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Domestic Violence - Practice Guidance for Social Workers (BASW)
In March 2021, the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) launched new guidance for child and family social workers supporting victim-survivors of domestic abuse.
The publication of the guidance comes at a critical time, during the pandemic Refuge saw a 61% increase in calls and contacts, as perpetrators used lockdown conditions to further assert control.
Although this guidance is aimed at social care practitioners, it is always useful for other professionals, including schools, to be aware such documentation.
The guide was developed in collaboration with valued stakeholders including Women’s Aid, Galop, Southall Black Sisters, Sign Health, Karma Nirvana, Respect, AVA, Ann Craft Trust, Dr Michaela Rogers at the University of Sheffield, as well as people with lived experience and BASW members.
Domestic Violence Webinar (66 mins)(BASW)
The launch event for the guidance can be watched online, and includes:
- Video contributions from Women’s Aid;
- An Overview of the Safe & Together ™ Model from Sarah McMillan;
- Ann Craft Trust;
- Asmaat Khan, a survivor of both domestic abuse and forced marriage, as well as a social worker; and
- Dr Michaela Rogers, lecturer at Sheffield University
This event provides ‘Top Tips’ from those with lived experience of domestic abuse, an overview of patterns of domestic abuse over COVID-19, as well as an introduction to the Safe & Together ™ Model.
Watch the launch event (just over an hour): https://www.basw.co.uk/basw-england-domestic-abuse-guidance-launch
Download the guidance: https://www.basw.co.uk/resources/basw-england-domestic-abuse-guidance-social-workers-april-2021
Ban Virginity Tests (Middle Eastern Women Society and Organisation) - Friday 30th April, 4.00 - 6.30pm
Online Conference (Free Registration)
A virginity test is a method of checking if a girl or woman is a virgin. This usually involves checking for an intact hymen in the mistaken belief that a torn hymen means a woman has had sex. Virginity tests are commonly used in Muslim and other conservative communities because their customs say women must be virgins when marrying their husbands. However, there is no scientific way to prove a girl or woman's virginity.
Taking the test can cause a girl or woman anguish and severe mental distress. Tragically, failing one can result in violence, sexual assault, banishment from the community, and, worse still, murder.
This is not something that just goes on in other countries. This is very much a British problem. In the 1970s it was reportedly carried out by immigration officials on women arriving from the Indian sub-continent to marry their British-Asian fiancés.
Virginity tests are carried out in the UK in private clinics. Although the extent of the practice in the UK is unknown, a BBC Newsbeat investigation in 2020 identified at least 21 clinics offering such tests. Doctors also offer hymen repair surgery, costing between £1,500-£3,000, should the girl or woman fail the test.
Middle Eastern Women Society and Organisation has launched a campaign to ban such tests. You can read more here: https://www.mewso.org/ban-virginity-tests
MEWSo supports Middle Eastern, North African and Asian women in London to rebuild their lives; and defend and protect women from violence both at home and in the wider community.
Online Conference: Ban Virginity Tests (MEWSo)
Friday 30th April, 4.00 - 6.30pm
To register for the event, go to: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ban-virginity-tests-tickets-149383695655
Children's Code (Information Commissioner's Office)
The Children’s Code (or Age Appropriate Design Code to give its formal title) is a data protection code of practice for online services, such as apps, online games, and web and social media sites, likely to be accessed by children. The came into force on 2 September 2020 with a 12 month transition period to give organisations time to prepare.
The code aims not to protect children from the digital world, but instead protect them within it by ensuring online services are better designed with children in mind.
What do schools need to do?
The Code applies to businesses who process children's data and it is something for schools to be aware of in relation to the strengthening of online protections for children. If you use a digital services provider that interacts with your pupils' data, it might be sensible to talk to them about what steps they are taking to be compliant with Code.
I'm not a data protection expert, so for further advice you should discuss this with your DP or legal provider.
