Rainbow Education MAT

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Useful Contacts

School LA LA Contacts Designated

Safeguarding

Lead

Deputy Leads

Rainbow Multi

Academy trust

N/A See each

individual school

Jonathan Nichols

Emma Davin

St Silas Church of

England Primary

School

Liverpool Phil Cooper

Tel : 0151 233

3901

Careline

Children’s Services

– 0151 233 3700

Gina Donaldson

Richard Morris

Amanda Bowers

Kate Cassim

Nicola Stout

Heygreen Primary

School

Liverpool Phil Cooper

Tel : 0151 233

3901

Careline

Children’s Services

– 0151 233 3700

Nicola Rutter

Lottie Harriman

Julia Burger

Fran Traynor

Rachel Wardale

Garston Church of

England Primary

School

Liverpool Phil Cooper

Tel : 0151 233

3901

Careline

Children’s Services

– 0151 233 3700

Sarah Knipe Mathew Power

Rachel Dean

Rachel Wardale

2

Shoreside Primary

School

Sefton Multi Agency

Safeguarding Hub

– 0151 934 4013 /

4481

Sarah Knipe

David Thomas

Louise Pepper

Andrea Monahan

This policy should be provided to all staff in schools, including temporary staff and volunteers, on induction. It should also be supplied to staff employed centrally by the Trust.

All staff in the trust are provided with the document ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (September 16) and are expected to have read at least ‘Part 1’. From September 3rd, this will be ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (September 18).

At Rainbow Education Multi Academy Trust (REMAT), we recognise that everyone who comes into contact with children and their families have an important role to play in safeguarding children. Our staff aim to work effectively with social care, the police, health services and other services to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.

We recognise that no single professional can have a full picture of a child’s needs and circumstances. If children and families are to receive the right help at the right time, everyone who comes into contact with them has a role to play in identifying concerns, sharing information and taking prompt action.

We will put into place clear policies, systems and strategies to ensure the safeguarding and welfare of pupils especially those relating to child protection, behaviour, bullying, safe recruitment of staff, health and safety, harassment and discrimination.

Our members of the Trust Board and Central Management Staff, in association with the staff and the governing bodies at our schools, make the safeguarding of pupils their highest priority to ensure that all children are free to learn without worry or fear or harm. We recognise that a significant number of our staff in the schools and the Trust has developed expertise in safeguarding and therefore all our staff are closely involved in reviewing and developing safeguarding policies.

Each school follows the procedure as laid down by the Local Safeguarding Board and, respects issues of confidentiality and gives priority to working together with other agencies to protect children in our care. This policy applies to all members of the Trust community. These being the full time and part time staff, members of the Trust board, governors, students and volunteers.

It is written in accordance with Government guidance including Safeguarding Children in Education - September 16 and September 2018, Working Together to Safeguard Children (March 2015), ‘What To Do if You’re Worried a Child is Being Abused’, ‘Advice for Practitioners’ (March 2015) and locally through the Liverpool Local Safeguarding Children Board’s Child Protection procedures.

Here at Rainbow Education Multi-Academy Trust, we recognise that safeguarding is not just about protecting children from deliberate harm or neglect. We recognise that it also relates to broader aspects of care including:

● Children’s health and safety and wellbeing

● The use of reasonable force

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● Meeting the needs of children with medical conditions

● Meeting the intimate care needs of some of the most vulnerable pupils

● Children’s emotional well being

● Online safety

● Providing first aid

● School security

● Ensuring that educational visits are safe

All staff within our schools have a responsibility to provide a safe environment in which children can learn. They also have a responsibility to identify children who may be in need of extra help or who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm and to take appropriate action, working with other services as needed.

Within each school, there is an appropriately trained Designated Safeguarding Lead, who will provide support to staff members to carry out their safeguarding duties and who will liaise closely with other services such as children’s Social Care. The Designated Safeguarding Lead will be supported by other named members of staff, who have had the same level of training and act as deputy in this respect, including when he or she is not in school.

These are:

Each school will ensure will ensure that:

● termly information is provided to the school’s governing body, including data, relating to incidents reported to external agencies, accidents, behaviour and attendance so that this can be effectively monitored

● they have in place designated staff and governors, who meet their responsibilities for safeguarding including child protection and ensure they are adequately trained all relevant policies are monitored and evaluated at least annually to ensure that they are up-to-date and meet the statutory requirements for safeguarding

● the policy for safer recruitment for all adults working with pupils in school is applied ● they regularly revisit safeguarding procedures with all staff and provide necessary training, this

might be via e-bulletins, meeting other designated safeguarding leads, or simply taking time to read and digest safeguarding developments, at regular intervals, as required, but at least annually, to allow them to understand and keep up with any developments relevant to their role

● all children are aware of who they can talk to if they are worried or have concerns about their safety

● reasonable action is taken to make sure the school site is safe and secure including by checking and monitoring visitors and anyone else using the school grounds. The site manager will carry out weekly safety walks to ensure that the site is safe

● they liaise with all relevant professionals including the local authority, social care and police appropriately including when a child’s safety is at risk

● clear and accurate records of any safeguarding concerns are kept and shared with the relevant agencies

● through assemblies and PSHCE, they teach children how to keep themselves safe and show them how to deal sensibly with risk, including when using modern technology

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The role and responsibilities of every member of staff within the school are to:

● know who the designated safeguarding lead is and who any deputies are and to be aware of their roles

● know and follow the Trust’s and school’s safeguarding procedures

● be aware of the process for making referrals to children’s social care and for statutory assessments under the Children Act 1989, especially Section 17 (Children in Need) and Section 47 (a child suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm) that may follow a referral, along with the role they might be expected to play in such assessments

● know what to do if a child tells them he/she is being abused or neglected. Staff should know how to manage the requirement to maintain an appropriate level of confidentiality. This means only involving those who need to be involved, such as the designated safeguarding lead (or a deputy) and children’s social care

● staff should never promise a child that they will not tell anyone about a report of abuse, as this may ultimately not be in the best interests of the child

● attend meetings as requested by the Designated Safeguarding Lead

● monitor any vulnerable child who are in their care, and implement a child protection plan for a child who is on the risk register or who is defined as a child in need

● ensure that they do not treat any child they know to have been abused any differently from other pupils

● have an awareness of the possible indicators of abuse

● keep any sensitive information, which has been shared with them confidential

● follow the school’s behaviour policy

● uphold the staff code of conduct including the acceptable use of technology, staff/pupil relationships and communications including the use of social media

Staff Training:

All staff members should be aware of systems within each school, which support safeguarding and these will be explained to them as part of staff induction.

