|
The HSE is continuing to inspect schools across Great Britain to assess how well they are managing the risks from asbestos. Some Shropshire schools will be inspected. Their findings from the 2023 to 2024 inspections show that most schools are complying with their legal duties and have effective systems in place to manage and monitor the condition of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). However, the HSE identify that there are some common areas where schools continue to require improvements. Most of these relate to failings in their management systems and are reflected in our advice below.
The inspections will be assessing how schools are managing the risks from asbestos within the school estate and meeting the ‘duty to manage’ (DTM) requirements under Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR). The regulations place duties on those with responsibility for the maintenance of work premises, including schools, to manage the risk from asbestos. For most schools, this will be the employer.
The visits will be carried out by HSE inspectors, who will contact the school before visiting to arrange a suitable date and time for the inspection.
They will need to speak to someone with knowledge of how asbestos is managed by the school and may also ask to see certain documentation in advance of the visit e.g. your asbestos register and management plan, for example.
What should schools do to prepare for these inspections?
- Please review your - Asbestos Premises Plan for Asbestos Management - (Attached) – The template has just been reviewed in line with recent HSE advice. Keep a copy of this with your Asbestos Re-Inspection Survey. The Plan allows the school to illustrate how it is managing the risks associated with managing ACMs.
- Use the template site declaration form (reviewed) for contractors contained in the above template – Not the tabular A4 sheet historically used. (Print off numerous blanks of this template site declaration form and place in front of register – use a colour printer)
- Visually check accessible ACMs identified in your registers for damage and record on the template given in the attached. Mainly looking here at samples in high traffic areas where damage or disturbance is possible. Samples should be checked annually by the asbestos contractor undertaking the annual re-assessment and interim local checks are advised.
- Ensure staff receive asbestos awareness training and relevant school staff have a good knowledge of the contents of the Asbestos Register. Where is the asbestos? Are there any areas of the building where access is prohibited? (access to some ceiling voids may be prohibited for example, in some buildings). Responsible Persons (Heads) and other staff depending on their roles require regular asbestos awareness training. Awareness training can be booked through the Health & Safety Team (contact details below) and is available through Leap into Learning.
- Ensure signing in procedures for competent contractors includes presentation of the Asbestos Register – think about out of school hours and holiday periods and how this achieved. Any contractor likely to disturb the fabric of the building must see and sign this register. They must also have received asbestos awareness training themselves.
- Remember that any refurbishment project requires an additional and specific intrusive asbestos survey by an asbestos consultant.
- Consider contingencies where the site manager/caretaker etc. may not be on site to manage a contractor visit and to ensure that the contractor fully understands the information contained in the school’s asbestos register. The person deputising must themselves have a good working knowledge of the contents of the asbestos register.
- Ensure that your asbestos register is presented to emergency services should they need to access your school. Include this in the school’s emergency action plan for fire/building emergency.
- Check the remedial actions identified in your survey have been actioned / considered – See Survey Conclusions/Actions section. Following the completion of any works on asbestos material, either from survey recommendations or through other site works, which has led to a change in its condition, your asbestos register should be updated (Excel document), by a suitable individual on site, with the relevant information.
For further support or advice contact Gavin Curley, Statutory Compliance Officer, Asbestos & Legionella, Property Services Group (PSG) - 01743 253157 or the Health & Safety Team om 01743 252819
Please note that from 1st April 2025 there will be a change in the contractor that provides asbestos consultancy and analytical services. The previous contractor HSL, will be replaced by RSK Environment Ltd.
Follow the below links for more general information and resources about managing asbestos in schools:
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/education/asbestos.htm
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/education/asbestos-faqs.htm
• Revised DfE guidance on managing asbestos in schools - The guidance provides clear information on duties for managing asbestos and resources for those responsible for maintaining school and college buildings -Managing asbestos in your school or college
We are in the process of replacing the current S11 Safeguarding Audit to move to a system that is easier to use and will hopefully be of more use to schools too. As part of this, we would welcome the involvement of schools in developing the areas that are covered in this audit. If schools would like to be involved, please contact Jane Parsons (jane.parsons@shropshire.gov.uk) or Charlotte Percival (charlotte.percival@shropshire.gov.uk).
Please see this attached document for information about the new Early Years Inclusion and Advice Fund. This is designed to support the development of inclusive early years provision across
Shropshire. It will provide support, advice and funding for private, voluntary and maintained early
years settings including childminders regarding the provision and practice for children with
SEND.
In light of the recent series shown on Netflix – Adolescence - and the need to educate young people about the pressures and the content they can view online, Kooth have provided guidance for parents/carers on how to have these online safety conversations with your children. This is accessible on the link below, which contains a 15-minute video.
With an ever-growing online world, it is important young people understand how to look after themselves online. This guide includes content which focuses on supporting young people in better understanding online safety.
 parent_carer_online_safety (720p).mp4
Further support can be found on the following websites.
Keeping children safe online | NSPCC
Social Media & Mental Health | Guide For Parents | YoungMinds
Bullying on social media | Childline
Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership are hosting a series of Spotlights which are in-person Safeguarding Workshops on key themes from learning, we are inviting frontline professionals, volunteers, managers at every level, and stakeholders from partnerships, services and settings to book on and attend.
Use this link to book onto all four Spotlights Book onto SSCP multiagency Spotlight Sessions - In person across Shropshire
Or use the individual booking links below to book on, you will receive a confirmation email at the point of booking on, you will have the option to save this in your electronic calendar.
Booking link - Childhood Neglect Summit - 9th April 9.00-13.30 Ellesmere College
Booking Link Spotlight - Beyond Family Boundaries Hidden Harm 14th May 12:30-17:00 Barnabas Centre
Booking Link Spotlight - Safeguarding Children against modern day risks and abuse 3rd June 09:00-13:30 Ludlow Assembly Rooms
Booking Link Spotlight on Early Help: How Can I Help? 24th June 12:30-17:00 Barnabas Centre
 |
|
Please see the attached poster publicising the 15 Steps Maternity and Neonatal Event in June 2025.
This is aims at
- anyone who is currently pregnant
- anyone who has received maternity and/or neonatal care in the last 2 years
- professionals supporting local families through pregnancy.
We would appreciate schools' support in publicising this event with families.
|
They have also recently been granted an Area Operators Licence for Team Teach Training. Further information on the Team Teach offer is also attached. To register interest in Team Teach, please complete the attached Microsoft Forms Expression of Interest https://forms.office.com/e/H6pzCCzeyw
Zoe Williams
MATi and Outreach Coordinator
Marches Academy Trust Inclusion (MATi) School
Outreach Services
01743 583451
outreach@mmat.co.uk
As a reminder from last week, we are delighted to let you know that there is going to be a second year of DfE fully funded Partnerships In Neurodiversity in Schools.
The Partnership for the inclusion of Neurodiversity in schools (PINS) aims to support schools in better meeting the needs of neurodiverse children. The project tests a new model for supporting good outcomes in mainstream schools for neurodiverse students and strengthening parent carer and school partnerships.
We are looking to recruit 15 new Infant, Junior and Primary schools for 2025-2026. There is further information attached and we do require the commitment of the Headteacher and SENCO.
For updated information from last week, please click here.
If you are interested, please do send an expression of interest by Friday, 4th April to: sarah.court@shrophire.gov.uk.
If you have any questions, please contact: sian.deane1@taw.org.uk
The project will run from 1st April 2025-31st March 2026.
Young people representing the Youth Select Committee that sit in the House of Commons have been the driving force behind the Youth Violence and Social Media report.
“Whilst instances of youth violence have fallen in recent years, the total number of instances of youth violence remains higher than it was 10 years ago. Young people are now increasingly living their lives online, on social media platforms, where a significant number are viewing violent content. As a group of young people, we feel passionately about this issue, and have set out to better understand the impacts of social media on young people, the impact of youth violence, and what can be done to prevent that violence in the first instance”
For more CPD opportunities, visit the CPD section of the Learning Gateway
Book now using this link to secure a place for any non-specialist teachers of Maths at your school. The closing date is 30th June, although we recommend booking asap as places are limited. AmazingCPD announce Summer Term Conference with keynote speaker John Murray
Developing a Love of Language and Literature
AmazingCPD announce their Summer Term Conference which will explore the developing of a love of language and literature.
The conference will include a presentation by key note speaker John Murray.
John is a recognised specialist in developing children’s reading and comprehension, and works with schools throughout the UK to improve reading and writing standards, secure best practice and achieve outstanding results.
