|
Safeguarding Briefing - 18th October 2021
Dear ,
Positive environments where children can flourish (Ofsted)
Ofsted has updated its guidance to schools when they are inspecting how schools approach physical interventions, restraint and the restriction of liberty.
The guidance has been updated to explain the importance of protecting and promoting children’s rights; recognise that restraint negatively impacts children’s mental health and well-being and highlight the importance of taking positive steps to understand children’s communication, and to identify triggers for and problem-solve difficult situations by taking positive steps to defuse situations. The advice includes information about how inspectors will explore the culture of the residential setting or school through an understanding of the role of leaders in overseeing staff practice and outcomes for children.
Information sets out how inspectors will explore the culture of the residential setting or school through an understanding of the role of leaders in overseeing staff practice and outcomes for children.
Positive environments where children can flourish can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/positive-environments-where-children-can-flourish/positive-environments-where-children-can-flourish
The guidance is particularly pertinent this week, as Ofsted has issued a termination warning to a special school for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH). Safeguarding at the school was inadequate, inspectors found that:
- There are too many incidents of poor behaviour in lessons that result in physical intervention from staff. Too often, interventions include dangerous moves, such as holding pupils to the floor. Leaders should review their approaches to supporting pupils’ behaviour so that such interventions are no longer needed.
- Leaders do not ensure that incidents involving physical intervention are followed up appropriately. As a result, pupils do not feel safe, or confident that they are listened to. In addition, leaders do not scrutinise records of incidents.
- Records do not show whether physical interventions are necessary or proportionate.
Clocks back! Dark nights ahead
We'll soon be setting the clocks back an hour and summer-time will end. The resources below will help remind children, including teenagers, about road safety and keeping safe in the dark.
Teaching Road Safety: A Guide for Parents https://www.rospa.com/media/documents/road-safety/teaching-road-safety-a-guide-for-parents.pdf
Safety First – Cycling at Night https://www.cycletraining.co.uk/cycle-training-and-cycle-safety/safety-first-cycling-at-night/
Teaching road safety: guide for educators https://www.brake.org.uk/how-we-help/raising-awareness/schools-and-families
Road safety teaching resources for children https://www.think.gov.uk/education-resources/
Be Bright, Be Seen Poster https://6282.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/Be_Bright_Be_Seen-A5-Flyer.pdf
Keeping Children Safe in the Dark https://firstaidforlife.org.uk/keeping-children-safe-in-dark/
Dark Nights https://www.childcare.co.uk/information/dark-nights-children-safety
Be Bright Be Seen https://brightkidz.co.uk/initiatives/be-bright-be-seen/
Safeguarding.Pro Questions
There are several great reasons for joining Safeguarding.Pro. One of them is being able to get answers to your questions, from me and others in the DSL community, including some very experienced people.
One of the questions asked this week was:
Do Teaching Assistants need be checked through the Barred List? I thought this was only teachers?
Anyone, including Teaching Assistants, who are in regulated activity must have a barred list check. A teacher prohibition check is undertaken for anyone with Qualified Teacher Status. However, depending on the circumstances, people prohibited from 'teaching work' are not necessarily barred from working in a school. Prohibition is related to teacher standards, whilst barring relates to criminal convictions.
You can find more information in KCSIE (2021) here: https://www.keepingchildrensafeineducation.co.uk/part_three_safe_recruit.html#recruit
To get your question answered, go to: https://www.safeguardinginschools.co.uk/products/safeguarding-pro-community/community/feed?cid=f400d616-f10b-487c-aedf-c612ab56fecc
To join us in Safeguarding.Pro, go to: https://www.safeguardinginschools.co.uk/store?cid=f400d616-f10b-487c-aedf-c612ab56fecc
NEW Apple iOS 15 for mobile devices
Apple has recently launched a new operating system for the iPhone and iPad. The latest update comes after a serious security breach that would have left targeted individuals at risk.
Online safety company, Ineqe, has looked closely at the new iOS 15 and has found that the new features could leave children vulnerable. Apple's video call software, FaceTime, now has the ability to link with web browsers on Windows and Android. This new shareability could put children at risk of anonymous video calls.
To read more about the iOS 15 update, go to: https://ineqe.com/2021/10/08/ios-15/
Did someone forward this Safeguarding Briefing to you?
Do you want your own free Monday morning email?
Join us by going to: www.safeguardingbriefing.co.uk
Parenting Smart (Place2Be)
The children's mental health charity, Place2Be, has launched a new website aimed at helping parents with typical situations they can find themselves in with their children.
Advice can be found on over forty topics including:
- Understanding sibling rivalry
- My child is lying, what does it mean, what should I do?
- My child has trouble going to sleep
- My child says ‘I hate you!’
- Cultural identity: who am I?
The Parenting Smart website can found here: https://parentingsmart.place2be.org.uk/
NEW Posters from the NSPCC
The NSPCC and Childline have published a set of downloadable posters to support two campaigns: Nobody is Normal (about being different); and Tough to Talk (boys' mental health). Posters are also available for D/deaf or hearing impaired children.
The posters can be downloaded here: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/childline-posters-wallet-cards
Nobody is Normal page is here: https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/normal/
Tough to Talk page is here: https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/mental-health/tough-to-talk
No Safeguarding Briefing on 25th October 2021
For some schools, half-term is this week, and some lucky people have two weeks. This means that the next Safeguarding Briefing will be Monday 1st November 2021.
Forthcoming Events
Advanced Safeguarding for DSLs
LIVE ONLINE Tuesday 19th October 2021 BOOK NOW
LIVE ONLINE Tuesday 16th November 2021 BOOK NOW
...and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your convenience BOOK NOW
Whole School Safeguarding CPD Online Session
In this two and half hour online presentation aimed at staff in all roles, specialist safeguarding consultant, Andrew Hall, explores important aspects of safeguarding in schools including child protection, learning from case studies and the latest version of Keeping Children Safe in Education.
You book your online session here: https://cpd.safeguardinginschools.co.uk/product/whole-school-safeguarding-course-online/
Until next time, keep safe and thank you for all the work you're doing,
Andrew Hall,
Specialist Safeguarding Consultant,
Success In Schools Ltd.
|