This includes:

● the school’s safeguarding and child protection policy;

● the school’s staff code of conduct

● the role of the designated safeguarding lead in the school

● the school’s behaviour policy

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● the school’s policy regarding restraint

● the schools first aid policy

All staff members in schools should also receive appropriate child protection guidance which is regularly updated but at least annually, to allow them to understand and keep up with any developments relevant to their role. Trust staff should also be regularly updated about local and national developments.

All staff members should be aware of the signs of abuse and neglect so that they are able to identify cases of children who may be in need of help or protection.

Staff members working with children are advised to maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned.

All staff should be aware of the process for making referrals to children’s social care in the relevant authority and for statutory assessments under the Children’s Act (1985) that may follow a referral, along with the role they might be expected to play in such assessments.

When concerned about the welfare of a child, staff members should always act in the interests of the child.

Knowing what to look for is vital to the early identification of abuse and neglect.

Staff should be aware that abuse is complex issue and various forms of abuse or events may overlap.

Some of the following signs might be indicators of abuse or neglect:

● Children whose behaviour changes – they may become aggressive, challenging, disruptive, withdrawn or clingy, or they might have difficulty sleeping or start wetting the bed

● Children with clothes which are ill-fitting and/or dirty

● Children with consistently poor hygiene

● Children who make strong efforts to avoid specific family members or friends, without an obvious reason

● Children who don’t want to change clothes in front of others or participate in physical activities

● Children who are having problems at school, for example, a sudden lack of concentration and learning or they appear to be tired and hungry

● Children who talk about being left home alone, with inappropriate carers or with strangers

● Children who reach developmental milestones, such as learning to speak or walk, late, with no medical reason

● Children who are regularly missing from school or education

● Children who are reluctant to go home after school

● Children with poor school attendance and punctuality, or who are consistently late being picked up

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● Parents who are dismissive and non-responsive to staffs’ ’concerns

● Parents who collect their children from school when drunk, or under the influence of drugs

● Children who drink alcohol regularly from an early age

● Children who are concerned for younger siblings without explaining why

● Children who talk about running away

● Children who shy away from being touched or flinch at sudden movements

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is deliberately physically hurting a child. It might take a variety of different forms, including hitting, pinching, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning or suffocating a child.

Physical abuse can happen in any family, but children may be more at risk if their parents have problems with drugs, alcohol and mental health or if they live in a home where domestic abuse happens.

Babies and disabled children also have a higher risk of suffering physical abuse.

Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child.

Physical abuse can also occur outside of the family environment.

Some of the following signs may be indicators of physical abuse:

● Children with frequent injuries

● Children with unexplained or unusual fractures or broken bones

● Children with unexplained bruises or cuts burns or scalds or bite marks

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child. It is also sometimes called psychological abuse and it can have severe and persistent adverse effects on a child’s emotional development.

Emotional abuse may involve deliberately telling a child that they are worthless, or unloved and inadequate. It may include not giving a child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate.

Emotional abuse may involve serious bullying – including online bullying through social networks, online games or mobile phones – by a child’s peers.

Some of the following signs may be indicators of emotional abuse:

● Children who are excessively withdrawn, fearful, or anxious about doing something wrong

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● Parents or carers who withdraw their attention from their child, giving the child the ‘cold shoulder’

● Parents or carers blaming their problems on their child

● Parents or carers who humiliate their child, for example, by name-calling or making negative comparisons.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is any sexual activity with a child. You should be aware that many children and young people who are victims of sexual abuse do not recognise themselves as such. A child may not understand what is happening and may not even understand that it is wrong. Sexual abuse can have a long-term impact on mental health.

Sexual abuse may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside clothing.

It may include non-contact activities, such as involving children in the production of sexual images, forcing children to look at sexual images or watch sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet).

Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.

Some of the following signs may be indicators of sexual abuse:

● Children who display knowledge or interest in sexual acts inappropriate to their age

● Children who use sexual language or have sexual knowledge that you wouldn’t expect them to have

● Children who ask others to behave sexually or play sexual games

● Children with physical sexual health problems, including soreness in the genital and anal areas, sexually transmitted infections or underage pregnancy.

Child Sexual Exploitation

Child sexual exploitation is a form of sexual abuse where children are sexually exploited for money, power or status. It can involve violent, humiliating and degrading sexual assaults. In some cases, young people are persuaded or forced into exchanging sexual activity for money, drugs, gifts, affection or status. Consent cannot be given, even where a child may believe they are voluntarily engaging in sexual activity with the person who is exploiting them.

Child sexual exploitation doesn't always involve physical contact and can happen online. A significant number of children who are victims of sexual exploitation go missing from home, care and education at some point.

Some of the following signs may be indicators of sexual exploitation:

● Children who appear with unexplained gifts or new possessions

● Children who associate with other young people involved in exploitation

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● Children who have older boyfriends or girlfriends

● Children who suffer from sexually transmitted infections or become pregnant

● Children who suffer from changes in emotional well-being

● Children who misuse drugs and alcohol

● Children who go missing for periods of time or regularly come home late

● Children who regularly miss school or education or don’t take part in education

Neglect

Neglect is a pattern of failing to provide for a child’s basic needs, whether it be adequate food, clothing, hygiene, supervision or shelter. It is likely to result in the serious impairment of a child’s health or development.

Children who are neglected often also suffer from other types of abuse.

It is important that staff remain alert and do not miss opportunities to take timely action. However, while you may be concerned about a child, neglect is not always straightforward to identify.

Neglect may occur if a parent becomes physically or mentally unable to care for a child. A parent may also have an addiction to alcohol or drugs, which could impair their ability to keep a child safe or result in them prioritising buying drugs, or alcohol, over food, clothing or warmth for the child. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal drug or alcohol abuse.

Some of the following signs may be indicators of neglect:

● Children who are living in a home that is indisputably dirty or unsafe

● Children who are left hungry or dirty

● Children who are left without adequate clothing, e.g. not having a winter coat

● Children who are living in dangerous conditions, i.e. around drugs, alcohol or violence

● Children who are often angry, aggressive or self-harm

● Children who fail to receive basic health care

● Parents who fail to seek medical treatment when their children are ill or are injured.

