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Dear Colleague,
I hope that you were able to have something of a break over half-term, although I know that some schools are off this week.
Although this term brings the darker evenings, there is usually much to look forward to. This year not so much. There is again lots of uncertainty and schools will be holding onto children's anxiety, whilst staff most likely will have their own worries too. Supporting each other will continue to be important whatever might happen next. I will be thinking of you all.
Remember that the Education Support charity is there for everyone who works in education. They have many useful resources on their website specifically about topics linked to coronavirus. The resources can be found here: https://www.educationsupport.org.uk/coronavirus-support
The Education Support helpline is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day staffed by trained counsellors on 08000 562 561.
A useful poster for noticeboards can be downloaded here: https://www.educationsupport.org.uk/sites/default/files/resources/helpline_poster.pdf
/the social dilemma - Netflix
On Saturday night I did something I rarely do and watched a film. I'm not big on films - they usually go on too long for me.
/the social dilemma is a documentary-drama hybrid from Netflix and 'explores the dangerous human impact of social networking, with tech experts sounding the alarm on their own creations'.
The question raised of course is: is social media bad for us. Spoiler Alert - yes it is. But there is some chilling content, especially toward the end of the film, when we learn that many of the creators of social media, don't use it and don't want their children to use it either (until at least 16 anyhow).
In essence, the creators built a force for good, but it has gone sour. Not just sour, but in many ways it's actually dangerous. And this should matter to all of us.
/the social dilemma has the best explanation that I've seen, about how 'algorithms' work to mine for people's attention and to influence their behaviour.
One of the people who takes part in the programme is ex-Google design ethicist Tristan Harris. He began to worry about the ethics of modern technology in 2013, and has since then has created the Center for Humane Technology. The organisation has some resources for teachers and parents to use when discussing this film which you can find here: https://www.humanetech.com/the-social-dilemma
As I said, I don't watch films generally, but my son recommended it to me, and I'm recommending it to you too if you can access Netflix. I think it is well-worth having staff watch it as part of CPD and discuss it afterwards.
If you have seen it, I'd be interested in what you thought.
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Online Tutors – Keeping Children Safe (LGfL)
Guidance for Parents & Carers
Every year, private tutors help children catch up with missed work or address areas they are struggling with, or with extra-curricular activities like music. Lockdown has led to major growth in this area, especially online, and this is expected to continue with further bubble and possible school closures.
Anyone can set up as a tutor and there are no registration procedures. They don't even require an Enhanced DBS check.
To help parents, LGfl has prepared a leaflet supporting parents to select the right tutor, establish clear rules and help the child understand what they should know too.
You can find out more and download the guidance leaflet here: https://safeblog.lgfl.net/2020/10/online-tutors-keeping-children-safe/
NEW Safeguarding in Out-of-School Settings (DfE)
In December 2018, the government consulted on a (voluntary) code of practice for 'out of school settings' (OOSS).
Out-of-school settings do not have to follow any specific code of conduct with regards to health & safety, safeguarding or to act to prevent radicalisation or extremism.
The non-statutory Code of Practice has now been published and is made up of the guidance and a range of supporting documents for organisers and parents. The code covers advice on what policies and procedures providers should have in place for health and safety, safeguarding and child protection, staff suitability, and governance. There are guides and checklists for parents and carers to help them choose a safer setting for their child. I think it will be good to get the message out to them.
Following this guidance is voluntary for settings (aside for the legal requirements which are made clear throughout the guidance) – and the DfE will not monitor or assess whether providers are implementing the practices set out. However, by adopting these practices, organisations will be taking reasonable steps to ensure the safety of children using their services and attending these settings.
The guidance covers:
- community activities
- after-school clubs
- supplementary schools
- tuition
- music lessons
- sports training
- other activities for children that take place without their parents’ or carers’ supervision, that are not a:
- school
- college
- 16 to 19 college
- provider caring for children under 8 years old registered with Ofsted or a childminder agency settings
Keeping children safe during community activities, after-school clubs and tuition: non-statutory guidance for providers running out-of-school settings (webpage)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-out-of-school-settings-code-of-practice/keeping-children-safe-during-community-activities-after-school-clubs-and-tuition-non-statutory-guidance-for-providers-running-out-of-school-settings
Keeping children safe in out-of-school settings: code of practice (Non-Statutory) pdf
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/931529/6.6903_DFE_OOSS_Code_of_practice_document_A4_v8__1___.pdf
Other helpful documents in the series
- Information for self-employed providers or volunteers running out-of-school settings
- Information on safeguarding for providers of tuition and faith groups
- Information for providers on keeping children safe in sports clubs and other extra-curricular activities
- Seven steps checklist towards running a safe club, activity or tuition class for children
- Safeguarding for providers of extra-curricular clubs, youth organisations and study groups
- Guidance for parents and carers on safeguarding children in out-of-school settings
- Information for parents choosing an after school club, community activity or tuition
All the documents can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/keeping-children-safe-in-out-of-school-settings
Phone app to disguise teacher's phone number when calling families
The VOIP shop are a cloud phone system provider based in Leicester. They contacted me to say that they have developed a an app for teachers to use from their laptop or mobiles when working from home and have to call students or families.
The app allows teachers to call students and show the schools phone number as the caller ID. The app also keep a log of the calls teachers have made on behalf of the school which the only the headteacher has access to. The app is quick to setup, often within 24 hours.
Special Benefits for Schools
- We are providing this service with no contract at all for schools.
- We included Unlimited calls with the apps so no call charges.
- The school can start using the service and cancel any time
- The cost of the app is only 50p per day per teacher.
I haven't tried this app or evaluated it, but I thought it was an interesting idea. Your own due diligence and evaluations will need to be undertaken.
You can find out more information here: https://www.thevoipshop.co.uk/safeguarding-and-remote-education-during-coronavirus-covid-19
How safe are our children? 2021 conference (NSPCC)
The NSPCC has published the date of its annual conference which will be on 4th and 5th March 2021. Given the current situation, the NSPCC have opted to set this up online. The sessions will be available for a week afterwards. Although attending conferences has its own magic, I've attended more conferences this year than usually, simply because it is so convenient.
Key areas of focus this year include child and adolescent mental health, online safety and preventing abuse in families facing additional pressures.
You can find out more and book here: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/news/events/how-safe-are-our-children-conference
Early Years in Mind (Anna Freud Centre)
The Anna Freud Centre runs a free online network for early years practitioners. The network provides easy to read and easy to use guidance on supporting the mental health of babies, young children and their families.
The network was developed by mental health experts and shares practical and clinical expertise, and advice on using attachment-informed practice.
You can find out more about the Early Years in Mind network here: https://www.annafreud.org/early-years/early-years-in-mind/
Forthcoming Courses
Advanced Safeguarding for DSLs
ONLINE Tuesday 10th November 2020 BOOK NOW
ONLINE Friday 27th November 2020 BOOK NOW
...and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your convenience BOOK NOW
Safeguarding for Everyone
Excellent as an online safeguarding session for all staff. Set up for your school on request.
For more information, go to: Whole School Safeguarding Course (Online)
Until next week, Keep Safe.
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