Safer Schools Police Officers

What are Safer Schools Police Officers?

Safer Schools Police Officers (SSPOs) are police officers who are assigned to work with two schools, based upon need, under a Safer Schools Partnership (SSP). An SSP is an agreement between a school and the police to give that officer additional information sharing authority in relation to that school, allowing them to work closely with the school for the benefit of all involved. Under an SSP, SSPOs have permanent involvement within the school which ordinary police officers would otherwise not have.

High schools that do not meet the criteria for an SSPO will still receive the existing regular educational sessions and assemblies delivered by the Norfolk Constabulary Youth Engagement Team.

How do Safer Schools Police Officers work in schools?

The role of a SSPO is to deal with incidents that have happened in or travelling to and from school. It is also to forge better relationships children and young people, and with their families. Seeing a regular face can really help with breaking down the barriers that might exist in the wider community.

The basic role of a SSPO in secondary schools is to:

Provide a visible and familiar point of contact with assigned school(s).
Advise Head Teacher(s) and their staff on policing issues and work in partnership to investigate crime and deal with emerging issues.
Participate in multi-agency case conferences for students coming to notice.
Make pupil referrals to intervention and diversion schemes for the purpose of safeguarding the child's welfare and/or diverting them from criminal activity/ASB.
Gather and share information/intelligence in relation to pupil behaviour linked to crime or ASB, or for safeguarding in accordance with data sharing agreements.
Perform regular uniform patrols after school(s) to address, truancy, ASB and crime, working with STTs and SNTs as required.
Develop strategies to keep young people safe, in partnership with the school.
Deliver key messages to pupils around general policing themes of crime prevention and facilitate delivery on more specialist themes.

A SSPO will help to:

Keep your school space safe and help you to feel safe.
Improve behaviour in schools and out in the community.
Build relationships with young people.

This can be achieved in a variety of ways including:

One-to-one work.
Group work.
Assemblies.
RSHE enhancement to curriculum delivery.

Watch this short video from one of our Norfolk SSPO's to find out more.

What incidents should police be involved with?

To make it easier, below is an overview of the kind of incidents we might support your school with, and which should be recorded:

Incidents resulting in more serious visible injuries.
Sexual assault.
Sexual grooming.
Possession and sending of Indecent images.
Extreme pornographic images.
Images portraying extreme acts of violence.
Possession of drugs.
Possession of blades (any type).
Possession of any weapon.

What is the role of the Head teacher when working with the Safer Schools Police Officer?

The head teacher and their staff retain responsibility for school discipline and most behaviour, with the police providing advice and support when required.

The amount of day-to-day involvement a head teacher has with the SSPO will depend on the type and size of the school. The role of the Head teacher within a SSP is to:

Understand an SSP and the roles within it.
Agree and sign the SSP protocol and Data Sharing Agreement.
Assign a SPOC to have day-to-day contact with the SSPO.
Ensure all school staff are aware of the SSP.
Ensure information is shared with the SSPO where there are safeguarding and safety concerns.
Utilise the expertise of the SSPO to problem solve specific crime and anti-social behaviour related issues inside and outside of the school.
Ensure a partnership approach to provide the best outcomes for young people involved in crime and antisocial behaviour.
Support the SSPO.
Feedback to the Safer Schools police Sergeant to facilitate on-going appraisal of the SSP.

Schools single point of contact (SPOC)

A member of the school SLT should be nominated as the SPOC for the SSPO. All enquiries to and from the SSPO must go via the SPOC.

Maintain day-to-day contact with the SSPO.
Share information with the SSPO where there are safeguarding and safety concerns.
Facilitate communication between the SSPO and other school staff.
Work closely with the SSO to problem solve crime and anti-social behaviour related issues inside and outside of the school.
Facilitate relevant police presentations as part of the problem-solving process.
Explore ways to improve feelings of safety and active citizenship to benefit the school community with the SSO, ie. School Watch, Junior Volunteer Police Cadets, joint RHSE delivery, etc.

What is the role of school staff when working with the Safer Schools Police Officer?

The head teacher and their staff retain responsibility for school discipline and most behaviour, with the police providing advice and support when required. School staff should:

Understand an SSP and the roles within it.
Identify young people who may require early intervention and diversion and refer to the SSPO SPOC.
Share information with the SSP SPOC where there are safeguarding and safety concerns to provide the best outcomes for young people involved in crime and antisocial behaviour.
Feedback to the SSP SPOC to facilitate on-going appraisal of the SSP

Key contacts

If you have any questions, you can contact Norfolk's SSPOs by e-mailing SSP.Team@norfolk.police.uk