You can find out more about the ICO's Children's Code here: https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/news-and-events/news-and-blogs/2021/03/ico-urges-businesses-to-act-now-as-children-s-code-comes-into-force-in-six-months/
Podcast Interview with the Infomation Commissioner
In episode 11 of the Kidtech Podcast, Elizabeth Denham, the Information Commissioner was interviewed by Super Aweseome CEO Dylan Collins to discuss the UK's groundbreaking Age Appropriate Design Code.
The podcast can be found here: https://www.superawesome.com/resources/kidtech-podcast/
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Dot com digital (2Simple) Free
Award winning educational software creator, 2Simple, has a new range resources under the Dot Com Digital banner. This is a unique safeguarding programme for 5 - 11s that supports their personal, social and emotional development and helps provide a safe space for them to learn the skills to lead a safe and happy life.
Dot Com Digital is a set of free resources to support teachers in delivering lessons around the Emergency services, grooming, County Lines and knife crime. The materials were created by children, safeguarding leads, Essex Police and the National Police Chief Council Lead for Internet Intelligence and Investigations.
The current resources available are suitable for Years 2, 5 and 6. The lessons plans were written in consultation with Essex Police and include detailed teacher guidance, terminology, lessons plans and online and offline activities.
You can sign up to access the free resources here: https://2simple.com/dot-com-digital/free-resources/
Dot Com Premium (£)
Dot Com Premium has 170 lessons providing schools with a complete solution for teaching PHSE including an overview, videos, lesson plans and online and paper-based activities all hosted in a secure online platform.
Dot Com Digital is the latest wellbeing and safeguarding resource from 2Simple, which gives children the skills to manage their own mental health and safety. Aimed at children aged 5-11, it includes over 24 themes, which enables schools to deliver a rich PHSE curriculum whilst fulfilling the requirements of the 2020 RSE framework.
You can find out more and download a free sample pack of lessons here: https://2simple.com/dot-com-digital/paid-version/
Inspection Handbooks Amended (Ofsted)
Ofsted have updated the Education Inspection Framework (EIF). The changes have been made to 'reflect the COVID-19 context that education providers are operating in and the disruption the pandemic has caused to them.'
The Education Inspection Framework can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/education-inspection-framework
In terms of safeguarding there are a few things to be aware of. Firstly, the updated School Inspection Handbook has a new paragraph inserted: 'If inspectors cannot corroborate the evidence that they gather about the effectiveness of the school’s arrangements to safeguard pupils, by talking to pupils on inspection, then safeguarding will likely be judged ineffective.' (see paragraph 302)
Other paragraphs relate to inspectors making remote visits to alternative provisions (paragraphs 279 and 283); and ensuring effective safeguarding whilst children are learning remotely (paragraph 292).
The School Inspection Handbook can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-inspection-handbook-eif/school-inspection-handbook
No changes have been made to Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills settings.
MeeToo App for iOS and Android
MeeToo is a multi-award winning, free, anonymous app where young people can talk about difficult things. Built on research showing the positive impact of peer support for mental health, MeeToo provides a safe, pre-moderated (by humans) space for young people aged 11+ to experiment with opening up about whatever may be on their mind.
Posts can be responded to by other users, as well as a team of trained university psychology students and MeeToo counsellors who help to guide discussions and ensure that no post goes unanswered.
Moderators check every post and reply before they go live to ensure the safety and anonymity of our users, and our counsellors uphold a sophisticated system for monitoring and tracking potential safeguarding risks.
MeeToo supports over 6,000 young people each month. It is featured on the NHS Apps Library and promoted by more than 1,000 schools in the UK.
You can easily see how MeToo works here: https://www.meetoo.help/how-meetoo-works
For more information and to request engagement materials please contact info@meetoo.help or visit www.meetoo.help ...
Forthcoming Courses
Advanced Safeguarding for DSLs
ONLINE Wednesday, 5 May 2021 BOOK NOW
ONLINE Wednesday, 26 May 2021 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)
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