Safeguarding support for teachers and education professionals
The Safeguarding team supports teachers and education professionals to fulfil their responsibility to safeguard and promote welfare effectively.
About the service
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility.
The Safeguarding team supports teachers and education professionals to fulfil their responsibility to safeguard and promote welfare effectively.
Our aim is to ensure schools and settings receive accurate information and guidance in accordance with national and local safeguarding regulations.
We provide appropriate safeguarding and child protection training which is regularly updated and support to ensure staff have the relevant skills and knowledge to safeguard children effectively.
How we support schools
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 processes for schools (DfE updates - Keeping children safe in education 2023, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018)
- annual section 175/157 Audit report
- 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 Independent Head Teacher Network meeting
- Weekly 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.
Safeguarding subscription
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?
Core Offer
- annual 1 day Safeguarding Audit (includes Single Central Record Audit)
- school complaint guidance and advice to all schools from stage 2 to stage 4
- 7-minute briefings training resource
- low Level concerns – individual case support – advice and guidance
Core Training Included within SLA
- introduction to role of Designated Safeguarding Lead 3-hour session
- Designated Safeguarding Lead training 6 hour specific training for DSLs and DDSLs
- Peer Mentoring For DSL/DDSL 3-hour training
- MHFA Mental Health Awareness Training (3 hours)
- MHFA Mental Health First Aider (accredited by MHFA) (12 hours)
Operation Encompass
Operation Encompass registration pack
Schools in Worcestershire have been receiving Operation Encompass notifications for the last 5 years. However, when Operation Encompass was launched 5 years ago there was no official training to complete.
From September 2023 there will be an opportunity for DSLs and DDSLs complete the Operation Encompass Key Adult training and sign the updated Safeguarding agreement.
This pack provides all the details you need to complete the new registration, including how to access the training and additional resources.
To complete the registration for your setting, you will need to:
1. Complete the Key Adult training
Ensure Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) and Deputies (DDSLs) have completed the Key Adult training online on the Operation Encompass website.
If you have already completed the training and have sent in your certificates then you do not need to re-send them. You would still need to complete the safeguarding agreement.
2. Complete the Safeguarding Agreement to sign up
Download: The safeguarding agreement (Word)
To continue to receive Operation Encompass notifications, please send the completed Safeguarding Agreement and the Key Adult Certificates to Mikey Addis at MAddis@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk no later than 31st October 2023.
If your school has an Early Years setting on site that has a different registration number
If they have not yet registered, the Early Years setting would need to register separately and can do this by contacting Nicky Truby, Early Years Business Support Officer, email NTruby@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk
Definition of Domestic Abuse
The government definition of domestic abuse is:
“Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behavior, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over, who have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.”
What children may experience
The Numbers
- on average, there are 35 incidents of Domestic Abuse before a call is made to the police
- over 16,554 notifications have been communicated to Schools in Worcestershire since Operation Encompass was launched in the County
- 15% of Police recorded crime is related to Domestic Abuse
- West Mercia Domestic Abuse data (for the year ending March 2021):
- 32,310 Domestic Abuse related incidents and crimes were recorded
- this is equivalent to 25 crimes/incidents for every 1000 people in the population
- 23% of all recorded crimes were classified as Domestic Abuse related
- • West Mercia Domestic Abuse data (April to October 2022):
- South Worcestershire: 2469 crimes and 1136 incidents recorded
- North Worcestershire: 2447 crimes and 1222 incidents recorded
Soure: Operation Encompass notifications sent to WCF between May to October 2022:
Why is domestic abuse a safeguarding issue?
Operation Encompass gives professionals an insight into what a child is going through at home.
The videos below will provide may help to provide a better understanding on how to support and children and families:
- the impact of domestic violence and abuse on mothering and children (Violence Against Women and Girls)
- what can we do to support children and families who have been impacted by domestic abuse? (NSPCC)
- why is domestic abuse a safeguarding and child protection Issue? (NSPCC)
Training
A short, online training pack is available for all DSLs to complete. ALL DSLs/DDSLs will need to complete the training to become the ‘Key Adult’ for Operation Encompass. You will need to register (for free) to access the training: Online Key Adult Training : Operation Encompass and complete each of the online modules.
How Operation Encompass works in Worcestershire?
When police are called to a domestic abuse incident, where anyone under the age of 18 is either present at the scene, or usually lives, or there is a pregnant individual (over 28 weeks gestation), details of the incident are logged by the Police and shared with the Worcestershire Operation Encompass team within Worcestershire Children First (WCF).
Once this incident log has been received by WCF, information from the log is sent to the appropriate school(s) and since February 2023, this now includes any funded Early Years providers who have registered to receive Operation Encompass notifications. Details of the incident, including the date, time, police incident number and a description of what happened will be shared
If we receive a notification for children not attending an education setting, the WCF Children Missing Education (CME) will be notified.
