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Safeguarding Briefing - 7th June 2021
Dear Colleague,
Lockdown Fathers: the untold story (Fatherhood Institute)
During the Spring 2020 lockdown in Britain, fathers spent more time at home with their families than at any point since the Industrial Revolution.
Lockdown Fathers: the untold story, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, details their experiences and their aspirations for ways of working post-pandemic. Fathers want to maintain the balance widely achieved during lockdown of working effectively while parenting their children better.
Drawing on a nationally representative survey-sample of more than 2,000 men with children aged under-12, the study explored the lockdown’s impact on physical and mental health (20% reported improvement), relationships with children and partner - and parenting skills. Two-thirds report a better father-child relationship post lockdown, two-fifths feel more confident as parents and better able to support their children’s schoolwork, and three-fifths report greater awareness of the importance of fathers spending time with their children. Aspirations include more remote working (63%) and more flexibility in working time (76%).
The majority of fathers in the survey said they emerged from the lock-down experience more confident as parents, in better relationships with their children, understanding them better, and feeling closer to them.
The Fatherhood Institute is a registered UK charity whose work focuses on policy, research and practice to reach their vision of a society where there’s a great dad for every child.
You can read more about the 'Lockdown Fathers' report here: http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/2021/fathers-seek-more-home-flexible-working-to-maintain-covid-transformation-in-childcare/
Fathers after Lockdown Online Presentation
Wednesday 9th June 2021 14:00 – 15:00 BST
The Fatherhood Institute is holding an online presentation and discussion of the findings of the report and the implications for employers, employees. gender equality and family wellbeing on Wednesday 9th June at 2pm. You can register for the presentation here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fathers-after-lockdown-transforming-workplaces-transforming-families-tickets-155667189755
ChatPro
ChatPro is a specialist communication app for organisations that need to comply with safeguarding and data protection regulations. It provides simple, effective communication in organisations where safety and security are paramount.
You may remember a few weeks ago, I mentioned that ChatPro were looking for schools to help them trial their new product. ChatPro Director, Harry Serle, says, "The main use for ChatPro in the trials has been as a replacement for staff WhatsApp. The feedback has been that teachers and leadership are using it to communicate every day, by setting-up individual and group chats across the school."
"One school has been using ChatPro more widely, by adding the whole the staff team (including support and administrative staff). About half of schools are using picture messaging, the other half are using text messaging only. We built ChatPro to be safe to use with pupils, but it seems the greater need (for now at least) is for secure and convenient staff communication."
You can find more about the ChatPro app here: https://www.chatpro.co.uk/
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Changes to the enhanced DBS check application process (DBS)
From Monday 31st May 2021, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) will no longer be able to amend an applicant’s personal information on the application form, once it has been submitted.
Enhanced DBS check applications that are submitted with omitted or incorrect information regarding sections A, B and C will be withdrawn, and a new application will need to be submitted. If an application is withdrawn due to an omission or error in the personal information, no refunds will be given.
The DBS will contact Registered Bodies with the aim of resolving the query, and only if an error or omission is confirmed, will the application be withdrawn.
Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel Annual Report (2020)
The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel is an independent panel which commissions reviews of serious child safeguarding cases. The national and local reviews aim to focus on improving learning, professional practice and outcomes for children.
The independent expert panel reviews serious child safeguarding cases – when a child dies or suffers serious harm, and abuse or neglect is known or suspected. In 2020 the panel received 482 serious incident notifications with 206 of these incidents involved children who died.
An analysis of the data shows that all agencies need to address the stubborn challenges, such as weak information sharing and risk assessment, that have too often, over decades, persistently beset child protection practice.
Examples include initial risk assessments not being updated in response to new information about parental mental health concerns and alcohol and substance misuse, or information of previous convictions for sexual offences not being shared due to a lack of understanding about GDPR and data protection regulations.
The report identifies 6 cross-cutting practice themes for safeguarding partners to make a difference in reducing serious harm and preventing child deaths in the context of abuse or neglect. These following themes are supported by a bank of case studies to aid key learning from the reviews:
- Understanding what the child’s daily life is like
- Working with families where their engagement is reluctant and sporadic
- Critical thinking and challenge
- Responding to changing risk and need
- Sharing information in a timely and appropriate way
- Organisational leadership and culture for good outcomes
Access the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel Annual Report (2020) here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/child-safeguarding-practice-review-panel-annual-report-2020
Having a conversation with parents and carers about mental health (Young Minds)
Mental health is a very emotional subject to talk about. This is especially true of conversations between teachers and parents and carers. Sometimes it can be difficult to know how to approach the first conversation. Young Minds has created a guide to help navigate these conversations.
The guide can be downloaded here: https://youngminds.org.uk/resources/school-resources/having-a-conversation-with-parents-and-carers-about-mental-health/
The Young Minds Parents Helpline can be contacted on 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday 9.30am – 4pm, free for mobiles and landlines)
Forthcoming Courses
Advanced Safeguarding for DSLs
ONLINE Wednesday, 9 June 2021 BOOK NOW
ONLINE Tuesday, 29 June 2021 BOOK NOW
...and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your convenience BOOK NOW
Safeguarding and Governance
ONLINE Thursday, 24 June 2021 BOOK NOW
ONLINE Wednesday, 7 July 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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