Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy (Updated March 2020) · Updated: 30th March 2020...
Transcript of Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy (Updated March 2020) · Updated: 30th March 2020...
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“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.
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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.
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AppendixG-SupplementaryDfEguidance27thMarch2020………………………………………………….54
AppendixH-Coronavirus(COVID-19):safeguardinginschools,collegesandotherproviders…..58
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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
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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/.
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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
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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.
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● 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.
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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:
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• furthereducationcolleges• sixth-formcolleges• institutionsdesignatedasbeinginthefurthereducationsector• otherfurthereducationproviders,fundedbytheEducationandSkillsFundingAgency,such
as16to19academiesandindependentlearningproviders,includingspecialpost-16institutions.
Thisisinterimsafeguardingguidance,itisunderreviewandwillbeupdated.
Helpandsupport
Advicefortheeducationsectorisbeingupdateddaily.
TheDepartmentforEducationCOVID-19helpline,isavailabletoanswerquestions.
DfEcoronavirushelpline
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,
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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
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• 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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.