Safeguarding training

Keeping Children Safe in Education states the following:

"All staff should receive appropriate safeguarding and child protection training which is regularly updated. In addition, all staff should receive safeguarding and child protection updates (for example, via email, e-bulletins and staff meetings), as required, and at least annually, to provide them with relevant skills and knowledge to safeguard children effectively."

Annex C

"The designated safeguarding lead (and any deputies) should undergo training to provide them with the knowledge and skills required to carry out the role. This training should be updated at least every two years. The designated safeguarding lead (and any deputies) should undertake Prevent awareness training. Training should provide designated safeguarding leads with a good understanding of their own role, how to identify, understand and respond to specific needs that can increase the vulnerability of children, as well as specific harms that can put children at risk, and the processes, procedures and responsibilities of other agencies, particularly local authority children's social care."

"...In addition to the formal training set out above, their knowledge and skills should be refreshed (this might be via e-bulletins, meeting other designated safeguarding leads, or simply taking time to read and digest safeguarding developments) at regular intervals, as required, and at least annually, to allow them to understand and keep up with any developments relevant to their role."

Summary of required training

All staff

Every member of staff must complete whole school safeguarding training annually.

There are additional training requirements for people in these roles:

Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs)

Safeguarding in education Designated Safeguarding Lead training - updated every two years
Early Help Assessment Plan training - at least one DSL per setting, refreshed every two years
Norfolk Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSCP) Multi-Agency training - once every three years

Headteachers

As DSLs, headteachers must complete the required DSL training, summarised above
Safer recruitment training - every 5 years

Governors

Safeguarding for governors - at induction and then at regular intervals
Safer recruitment training - every 5 years

About the training courses

Whole school staff safeguarding training

We provide training resources on My School (opens new window) for DSLs to help them fulfil the requirement to provide safeguarding training to all school and college staff. DSLs should complete this training at least annually.

Once you have logged in to My School, select 'Staff' then 'Safeguarding - whole school training'. You will find Powerpoint presentations and clear guidance along with evaluations for staff to complete. If you have problems logging in, please CS ePublishing.

Safeguarding in education - Designated Safeguarding Lead training

This training provides DSL's with the knowledge and skills required to carry out the role. The training should be updated every two years.

The initial course is two days and DSLs should attend a half-day refresher every two years. You can book these courses through the S4S website (opens new window).

Early Help Assessment and Planning (EHAP) (formerly Family Support Process (FSP)) training

At least one DSL per setting should undertake EHAP training. We recommend a refresher course every two years.

More information about EHAPs can be found on the NSCP website.

Training can be booked via the NSCP booking system.

Norfolk Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSCP) multi-agency training

Multi-agency courses are organised by NSCP. DSLs must be trained to the same standard to comply with local training requirements. This means all DSLs should attend a multi-agency course once every 3 years. Book through the S4S website (opens new window) and use the search keyword 'multiagency' and 'Norfolk Safeguarding Children Partnership' as the provider.

Norfolk Graded Care Profile Training

Neglect continues to be a key priority for the Norfolk Safeguarding Children Partnership who are committed to the implementation of the Norfolk Graded Care Profile tool across all partner agencies to effectively support children, young people and families where neglect has been identified. This is part of the NSCP strategy 2023 to tackle neglect across Norfolk.

The training is primarily designed for Designated Safeguarding Leads to implement the use of the Graded Care Profile and cascade the information to relevant staff. Those pastoral staff who work directly with families are also welcome to attend the training. This free half day course will cover what neglect is and how the updated Graded Care Profile tool should be used effectively to measure and target the quality and level of care given to children by their parents or carers.

Book this course through the S4S website by searching for 'graded care profile'.

Safer Recruitment training

Headteachers and governors should complete this training every 5 years. Book this course through the S4S website (opens new window) by searching for 'safer recruitment', or through the NSPCC website (opens new window).

Safeguarding for governors training

This training is required as part of the induction process and at regular intervals for school governors. Book training through Training for governors and trustees, or GovernorHub for subscribing schools.

Online training package

The package covers some of the objectives from the whole school training package such as updates to statutory guidance, signs and indicators of abuse and harm, the Prevent Duty, dealing with concerns and disclosures, safer working practice and allegations against adults. The online package includes a number of activities that will need to be completed to assess understanding.

It can be used by schools and colleges if they have new staff or volunteers who start during the academic year. This will mean they likely missed the whole school face-to-face training delivered at the beginning of the year.

The online package is not intended to replace whole school face-to-face training for all staff. DSLs will need to ensure that anyone completing the online package has understood the content and are aware of the procedures within the setting. Opportunities should also be provided for all staff to regularly discuss safeguarding issues including areas for development of knowledge and skills.

The annual subscription costs are below and are based on the number of pupils on roll:

Below 150 pupils: £75 per annum
150-800 pupils: £90 per annum
Over 800 pupils: £105 per annum

We are able to offer MATs or multi-schools a bulk purchase option which qualifies for a 10% discount across the total value.

If you would like to purchase, please go to the SLA-online website (opens new window) and select Norfolk County Council. Use your normal s4s log in details and you will be taken directly to the online safeguarding training package page. For support with purchasing, please email contractsteam@norfolk.gov.uk or call 01603 222686.

Once you have completed the purchase you will be sent a link, username and a unique password to access the online training package.

If you require more information about this product, please email onlinetrainingpackage@norfolk.gov.uk.