Introduction to Safeguarding: How to improve safeguarding measures in your school

Safeguarding means that we ensure that children & adults have their health & well-being rights protected and that we can all work together to protect people from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Schools & local authorities are governed by legislation & best practice guidance that promotes the safety & well-being of children & adults at risk. It is fundamental that any service, especially in education, ensure it supports children &/or adults and adheres to the relevant best practice guidance so they can demonstrate how this has been implemented and what the impact is.

We know that effective safeguarding works best when people operate within a ‘culture of vigilance’ whereby everyone promotes self-care, looks out for one another, & knows how to raise concerns or issues about unsafe practices.

Sign In Central Record supports its customers with legislative regulation updates and provides current, up-to-date, compliant advice & guidance. However, we want to be able to expand the level of support available, which is why we have now partnered with Rachael Bishop. Extra support and a range of additional (chargeable services) can now include reviewing policies & procedures, conducting independent audits & reviews, as well as providing bespoke or accredited training to meet service requirements. We want to ensure our customers have access to a trusted safeguarding expert when they need it most.

It is fundamental that any service that supports children and/or adults adheres to the relevant best practice guidance and can then demonstrate how this has been implemented, embedded, and what the impact is.

Schools are required to:

1. Implement and embed ‘whole school’ policies and procedures.
2. Ensure that all staff and volunteers are confident and competent in recognising, reporting, and responding to concerns.
3. Ensure that teaching and learning support a culture of vigilance, awareness of safeguarding and how to promote safety for all, and health and wellbeing.
4. Ensure that Safeguarding Leads and Management are confident in responding to and referring concerns.
5. Ensure that leaders and Managers have effective partnerships with statutory and support agencies.
6. Ensure Safer Recruitment processes are in place and monitored.

Safeguarding consultancy includes:

1. Strategic Safeguarding support for children, young people, and adults
2. Support with implementing a robust safeguarding strategy and how to measure impact
3. Safeguarding action planning and risk assessment
4. Bespoke 1-1 or group coaching support
5. Prevent duty risk assessment
6. Independent investigations and recommendation reports
7. Audits and planning
8. Advice and guidance on complex cases
9. Safer Recruitment advice
10. Embedding a safeguarding culture strategy
    

Training, webinars and keynote speaking opportunities for your school

1. A variety of fully accredited safeguarding related training courses.
2. Various bespoke safeguarding training using a blended learning style; tailored to the needs of your safeguarding leads, employees, volunteers, managers, and board members/ governors.
3. Webinar development and hosting, keynote speaking, and awareness-raising workshops.
4. Design, review, and development of bespoke training or qualifications in the safeguarding related field.

Fully accredited training courses: 

1. Advanced Designated Safeguarding Lead (Level 4)
2. Safeguarding for Managers (Level 5)
3. Safeguarding Awareness (Level 2)
4. Radicalisation & Extremism Awareness (Level 2)

Mental health issues affecting a pupil's attendance: guidance for schools

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-issues-affecting-a-pupils-attendance-guidance-for-schools

The government have released new guidance this week (7th Feb 2023) discussing how to support school attendance where there is a pupil experiencing social, emotional or mental health issues. Some key points in the guidance look at responsibilities for schools where a mental health issue is affecting attendance and provide examples of effective practice.

New guidance regarding how to make a referral to Prevent

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-a-referral-to-prevent

New guidance (24th October 2022) from the Department for Education has been released detailing how to report any concerns you have about a child, young person or adult learner who you think may be vulnerable to being drawn into extremism.

SEND Review

https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2022/03/29/how-we-are-improving-the-lives-of-children-and-young-people-with-special-educational-needs-and-disabilities/

The government has published a green paper on the future of the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and alternative provision (AP) system and is undertaking a public consultation on the green paper’s proposals.

The Online Safety Bill

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-bill-supporting-documents/online-safety-bill-factsheet 

The online safety laws will make the internet a safer place for everyone in the UK, especially children, while making sure that everyone can enjoy their right to freedom of expression online.

Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-domestic-abuse-plan 

Safeguarding Leads and schools should be aware of the new Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan published on the 30th of March 2022. The plan aims to “drive down the prevalence of domestic abuse and domestic homicide and provide victims and survivors with the support they need.”