If a child attends more than one setting, WCF will share information with both registered settings.
If a notification is received for a child that attends an early year’s provision that does not offer funded places or a for a child that does not attend an Early Years childcare setting, the police will send the notification directly to the NHS Health Team who will share this information with Health Visitors and Midwives.
The Process
The process differs slightly for Worcestershire, as Worcestershire Children First completes Operation Encompass on behalf of the Police.
1. The Police send the incident log to the WCF Education Safeguarding team every morning.
2. Mikey Addis, the Education Safeguarding Business Support Officer and Nicky Truby, the Early Years Safeguarding Business Support Officer, will link each child to their setting and send out notifications detailing the incident. The notification will be sent via the Children’s Services Portal (CSP). For Education, it will be sent to the Headteacher and the Safeguarding contact. For Early Years settings, this means that the NEF Contact will receive the CSP email informing them that a notification has been sent.
3. The notification will be an Excel attachment, with details of a child present at the incident or who usually resides at the address where a domestic abuse incident or crime has been reported.
a. One Excel sheet will be sent per incident. You may receive more than one Excel file if separate incidents have been reported, concerning other children at your setting
b. Details of the incident should then be logged on a ‘Call Log’ document and this should be filed in the same way Child Protection records are kept.
4. The DSL will share relevant information provided with appropriate staff where needed.
Additional resources
New resources from Operation Compass for schools during 2023:
- letter template to notify parents that you are signed up to Operation Encompass
- further printable resources (in various languages)
- poster for schools
Resources for schools including posters
Operation Ecompass impact report 2023 (PDF)
Useful Links
As an Operation Encompass setting, parents or carers may talk to you about their situation, possibly looking for help and support. The following services may be useful:
- West Mercia Women’s Aid
- Hollie Guard - free personal safety app
- Clare's Law - the right to ask and the right to know (What is Clare's Law)
- Sarah's Law - a law for anyone who wants to find out if a person who has contact with a child, has a record of child sexual offences
- Helpline for Male victims of Domestic Abuse (Men’s Advice Line)
- Financial and economic abuse (Women’s Aid)
- Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Worcestershire County Council)
- Dawn Project (Worcester Community Trust)
- West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre
- What is domestic abuse? (Women’s Aid)
- How to Protect Children from Domestic Abuse (NSPCC)
Key Contacts
Main Contact
Mikey Addis, Education Safeguarding Business Support Officer
Email: maddis@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk
Telephone: 01905 845526
WCF Operation Encompass Team
Denise Hannibal, Education Safeguarding Lead
Email: dhannibal@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk
Telephone: 01905 844436
Hayley Doyle, Educational Area Safeguarding Officer
Email: HDoyle@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk
Telephone: 01905 845230
Early Years Contact
Nicky Truby, Early Yeas Business Support Officer
Email: ntruby@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk
Telephone: 01905 843314
West Mercia Police
DI Dave Bettison, Strategic Vulnerability Team
Email: david.bettison@westmercia.police.uk
Telephone: 07843 496378 or 07870 51231
Single central record health check
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
Safeguarding training
We offer a range of services and training which adhere to ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (September 2023) 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.
New training available
Family Support Worker (FSW) Peer Supervisions
Do you have a family support worker in your school?
Do they want to be part of a bigger group of FSW across Worcestershire?
Then why not join the Family Support Worker Peer Supervision group they are designed to:
- share good practice / ideas
- provide access to resources
- meet other family support workers within the county
- find out about training opportunities
- hear from internal or external speakers on specific topics pertinent to your role
Hayley Doyle will lead on the Family Support Worker Peer Supervision meetings and the first meeting will allow you to direct what the other dates will be focused around.
The ultimate aim of these Family Support Worker Peer Supervision meetings are that over the duration of a year it can lead to forming a self-sufficient FSW networking group
In addition, the safeguarding team offers:
- mental health awareness training
- mental health champion training
- MHFA Mental Health First Aider Qualification
- Family Support Worker (FSW) Peer Supervisions
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
Introduction to the Role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
A specific 6-hour course for NEW Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) and Deputy DSL’s to support them in their understand of the role and responsibilities.
Delegates on completion of this 3-hour course would be expected to progress onto the Full day
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) training course
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) 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
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
MHFA Mental Health Awareness Training
Aims and objectives:
This introductory three-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
MHFA Mental Health First Aider Qualification
Aims and objectives:
The Youth MHFA two-day course qualifies you as a Youth Mental Health First Aider and 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
- tools to look after your own mental wellbeing
Additional Safeguarding training available
Designated Senior Mental Health Lead (DSM-HL)
- to enable Senior Leaders to understand the role of the Designated Senior Mental Health
- Lead Health (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 (DSL-MH) 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.
