Safeguarding Briefing Summer 2017

Dear colleagues,

Welcome to the safeguarding briefing for Summer 2017. I find it hard to believe we are once again in the final term of the year!

The safeguarding forums (previously safeguarding network groups) have been arranged for next half-term and are filling up fast. If you would like to apply for a place, the application form is availablehere. Please ensure you do apply and have a place confirmed in order to attend, as places are limited due to venue capacity. There will be a packed agenda (as usual!) so I do hope you are able to attend.

Please note the updated model child protection policy and CSE resources below

Goodbye for now and I hope to see you at the forums

Jo

Jo Barclay

Safeguarding Adviser to Schools

Standards and Excellence Service,

People Commissioning

Essex County Council |telephone: 03330 131078 |mobile: 07775 030021 | email: or

Model Child Protection Policy

The modelchild protection(December 2016) has been updated and I have highlighted the areas that have been amended so you can easily identify the changes. The current version is April 2017 and is available here. Please ensure you also have the correct version on your website.

Template for confirmation of receipt of key child protection documents

I thought it would be useful to provide a template for schools to use in recording that all staff have been provided with the key documents referred to in ‘Keeping Children

Safe in Education’. This is available on Essex School Infolink: Confirmation of key documents received (April 2017)

Reporting and recording concerns

I discussed this at the safeguarding forums last term, and will revisit it this term at the forums, but it is vital all schools have robust systems for identifying, reporting and recording child protection concerns. I have produced a range of templates for schools to use for their files, which include a ‘front sheet’, a chronology, and a reporting / follow up action form. Schools are not required to use these, but please ensure your files contain appropriate records of incidents or concerns, any subsequent action taken and any work you have undertaken in relation to the child, including work and liaison with other partners. The templates are available on ESI: ESI/CP templates

Presentations for Level 2 training

There is a new CSE presentation on the ESI safeguarding training pages. A reminder that the presentation for whole school staff and which may be used for new staff as part of their induction isKeeping Children Safe in Education (August 2016)

ESCB safeguarding audit for schools and colleges

As previously advised, schools are not required to complete the safeguarding audit this academic year. However, for any school wishing to complete an audit this year, there is an electronic Word version available on ESI: ESI/audit

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

The Essex CSE Missing Arrangements outline the operational arrangements for a wide range of partners across Essex for safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and young people from CSE.

The ESCB CSE toolbox is now available. This site includes the risk and vulnerability assessment instruments, guidance and training on the use of these instruments, and resources to use when working with children, young people, families and carers involved in cases of CSE in Essex

The ESCB has a range of resources for schools to support them in delivering lessons around CSE and on-line safety. This includes lesson plans developed by the ECC Family Operations Involvement Team to support learning - they are available on the ESCB website

Guidance on reduced educational provision

This guidance was updated in October 2016. It is intended to support all schools, (including Academy and independent Schools) in the appropriate use of reduced educational provision (sometimes referred to as ‘part-time’ or ‘reduced’ timetables), within the current legal and safeguarding framework for pupils deemed medically fit to attend school.

File transfer and retention of records

I have updated the guidance on transfer of child protection files to a new educational setting to reflect the fact copies of relevant paperwork should not be kept. Copies of the file should be kept until receipt of the file is received from the new setting and then any paperwork should be destroyed.

‘County Lines’

‘County lines’, identified in 2014, is the term used to describe the approach taken by gangs originating from large urban areas, who travel to locations elsewhere such as county or coastal towns to sell class A drugs. The ESCBhas produced a briefing to support the understanding of professionals working with children and young people – this available on the safeguarding homepage of ESI . There is also further information on Essex School Infolink/Safguarding

Family Operations Process Map

There is an updatedProcess Map available from the Family Operations Hub – please ensure you have the current version if you are displaying it anywhere in your school

Training Opportunities

  • The ESCB details the training available in its latest bulletin
  • Working Together in Essex has a new training programme available for partners to access. To find what is available please click on the link to access their website: Working Together in Essex Website
  • EES provide a wide range of courses and conferences delivered in venues across the county. They are now also offering WRAP (Workshop to Raise Awareness of PREVENT) as part of their programme:
  • All Designated Safeguard Leads (and Deputies) are required to update their Level 3 training at least every two years. For details of the ESCB Level 3 Designated Lead training, please access the Essex Education Services website here: Designated Safeguarding Lead Training for Schools

Change of name from Family Operations to Children and Families – letter to Partners from Helen Lincoln:

Jo Barclay

Safeguarding Adviser to Schools

April 2017

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Author: Jo Barclay, Safeguarding Adviser to Schools

Date: April 2017