What Staff Should Do If They Have Concerns About A Child:

If a child makes a disclosure:

● react calmly

● reassure the child that they were right to tell and that they are not to blame

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● take what the child says seriously

● Keep questions open and to an absolute minimum to ensure a clear and accurate understanding of what has been said. Don’t ask about explicit details unless advised by Careline/Children’s Services (noting the name of the advisor and the advice given)

● reassure but do not promise confidentiality, which might not be feasible in the light of subsequent developments

● inform the child/young person what you will do next

● make a full and written record of what has been said/heard as soon as possible, preferably on electronically on CPOMS; the Trust wide child protection, safeguarding, pastoral and welfare monitoring system

● do not delay in passing on the information to the designated safeguarding lead or where appropriate one of the deputies. Who will be able to help staff to decide what should be done next

The written report (preferably recorded on CPOMS) will include the following:

● the child’s name, age and date of birth

● whether or not the person making the report is expressing their own concerns or those of someone else

● the nature of the allegation, including dates, times and special factors and other relevant information

● make a clear distinction between what is fact, opinion or hearsay

● a description of any visible bruising or other injuries

● also any indirect signs, such as any behavioural changes

● details of witnesses to the incidents

● the child’s account, if it can be given, of what has happened

Any disclosures or concerns, including concerns raised by other children or a third party should be reported via the school’s designated safeguarding lead. The safeguarding lead will usually decide whether to make a referral to children’s social care.

Our aim is to create an open culture, where staff and parents feel confident to raise concerns or to challenge senior leaders if they feel their concerns have not been robustly followed up.

In exceptional circumstances, such as in emergency or if there is a genuine concern that appropriate action has not been taken, staff members or parents can speak directly to children’s Social Care.

If a child is in immediate danger, the police should be contacted.

Useful advice about making a referral can be found via the following link to Liverpool’s Children’s Safeguarding Board. The designated safeguarding lead should be informed if a referral has been made.

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Staff should be aware that safeguarding incidents and/or behaviours can be associated with factors outside the school or college and/or can occur between children outside school. All staff, but especially the designated safeguarding lead (or deputy), should be considering the context within which such incidents and/or behaviours occur. This is known as contextual safeguarding, which simply means assessments of children should consider whether wider environmental factors are present in a child’s life that are a threat to their safety and/or welfare. We are aware that wider environmental factors are often a concern in our schools (see Appendix 2).

Early Help

All staff should be aware of the Early Help process, and understand their role within it. We recognise that staff in our schools should be providing support for pupils as soon as a problem is identified, Staff should in the first instance discuss early help requirements with the designated safeguarding lead, and the family support officer who will alongside other agencies undertake an Early Help assessment.

Any child may benefit from Early Help, but staff should be particularly alert to the potential need for early help for a child who: • is disabled and has specific additional needs • has special educational needs, whether or not they have a statutory education, health and care plan • is a young carer • is showing signs of being drawn in to anti-social or criminal behaviour, including gang involvement and association with organised crime groups • is frequently missing/goes missing from care or from home • is misusing drugs or alcohol themselves • Is at risk of modern slavery, trafficking or exploitations in a family circumstance presenting challenges for the child, such as substance abuse, adult mental health problems or domestic abuse • has returned home to their family from care • is showing early signs of abuse and/or neglect • is at risk of being radicalised or exploited • is a privately fostered child Concerns About Children’s Behaviours To Others including Peer on Peer Abuse

All Staff need to be aware that safeguarding issues can manifest themselves as peer on peer abuse. This may include, but may not be limited to bullying, cyber bullying, sexual violence, sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour such as sexting.

Where there is concern about a child’s behaviour towards other children the school will follow the procedures established by the Local Children’s Safeguarding Board and Part 5 of Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2018), which refers to child on child sexual violence and sexual harassment.

We will endeavour to minimise the risk of peer on peer abuse. We recognise that abuse is abuse and are determined to ensure that it is never be tolerated or passed off as “banter”, “just having a laugh” or “part of growing up.” We recognise the gendered nature of peer on peer abuse (i.e. that it is more likely that girls will be victims and boys perpetrators) but that all peer on peer abuse is unacceptable and will be taken seriously whatever the age, gender or background of the pupils.

It is essential that all victims are reassured that they are being taken seriously and that they will be supported and kept safe. A victim should never be given the impression that they are creating a problem by reporting sexual violence or sexual harassment. Nor should a victim ever be made to feel ashamed for making a report.

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Action following a report of sexual violence and/or sexual harassment we will should consider:

• the wishes of the victim in terms of how they want to proceed • the nature of the alleged incident • the ages of the children involved • the development stages of the children involved • any power imbalance between the children • is the incident a one-off or a sustained pattern of abuse • are there ongoing risks to the victim, other children, school or college staff • contextual safeguarding issues As always, all staff should act in the best interests of the child, however where a child has been harmed, is at risk of harm, or is in immediate danger, we will always make a referral to local children’s Social Care.

All allegations of peer on peer abuse will be recorded in CPOMS. Any note taking will be in line with the guidance given in Part 5 of KCSIE 2018. Allegations will be thoroughly and sensitively investigated in line with school policies for investigating other forms of assault and/or bullying. When there has been a report of sexual violence, the designated safeguarding lead (or deputy) will make an immediate risk and needs assessment. Where there has been a report of sexual harassment, the need for a risk assessment will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The risk and needs assessment will consider:

● the victim, especially their protection and support

● the alleged perpetrator

● all the other children (and, if appropriate, adult students and staff) at the school

● any actions that are appropriate to protect them

Risk assessments will be kept under review.

The designated safeguarding lead (or deputy) will ensure they are engaging with children’s Social Care and specialist services as required. Any report to the police will generally be in parallel with a referral to children’s Social Care.

Victims, perpetrators and any other child affected by peer on peer abuse will be supported through work with our pastoral staff including the Family Engagement Officer and Learning Mentor.

Sexting

If an incident involving ‘sexting’ comes to your attention, it will be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) immediately.

Procedures for Staff:

Never view, download or share the imagery yourself, or ask a child to share or download – this is illegal.

If you have already viewed the imagery by accident (e.g. if a child has showed it to you before you could ask them not to), report this to the DSL.

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Do not delete the imagery or ask the child to delete it.

Do not ask the child or children who are involved in the incident to disclose information regarding the imagery. This is the responsibility of the DSL.

Do not share information about the incident to other members of staff, the child/children it involves or their, or others parents and/or carers.

Do not say or do anything to blame or shame any children involved.

Do explain to them that you need to report it and reassure them that they will receive support and help from the DSL.

The DSL will then follow the guidance Sexting in Schools and Colleges Responding to Incidents and Safeguarding Young People (UK Council for Child Internet Safety [UKCCIS], 2017) taking further local advice when necessary.

