1. Child welfare and CP recording in schools Deborah Steele Safeguarding in Education consultant (Director, Bloomfield Education Services Ltd) © Bloomfield Education Services Ltd

2. What records do we mean? Any record of a concern or action relating to a child’s welfare or to child protection matters. Includes: Note made by a member of staff of what they saw, were told, heard, that concerned them about that child Note made of an incident or event that could impact on a child’s welfare Record of a phone call or conversation with a parent or carer or professional or other Record of a meeting – including key points and agreed actions © Bloomfield Education Services Ltd

3. What might the records be needed for? – form follows function! Might never be needed again Could be part of a series that over time reveals a pattern Could be needed to support a referral (CIN, CP, for specialist services) Could be needed as evidence in a court case (criminal, civil) Could be needed as evidence of what the school (or an individual member of staff) did or did not do – eg allegation, Serious Case Review © Bloomfield Education Services Ltd

4. Features of a good record Which child does it relate to? Who made the record? Name, role When was the record made? Full date What was seen / heard / gave rise to worry? – specific, clear, accurate Why was this a worry? (if not clear from the face of it – eg child’s behaviour out of character, child distressed, child in pain) Action taken? (if any) Outcome! © Bloomfield Education Services Ltd

5. Features of a robust system - 1 Single system across the range of types of concerns (ie CW and CP) Withstands change of key personnel Not reliant on additional knowledge or information (eg knowledge of pupils or family; initials used instead of names) Records for individual children, but cross- references to related children (eg siblings, half siblings) © Bloomfield Education Services Ltd

6. Features of a robust system - 2 Cross references other in-school systems Uses pro-forma to provide prompts for staff to complete well In writing (whether hard copy or electronic) Timely recording, timely passing record to DSL Enables patterns of concerns to emerge Evidences good analysis, action and outcomes © Bloomfield Education Services Ltd

7. Features of a robust system - 3 Records accurately what a child has said or done (where relevant) Can readily see what is the current position for the child (in case of emergency_ Appropriately secure –DSL as ‘gatekeeper’ for information; information shared on a ‘need to know’ basis; information kept with a clear purpose © Bloomfield Education Services Ltd

8. Features of a robust system - 4 Well organised (easy to find individual pupil records) Accessible and familiar not just to DSL Record of records having been passed on when pupil moves on Archive of records for pupils no longer at the school DPA compliant © Bloomfield Education Services Ltd

9. Enabling and supporting staff to make good records Provide them with good tools – clear pro-forma to complete, including useful reminders of what is needed Provide them with good training – including if possible practical ‘workshop’ experience Provide them with reassurance to help overcome some of the common barriers to recording (“I might be over- reacting/wrong”; “I’m not very good at/confident with writing”) Every form completed an opportunity for positive reinforcement of good practice, or improvements where needed © Bloomfield Education Services Ltd

10. Quality assurance Regular review by DSL of all records – checking that all required features are included; checking that all required actions have been taken (and recorded!) Keeping up to date – look out for changes in guidance, requirements, or recommended best practice – eg DfE, TEF, LA, LSCB, Ofsted © Bloomfield Education Services Ltd

11. Consequences of getting it wrong Failure to achieve an appropriate referral Failing to protect a child Failing to protect the school and/or staff members Doris Windsor case © Bloomfield Education Services Ltd

12. Making it effective Record keeping of concerns and referrals: Detailed, accurate, secure, written – Robust system? – Training for staff? – Consistency of recording practice? – Recording outcomes? – Regular audit of records? © Bloomfield Education Services Ltd