Safeguarding news & updates

Summary

No changes

Part one

Safeguarding information for all staff

Page 4

Definition of 'safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children' - amended to reflect the updated 'Working Together to Safeguard Children' (2023)

Paragraph 18

'Early help' - amended to reflect revised 'Working Together to Safeguard Children' (2023)

·       Missing to include education, home and care

·       Where students have 'experienced multiple suspensions, is at risk of being permanently excluded from schools, colleges and in Alternative Provision or a Pupil Referral Unit.'

Paragraph 19

'Abuse and Neglect' - heading amended to include 'exploitation' (also throughout the document as applicable)

Paragraph 24

'Indicators of Abuse and neglect' - additional text included 'including where they see, hear, or experience its effects' when referring to domestic violence.

Paragraph 29

Paragraph 54

Part two

The management of safeguarding

Paragraph 93

Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR - paragraph included to comply with DPA/UKGDPR requirements. This cross references to the 'Data Protection in Schools Toolkit' updated in April 2024

Paragraph 171

'Alternative Provision' - text added to clarify school remains responsible for the pupils they place in alternative provision

Paragraph 200

Makes reference to the new responsibility on Virtual School Heads to champion the attendance, attainment and progress of children in kinship care which comes into force in September 2024.

Paragraph 204

Links added to NSPCC advice on protecting children with SEN; and deaf/disabled children and young people

Paragraphs 205 to 209

'Children who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or questioning their gender' -additional text includes further clarification to comply with gender questioning children guidance terminology which the consultation closed for in December 2023.

Part three

Safer recruitment

No changes

Part four

Safeguarding concerns or allegations made against staff, including supply teachers, volunteers and contractors

No changes

Part five

Child-on-child sexual violence and sexual harassment

Paragraph 497

'Early help' - text amended from 'providing support as soon as a problem emerges, at any point in a child's life' to reflect 'Working Together to Safeguard Children' (2023)

Annexes

A - E

Annex A

No changes

Annex B

The guidance states that 'This preventing radicalisation section remains under review, following the publication of a new definition of extremism on the 14 March 2024.'

Annex C

The section on Holding and sharing information has been amended in terms of record keeping to include additional information

'Be able to keep detailed, accurate, secure written records of all concerns, discussions and decisions made including the rationale for those decisions. This should include instances where referrals were or were not made to another agency such as LA children's social care or the Prevent program etc.'

Annex D

No changes

Annex E

No changes