Safeguarding Update for Schools AutumnTerm 2014

1. Safeguarding Update for SchoolsAutumnTerm 2014 Jo Barclay Safeguarding Adviser to Schools Standards & Excellence Service

2. New Ofsted briefing on safeguarding (September 2014): • Ofsted adopts definition from Children Act 2004 and Working Together 2013: • Protecting children from maltreatment • Preventing impairment of children’s health or development • Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consisten with the provision of safe and effective care • Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes

3. In school, this relates to: • Pupil health and safety • Use of reasonable force • Meeting needs of pupils with medical conditions • Providing ‘First Aid’ • Educational visits • Intimate care • Internet or e-safety • Appropriate arrangements for school security

4. Points for inspectors to consider: • Children are safe and feel safe • Children know how to complain and there is a strong proactive response from adults that reduces the actual or risk of harm • Adults know and understand indicators that may suggest abuse / harm and take appropriate action in line with local procedures and statutory guidance • Written records are made in a timely way and held securely

5. Points for inspectors to consider: • The school is aware of and fully implements statutory guidance in relation to children missing from education (CME) • Children are protected from and helped to keep themselves safe from bullying • Leaders oversee the safe use of electronic and social media when children are on site and take action immediately if there are any concerns • There are clear risk assessments in place and a consistent approach from staff

6. Points for inspectors to consider: • Positive behaviour is consistently promoted • Clear and effective arrangements for staff development and training • All staff and carers have a copy of and understand the written procedures for managing allegations of harm and know how to make a complaint and manage ‘whistleblowing’ • There is a named Designated Lead whose role if effective in pursuing concerns and protecting children

7. Essex Effective Support Windscreen

8. Update from Initial Response Team (IRT) / Early Help and Advice Hub (EHAH) • IRT and EHAH are undertaking work to provide improved service to partners and the public. Reminder of appropriate route for calls when ringing 0845 603 7627: • Where there is a clear Child Protection concern please ask for the PRIORITY line • Where there is doubt about the child having needs at level 4(specialist), the issue can be discussed with a social worker, please ask for the CONSULTATION line • For other level 4 referrals please ask for the CHILDRENS line • For a consultation at levels 2(Additional) and 3 (Intensive) please ask for the EARLY HELP & ADVICE HUB

9. Update on Child In Need Service (CIN) • New Service - went live in the North & Mid: 11th Feb 2014 / in the West and South: 1st June 2014 • Recognition that CIN require the same commitment and attention as Child Protection and CIC cases • 8 CIN Reviewing Officers (2 in each quadrant) • Priority cases: • Children on Supervision Orders. • Children who have been open as CIN for over 12 months. • Children coming off a CP plan where this is recommended at conference. • Children who have been reunified with families after a period in care • Complex cases.

10. Update on Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE): • All schools now have named ‘CSE Champion’ • CSE Champions Training – new dates now available on ESCB website • ‘Aide Memoire’ from Essex Police on ESI • Guidance pack for schools to be produced – will be available Autumn term 2014 • Dates for CSE Champion Network Groups now available for Autumn term – quadrant based

11. Update on Domestic Abuse Notifications: • Specialist team within Essex Police – JDATT – Joint Domestic Abuse Triage Team • Each school now has a named person for DV notifications • Essex sharing domestic abuse notifications • High or medium risk case • Open to Childrens Social Care • 143 notifications from November 2013 – May 2014

12. Update on Prevention of Youth Suicide in Essex: • ESCB to lead on strategy document for Essex • Working group already established to produce guidance pack for schools • Pack for schools to include information on Critical Incident response and support • Pack due by Autumn term 2014

13. Update on Safeguarding Network Groups for Schools: • 10 sessions were held across the county • These were attended by 134 schools, 4 CSS and 6 independent schools • Very well supported by partner agencies – Family Operations, Police, CAMHS, School Faciliators • Sessions to be held termly as a training forum and opportunity to network with other Designated Leads • Autumn term session to look at Safeguarding Audit

14. Update on Safeguarding Audit for schools: • ESCB has commissioned a company to produce a version for schools and FE establishments • Will be an on-line tool • Content currently being populated • Due for Autumn 2014

15. Update on Essex School Infolink (ESI) Safeguarding page • Model Child Protection Policy • Information on CSE • Training opportunities • Key documents and useful resources • Termly updates • How to access advice and guidance • Safeguarding Audit • Feedback from Serious Case Reviews • How to make a child protection referral • Presentations

16. Free training on FGM (female genital mutilation) The Home Office has launched a free online training package dealing with FGM, which has been developed with Virtual College. The free online training provides safeguarding professionals with an overview of FGM and their responsibilities in FGM cases. It also contains information on how to prevent FGM and helps professionals support those who have been subjected to it. The training can be accessed by visiting the website: www.fgmelearning.co.uk

17. Additional useful documents: • SET Procedures (September 2011 but in process of being updated) • Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfE, 2013) • You Have Someone to Trust – Outstanding Safeguarding Practice in Primary Schools (September 2012) • Feeling Safe, Keeping Safe: Good Practice in Safeguarding and Child Protection in Secondary Schools (September 2013)

18. Additional useful documents: Mental Health and Behaviour in Schools (DfE, 2014) schools have a role to play in supporting them to be resilient and mentally healthy Where severe problems occur schools should expect the child to get support elsewhere as well MindEd, a free online training tool, is now available to enable school staff to learn more about specific mental health problems

19. Risk factors in school: • Bullying • Discrimination • Breakdown in or lack of positive friendships • Deviant peer influences • Peer pressure • Poor pupil to teacher relationships

20. Protective factors in school: • Clear policies on behaviour and bullying • ‘Open-door’ policy for children to raise problems • A whole-school approach to promoting good mental health • Positive classroom management • A sense of belonging • Positive peer influences

21. Contact for Safeguarding Adviser to Schools: jo.barclay@essex.gov.uk 033301 31078 http://schools.essex.gov.uk/Pages/EssexSchoolsInfolink.aspx