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 has arranged another course on 23rd November – interested people to apple to Jo Hobbs.
NB advised that it was important that only people who have undertaken training the trainer who should be the CP designated person, deliver that training.
NB circulated the certificate which those who have attended the T4T can sign and give out to participants at whole school training. This will be available on the CP forum webpage shortly.
Some schools have been arranging the provision of whole school training with other schools with those who have attended the T4T delivering this to other schools. This is a useful practice and will make it much easier to ensure that schools are compliant with the requirement for whole school training required every 3 years.
Refresher training – NB confirmed that designated staff must have refresher training every 2 years and that they did not need to repeat the intro or 2 day course or their equivalent once these had been undertaken. Refresher training is any of the level 3 courses and stakeholders forums or similar run by the LSCB; the CP forums or any similar courses.
For other staff refresher training is required every 3 years – this is the training currently delivered which must be attended every 3 years rather than a related topic. It is up to schools to decide who is deemed to be staff and therefore are required to attend whole school training. Some volunteers may have regular involvement with and access to the school and therefore should be considered for whole school training.
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. Please contact Annette Beilby for further details
NB asked that people let her know what training they have undertaken so she can update her records.
- Safeguarding Review
NB confirmed that the Safer Recruitment training needs to be updated every 5 years and 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.
Where designated teachers have concerns about or there are allegations against adults they need to contact Nicola Bennett/Hester Edmond (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 the advice will be to go ahead with investigating yourselves.
OFSTED Inspection and CP Checklist
NB circulated the new CP self check which replaces the previous checklist available on the CP Forum Web page and suggested that schools undertake the self check so they are aware of the areas of strength and those requiring further development in terms of safeguarding.
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.
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.
NB said she had been asked if the LA could provide a model Child Protection policy 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.
- 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 will 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. NB circulated an incident log which she will be discussing with the Chair of the anti-bullying group to see whether all incidents could be logged on the same sheet – however the behaviour occurred. This would make it easier for incidents to be logged in one place. Suggestions were made for improving the relevance of the form, NB will once agreed put this on the CP forum webpage and circulate to cp forum members
Social networking sites – there are a growing number of incidents being reported. NB said it was important for schools to have a policy on this as there is a growing number of concerns arising from this, including grooming and abuse of children. Some staff are using facebook and other social networking sites and adding students as ‘friends’. 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.
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. Many schools were aware of this and would be holding themed lessons etc.
Some schools had or were going to run information sessions about e-safety for parents. These do have some success in reaching some parents, however other ways of promoting the issue is via newsletters, assemblies, parent/teacher evenings etc. Schools have used a variety of these to highlight e-safety issues within their school community.
- CP Forum Webpage
NB explained how to access the webpage, contents and the links to other information.
- AOB and next meeting
. Date of next meeting tentatively arranged for 21st January. NB is unsure whether she is available on that date and will confirm or suggest an alternatively and circulate with the minutes.