 A very warm welcome to the start of a new academic year! We hope you all had a restful and enjoyable summer break and are feeling refreshed as we head into what is always a busy and exciting half term.
We also recognise that for some children and families, the summer may have brought challenges. Please be mindful that there may be increased requests for support as we settle back in.
To help you get started, you’ll find our September Safeguarding Checklist below, to ensure all the key actions are in place. Looking ahead, we’re pleased to share that we’ll be sending out a monthly safeguarding newsletter to keep you informed with the latest updates, guidance, and resources.
As always, we’re here to support you. If you have any questions or need assistance at any point this term, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Wishing you a smooth and successful start to the year!
Warm regards,
Your Devon Safeguarding Team
Your September Checklist
You may find the list below of use to double check you have covered everything at the beginning of the term:
- Issued all staff with KCSiE and Annex B to have read and signed.
- Updated and shared a copy of the school/trust Code of Conduct including acceptable use of technology expectations.
- Updated and personalised the schools safeguarding policy (potentially using the DES template) and, if ratified by governors have issued to all staff.
- Have shared/presented whole staff training including any safeguarding updates.
- Ensured that induction for new staff has been completed that provides evidence all requirements including how to access the schools record keeping system, contacting the DSL, or DDSL in their absence is understood.
If not already done, in the coming days:
- Have updated all internal posters, signs and information in areas like staff room displays, OMGs on the back of toilet doors.
- Have planned for the website to be updated with the safeguarding policy and any other linked documents that are required.
- Planned this term’s little and often information sharing/training on key topics related to the school's context.
- Planned for a safeguarding governor/trustee visit to review and reflect on all the above.
- Share this newsletter content with relevant staff.
- Make sure that you are in receipt of safeguarding files for pupils joining you at the beginning of the academic year/transitioning from another setting. Likewise, that you have sent safeguarding files through to receiving schools within 5 working days of being notified of the new setting. For both scenarios make sure you have completed and/or requested a receive receipt for your records.
|
There is a new Letter of Assurance available for you to add to your SCR (as a link) or reference on your SCR and download. Please see our website!
Don’t forget to make sure other agency LoA have been updated for the new academic year in your records e.g. supply agencies and contractors.
Neglect is the ongoing failure to meet a child's basic needs and the most common form of child abuse. A child might be left hungry or dirty, or without proper clothing, shelter, supervision, or health care. This can put children and young people in danger. And it can also have long term effects on their physical and mental wellbeing.
“Every child deserves to be loved, cared for and protected. 1 in 10 children have experienced neglect” NSPCC - Neglect is also Child Abuse: Know All About It
Neglect can be difficult to recognise so we’re absolutely delighted to introduce the brand-new Multi-Agency Child Neglect Strategy and the Practitioner Guidance and Toolkit - another positive step in our ongoing journey to ensure every child in Devon is safe, seen and supported.
🔗Multi-agency child neglect strategy 2025-2029
🔗Multi-agency child neglect guidance and toolkit for practitioners Partnership
As part of Devon Children’s Services’ transition from four localities to a new three-locality model, the Quality Assurance Review & Safeguarding Service (QARSS) Business Services team will be updating its mailboxes to align with this change.
For full details, please visit their website 👈
The Department for Education has published a suite of guidance and practical tools to help schools implement AI safely and responsibly. To make access easier, we have brought the key links together in one place.
The DfE states that schools and colleges can set their own rules on AI use, provided they follow legal requirements around data protection, child safety, and intellectual property. While this provides flexibility, there is also an expectation that schools carefully consider how AI is introduced and monitored.
For example, the guidance highlights that it is up to schools whether pupils are allowed to use AI, while reminding teachers that they must ensure students comply with age restrictions - many AI tools are designated 18+.
|
Free certified AI assessment (Chartered College of Teaching)
The Chartered College of Teaching is offering a free certified assessment for school staff to evidence their understanding of artificial intelligence in education. To complete it, teachers and leaders first engage with the DfE’s guidance and training materials covering safe, ethical and effective AI use in schools. They then complete an assessment to demonstrate their learning. This provides a valuable CPD opportunity for staff developing informed, responsible approaches to AI in education.
Here is a safeguarding scenario that you could use to support staff training:
Ella, a Year 10 student, confides in her form tutor during morning registration. She appears anxious and withdrawn. Ella shares that the previous Friday, while at school, Jay (her boyfriend) pressured her into a sexual act in a secluded area of the building. She explains that although they are in a relationship, she did not want to do it but felt pressured by him. Ella now feels confused, ashamed, and frightened. She is worried about rumours spreading among students and is not ready for her parents to be informed.
Key questions:
Immediate Response:
How should the adult respond to the disclosure to ensure the student feels safe and supported?
What language and approach should be used to avoid judgment and maintain trust?
Safeguarding Action:
What are the correct procedures for reporting and recording the incident?
Who should be informed within the school safeguarding structure and what information should be shared?
How should confidentiality be balanced with the need to protect?
What other information would affect our school team's decision making?
Can we inform the parents or other agencies without consent?
Support for the Victim:
What emotional and practical support should be offered?
How can the school ensure the student feels safe and protected during and after the investigation?
Managing Allegations Against the Other Student:
What steps should be taken to safeguard all involved while maintaining the wellbeing of/ welfare of both students?
How should the school manage peer dynamics and potential backlash?
Key Legislation & Guidance
Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE):
- Take all disclosures seriously.
- Prioritise the child’s safety and wellbeing.
- Record disclosures factually and sensitively.
- Refer to children’s social care and/or police when necessary.
- Conduct and review risk assessments for all involved.
DfE Advice on Sexual Violence and Harassment:
- Use respectful and child-preferred terminology.
- Promote a whole-school approach to prevention.
- Provide tailored support for vulnerable groups (e.g. SEND, LGBTQ+).
- Ensure any intervention or investigation is victim focused aside to the outcomes of any police investigation.
Best Practice
- Ensure staff are trained in safeguarding and disclosure handling.
- Maintain clear reporting systems for pupils.
- Support both victim and child conducting harmful sexual behaviour appropriately.
- Ensure there is a culture for reporting and challenging any form of harmful sexual behaviour or sexual assault, including banter or misogynistic language.
- Refer to local SARC or contact their professional's helpline.
- Consent should not be a barrier to effectively safeguarding a child. Many children do not get the support they require as they do not consent for it.
If you have found this scenario useful or would like to provide feedback on future features that would be useful in this newsletter, please let one of the team know 📧
Reminder: Training dates are available to book for any Level 3 initial or refresher training.
Full details and booking information can be found on our DES website 🔗
Don’t forget to also keep up to date with training from the Devon Safeguarding Children’s Partnership. More information is available on their website 👈
 F2F L2 CPRA : “The training was relevant and informative, whilst being delivered in a manner that was engaging and provoked thought and reflection.”
Online CPR: ‘’ Informative, effective training with some very useful signposts and takeaways. Appreciated the opportunity to talk to other colleagues about safeguarding throughout the day. Thank you very much.’’
|