The conference will take place at Wilfred Owen Primary School, Shrewsbury at 9:00 on Tuesday 3rd June 2025
Book Here
Spotlight on Assessment in Foundation Subjects
Assessment in foundation subjects presented by Steve Compton
Effective assessment is key to ensuring progression but is often weaker in foundation subjects.
AmazingCPD’s course this term will explore strategies for meaningful assessment, that also balance staff workload. The course will also explore the views of Ofsted and the recent Curriculum and Assessment Review.
The course will take place at the Flaxmill Maltings, Shrewsbury, at 9:30 on Wednesday 2nd April 2025
Book Here
AmazingCPD Courses still available to attend during the Spring Term
In support of enhancing school curriculums and professional development of staff the following courses are still available during the Spring Term from AmazingCPD’s extensive portfolio of subject based and specialist training for leaders, teachers and governors.
Assessment in Foundation Subjects – Wednesday 2nd April 2025 09:30 - 12:00
This session will be presented by Steve Compton
Book Here
Primary D&T Network – Wednesday 2nd April 2025 14:00 - 16:30
This session will be presented by Leanne Mee
Book Here
Primary PSHE Network– Thursday 3rd April 2025 09:30 - 11:00
This session will be presented by Lauren Edwards
Book Here
Annual Governor Training: Online Safety 2025 – Tuesday 8th April 2025 17:30 - 18:30
This session will be presented by Richard Smith
Book Here
All courses are available to book up until 30 minutes before the course starts unless they are fully subscribed. To book a place please use the link above, go to www.amazingcpd.co.uk , or complete the attached AmazingCPD Order Form and forward to info@amazingcpd.co.uk
Summer Term Courses from AmazingCPD
AmazingCPD has an extensive set of courses for all primary curriculum subjects during the summer term.
The latest list of courses being offered by AmazingCPD during the summer term can be found here.
Alternatively all summer term courses can be viewed at www.amazingcpd.co.uk
The Summer Term course schedule includes new courses including;
· English Spoken Language (Speaking for different purposes) – led by Chris Ogden Book Here
· SEND Course: Coding and Autism – led by Richard Smith Book Here
· Primary Music: Using GarageBand in the Primary Curriculum – led by The Music Partnership Book Here
Further Summer Term courses are being announced on a regular basis.
All AmazingCPD Courses are available to book at www.amazingcpd.co.uk
To book any AmazingCPD course online go to www.amazingcpd.co.uk
Alternatively complete the order form attached and forward to info@amazingcpd.co.uk
The order form can also be downloaded at Download AmazingCPD Order Form
Building on last year’s event, West Mercia Police would like to invite you to join us for our Online Safety Conference for front-line professionals hosted on Wednesday, 18th June 2025.
The conference is for "non-technical" professionals such as teachers, social workers, health workers, and police officers who work with the public and need to be aware of basic online and digital risks. The event will feature a series of easy-to-understand sessions based on local incidents and crimes. Attendees will have the option to participate in-person or online.
During the day we will aim to demystify some of the most challenging online threats we face. With inputs from the Force Cyber Crime Unit, Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team, Economic Crime Unit, Regional Cyber Crime Units, Counter Terrorism Unit and other professionals working in the safeguarding arena, we will explain topics that may have previously felt too technical or complex to grasp.
Throughout the conference, we hope delegates will share their own professional experiences and challenges. There will be question and answer facilities during each topic area, with an opportunity for discussion following the deliveries and potential further collaboration. In addition to providing valuable CPD for professionals, we hope this conference will act as a springboard for longer-term collaboration and prevention work.
Technology is transforming all of our lives at an eye-watering pace, and we urgently need to come together as professionals to share experiences and ideas about how we can adapt to deliver our respective services to the public in an increasingly online world.
It is envisaged that the conference will take placed between 9:30 am and 3:30pm. The event will be equally as valuable to those who attended last year due to differing content although we very much welcome new attendees and participants. A full agenda will be emailed to those registered in due course. To register to attend either in-person or online, please follow the following link.
IN PERSON REGISTRATION - click here
ONLINE REGISTRATION - click here
We have tried to reach a wide audience in sharing this event, but please feel free to share it with other professional colleagues we may have missed and would be interested in attending. We look forward to seeing you and your participation
Detective Sergeant Niki Deakin (3981)
Force Cyber Crime Unit I West Mercia Police
Mobile: 07971395282 Direct Dial: 01743264678 or 101 Ext. 7703530
|
