechildren’sworkforcewithanyonlinesafetyissuestheyface.Localauthoritiesmayalsobeabletoprovidesupport.

Childrenandonlinesafetyawayfromschoolandcollege

Allschoolsandcollegesshouldbedoingwhattheyreasonablycantokeepalloftheirchildrensafe.Inmostcases,themajorityofchildrenwillnotbephysicallyattendingtheschoolorcollege.Itisimportantthatallstaffwhointeractwithchildren,includingonline,continuetolookoutforsignsachildmaybeatrisk.Anysuchconcernsshouldbedealtwithasperthechildprotectionpolicyandwhereappropriatereferralsshouldstillbemadetochildren’ssocialcareandasrequiredthepolice.

Thedepartmentisprovidingseparateguidanceonprovidingeducationremotely.Itwillsetout4keyareasthatleadersshouldconsideraspartofanyremotelearningstrategy.Thisincludestheuseoftechnology.RecentlypublishedguidancefromtheUKSaferInternetCentreonsaferemotelearningandfromtheLondonGridforLearningontheuseofvideosandlivestreamingcouldhelpplanonlinelessonsand/oractivitiesandplanthemsafely.

Allschoolsandcollegesshouldconsiderthesafetyoftheirchildrenwhentheyareaskedtoworkonline.Thestartingpointforonlineteachingshouldbethatthesameprinciplesassetoutintheschool’sorcollege’sstaffbehaviourpolicy(sometimesknownasacodeofconduct).Thispolicyshouldamongstotherthingsincludeacceptableuseoftechnologies,staffpupil/studentrelationshipsandcommunicationincludingtheuseofsocialmedia.Thepolicyshouldapplyequallytoanyexistingornewonlineanddistancelearningarrangementswhichareintroduced.Schoolsandcollegesshould,asmuchasisreasonablypossible,consideriftheirexistingpoliciesadequatelyreflectthenewrealityofsomanychildren(andinsomecasesstaff)workingremotelyonline.As


withthechildprotectionpolicy,insomecasesanannex/addendumsummarisingkeyCOVID-19relatedchangesmaybemoreeffectivethanre-writing/re-issuingthewholepolicy.TheprinciplessetoutintheguidanceforsaferworkingpracticeforthoseworkingwithchildrenandyoungpeopleineducationsettingspublishedbytheSaferRecruitmentConsortiummayhelpschoolsandcollegessatisfythemselvesthattheirstaffbehaviourpoliciesarerobustandeffective.Insomeareasschoolsandcollegesmaybeabletoseeksupportfromtheirlocalauthoritywhenplanningonlinelessons/activitiesandconsideringonlinesafety.

Schoolsandcollegesshouldensureanyuseofonlinelearningtoolsandsystemsisinlinewithprivacyanddataprotection/GDPRrequirements.

Anessentialpartoftheonlineplanningprocesswillbeensuringchildrenwhoarebeingaskedtoworkonlinehaveveryclearreportingroutesinplacesotheycanraiseanyconcernswhilstonline.Aswellasreportingroutesbacktotheschoolorcollegethisshouldalsosignpostchildrentoageappropriatepracticalsupportfromthelikesof:

• Childline-forsupport• UKSaferInternetCentre-toreportandremoveharmfulonlinecontent• CEOP-foradviceonmakingareportaboutonlineabuse

Schoolsandcollegesarelikelytobeinregularcontactwithparentsandcarers.Thosecommunicationsshouldbeusedtoreinforcetheimportanceofchildrenbeingsafeonline.Itwillbeespeciallyimportantforparentsandcarerstobeawareofwhattheirchildrenarebeingaskedtodoonline,includingthesitestheywillaskedtoaccessandbeclearwhofromtheschoolorcollege(ifanyone)theirchildisgoingtobeinteractingwithonline.

Parentsandcarersmaychoosetosupplementtheschoolorcollegeonlineofferwithsupportfromonlinecompaniesandinsomecasesindividualtutors.Intheircommunicationswithparentsandcarers,schoolsandcollegesshouldemphasisetheimportanceofsecuringonlinesupportfromareputableorganisation/individualwhocanprovideevidencethattheyaresafeandcanbetrustedtohaveaccesstochildren.Supportforparentsandcarerstokeeptheirchildrensafeonlineincludes:

• Internetmatters-forsupportforparentsandcarerstokeeptheirchildrensafeonline• LondonGridforLearning-forsupportforparentsandcarerstokeeptheirchildrensafe

online• Net-aware-forsupportforparentsandcareersfromtheNSPCC• Parentinfo-forsupportforparentsandcarerstokeeptheirchildrensafeonline• Thinkuknow-foradvicefromtheNationalCrimeAgencytostaysafeonline• UKSaferInternetCentre-adviceforparentsandcarers

Thedepartmentencouragesschoolsandcollegestosharethissupportwithparentsandcarers.

child protection and safeguarding policy (updated march 2020) · updated: 30th march 2020...

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