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Safeguarding in September: key priorities for the start of the new term
September is a busy time in schools with new starters in both the class room and the staff room, and the extended summer break can impact families in many ways.
As such, safeguarding should be a key focus for every school in the new academic year.
Extra vigilance is key and it is important to make sure everyone is up-to-date with the expectations on their duty of care.
Dawn Jotham is EduCare’s Product Development Lead for Education and has many years’ experience working within schools as a Pastoral Care Lead.
Dawn has written the following key priorities for Safeguarding in September:
1. Look for changes in behaviour
Changes in a home environment during the extended break may impact upon a child’s wellbeing or development. It is important to be vigilant and take note of any changes in behaviour that cause concern.
2. Communicate
The long summer holiday can impact families in many ways. Financial difficulties in providing regular meals outside of the school provision may raise concerns about Child Neglect. Building up professional relationships with the children and families you work with will enable you to understand when support is needed. It is also important to know who to raise any concerns with, or who you can ask for advice, support or a second opinion, such as your SENCO, Designated Safeguarding Lead or the Senior Leadership Team.
3. Prevent Bullying
As new children arrive at school there could be changes to the dynamic in the playground. Be aware of any signs of bullying as children vie to assert their authority.
4. Get to know new pupils
It is important to get to know any new pupil; their presentation, their access to food and their general demeanour could indicate there are problems at home, or that they are struggling.
5. Understand Special or Additional Needs
New pupils may have undiagnosed or unrecorded special needs. It is important to understand the signs of any condition so you can be sure they are receiving the support they need.
6. Record staff training
New staff will need to evidence their record of safeguarding training to ensure the school meets its obligations. Each school may have its own induction policy with regards to Fire Safety training or Data protection which will also need to be recorded.
7. Open lines of communication
Older pupils may have been isolated over the summer break and may be suffering from mental health issues such as self-harming or experiencing suicidal thoughts. They may have also been exposed to additional peer pressure. Ensure you regain their trust and reopen lines of communication.
8. Assess attendance
It is possible that some children have not returned from their time abroad. It is important to ensure unexplained absences are followed up as quickly and as thoroughly as possible.
9. Look for signs of exploitation or online grooming
An increase in a child’s free time generally goes hand-in-hand with an increase in online usage, which in turn can mean an increased risk of exposure to child sexual exploitation and online grooming.
10. Plan your inset day
September inset days are an ideal time to refresh Safeguarding training. Keeping Children Safe in Education advises that appropriate safeguarding and child protection training should be regularly updated.
EduCare is the UK’s leading provider of online Safeguarding and Duty of Care training.
EduCare for Education® is EduCare’s bestselling e-learning service and combines over 20 online training courses with a robust reporting suite that can evidence learning to inspectors.
The courses included within EduCare for Education® ensure all schools and educational settings are up-to-date with the latest guidance and will be compliant with their legal and moral Duty of Care obligations.
EduCare for Education® is accessed on an unlimited basis meaning that all new staff, volunteers, governors and support staff can access high-quality online learning for just one annual payment.
Courses within EduCare for Education® include:
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