Early years and childcare designated safeguarding lead (DSL) training
This training is specifically for the Designated Safeguarding Lead, Deputy DSL or those who are looking to become the DSL / Deputy DSL in early years and childcare settings across Worcestershire.
The training has been devised to support DSL's who are new to the role, experienced and extremely experienced.
Content is updated regularly and includes a detailed look at signs and symptoms, legislation, guidance and responsibilities, record keeping, making referrals, multi-agency working, child protection meetings, serious case reviews, and exploring barriers to good practice.
The training meets the Worcestershire Safeguarding Children’s Partnership requirements for Designated Safeguarding lead training, includes the role of the DSL and additional content relating to the EYFS and inspection
Managing Allegations
This course is aimed at those head teachers, chairs of governing bodies and other senior managers with responsibility for dealing with allegations of abuse against teachers and other staff, including supply teachers and volunteers.
The course will cover all aspects of Part 4 of Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2020), including your duties as an employer, initial considerations when an allegation is received, providing support and managing the situation.
It will provide information which will help you to better understand the Management of Allegations processes, the role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), and the role of the multi agency network.
It will provide you details on the legislation, procedures and processes; ensure you know what to do if there is an allegation against a professional; and better understand your role as professionals working in regulated activity.
The course objectives include how to identify children and young people who are suffering or likely to suffer significant harm and then take action with the aim of making sure they are kept safe.
MHFA Youth Mental Health Champion
Aims and objectives:
The one-day course qualifies you as a Youth MHFA Champion and the 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
Safeguarding Children in Education – Governors Roles & responsibilities
This course will:
- inform governors about recent legislative national and local developments in child protection
- clarify the roles and responsibilities of governors in relation to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in their schools
- provide a basic awareness of child abuse and the effect it can have on children
Safer recruitment in educational settings
This course covers the following areas.
- safer recruitment and the wider context of safeguarding
- prevalence of abuse and profile of abusers
- how abusers operate within organisations
- features of a safer recruitment process
- planning a safer recruitment process
- making the right decisions: interview and selection
- setting acceptable standards of behaviour
- maintaining an ongoing culture of vigilance
Aims:
- to identify the key features of staff recruitment that help deter or prevent the appointment of unsuitable people.
- to be able to produce policies and practices that minimise opportunities for abuse or ensure its prompt reporting.
- to begin to review their own organisation’s places and practices to make them safe.
Audience: DSL / Deputy DSL’s, Head or Deputy Teachers, any staff involved in recruitment process in schools or settings
School employed only Family Support Workers (FSW)
The course is aimed at:
- experienced FSW
- new FSW
- other roles example roles include TA/HoY/Pastoral role, who would like to be a FSW in their school/setting
Aims and objectives of the day
- to understand roles and responsibilities of the family support worker
- to understand legislation and safeguarding
- to understand what challenges families face
- to understand contextualised safeguarding
- to understand Early Help and levels of need
- how to add timescales and ending support.
Meet the Safeguarding team
Denise Hannibal, Education Adviser Safeguarding
Denise has been working in Worcester Children First for 6 years.
Denise’s careers span over 23 years of working for local authorities including Sandwell, Surrey County Council and now Worcester Children First.
My wealth of knowledge of Safeguarding and mentoring, supports Early years and Schools DSLs to ensure we Keep Children Safe in Education.
Email: dhannibal@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk
Telephone: 01905 844436
Hayley Doyle, Area Safeguarding Officer for Education
Hayley has over 20 years of experience of working with children and families in the voluntary and public sector.
Hayley's previous role was as a school employed family support worker and designated safeguarding lead I a local Worcestershire school.
Email: hdoyle@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk
Telephone: 01905 845 230
Mikey Addis, Business Support Officer (BSO) Education Safeguarding Team
Mikey has worked for the last 6 years for Worcester Children First.
Mikey has worked for the Safeguarding Education Team for the last year and has gained knowledge of safeguarding in an education setting.
Previous to this role Mikey worked for the Redditch and Wychavon Initial Assessment Team, where he gained knowledge of Safeguarding for children and families.
Mikey has recently gained a qualification in Level 4 Health & Social Care for Children and Families, Level 3 in Understanding and Recognising the Signs of ADHD and Understanding and Recognising the Signs of Autism, all obtained with the Open University 2022/2023.
Mikey has ambitions to become a Family Support Worker, DSL or Pastoral Support within a school/Educational setting.
Email: MAddis@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk
Telephone: 01905 845526
Contact the team
Mikey Addis, Educational Safeguarding Business Support Officer
Email: MAddis@worcschildrenfirst.org.co.uk
Phone: 01905 845526
Further information on safeguarding children in Worcestershire
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