Each school has an E Safety policy, which includes guidance for all pupils in relation to online safety and using the internet and social media. There are appropriate filtering and monitoring systems in place. Staff are encouraged to report their concerns if they believe that children are using the internet, mobile technology or social media inappropriately. In these instances, the DSL will seek advice on how to proceed with regards to talking to parents/carers about online safety. In some extreme cases, the police may become involved if a child is at risk of exploitation due to their use of the internet or social media. Consequently, staff must report concerns in a timely way so that advice and support can be sought.

Child Sexual Exploitation (further information) can:

● affect any child or young person (male or female) under the age of 18 years, including 16 and 17 year olds who can legally consent to have sex

● still be abuse even if the sexual activity appears consensual

● include both contact (penetrative and non-penetrative acts) and noncontact sexual activity; • can take place in person or via technology, or a combination of both

● involve force and/or enticement-based methods of compliance and may, or may not, be accompanied by violence or threats of violence

● occur without the child or young person’s immediate knowledge (e.g. through others copying videos or images they have created and posted on social media)

● be perpetrated by individuals or groups, males or females, and children or adults. The abuse can be a one-off occurrence or a series of incidents over time, and range from opportunistic to complex organised abuse

● is typified by some form of power imbalance in favour of those perpetrating the abuse. Whilst age may be the most obvious, this power imbalance can also be due to a range of other factors including gender, sexual identity, cognitive ability, physical strength, status, and access to economic or other resources.

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Staff in each school should be aware of the arrangements made to tackle any kind of CSE in their local area.

Children Missing From Education

A child going missing from education is a potential indicator of abuse or neglect and such children are at risk of being victims of harm, exploitation or radicalisation. School staff will follow their procedures for unauthorised absence and for dealing with children that go missing from education, particularly on repeat occasions, to help identify the risk of abuse and neglect, including sexual exploitation, and to help prevent the risks of going missing in future. It is essential that all staff are alert to signs to look out for and the individual triggers to be aware of when considering the risks of potential safeguarding concerns such as travelling to conflict zones and female genital mutilation.

Where reasonably possible, our schools will hold more than one emergency contact number for each pupil. Wherever possible, we will strive to make contact with a responsible adult when a child who is from missing education is also identified as a welfare and/or safeguarding concern.

The school will notify the local authority within ten days when a pupil’s name is added to the admission register other than at the start of the Reception year. The school will also notify the local authority via the census return when a pupil’s name is to be deleted from the admission register as soon as the ground for deletion is met and no later than the time at which the pupil’s name is deleted from the register.

We recognise that it is essential that schools comply with these duties, so that local authorities can, as part of their duty to identify children of compulsory school age who are missing education, follow up with any child who might be at risk of not receiving an education and who might be at risk of being harmed, exploited or radicalised.

The school will inform the local authority of any pupil who is going to be deleted from the admission register where they:

● have been taken out of school by their parents and are being educated outside the school system e.g. home education

● have ceased to attend school and no longer live within reasonable distance of the school at which they are registered

● have been certified by the school medical officer as unlikely to be in a fit state of health to attend school before ceasing to be of compulsory school age, and neither he/she nor his/her parent has indicated the intention to continue to attend the school after ceasing to be of compulsory school age

● are in custody for a period of more than four months due to a final court order and the proprietor does not reasonably believe they will be returning to the school at the end of that period, or have been permanently excluded.

The school will inform the local authority of any pupil who fails to attend school regularly, or has been absent without the school’s permission for a continuous period of 10 school days or more, at such intervals as are agreed between the school and the local authority.

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Children Transferring to New Schools

Where children leave any of our schools, the designated safeguarding lead will ensure their child protection file is transferred to the new school as soon as possible, ensuring secure transit, and confirmation of receipt. This file will be transferred separately from the main pupil file. Where new pupils are received at any of our schools we will ensure that key staff such as designated safeguarding leads and SENCOs are aware of any additional needs or circumstances.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

This comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs. It is illegal in the UK and a form of child abuse with long-lasting harmful consequences.

From October 2015, a statutory duty has been placed on teachers to report to the police where they discover that FGM appears to have been carried out on a girl under 18.

It will be rare for teachers to see visual evidence, and they should not be examining pupils, but the same definition of what is meant by ‘to discover that an act of FGM appears to have been carried out’ is used for all professionals to whom this mandatory reporting duty applies.

Unless the teacher has a good reason not to, they should still consider and discuss any such case with the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead and involve children’s social care as appropriate.

Preventing Radicalisation

The Trust recognise that protecting children from the risk of radicalisation is part of our school’s wider safeguarding duties, and is similar in nature to protecting children from other forms of harm and abuse. We recognise the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and take our ‘Prevent’ duty seriously. This includes ensuring that a senior member of staff in each school has accessed ‘Prevent’ training.

Extremism is the vocal or active opposition to our fundamental values, including the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.

Radicalisation refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and forms of extremism. There is no single way of identifying an individual who is likely to be susceptible to an extremist ideology. It can happen in many different ways and settings. As with managing other safeguarding risks, staff should be alert to changes in children’s behaviour which could indicate that they may be in need of help or protection. Staff should use their professional judgement in identifying children who might be at risk of radicalisation and act proportionately.

Reasonable checks, for example, for links with extremism, should be carried out on all visitors who are intending to work with children, and/or staff or to address assemblies.

Opportunities to Teach Safeguarding Within the Curriculum

All pupils are taught about how to keep themselves safe as part of the curriculum. This includes personal, social health and economic education (PSHCE), and age appropriate sex and relationship education (SRE) Subjects covered include e-safety and, from time to time, programmes are delivered by external groups such as the NSPCC.

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Our schools also teach children about how to stay safe online and the use of modern media including mobile phones. This includes information about the consequences of activities such as sexting.

Looked After Children

We recognise the vulnerability of looked after children and those that have been previously looked after.

Each school has a designated teacher to promote the educational achievement of every looked after child.

We will ensure that the designated people with responsibility for looked after children have appropriate training.

Each named person should have the information they need in relation to a child’s looked after legal status (whether they are looked after under voluntary arrangements with consent of parents or on an interim or full care order) and contact arrangements with birth parents or those with parental responsibility.

They should also have information about the child’s care arrangements and the levels of authority delegated to the carer by the authority looking after him/her.

The designated safeguarding lead, through the designated teachers for looked after children, should have details of the child’s social worker and the name of the virtual school head in the authority that looks after the child.

Children with Family Members in Prison

Across the Trust, we may have pupils who have family members in prison. This is a particular issue in several of our schools. Research suggests that these children are at risk of poor outcomes including poverty, stigma, isolation and poor mental health. That said, we will work to avoid having low expectations of these children. Our schools endeavour to support these children and their families especially through the work of our Family Engagement Officers and Learning Mentors.

