1. Safeguarding Update for Schools Summer Term 2015
Jo Barclay
Safeguarding Adviser to Schools
Standards & Excellence Service
This presentation is a follow up to the safeguarding letter sent from Tim Coulson, Director of Education and Learning on 22nd October.
The purpose is to provide a presentation is to update all school staff on current safeguarding issues and potential learning opportunities.

2. Updated documents:
Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE, March 2015)
Keeping Children Safe in Education - information for all school and 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)

3. 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

4. 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 : Schools and further education institutions
Part B – Section 3: Sharing information
Part B – Section : Safer recruitment
Part B – Section 21: Children not attending school
Appointment as a designated safeguarding children lead does not, in itself, signify responsibility personally for providing a full service for child protection. This will usually be done through the agency's safeguarding children arrangements.
2.3.7 The designated safeguarding children lead must be fully conversant with their agency's safeguarding and child protection accountability structures.
2.3.8 The designated safeguarding children leads and deputies should be provided with relevant child protection training. Designated safeguarding children leads and their deputies must undergo regular supervision and refresher training in child protection.
2.3.9 Examples of persons who may be designated safeguarding children lead/s include:
 Schools – a member of the senior leadership team and a governor;

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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)

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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.
Various models from other Local Authorities have been studied so that final version is a useful, meaningful tool for schools
Working group including school representation has been established

11. 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

12. 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

13. New Family Operations Hub
During 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:
Increase capacity to ensure that timescales are met;
Reduce call waiting times;
Provide advice and guidance to those seeking support at the appropriate level
The phone number to access the hub will not change:

14. Current training opportunities
Available on ESCB website:
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

15. Contact for Safeguarding Adviser to Schools: