|
Safeguarding Briefing - 28th March 2022
On-location Safeguarding CPD Bookings
Although the demand for online and on demand CPD remains strong, this is just a reminder that I am taking bookings to lead safeguarding CPD at your location in schools and other places. (The phrase face-to-face is often used for these sessions, but I think of live online as in person too.)
Although there is availability from mid-September, a few dates remain for next term.
Options include:
Advanced Safeguarding for DSLs - Full day
Whole School Safeguarding - Twilight, half-day or full-day
Conference Keynote - Typically one hour - 90 minutes
Mental Health - available as a twilight or a conference key note - one hour.
Safeguarding for Governors - usually an evening session, for example 6.30 - 8pm - 90 minutes
To check availability or book, please email Chiara: office@safeguardinginschools.co.uk
September INSET - Online Whole School
Since lockdown, I have created an online two-hour video for use in Safeguarding CPD sessions. This approach has been very popular and I have been taking bookings again for this September. This will be the third video in the series and will of course have new material, including the latest updates to Keeping Children Safe in Education.
The 2022/23 online 'Safeguarding for Everyone' seminar will be available from: Monday 22nd August 2022.
To book, go to: https://cpd.safeguardinginschools.co.uk/product/whole-school-safeguarding-course-online/
Prevent Duty training
After I asked about Prevent Duty training a couple of weeks ago, a few people got in touch with further tips. Whilst there are co-ordinators for Prevent in police areas and there are coordinators for Higher and Further Education, availability for primary and secondary schools is more limited.
FE/HE Regional Prevent Coordinators
Although, it is important to note that the legislation for FE and HE is different from that which affects schools, Harron from the Midlands got in touch to refer us to this FE/HE list of Regional Prevent Coordinators. The people shown on this map may have the local knowledge to know who might be able to help schools: https://preventforfeandtraining.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/HEFE-Coordiantor-network-map.pdf
Prevent Duty for Schools (LGfL)
Mubina Asaria, Head of Online Safety and Prevent at LGfL is a former Borough Prevent Coordinator who has recently worked with the DfE's Prevent Team on several project. Mubina offers a course which takes schools beyond Wrap. It's free to any school in the country and is regularly updated.
The course helps schools promote a practical implementation of the Prevent duty through a whole school approach. As well as addressing the latest risk, trends and vulnerabilities, this 2 hour virtual session covers:
- meeting compliance through effective risk assessment, policies and practice
- strategies to incorporate extremism into the curriculum, and hold difficult conversations
- effective approaches to address the threat of online radicalisation
- resources to build resilience through critical thinking
- promoting engagement with parents and local partnerships
To find out more, go to: https://www.lgfl.net/digisafe/implementprevent
Safeguarding and Prevent for Further Education (Education and Training Foundation)
The Education and Training Foundation (ETF), established in October 2013, is the expert body for professional development and standards in Further Education (FE) and Training in England.
The EFT has relevant Prevent Duty training for the FE sector. To find out more: https://www.et-foundation.co.uk/supporting/professional-development/inclusion/prevent/
Child Q
Last week's Safeguarding Briefing was dedicated to the Local Safeguarding Learning Review of the case of Child Q. Thank you for all the interesting comments that I was sent.
The learning review has prompted many questions about the role of police officers in school. I hope this case will act as a catalyst for change as it seems a number of people, across the country, not only in the Metropolitan Police area have questions or concerns about to engage with the police.
One question that has come up a number of times, is whether Appropriate Adults are needed for police interviews with children as part of a child protection enquiry. The short answer is 'no'; Appropriate Adults are used when a young person has been arrested or suspected of an office. A child protection enquiry has different rules.
Interviewing children about their experiences as a victim or witness is a specialist skill sometimes takes place on school premises, often in partnership with a social worker. A DSL or headteacher may be able to support the child. The police will say whether the parents may be informed.
I think the case of Child Q will act as a catalyst for improvements in joint working between the police and schools. It may be worth considering how headteacher groups or DSL networks can engage with the local senior police officers to develop protocols.
Child Q - Video seminar and Slide Deck (Andrew Hall)
The online seminar about the Child Q case is still available free of charge until midnight tonight (Monday 28th March 2022). From tomorrow the resources can only be found in Safeguarding.Pro. If you are not already a member, please go to http://joinsafeguarding.pro
Police: learning from case reviews (NSPCC)
Police often have significant contact with families prior to the incidents that trigger case reviews. Police can come into contact with children in a number of different ways. They can be directly involved when young people commit offences, go missing from home or when offences are committed against children.
Case reviews highlight that police need to work closely with other agencies to respond quickly and holistically to child protection concerns. Police need to be aware of the impact of abuse and neglect on children, and recognise the signs of abuse. They also need to consider how the criminal behaviour of family members affects children.
The report found that case reviews highlight that the police need to work closely with other agencies to respond quickly and holistically to child protection concerns. Police need to be aware of the impact of abuse and neglect on children, and recognise the signs of abuse. They also need to consider how the criminal behaviour of family members affects children.
In this research report from the NSPCC, published in 2015, the main issues that were noted included:
- Some groups and communities were particularly reluctant to engage with the police. Some young people reported being treated like criminals, even though they were the victims of serious crimes. Examples of this include disproportionately high levels of stop and search experienced by black adolescent males, and child abuse victims being given convictions for minor offences.
- Police did not always recognise young people as victims of abuse. In a number of child sexual exploitation cases the girls involved were seen as consenting partners. Girls were blamed for putting themselves in danger, or seen as “child prostitutes” rather than victims of sexual abuse.
- In a number of cases the police “safe and well” or “welfare” check was interpreted by other agencies as a sign that there were no safeguarding issues. What this check actually represented was a lack of immediate concerns. In other cases, where police dropped charges due to insufficient evidence to secure a prosecution, other agencies assumed this meant the accused did not pose a risk to children.
Read the report here: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/learning-from-case-reviews/police
'Helping Young People Navigate the 21st Century' - Mental Health Conference (New Beacon School)
Sevenoaks, Kent
Friday 6th May 2022
Noted child and adolescent mental health speaker, Pooky Knightsmith, is to present at a conference organised by the New Beacon School, in Kent: Helping Young People Navigate The 21st Century.
The previous evening, Thursday 5th May, TEDx speaker and prep school headmaster, Dick Moore, will explore child and adolescent mental health.
You can see Dick's TEDx talk here: https://www.tedxexeter.com/speakers/dick-moore/
For more information about the conference: https://www.newbeacon.org.uk/news-events/helping-young-people-navigate-the-21st-century/
Violence against Women and Girls (Mayor of London/London Assembly)
In the UK, a violent man kills a woman every three days. Changing this starts with men reflecting on their own behaviour and the way they see, treat and talk about women.
The Mayor of London and the London Assembly has launched a campaign called 'Have A Word With Yourself, Then With Your Mates'. There are number of videos and other resources to encourage behavioural change from men and boys towards women.
Find the resources here: https://www.london.gov.uk//content/have-a-word
Should we report underage sexual activity to parents?
In the UK the age of consent for sexual activity is 16, for males and females. However, there is no legal obligation to report underage sex, either to Children’s Services, or to their parents, unless exploitation, abuse or serious harm is suspected. Children under-13 cannot consent to any kind of sexual activity; this means that where it is occurs, this is likely to indicate serious harm and must be referred to Children's Services. For children between 13 and 16, the younger the child, the more likely it is to be of concern. There are a number of risks that should be considered, see local information or https://www.londoncp.co.uk/sg_sex_active_ch.html#-risk-indicators
The local safeguarding children board will have a guidance document about safeguarding sexually-active children. The London Child Protection Procedures covers this issue here: London Child Protection procedures – confidentiality https://www.londoncp.co.uk/sg_sex_active_ch.html
In some circumstances, parents may be informed and and a referral made to Children’s Services or the police. The risk factors to be taken into account are listed here: London Child Protection procedures – indicators of risk https://www.londoncp.co.uk/sg_sex_active_ch.html#-confidentiality
The Sussex LSCB procedures specifically state: ‘The law allows staff to respect young people’s rights to confidentiality when discussing sex and relationship issues and a disclosure of under-age sex is not of itself a reason to break confidentiality.’ Pan Sussex Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures Manual, paragraph 8.40.33 http://sussexchildprotection.procedures.org.uk/tkyyl/children-in-specific-circumstances/sexually-active-children#s458
In these circumstances, the phrases Gillick Competency and the Fraser Guidelines are often mentioned. A good source of information to help understanding the difference between Gillick and Fraser can be found at the links below:
Nigel’s surgery 8: Gillick competency and Fraser guidelines (CQC) https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/gps/nigels-surgery-8-gillick-competency-fraser-guidelines
Young people and the Fraser guidelines: confidentiality and consent (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) https://www.bradfordvts.co.uk/wp-content/onlineresources/clinical-knowledge/paediatrics/fraser%20competence%20and%20assessing%20coercion%20in%20relationships.pdf
Tackling sexual harassment and sexual violence (Brook)
Young people’s sexual health and wellbeing charity, Brook, is working with the Department for Education to tackle the widespread sexual harassment in schools. Together they have designed a survey to better understand what support teachers need to deliver high quality relationships education.
By completing this survey, you will have a direct impact on Government strategies on tackling sexual harassment and sexual violence. Depending on your responses, the survey takes about 6 to 10 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous.
As a thank you for taking part, there's a 25% discount on a Brook digital learning course of your choice. Courses include: Traffic Light Tool, Harmful Sexual Behaviours and Introduction to Safeguarding. You can also enter a draw to win a three-day RSHE consultancy support package worth £2,500.
Deadline is 3rd April 2022
The survey can be found here: https://bit.ly/3u5G02W
Eating disorders (ACAMH)
Young people with an eating disorder have negative beliefs about themselves and about their eating, body shape and weight. This has an impact on their physical and mental health, education, relationships and quality of life.
The exact cause of eating disorders is not known, but it’s likely that there are several factors at play, rather than one single identifiable cause; for example, a mix of social, biological, psychological and interpersonal causes.
In most cases, eating disorders start in adolescence, but they are often not picked up until adulthood. However, the earlier treatment starts, the better the long-term outcomes.
Read more about Eating Disorders on the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health website here: https://www.acamh.org/topic/eating-disorders/
Twelve things I wish I’d known about grief (Winston's Wish)
From the often talked about ‘five stages of grief’ to the idea that grieving people should be crying all the time, there are many common myths about grief. The Winston’s Wish team look at the truth behind these myths and reveal 12 things you should know about grief.
Winston's Wish has services for deaths in particularly difficult situations, for example, suicide, in the military or emergency services and as a result of murder or manslaughter. See here: https://www.winstonswish.org/supporting-you/supporting-a-bereaved-child/
Read the rest here: https://www.winstonswish.org/12-things-i-wish-id-known-about-grief/
Home Based Live Chat Volunteer opportunity (Family Lives)
Family Lives are looking for remote live chat volunteers to offer support to families, carers and others on issues such as poverty, behavioural issues and family breakdown.
Once trained, volunteers sign up for a regular weekly three hour shift plus debrief. This opportunity offers the flexibility of working from home yet still being very much a part of the Family Lives Live Chat team.
More details here: https://www.familylives.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/local-opportunities/
Easter Holiday Closures
Although the dates of the Easter holidays vary across the country, as my wife works in Essex, I tend to follow their breaks. With that in mind, this is the last Safeguarding Briefing until 25th April 2022.
Our Office will be closed from Monday 4th - Tuesday 19th April 2022 inclusive.
Forthcoming Events
Advanced Safeguarding for DSLs
This is a four-session course for DSLs over a full-day. The course is offered live and as a recorded replay. When the course is live, there are plenty of opportunities to contribute with observations, questions or answers. As a recording, the interactions from other people are included and feedback notes that this makes it feel like you are not on your own.
"I came to a session in Birmingham back in 2019 (the day after the GE I think) and it was superb. Today [online] was just as good, if not better. The use of video mixed with live speaking was excellent and goes way beyond what other safeguarding courses provide. You've been there and done it, and your openness with your own story is inspirational."
LIVE ONLINE Wednesday 27th April 2022 BOOK NOW
LIVE ONLINE Thursday 12th May 2022 BOOK NOW
...and available online 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.
"I would like to extend my thanks to Andrew for his fantastic online training. It was filmed so well - almost as if he were here with us! We were kept engaged throughout and felt so well informed - a huge thank you. It was a real success, and we look forward to booking you again in the future - with the staff team saying it was the best safeguarding training they have ever had. We really appreciated Andrew's real-life storytelling and the way such sensitive information was shared - it was excellent training."
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.
|
