Agenda item

The People and Communities Directorate would like to set out for the Panel the current areas of safeguarding support and training offered to all schools. This report does not focus on pre-school or early years settings.

The Head of Safeguarding and Quality Assurance introduced this item to the Panel. She explained that whilst the Council’s general responsibilities in respect of schools have been changing in recent years and are different in respect of the different types of schools, the core duties with regard to safeguarding children remain paramount irrespective of the setting in which they are educated and are largely set out in Working Together To Safeguard Children and the Education Act 2002 and 2004.

She informed the Panel that since April 2013 the following support has been provided / made available to all schools in the B&NES area. The list below does not include all items but these are available in the report.

·  A range of training sessions on Child Protection and related issues

·  Access to advice and support on managing allegations

·  A range of awareness raising information, resources, events and forums including Child Protection Forums for Designated Lead Officers covering current issues such as:

·  Child Sexual Exploitation

·  Early Help – When to refer

·  Keeping Children Safe in Education 2014

She explained that the Council had facilitated at Pupil Parliaments and that in 2013 this included a key theme around Safeguarding and who to talk to if you are worried, with the implementation of ‘Worry Busters’ and a Little Tin of Big Worries being purchased and circulated to all primary schools.

She highlighted that it was important that the Council and NSPCC used the same terminology so as not to confuse children and young people.

She informed the Panel that the Council directly provides (and provides access to) support services when needed for staff and pupils in specific situations as required. For example the Council coordinate and make available a range of services such as Educational Psychology Services to schools when an unexpected child death may have occurred.

She went on to discuss the LSCB and that representation from schools was a concern but there is good engagement from the City of Bath College; also one secondary schools Designated Lead Officer sits on the Child Sexual Exploitation sub – group which is encouraging.

She explained that the LSCB had recently requested that schools complete a safeguarding self-assessment similar to a Section 11 Audit and that it is currently analysing the results of the returns. She added that it is encouraging to note a high response rate was given to the self-assessment request.

Councillor Liz Hardman commented that she was pleased to see the Council being pro-active in this work area. She asked if the Panel could be shown the results of the audit.

The Director for Children & Young People, Strategy and Commissioning replied that he would look into whether that was possible.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if School Governors should be approached to gain a greater participation in the LSCB.

The Director for Children & Young People, Strategy and Commissioning replied that he had recently agreed with local head teachers to ask schools again about participation.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if all schools, including academies were invited to take part in the audit.

 The Director for Children & Young People, Strategy and Commissioning replied that they were.

The Strategic Director for People and Communities added that Ofsted were raising the profile of this work.

Councillor Michael Evans asked how independent schools were safeguarded.

The Strategic Director for People and Communities replied that they remained part of the Child Protection Forums. He added that they may be required to pay a charge for specific training.

The Panel RESOLVED to note the report.