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Dear Colleague,
Record number of children and young people referred to mental health services as pandemic takes its toll (Royal College of Psychiatrists)
The number of children and young people being referred to mental health services for crisis and non-crisis care has increased hugely according to an analysis of NHS Digital data by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
The number of referrals to children and young people’s mental health services between April and June 2021 had increased by 134% since the same period in 2020 from just over 80,000 to 190,000, and up almost 100% from the same three month period in 2019 (approximately 90,000).
The study also found that 8,552 children and young people were referred for urgent or emergency crisis care between April and June this year, up 80% on the same period last year (4,741) and up 64% on 2019 (5,219).
While more children than ever before are being treated by eating disorder services, an unprecedented number are also waiting for treatment. There have also been significant increases in the rates of probable mental disorders in children and young people. In 2020, 16% of children aged 5 to 16 years were identified as having a probable mental disorder, compared with 11% in 2017.
Important reminder about staff use of social media
A teacher from south-east England is under investigation after a series of racists tweets were sent from his social media account.
The Teacher Standards say that a 'teacher is expected to demonstrate consistently high standards of personal and professional conduct' and this includes online.
Resources about online reputation
Professional reputation (UKSIC) https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/teachers-and-school-staff/professional-reputation
Managing your school’s online reputation (LGfL) https://static.lgfl.net/LgflNet/downloads/online-safety/LGfL-OS-Advice-Online-Reputation-Managment-for-Schools.pdf
A teachers' guide to managing your professional online reputation (Welsh Government) https://hwb.gov.wales/zones/keeping-safe-online/resources/a-teacher-s-guide-to-managing-your-professional-online-reputation
Teachers’ Standards (DfE) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/665522/Teachers_standard_information.pdf
Guild - an alternative to WhatsApp - is now free!
Last year I wrote about the challenges of using WhatsApp in schools. Concerns include how the data is used (Facebook owns WhatsApp), the fact that not everyone wants to use social media, the potential blurring of personal and professional boundaries, and now 'disappearing messages'.
I suggested Guild as an alternative product that schools could use to create formal (and informal groups) across their staff teams. Guild is a messaging platform created by a British independent technology company for professional groups, networks and communities to provide a safe online space to communicate, connect and collaborate. Guild is a standalone tech service and needs no other social media intergration, making it easy to separate personal life and work.
When I first wrote about Guild, they were kind enough to offer a special cost option for schools. Now I'm pleased to tell you that they have changed their business model and it is free to use with unlimited groups, members and admins.
One of the key differences from other social media products is that group administrators can access user-level engagement data and group conversation data for analysis and compliance purposes. I think this makes Guild ideal for school use.
Join up or find out more from their website here: https://guild.co/
Did you have this Safeguarding Briefing forwarded to you?
If this copy of the Safeguarding Briefing has been forwarded to you, consider signing up for your own free copy here: www.safeguardingbriefing.co.uk
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) (Sex Education Forum)
Thirty percent of people have never heard of HPV and 40% have a poor understanding of it, according to a YouGov poll. Yet Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is incredibly common – 80% of people will get it at some point.
HPV infections can be spread by any skin-to-skin contact and are usually found on the fingers, hands, mouth and genitals. It can be transmitted by sexual contact. Most of the time HPV does not cause any problems and there are no symptoms, however the majority of cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV.
It is likely that HPV will be mentioned in schools as there is a national immunisation programme for 12 and 13 year olds. However the Sex Education Forum says that 'the average time spent learning about STIs seems to be about one hour' and HPV is rarely mentioned in RSHE programmes.
The Department for Education has produced an online training module on ‘sexual health’, which includes the advice to teach that there are different STIs, explain how they can be transmitted and ensure that pupils understand that transmission of an STI can happen during different types of sexual activity.
You can find out more from the Sex Education Forum here: https://www.sexeducationforum.org.uk/news/news/hpv-curriculum
The teacher training guidance 'Intimate and sexual relationships, including sexual health' (DfE) can downloaded here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/teacher-training-intimate-and-sexual-relationships-including-sexual-health
Help, I'm a new DSL, get me informed! (Any questions edition)
If you are a new DSL, I'm sure you'll have a number of questions by now, some will be tricky and some sooo 'easy' you don't even want to ask anyone. Well now here's your chance!
Later this week, I'll be recording an online session I'm calling, 'Help, I'm a new DSL, get me informed!"
I'll answer as many questions as I can, so if you have any safeguarding in schools related question, however simple, straightforward or complex, please send them to me (anonymously if you wish) using the form here: https://www.menti.com/c5g5wm3sm9
(Remember I can't help with individual cases.)
Cannabis Edibles
Over the summer there was some media reporting about 'sweets' laced with cannabis, amongst other things. Here are some resources that you might find useful:
The Surrey Safeguarding Partnership and Catch-22 have produced this helpful leaflet: Edibles: Information for Parents & Carers https://cdn.catch-22.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/SYPSMS-Edibles-Information-for-Parents.pdf
Ealing Grid for Learning has a ‘toolkit’ about edible cannabis, which includes a powerpoint presentation from the Metropolitan police, here: Safeguarding alert: Edible drugs disguised as sweets https://www.egfl.org.uk/news/2021/03/safeguarding-alert-edible-drugs-disguised-sweets
Another resources is: Cannabis Edibles Information Sheet (SORTED) https://safeguardpro.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Edibles-Info-Sheet-SORTED.pdf
Forthcoming Events
Advanced Safeguarding for DSLs
LIVE ONLINE Tuesday 19th October 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 the work you're doing,
Andrew Hall,
Specialist Safeguarding Consultant,
Success In Schools Ltd.
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