Criminal Exploitation

We are aware that criminal exploitation of children is a possibility, especially in some of the localities served by our schools. When we become aware of any issues, they must be reported to the appropriate authorities.

Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Staff should be aware that children with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities can face additional safeguarding challenges. These can include:

• assumptions that indicators of possible abuse such as behaviour, mood and injury relate to the child’s disability without further exploration • being more prone to peer group isolation than other children • the potential for children with SEN and disabilities being disproportionately impacted by behaviours such as bullying, without outwardly showing any signs • communication barriers and difficulties in overcoming these barriers We recognise that some of these children may need additional pastoral support.

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Fabricated Illness

There are three main ways of fabricating or inducing illness in a child:

● Fabrication of signs and symptoms; this may include fabrication of past medical history;

● Falsification of hospital charts, records, letters, documents, or specimens of bodily fluids;

● Induction of illness by a variety of means.

Behaviours exhibited by parents/carers when fabricating or inducing illness in a child can include the following:

● Deliberately inducing symptoms in children by administering medication or other substances, or by means of suffocation;

● Interfering with treatments by overdosing, not administering them or interfering with medical equipment

● Obtaining specialist treatments or equipment for children who do not require them;

● Exaggerating symptoms

● Claiming that the child has symptoms, which are unverifiable, unless observed directly, such as pain, frequency of passing urine, vomiting, or fits. These claims result in unnecessary investigations and treatments which may cause secondary physical problems;

● Alleging psychological illness in a child.

Fabricated or induced illness is often, but not exclusively, associated with emotional abuse.

There are a number of factors that teachers and other school staff should be aware of that can indicate that a pupil may be at risk of harm. Some of these factors can be:

● Frequent and unexplained absences from school, particularly from PE lessons;

● Regular absences to keep a doctor’s or a hospital appointment; or

● Repeated claims by parent(s) that a child is frequently unwell and that he/she requires medical attention for symptoms which, when described, are vague in nature, difficult to diagnose and which teachers/ early years staff have not themselves noticed eg headaches, tummy aches, dizzy spells, frequent contact with opticians and/or dentists or referrals for second opinions.

● The child may disclose some form of ill-treatment to a member of staff or might complain about multiple visits to the doctor. Either the child or his or her parent(s) may relate conflicting or patently untrue stories about illnesses, accidents or deaths in the family. Where there is a sibling in the same institution, teachers/ early years staff should discuss their concerns with each other to see if children of different ages in the same family are presenting similar concerns.

● There are also circumstances under which a child will demonstrate his or her anxiety or insecurity by presenting symptoms of an illness that will allow them to stay at home. This may occur as a

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response to family problems, for example, as a reaction to a parent is ill, who has been in hospital or, after a divorce or separation, but this is not an aspect of fabricated or induced illness.

Any professional or member of staff working at Trust school, who is concerned about the possibility of illness being fabricated or induced in a child, should follow the school’s child protection procedures for safeguarding children.

Private Fostering

Parents and carers often fail to notify schools about private fostering arrangements, even though they are legally required to notify Children's Services. Often this is because they are unaware of the requirements. They believe that this is a private family arrangement which does not concern anybody else. This lack of awareness means that many privately fostered children remain hidden and can be vulnerable.

Private fostering occurs when a child under the age of 16 (under 18, if disabled) is provided with care and accommodation by a person who is not a parent or person with parental responsibility for them or a relative in their own home. A child is not privately fostered if the person caring for and accommodating them has done so for less than 28 days and does not intend to do so for longer.

Such arrangements may come to the attention of school staff at our schools. Where a member of staff or volunteer at a school or college identifies that a private fostering arrangement is planned, or is in place, this must be raised with the designated safeguarding lead (or deputy). They will then notify the local authority to allow the local authority to check the arrangement is suitable and safe for the child.

Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse is a significant issue for some of the families in the localities served by some of our schools.

This abuse involves controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.

The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to:

• psychological • physical • sexual • financial • emotional We recognise that exposure to domestic abuse and/or violence can have a serious, long lasting emotional and psychological impact on children. In some cases, a child may blame themselves for the abuse or may have had to leave the family home as a result. Domestic abuse affecting young people can also occur within their personal relationships, as well as in the context of their home life.

Staff should be aware that any disclosures made by children may have a background in domestic abuse and that this abuse may be part of an overall pattern of abuse or violence towards women and girls in the family. That said, domestic abuse can also be experienced by males and assumptions should not be made based on the gender of perpetrators of domestic abuse.

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Homelessness

Being homeless or being at risk of becoming homeless presents a real risk to a child’s welfare. The Family Engagement Officers should be aware of contact details and referral routes in to the Local Housing Authority so they can raise/progress concerns at the earliest opportunity. Indicators that a family may be at risk of homelessness include household debt, rent arrears, domestic abuse and anti-social behaviour, as well as the family being asked to leave a property. Whilst referrals and/ or discussion with the Local Housing Authority should be progressed as appropriate, this does not, and should not, replace a referral into children’s social care where a child has been harmed or is at risk of harm.

Honour-Based Violence

So-called ‘honour-based’ violence (HBV) encompasses incidents or crimes which have been committed to protect or defend the honour of the family and/or the community, including female genital mutilation (FGM), forced marriage, and practices such as breast ironing. Abuse committed in the context of preserving “honour” often involves a wider network of family or community pressure and can include multiple perpetrators. It is important that staff at our schools are aware of this dynamic and additional risk factors when deciding what form of safeguarding action to take. All forms of HBV are abuse (regardless of the motivation) and should be handled and escalated as such. Professionals in all agencies, staff in school, need to be alert to the possibility of a child being at risk of HBV, or already having suffered HBV.

Forced Marriage and Child Marriage

Forcing a person into a marriage is a crime in England and Wales. A forced marriage is one entered into without the full and free consent of one or both parties and where violence, threats or any other form of coercion is used to cause a person to enter into a marriage. Threats can be physical or emotional and psychological. A lack of full and free consent can be where a person does not consent or where they cannot consent (if they have learning disabilities, for example). Nevertheless, some communities use religion and culture as a way to coerce a person into marriage. There are also many parts of the world where child marriage is accepted.

We can play an important role in safeguarding children from forced and child marriage.

Modern Day Slavery

Modern Day Slavery is not unknown in the areas we serve. From 1 November 2015, specified public authorities have a duty to notify the Home Office of any individual encountered in England and Wales who they believe is a suspected victim of slavery or human trafficking. Further information can be obtained from Liverpool Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and other local boards.

Allegations Of Abuse Made Against Teachers And Other Staff

If staff members or parents have concerns about another staff member then this should be referred to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Staff should not take their own action to investigate concerns reported to them as this could hinder any subsequent investigation.

