Align your safeguarding policies and procedures with the latest Ofsted expectations. Katie Michelon, solicitor

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1 Align your safeguarding policies and procedures with the latest Ofsted expectations Katie Michelon, solicitor

2 what we will cover Ofsted and safeguarding context and background safeguarding under the current framework key compliance areas

3 Laming Lord Laming recommendation 2009 Ofsted should revise the inspection regime for schools giving greater prominence to how well schools are fulfilling their responsibilities for child protection The effectiveness of safeguarding procedures became a judgement in its own right safeguarding is everybody s responsibility

4 Laming from September 2009, if school s safeguarding arrangements were judged to be inadequate, overall effectiveness of a school also likely to be judged inadequate it is almost always the case that where safeguarding arrangements are inadequate there are also other significant weaknesses

5 coalition government s new vision Munroe Report (May 2011) recommended removal of excessive centrally imposed targets and regulations and provision of more autonomy to practitioners to use and exercise their professional skills and judgement revised Ofsted framework from January 2012 four key judgements shift away from wellbeing issues such as safeguarding and move towards core academic standards

6 four key judgements achievement of pupils quality of teaching behaviour and safety of pupils quality of leadership and management

7 revised Ofsted framework new statutory framework introduced from September 2012 statutory basis for section 5 inspections revised Handbook what inspectors must do and what schools can expect included revised grade descriptors impact of safeguarding arrangements will be tested under the new framework

8 limiting judgement? Ofsted no longer using the term limiting judgement key judgements may still affect the grade for overall effectiveness school is likely to be inadequate if inspectors judge the behaviour and safety of pupils to be inadequate if there are issues regarding safeguarding and this is reflected for example in a judgement of inadequate leadership and management, inspectors should give careful consideration to the judgement on behaviour and safety (Inspecting Safeguarding, Sep 2013)

9 what is safeguarding in an inspection? wide definition Children Act 2004 in summary: protecting children from maltreatment preventing impairment of children s health and development ensuring children grow up in circumstances consistent with provision of safe and effective care enable children to have optimum life chances and enter adulthood successfully

10 what is safeguarding in an inspection? not just about protecting children from deliberate harm includes all of the following issues: health and safety of pupils bullying racist abuse harassment and discrimination meeting medical needs drug and substance abuse e-safety school security

11 behaviour and safety impact of safeguarding arrangements is tested under judgement of behaviour and safety must not be based solely on what is seen by the inspector during the inspection range of evidence to be considered

12 behaviour and safety grade descriptor can be divided into: attitudes of pupils school behaviour strategies bullying safety bullying includes an effective approach to tackling bullying safety includes risk assessments, e-safety and action taken following any serious safeguarding incident

13 outstanding Parents, staff and pupils are unreservedly positive about both behaviour and safety.. Pupils are fully aware of different forms of bullying, including cyber-bullying and prejudice-based bullying, and actively try to prevent it from occurring. Bullying and derogatory or aggressive language in all their forms are rare and dealt with highly effectively. All groups of pupils are safe and feel safe at school and at alternative provision placements at all times. They understand very clearly what constitutes unsafe situations, including in relation to e-safety

14 good There are few well founded concerns expressed by parents, staff and pupils about behaviour and safety Pupils have a good awareness of different forms of bullying. There are few instances of bullying and these are dealt with effectively by the school. Pupils are safe and feel safe at school and at alternative provision placements and understand how to keep themselves safe in different situations.

15 requires improvement Behaviour and safety require improvement as these aspects are not good.

16 inadequate Incidents of bullying overall or specific types of bullying are frequent, and/or pupils have little confidence in the school s ability to address bullying successfully Pupils or particular groups of pupils are not safe or do not feel safe at school and/or at alternative placements.

17 leadership and management very large area, but includes how effectively pupils are safeguarded to ensure safe recruitment and that pupils are safe school leaders must be clear about their statutory responsibilities regarding safeguarding latest position with DBS and Protection of Freedoms Act how well do governors hold the SLT to account in this regard? governing body accountable for ensuring effective policies and procedures in place need evidence that governing body monitors this

18 leadership and management recruitment and vetting checks carried out in line with statutory requirements regardless of local authority procedures inspectors will also look at: maintenance of SCR rigour with which absence is followed up care taken to ensure that pupils placed in AP are safe action taken following any serious incident promotion of safe practices, including e-safety

19 grade descriptors outstanding The school s arrangements for safeguarding meet statutory requirements. good The school s arrangements for safeguarding meet statutory requirements. inadequate The school s arrangements for safeguarding pupils do not meet statutory requirements and give serious cause for concern, or insufficient action has been taken to remedy weaknesses following a serious incident.

20 key areas for compliance governing body policies designated senior person training record keeping single central record

21 governing body inspectors will always seek to meet with governors must show evidence that governing body is aware of and takes seriously its role in overseeing safeguarding named governor to support child protection in the school that governor should have regular discussion with the DSP awareness of policies awareness of any child protection incidents and how they were dealt with

22 policies what policies? annual review of child protection policy policies should indentify staff with specific CP responsibilities e-safety bullying

23 designated senior person must have designated member of staff for child protection must be a member of the SLT do other staff know who this is? DSP takes lead responsibility for CP issues co-ordination and liaison of CP procedures deputy DSP should also be appointed doesn t negate the need for all staff to be familiar with the school s child protection procedures and policies

24 designated senior person awareness of new issues and latest guidance evidence of training undertaken explanation/awareness of any safeguarding issues since last inspection (ongoing or resolved) quality of record keeping keeping head teacher up to date

25 training Ofsted will look for evidence that staff have been provided with adequate safeguarding training DSP required to attend training for the role and update that training every two years other staff update training every three years (DSP responsibility) consider timing of training key changes in legislation and new issues outstanding schools far exceed minimum training requirements (annual updates)

26 record keeping Ofsted requires evidence of clear record keeping child protection records and data shared with care and in accordance with data protection requirements record of any referrals made e.g. to social services, LADO, ISA

27 single central record summarises checks and vetting of staff working with pupils still a requirement to maintain a SCR inspectors will request that this is made available at start of inspection no prescribed format/layout but electronic best practice must show nature of checks made; date on which checks made and identity of person making the checks/entering the details on the record volunteers who have not been checked inspectors encouraged to understand school s decision-making

28 single central record minor administrative errors in SCR may be resolved during the inspection must be rectified before the final team meeting minor administrative error failure to record one or two dates failure to record name of person that carried out the check individual entries that are illegible one or two omissions where it is clear the school has obtained the information but has failed to transfer it in full to the SCR

29 useful resources Inspecting safeguarding (Ofsted briefing published September 2013) Inspecting e-safety in schools (Ofsted briefing published September 2013) Safeguarding in schools: best practice (Ofsted briefing published in 2011)

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31 contact details Katie Michelon