Agenda
- Welcome and Introduction
- Review of Training Needs
Training The Trainer – A large number have now completed this but there a still a number who would like to undertake this. NB will look at putting another date together with HE. It was suggested it could be run once a year. NB advised that it was important that only people who have undertaken training the trainer, deliver that training
Refresher training – NB confirmed every 2 years for those present and every 3 years for staff in general. Pete Mountstephen mentioned he had Barnardo’s come in to do staff CP training but it was expensive. Kate Hinton confirmed that she has been providing the training for Swainswick.
NB circulated certificate of attendance that those teachers who have undertaken the T4T can sign and give out to staff who have attended their intro training. NB will put it on the CP Forum webpage with the training materials
2 day advance training – attendees from Monkton prep suggested that it needed some tweaking, much of the information they were hoping for was just at the end.
There is an on-line CP course for staff who don’t have much to do with children. It is pitched at all council workers, broadened out to schools for free. It is a basic NSPCC course. Staff at schools can do undertake this free of charge but it is does not take the place of whole school training or required designated training.
NB asked that people let her know what training they have undertaken so she can update her records.
- Safeguarding Review
HE confirmed that the Safer Recruitment training needs to be updated every 5 years.
NB reminded everyone that at least one person on a school interview panel needs to have undertaken that training. It is a statutory requirement since Jan 2010.
There was a reminder that designated teachers need to contact Nicola Bennett/Hester Edmond if there are any allegations against adults (whether employed or volunteers). If you are not sure it is best to check with us before any investigation takes place. Most of the time we will say to go ahead with investigating yourselves.
OFSTED Inspection
The Briefing for section 5 inspectors on safeguarding children was handed out – a really important and useful document for knowing what is required by Ofsted inspectors. The annexes in particular are useful.
Ralph Allen said they had recently had a mock ofsted to prepare them and that it is useful to have a front sheet/chronology of events on the front of children’s records.
It is important that single central record is up to date and the guidance on the Schools HR intranet is up to date. HR are willing to come out and look at your single central record if that is helpful.
It was asked if the LA could provide a model Child Protection policy. NB said she would be prepared to circulate headings for a policy but it is important that schools write and own their policy. Schools may wish to share policies with each other. The Briefing for Section 5 inspectors gives some advice.
CP Checklist
NB circulated the CP checklist that was put together in 2009 by Simon Ratcliff and NB as a useful guide for schools in understanding the various roles and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding. This has been on the CP Forum webpage since 2009. There is an ‘audit’ tool that another LA has put together which has some additional useful info. NB will look at both and pull the relevant info together and circulate an updated version.
- E-Safety update
NB gave the background to the LA e-safety strategy which is linked to CP/safeguarding. CP designated teachers are also the nominated e-safety teachers for their school. There was general discussion about how technology is the new way to groom/bully. New behaviours are evolving out of it.
Many attended e-safety training for teachers last year. NB circulated a resource pack to all schools in 2009 with useful dvd’s, booklets and links etc for schools and pupils to use. NB handed out the e-safety incident flow chart that was in the e-safety policy circulated in 2009 and on the LSCB webpage. NB agreed to put this on the CP Forum webpage for schools as it is rather ‘buried’ in the policy doc. This flow chart sets out the process for dealing with e-safety incidents relating to children or adults.
The anti bullying strategy group collect data on incidents relating to homophobic/disability/racist incidents – whether with or without technology but it is not clear how this is being collected or the expectation on schools to return these.
Keith Ford asked about reporting mechanisms for cyber bullying as he had heard that it should be reported in the same way as homophobic, racist and disablist incidents. NB wants to collect data on e-technology incidents whether mobile phone or computer etc relating to safeguarding issues. NB will look at how these two reporting mechanism can come together and how schools record/report theses and to whom.
Social networking sites – there are a growing number of incidents being reported. NB asked who have a policy about staff using facebook and adding students as ‘friends’ and a handful of those present said they do eg St Saviours. It is important that there is a clear policy, especially as young teachers are coming in who have grown up with social networking sites and may not be clear about the boundaries. This can lead to exploitation of students and undermine professional credibility if dubious info/photos etc are on facebook.
HE confirmed that she and John Barnes had started writing a short policy linked to the Safer Working Practices website and will look at completing this.
NB distributed 360° audit for e-safety out together by SWGFL. All schools are encourage to complete this to see where they are in terms of effective e-safety practices, policies and training etc. Schools can go to www.SWGFL.org.uk to locate the 360° audit. A recent survey of 1500 children/young people for the Children and Young People Plan stated that cyber-bullying was their biggest concern and the SWGFL survey C&YP stated that wanted their parents to be more aware of the internet to assist in keeping them safe.
19 Feb 2011– is Safer Internet day and the theme is cyber-bullying. Schools may wish to participate in this day and can down load lesson plans on the subject from SWGFL
15 -19 November – Anti Bullying Week for ideas and information please go to: www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk
NB to look into this.
- CP Forum Webpage
NB explained how to access the webpage, contents and the links to other information.
- AOB and next meeting
NB asked for future meetings to be 2 hours long ie 2 to 4 pm. Date of next meeting to be emailed around.