If the Headteacher is the subject of an allegation, this should be referred to the chair of governors and the CEO of the Trust who should immediately discuss the allegation with the Local Authority Designated Officer.

Our schools follow the guidance detailed in the document’ ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (September 2018).

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This guidance should be used in respect of all cases in which it is alleged that a teacher or member of staff (including volunteers) in the school has behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child or behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates he or she would pose a risk of harm to children. This part of the guidance relates to members of staff who are currently working in the school regardless of whether the school is where the alleged abuse took place.

Allegations against a teacher, who is no longer teaching will be referred to the police.

Historical allegations of abuse will also be referred to the police.

The procedures for dealing with allegations will be applied with common sense and judgement. For full details of the Trust’s procedures (see annexe 2).

Safer Recruitment

When recruiting staff, the trust’s Safer Recruitment Policy will be followed.

● Statutory checks will be made on the background of all who work within the trust including Section 128 checks for those in management positions

● At least one person on each panel will have safer recruitment training

● Written references will always be sought

● When recruiting volunteers, the Trust‘s Safer Recruitment Policy will be followed ● Under no circumstances should a volunteer in respect of whom no checks have been obtained be

left unsupervised or allowed to work in regulated activity ● Although there is no legal requirement for supervised volunteers to obtain a DBS certificate, it is

the Trust’s policy that an enhanced DBS certificate will be obtained

● If a volunteer is to be unsupervised, we would always request an enhanced DBS certificate with a barred list check

The Responsibility of the Governing Bodies:

The Role of the Governing Body:

The local governing body will fully support the role and responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead and her deputies and will ensure that:

● an effective Safeguarding / Child Protection policy is in place together with a staff code of conduct

● this policy together with the staff code of conduct is understood and is implemented fully and followed by all staff so that appropriate action can be taken in timely manner to safeguard and promote children’s welfare

● an environment is created where staff feel able to raise concerns and feel supported in their safeguarding role

● a clear policy and procedures are implemented , which are suitably referenced in staff training and codes of conduct, and a culture that enables issues about safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children to be addressed

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● a senior member of staff undertakes the role as the safeguarding lead and that there are deputies available trained to the same standard to provide cover in the absence of the lead

● time is available for both the Designated Safeguarding Lead, her deputies and staff to be trained

● that the safeguarding lead and her deputies undertake appropriate training every two years

● staff receive regular updates relating to safeguarding that ensure that they have the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to keep all children safe including looked after children

● that the safeguarding lead undertakes Prevent Training and as a minimum other members of staff understand the Prevent duty

● all new staff undertake safeguarding training at induction that is in line with advice from the LSCB

● statutory responsibilities are met in relation to checking the backgrounds of staff who work with children and learners

● that volunteers are appropriately supervised

● inter-agency procedures are known and followed in line with statutory guidance ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ 2015.

● time and the necessary resources are available for the Designated Safeguarding Lead to carry out their role and responsibilities

● a member of the governing body, usually the chair, is nominated to liaise with the designated officer(s) from the relevant local authority and partner agencies in the event of allegations of abuse made against the Headteacher

● procedures to be followed regarding allegations against staff are in place

● there are procedures in place to handle allegations against other children

● at least one person on any appointment panel has undertaken safer recruitment training

● the safeguarding policy is updated annually so that it complies with the most recent statutory guidance

● that appropriate filters are in place so that children are protected from inappropriate materials when they are working online

● that the school curriculum helps children to keep themselves safe including educating them about e–safety

● all governors have an enhanced DBS check and barred list check if they also engage in regulated activity

● they themselves access regular training that helps them to carry out their role relating to safeguarding to the best of their abilities

Regular reports to the governors will be provided which details training and supports governors to meet their obligations including reviewing policy and procedures.

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Approved by: Board of Trustees Date: 03/09/2018

Last reviewed on: 03/09/2018

Next review due by: 03/09/2021

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Appendix 1

The Role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead

Each school has a Designated Safeguarding Lead and preferably two deputies. This person has the appropriate authority and is given the time, funding, training, resources and support to provide advice and support to other staff on child welfare and child protection matters, to take part in strategy discussions and inter-agency meetings – and/or to support other staff to do so contribute to the assessment of children. There is always cover for this important role.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead should:

● Co-ordinate action in case of child protection issues both within school and with outside agencies

● Liaise with the local authority and work with other agencies in line with ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ 2015 and update their working practice when the latest version of Working together to Safeguard Children is released.

● Support staff, if Early Help or other support is considered appropriate, and is required to liaise with other agencies

● Provide advice and support to other staff on child protection matters on regular basis and ensure regular updates and training opportunities for staff in addition to ensuring that annual training is provided

● Ensure that appropriate staff (including mentors) within the school know sufficient about the child at risk to support him/her within school and protect him/her

● Ensure that all staff coming into contact with children know what signs to look for that might indicate abuse and know what action they should take to report any concerns

● Make certain that staff know how they should react and the steps they should take if a child discloses information to them

● Make sure that staff also know how to any report concerns they might have about other staff

● Keep records regarding children on the Child Protection Register up to date confidential and secure

● Keep cases under constant review and consideration, including making and escalating further referrals if a child situation is not improving

● Pass on information when the child changes schools

● Attend relevant training, which is updated every two years, in line with advice from the LSCB

● are able to understand the unique risks associated with online safety and be confident that they have the relevant knowledge and up to date capability required to keep children safe whilst they are online at school or college;

● can recognise the additional risks that children with SEN and disabilities (SEND) face online, for example, from online bullying, grooming and radicalisation and are confident they have the capability to support SEND children to stay safe online

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Appendix 2

Allegations of Abuse Made Against Teachers, Other Staff and Volunteers

The school follows the guidance detailed in the document ‘Keeping Children safe in Education’ (September 2016 and, as of the 3rd of September, ‘Keeping Children safe in Education’ (September 2018) and the guidance of each LCSB.

This guidance should be used in respect of all cases in which it is alleged that a teacher or member of staff (including volunteers) have behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child or behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates he or she would pose a risk of harm to children. This part of the guidance relates to members of staff who are currently working at a school within the Trust or directly for the Trust regardless of whether the school is where the alleged abuse took place.

Allegations against a teacher who is no longer teaching, should be referred to the police.

Historical allegations of abuse should also be referred to the police.

The Trust recognises that they have a duty of care to their employees. They will provide the employee with a named contact if they are suspended. The Trust recognises that it is essential that any allegation of abuse made against a teacher or other member of staff or volunteer in a school or college is dealt with very quickly, in a fair and consistent way that provides effective protection for the child and at the same time supports the person who is the subject of the allegation.

