Safeguarding support

To support Worcestershire schools to fulfil their statutory responsibilities, the Safeguarding team provide the following universal service:

• annual safeguarding model policy
• advice and guidance on safeguarding process’s for schools (DfE updates - Keeping children safe in education 2021, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018)
• annual section 175/HT report template
• learning briefings on Serious case reviews
• access to safeguarding e-Library
• DSL network meetings across all districts (Each term - area termly meetings for DSLs and safeguarding governors, DSL champions meeting for those who have been nominated by HTs)
• half termly DSL newsletter
• operation encompass - domestic abuse notifications to schools via the police/WCF
• CSC/Education adviser to meet with schools to audit referrals to Family Front Door
• email and telephone support
• Ofsted school complaints process
• maintained schools and academies only self-assessment review available
• GET SAFE 3-hour training for all DSLs

In addition to the universal service, the Safeguarding team offer a safeguarding subscription service.

Benefits of the safeguarding subscription

The safeguarding subscription offers schools an enhanced focus of safeguarding. The expected outcomes include:

• a reduction in the number of inappropriate safeguarding contacts to the Family Front Door (FFD) from schools
  • improvements in the quality of contacts and referrals to the FFD from schools
• an improvement in the understanding of the safeguarding system by schools and DSLs
• the correct application of safeguarding and early help referral pathways (use of the correct pathways e.g. Early Help pathway rather FFD)
• a robust school safeguarding system and processes following statutory guidance demonstrable through Ofsted scrutiny; and improved safeguarding for children and young people

What does the subscription include?

Designated Safeguarding Lead training

Specific training for DSLs and DDSLS (annually which includes a certificate of attendance).

Introduction to the Role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead

Specific training for NEW DSL and DDSL's - once completed they would then undertake the full day DSL course

Domestic abuse training

For DSL/DDSL 3-hour session

Peer Mentoring

For DSL / DDSL 3-hour session

Schools and colleges must maintain a single central record of pre-appointment checks. Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2019)

Your single central record is a key part of evidence that inspectors will look at when inspecting your school safeguarding.

Make sure your recording is compliant with statutory guidance with a School Central Record Health Check.

What should be included in the Single Central Record?

The Department for Education (DfE) published statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) outlines the recruitment and selection processes, recruitment and vetting checks, duties of safeguarding and promoting welfare of children in education. KCSiE states the single record check must cover the following people:

• all staff including teacher trainees on salaried routes, agency and third party supply staff who work at the school. In colleges this means those providing education to children and
• for independent schools, all members of the proprietor body. In the case of academies and free schools, this means the members and trustees of the academy trust

The minimum information that must be recorded in respect of staff members (including teacher trainees on salaried routes) is whether the following checks have been carried out or certificates obtained, and the date on which each check was completed/certificate obtained:

• an identity check
• a barred list check
• an enhanced DBS check/certificate
• a prohibition from teaching check
• further checks on people who have lived or worked outside the UK
• a check of professional qualifications
• a check to establish the person's right to work in the UK
• a section 128 check

Colleges must record whether the person's position involves 'relevant activity' (regularly caring, training, supervising or being solely in charge of persons aged under 18)

Schools and colleges must also include whether written confirmation of relevant checks have been carried out and appropriate certificates have been obtained by the business supplying agency and third party staff.

Single Central Records Best Practice

The single central record can be used to store other relevant information such as checklist of safeguarding training and the date undertaken.

Ensure your single central record is compliant with statutory guidance with our Single Central Record Health check 

The aim of this health check is to review your single central record; compare with requirements of KCSiE and Ofsted expectations; check for gaps in data and ensure that your recording is effective and works best for the school or college.

The health check includes an initial visit, action plan and follow up.

Cost: £225 plus VAT

To find out more and book your health check contact Mikey Addis:

Telephone: 01905 845526
Email: MAddis@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk

We offer a range of services and training which adhere to ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (September 2021) guidance and which meet the expectations of Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership. Our training provides all levels of staff with the skills they need to be compliant and safeguard children and young people in their care.

Our safeguarding subscription service provides schools with Designated Safeguarding Lead training, Domestic abuse training and Peer Mentoring.

In addition, the safeguarding team offers:

• mental health awareness training
• mental health champion training
• mental health first aid (accredited by MHFA)

Plus, bespoke training to meet the individual requirements of schools and settings and whole school safeguarding training.

We offer opportunities throughout the year for training on issues relevant to schools and academies in the local area for a small additional cost. If you identify a training need for your school/ college please do not hesitate to contact the training team workforcesupport@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk

Safeguarding Training Directory

Designated safeguarding lead one day training

Aims and objectives:

• for Designated Safeguarding Leads, designed to refresh and update knowledge on the Early Help and Child Protection Procedures.
• to understand DSL roles and responsibilities
• to understand how and when to make a referral to Family Front Door (FFD)
• to be confident when to share/not share and/or seek advice about information sharing
• to be confident in undertaking an Early Help Assessment

Domestic abuse DSL training 3-hour session

Aims and objectives:

• increase awareness of the insidious nature of domestic abuse and the invisibility of coercion and control
• highlight the prevalence and statistics of domestic abuse
• increase confidence to be professionally curious and to ask about domestic abuse in a way that makes it easier and safer for people to disclose
• increase understanding of victims’ responses to domestic abuse including why they may stay in an abusive relationship
• explore the links between pregnancy and domestic abuse and the impacts on children both pre-birth and at various stages of development
• increase awareness of the insidious nature of domestic abuse and the invisibility of coercion and control
• highlight the prevalence and statistics of domestic abuse
• increase confidence to be professionally curious and to ask about domestic abuse in a way that makes it easier and safer for people to disclose
• increase understanding of victims’ responses to domestic abuse including why they may stay in an abusive relationship
• explore the links between pregnancy and domestic abuse and the impacts on children both pre-birth and at various stages of development 
• consider the professional responsibility for positively impacting the resilience of children