Where the Headteacher or principal is the subject of an allegation, the chair of governors, should immediately discuss the allegation with the CEO and the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).

The following procedures for dealing with allegations will be applied with common sense and judgement.

● The case manager will be appointed by the school/ Trust.

● The purpose of an initial discussion is for the designated officer(s) and the case manager is to consider the nature, content and context of the allegation and agree a course of action. The designated officer(s) may ask the case manager to provide or obtain relevant additional information, such as previous history, whether the child or their family have made similar allegations previously and the individual’s current contact with children. There may be situations when the case manager will want to involve the police immediately, for example if the person is deemed to be an immediate risk to children or there is evidence of a possible criminal offence. Where there is no such evidence, the case manager should discuss the allegations with the designated officer(s) in order to help determine whether police involvement is necessary.

● The initial sharing of information and evaluation may lead to a decision that no further action is to be taken in regard to the individual facing the allegation or concern; in which case this decision and a justification for it should be recorded by both the case manager and the designated officer(s), and agreement reached on what information should be put in writing to the individual concerned and by whom. The case manager should then consider with the designated officer (s) what action should follow, both in respect of the individual and those who made the initial allegation.

● The case manager should inform the accused person about the allegation as soon as possible after consulting the designated officer(s). It is extremely important that the case manager informs individuals about concerns or allegations as soon as possible and given an explanation of the likely

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course of action. Where a strategy discussion is needed, or police or children’s social care services need to be involved, the case manager should not do that until those agencies have been consulted, and have agreed what information can be disclosed to the accused. The individual should be advised to contact their trade union representative, if they have one, or a colleague for support.

● The case manager should appoint a named representative to keep the person who is the subject of the allegation informed of the progress of the case and consider what other support is appropriate for the individual. For staff in schools, that may include support via the local authority occupational health or employee welfare arrangements. Particular care will taken when employees are suspended to ensure that they are kept informed of both the progress of their case and current work-related issues.

● Social contact with colleagues and friends will not be prevented unless there is evidence to suggest that such contact is likely to be prejudicial to the gathering and presentation of evidence.

● The Trust must consider carefully whether the circumstances of a case warrant a person being suspended from contact with children at the school or college or whether alternative arrangements can be put in place until the allegation or concern is resolved. All options to avoid suspension should be considered prior to taking that step prior to taking that step.

● The possible risk of harm to children posed by an accused person should be evaluated and managed in respect of the children involved in the allegations. In some rare cases, this will require the case manager to consider suspending the accused until the case is resolved. Suspension should not be an automatic response when an allegation is reported; all options to avoid suspension should be considered prior to taking that step. If the case manager is concerned about the welfare of other children in the community or the teacher’s family, those concerns should be reported to the designated officer(s) children’s social care or the police. But suspension is highly unlikely to be justified on the basis of such concerns alone.

● If there is cause to suspect a child is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm, a strategy discussion should be convened in accordance with the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015 and any guidance which supersedes that. If the allegation is about physical contact, the strategy discussion or initial evaluation with the police should take into account that teachers and other school are entitled to use reasonable force to control or restrain children in certain circumstances, including dealing with disruptive behaviour.

● Where it is clear that an investigation by the police or children’s social care services is unnecessary, or the strategy discussion or initial evaluation decides that is the case, the designated officer(s) should discuss the next steps with the case manager. In those circumstances, the options open to the school depend on the nature and circumstances of the allegation and the evidence and information available. This will range from taking no further action to dismissal or a decision not to use the person’s services in future. Suspension should not be the default position: an individual should be suspended only if there is no reasonable alternative.

● Parents or carers of a child or children involved should be told about the allegation as soon as possible if they do not already know of it. However, where a strategy discussion is required, or police or children’s social care services need to be involved, the case manager should not do so until those agencies have been consulted and have agreed what information can be disclosed to the parents or carers. Parents or carers should also be kept informed about the progress of the case, and told the outcome where there is not a criminal prosecution, including the outcome of any disciplinary process. The deliberations of a disciplinary hearing, and the information taken into

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account in reaching a decision, will normally be disclosed, but the parents or carers of the child should be told the outcome in confidence.

● Parents and carers should also be made aware of the requirement to maintain confidentiality about any allegations made against teachers whilst investigations are ongoing as set out in section 141F of the Education Act 2002 (see paragraph 125). If parents or carers wish to apply to the court to have reporting restrictions removed, they should be told to seek legal advice.

● Where it is clear that an investigation by the police or children’s social care services is unnecessary, or the strategy discussion or initial evaluation decides that is the case, the designated officer(s) should discuss the next steps with the case manager. In those circumstances, the options open to the school depend on the nature and circumstances of the allegation and the evidence and information available. This will range from taking no further action to dismissal or a decision not to use the person’s services in future.

● Suspension should not be the default position: an individual should be suspended only if there is no reasonable alternative.

● In some cases, further enquiries will be needed to enable a decision about how to proceed. If so, the designated officer(s) should discuss with the case manager how and by whom the investigation will be undertaken. In straightforward cases, the investigation should normally be undertaken by a senior member staff.

● Further guidance on the management of allegations is available via the Local Children’s Safeguarding Board website and ‘Keeping Children safe in Education’ (September 2016 and, as of the 3rd of September 2018, Keeping Children safe in Education’ (September 2018).

The following definitions should be used when determining the outcome of allegation investigations:

● Substantiated: there is sufficient evidence to prove the allegation

● Malicious: there is sufficient evidence to disprove the allegation and there has been a deliberate act to deceive

● False: there is sufficient evidence to disprove the allegation

● Unsubstantiated: there is insufficient evidence to either prove or disprove the allegation. The term, therefore, does not imply guilt or innocence

There must also be procedures in place to make a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) if a person in regulated activity has been dismissed or removed due to safeguarding concerns, or would have been had they not resigned. This is a legal duty and a ‘failure to refer’, when the criteria are not met is a criminal offence.

● If the accused person resigns, or ceases to provide their services, this should not prevent an allegation being followed up in accordance with this guidance. A referral to the DBS must be made, if the criteria are met.

● If the accused person resigns or their services cease to be used and the criteria are met it will not be appropriate to reach a settlement/compromise agreement.

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● Details of allegations that are found to have been malicious should be removed from personnel records.

● For all other allegations, a clear and comprehensive summary of the allegation, details of how the allegation was followed up and resolved, and a note of any action taken and decisions reached will be kept on the confidential personnel file of the accused, and a copy provided to the person concerned.

● The purpose of the record is to enable accurate information to be given in response to any future request for a reference, where appropriate. It will provide clarification in cases where future DBS checks reveal information from the police about an allegation that did not result in a criminal conviction and it will help to prevent unnecessary re-investigation if, an allegation re-surfaces after a period of time.

● The record will be retained at least until the accused has reached normal pension age or for a period of 10 years from the date of the allegation if that is longer.

● Cases in which an allegation was proven to be false, unsubstantiated or malicious will not be included in employer references. A history of repeated concerns or allegations which have all been found to be false, unsubstantiated or malicious will also not be included in any reference

DBS Barring Helpline: 01325 953795

Employers must refer someone to DBS if they:

● sacked them because they harmed someone

● sacked them or removed them from working in regulated activity because they might have harmed someone

● were planning to sack them for either of these reasons, but they resigned first

Confidentiality

It is extremely important that when an allegation is made, every effort is made to maintain confidentiality and guard against unwanted publicity while an allegation is being investigated or considered.

The Education Act 2002 introduced reporting restrictions preventing the publication of any material that may lead to the identification of a teacher who has been accused by, or on behalf of, a pupil from the same school (where that identification would identify the teacher as the subject of the allegation).

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Appendix 3

Safeguarding Concerns Across the Trust - Local Circumstances

It should be recognised however that any issue could occur in any school and everyone should be vigilant at all times where the safeguarding of children is concerned.

Risks: Low-L Medium- M High- H

School St Silas CE Primary School

Heygreen Primary School

Garston CE Primary School

Shoreside Primary School

Compliancy L L H H

LAC M M H M

community

Gang culture M L M L

Crime M M H L

Poverty H H H L

Mental illness M H H L

Drug/alcohol M H H L

housing M H M L

mobility H H L L

Safeguarding

neglect H H H L

Children missing from Education

H H L L

CSE M M H L

FGM H H L L

Forced Marriage H H L L

Extremism H H L L

Criminal exploitation

M M M L

Fabricated Illness M M M L

Private fostering H H L L

Modern day slavery

M H L L

Children with family members in prison.

L H H L

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Appendix 4

Safeguarding Concerns across the Trust - Local Circumstances.

Reports on local children’s services and how that impacts on our work in schools.

Liverpool Children’s services

Impact on the Work in our Schools

We must be rigorous when reporting our concerns. We must re -report if we feel our concerns have not been taken seriously and escalate concerns to senior managers, after

consultation with the school DSL, if when necessary.

If we have reported concerns and social care have acted yet the pupils appears to be at risk and outcomes for that pupil do not appear to be

improving we must re -report and again escalate concerns to senior managers, after consultation

with the school DSL, if when necessary.

We must ensure that pupils living at home on care order achieve as well as others pupils in our

schools. . We must support the development of high quality personal education plans that support

at least good outcomes for each pupil.

Inspected By Ofsted 25 May 2018- judgement RI (also RI 2014) – published July 2018

Information from the 2016 Report

Children at immediate risk of harm receive a prompt and effective response, which ensures that

they are safeguarded. Children’s needs are not always well considered through assessments and plans. This means that, for some children, there is delay in having their needs met and risks reduced.

A small number of multi-agency referral forms are rejected or redirected because they do not meet

the threshold for children’s services, lack sufficient detail, or because parental consent is missing. This

results in delays in assessing risks, determining needs and in the provision of intervention to these

children and families.

The quality of social work assessments has not improved since the JTAI. Assessments are not

routinely updated when children’s circumstances change. Children’s lived experiences, including

their needs, family dynamics, culture and identity, are not consistently at the centre of assessments.

Although risk is identified, it is not rigorously analysed, and the impact on the child is not fully considered. This lack of sharpness in assessments results in child in need and child protection plans

that are not as clearly child-focused or clear as they need to be, which in turn dilutes the impact and effectiveness of child in need meetings and

core groups. The weaknesses in planning for children also means that it is difficult for parents and professionals to hold each other to account

for follow-through of actions.

When children in need, including those in need of protection, are identified as being at increased

need or risk, they are appropriately stepped up to higher levels of intervention. However, in some

cases, there is a delay in reaching this decision due to social workers and managers over-estimating

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parents’ capacity to change. Inspectors also saw evidence of over-optimism by social workers and

managers, with decisions to step down cases based on perceptions of improved compliance,

rather than any real change for the child.

Attainment for children in care who are placed with their own parents is below that of all children in care across all subjects. This is significant given the relatively high numbers of children living at

home on care orders in Liverpool. While the vast majority of children have personal education

plans, these are not consistently good and do not effectively support educational planning.

Sefton Children’s Services

LCSB

The Sefton Safeguarding Children Board (SSCB) is inadequate because it is not discharging all of its

statutory functions as set out in national guidance published in March 2015.

Impact on the work in our schools.

We must be rigorous when reporting our concerns. We must re -report if we feel our concerns have not been taken seriously and escalate concerns to senior managers, after consultation with the school DSL, if when

necessary.

If the LCSB does not offer the high quality courses we need or we cannot find the advice we need on

their website

We can

Source courses from other LCSB, for example Liverpool

Look on other LCSB websites and websites like the NSPCC for information

Seek advice from REMAT

Children’s services inspected By Ofsted in June 2016 – Judgement RI

Information from the 2016 report

Inconsistencies seen in responses to early help, children subject to child in need and child

protection plans, children looked after and care leavers.

Children experience too many changes of worker at important transition points, making it difficult

for them to form consistent and enduring relationships. Despite an increase in social work

posts, caseloads are too high in some areas, such as assessment teams, children looked after teams,

and the independent reviewing officers’ (IRO) service. These issues significantly contribute to the poor quality of some assessments and plans seen,

infrequent and insufficiently analytical recording of management oversight and a lack of effective

challenge when practice requires improvement by managers and IROs alike.

The local authority has not met national minimum standards in relation to private fostering.

The Sefton Safeguarding Children Board (SSCB) is inadequate because it is not discharging all of its

statutory functions as set out in national guidance

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When necessary ring for social care direct advice

published in March 2015. However, much of the work it does is good and some very good.

Ensure that the SSCB urgently reviews all of its policies, procedures and work programmes to

ensure that these are fully compliant with guidance and legislation. This should include

ensuring that they are updated regularly to reflect any future changes to statutory guidance.

Ensure that the SSCB improves its communications with the children’s workforce and wider

communities, and that its website is up to date, that there is a regular newsletter, and that the

annual report has a separate summary and children’s and young people’s version. 122. Ensure

that the board thoroughly evaluates the quality and the impact of training on improving practice.