Designated Senior Mental Health Lead (DSM-HL)

3 day course

Aims and objectives:

• to enable Senior Leaders to understand the role of the Designated Senior Mental Health Lead (DSM-HL) and have a clearer understanding of the current context surrounding mental health and wellbeing of children, young people and adults working in UK schools
• to enable Senior Leaders to effectively assess their school’s current mental health and wellbeing provision and to develop a clear plan for improvement
• to enable and empower senior leaders (DSM-HL) to prioritise and develop the mental health and wellbeing of their students and staff through the development of a practical, sustainable and cost-effective long-term Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy

Half day MHFA: Youth mental health awareness (Training accredited by MHFA)

Aims and objectives:

This introductory 3-hour session raises awareness of young people’s mental health. It aims to enhance knowledge around:

• some of the common mental health issues affecting young people, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders and psychosis
• skills to work more effectively with young people living with mental health issues
• ways to support young people with a mental health issue and relate to their experiences 

1 day: MHFA Youth mental health champion 

Aims and objectives:

The one-day course qualifies you as a Youth MHFA Champion. The Youth Mental Health Champion course aims to equip delegates with: 

• an understanding of common mental health issues and how they can affect young people 
• the ability to spot signs of mental ill health in young people and guide them to a place of support
• the knowledge and confidence to advocate for mental health awareness 
• S=skills to support positive wellbeing

2 day: MHFA Mental Health First Aider Qualification

Aims and objectives:

The MHFA 2-day course qualifies you as a youth mental health first aider. This aims to provide you with 

• an in depth understanding of young people’s mental health and factors that affect wellbeing
• practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues
• confidence to reassure and support a young person in distress
• enhanced interpersonal skills such as non-judgemental listening
• knowledge to help a young person recover their health by guiding them to further support – whether that’s through self-help sites, their place of learning, the NHS, or a mix – engaging with parents, carers and external agencies where appropriate 
• the ability to support a young person with a long-term mental health issue or disability to thrive 

 In addition, the safeguarding team offers

• Managing Allegations
• School Employed Family Support Worker
• Safer Recruitment in Educational Settings
• Safeguarding Education - Governors Roles and Responsibilities
• Understanding the Single Central Record (NEW for 22-23 Academic year)

Peer mentoring

A three-hour course to understand what peer mentoring is, how to implement a Peer Mentoring programme in your school and to consider the impact of Peer Mentoring

Denise Hannibal, Education Adviser Safeguarding

Denise has a wealth of experience spanning over 17 years in senior roles, working closely with headteachers in a mentoring and safeguarding capacity.

Prior to becoming Education Advisor for Safeguarding in January 2018, Denise worked with Sandwell Local Authority in the role of Advisor Pupil Engagement and Surrey County Council as Area Schools Officer. Denise has extensive experience working with over 120 headteachers in each area. Denise is also a qualified trainer for CWDC delivering the Common Induction.

Denise was a national award winner for the NTA (National Training Award) 2007 as well as having her case study included in a report for parliament for learning and development in 2008. She is also a co-author of the Changes Parenting Programme which has been widely distributed and is still successfully rolled out across Sandwell schools.

On a personal note, Denise has 5 grown up children, all of whom have successful careers, 2 have continued to study at university she also has 2 grandchildren who keep her busy. Denise enjoys swimming, exploring, and travelling to new countries far and wide.

Email: dhannibal@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk
Telephone: 01905 844436

Hayley Doyle, Area Safeguarding Officer

Hayley has worked with children and families for over 20 years, working for community trusts across Sandwell and Birmingham as a specialist Family Support Worker and Team Manager. Hayley’s most recent role was a Family Support Worker and Designated Safeguarding Lead based in a Wyre Forest Primary School, where she worked for 5 years supporting the headteacher, developing and embedding the schools Early Help Offer and updating safeguarding policies and procedures. Hayley was also a DSL Champion, supporting other Wyre Forest schools.hools.

Email: hdoyle@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk
Telephone: 01905 845 230

Mikey Addis, Business Support Officer (BSO) Education Safeguarding Team

Before joining the Early Years and Safeguarding Education team, Mikey has worked for the last 4 years for Worcester Children First for the Redditch and Wychavon Initial Assessment Team, where he has gained knowledge of Safeguarding for children and families. Mikey is currently working towards his Level 4 Health & Social Care for Children and Families under the Open University as he has ambitions to become a Family Support Worker, DSL or Pastoral Support within a school. 

Mikey’s role is to work within my Early Years and Safeguarding Education team, particularly with DSL’s (Designated/ Deputy Safeguarding Leads). Mikey has already settled into the Education Safeguarding role and is a real asset to my team.

Email: MAddis@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk
Telephone: 01905 845526

Mikey Addis, Educational Safeguarding Business Support Officer
Email: MAddis@worcschildrenfirst.org.co.uk
Phone: 01905 845526

For more information on safeguarding children in Worcestershire, making a referral or reporting a safeguarding issue, visit: Safeguarding children from Worcestershire Children First.

If you have a concern about a child visit: Worcestershire Children First Refer to Children's Social Care or contact Children's Social Care, telephone: 01905 822666