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October Safeguarding & Virtual School Update
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Allegrodance – Schools Workshop Opportunity
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Islam CPD Webinars for your primary schools
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World Mental Health day 10th of October 2022
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Book Start
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Reading Well for Teens (previously Shelf Help)
October Safeguarding & Virtual School Update
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to the October Virtual School and Safeguarding Update,
Firstly, a quick reminder that the DSL Cluster / Network meetings are fast approaching. The dates and times for the meetings this term are:
EY & Primary DSLs Widnes – Wednesday 12 October @ 10:00 – 11:30 – Brookfield’s
EY & Primary DSLs Runcorn – Wednesday 12 October @ 14:00 – 15:30 – St Berteline’s
These are an ideal opportunity for DSLs to get together to network, discuss any recent updates and develop stronger links between safeguarding teams within schools. Unfortunately, I may not be able to attend all three sessions this term, but I hope that you will still be able to share useful updates between each other, which can then be fed back to me, to the education sub group of the safeguarding partnership…and beyond. No booking required.
A big thank you to The Grange, Brookfield’s and St Berteline’s for agreeing to host this term – I really hope they are a useful networking opportunity and a chance to share good practice.
Safeguarding Children in Education Officer
The advert for the SCiE Officer position is currently live! If anyone is interested in the position, please do give me a call and I would be happy to answer any questions you might have: https://ats-halton.jgp.co.uk/vacancies/212566?type=list
Section 175 Update
Please find attached a letter from the safeguarding partnership regarding the Section 175 audits for 2022/2023.
Angela Houghton emigrated over the summer, so the audit process is currently being managed by Susanne Leece, supported by Jennifer Smith. Please email jennifer.mcgrath@halton.gov.uk if you have any questions, or do not receive your login details for Phew!
Contacting the Police
The referral units across Cheshire Police will shortly move towards one force wide e-mail inbox rather than one inbox for each area (Cheshire East, Cheshire West, Halton and Warrington).
In due course you will receive an e-mail advising of the new e-mail address and the date it will go “live”. At this point the Referral Units will be rebranded as the “Vulnerability Hub”.
Please can I ask that when e-mails are sent the following detail is provided within the e-mail subject field:-
Area – “Halton”
Subject matter– i.e- Police request for information/ Strategy request/ MARAC referral
Grading– Please note urgency (Low, Medium or High / Urgent)
i.e – HALTON – Strategy Discussion Request – URGENT
This will help ensure the correct staff pick up and deal with the demand. The failure to follow the new process may result in a delay to your e-mail being dealt with.
Can I please ask that you start doing this with immediate effect to our current inbox (halton.ppu@cheshire.police.uk) so we can ensure that things are running smoothly when we do migrate to the new inbox which is likely to be in a few weeks’ time.
Changes to Working Together Meetings for Widnes and Runcorn
A bit of an update in relation to the Working Together Meetings (WTM) and the plan going forward.
The locality teams are in the process of updating the terms of reference for the WTM, which will soon be shared with you all. The meeting will move to become a joined up Widnes/Runcorn, multi-agency, weekly meeting via Skype or Teams on a Friday at 9:30 – 11:00, starting in Oct 2022.
The focus of the meeting will be around providing a multi-agency forum for agencies to present any MAP (Level 2) cases that are ‘stuck’ i.e. despite intervention failing to achieve improvements or positive outcomes for children, offering MAP support i.e. issues around Navigators, MAP’s open longer than 12 months, sharing good practice, tracking MAP’s advised from ICART etc..
We will no longer be discussing cases that are clearly identified as requiring a Locality worker.
These meetings will include representation from:
Multi-Agency Membership:
- Locality seniors and workers x1 of each. (Widnes & Runcorn)
- Admin
- Children’s Centres
- Disabled Children’s Service
- Health provider 0 – 19
- CGL
- CAMHS/Kooth
- Venus
- Attendance and Behaviour service
- Safeguarding Children in Education Officer
- 14 – 19 Team
- DWP
- Police
- Eclipse
- Individual Schools & nurseries (as appropriate to the agenda)
Please contact Krista Hibbert if you have any questions regarding the new working together meetings or to ensure you are alerted when a family relevant to your school is due to be discussed. krista.hibbert@halton.gov.uk
Social care structures
Please find attached the latest team structures for iCART, Duty & Assessment and Children’s Social Care.
Please find attached CIN Runcorn structure
Please find attached CIN Widnes structure
Please find attached DAAT structure
Whistleblowing & Code of Conduct
Please find attached a model whistleblowing policy, which will hopefully prove useful.
While the new model code of conduct is reviewed by unions, I would advise that you include wording similar to this within your current policy and a copy of the guidance provided alongside your policy:
This code of conduct is underpinned by the values, behaviours, expectations and standards set out within Guidance for Safer Working Practice 2022.
Please ensure that all staff and volunteers have signed to say that they have read and understood both documents.
Support for Eating Disorders
SPOT is fully funded for primary, secondary and sixth form schools across the United Kingdom, giving its users access to a plethora of resources for free.
SPOT encompasses interactive e-learning modules where school staff can learn more about spotting the early signs of an eating disorder and how to talk to a pupil who may be exhibiting them. Upon completion of Units 1, 2 and 3 of the e-Learning, SPOT users will receive a certificate.
There are spaces to ask questions and get advice from eating disorder clinicians with weekly drop-ins and forums. Additionally, there are downloadable resources, including PSHE lesson plans and resources to use in lessons on topics such as eating disorders, body image, self-esteem, and social media.
The sign-up link to SPOT is attached here.
I have attached a leaflet with more information regarding SPOT, but if you do have any other questions please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Census Day is approaching – don’t forget to ensure you report all Post-LAC in order to receive your Pupil Premium + payment!
Guidance is attached which will hopefully come in handy.
Children switching schools
Where a school is approached by a parent/carer regarding a general in year transfer between schools, the Local Authority would, as a minimum and to help ensure Safeguarding, request that the following actions are undertaken:
- The potentially receiving headteacher MUST have a conversation with the current headteacher (this cannot be delegated);
- It must be confirmed if there are any safeguarding concerns or if the child is CLA;
- If the child is CLA, the transfer MUST be agreed by the Virtual School. (If the receiving school is RI or inadequate, there has to be exceptional circumstances for this to even be considered);
- The transfer should be in the best interests of the young person. If the current headteacher feels that it is an issue which can be resolved, then this should be explored first;
- The transfer, if agreed by both headteachers, should be completed, wherever possible, at a mutually agreed date.
Inform the Virtual School!
Please remember to inform the virtual school about all significant changes or requests for LAC. This includes holiday requests, possible moves and changes in circumstances.
If a Looked-After Child is at risk of exclusion – get in touch – we can help!
If a child becomes ‘Looked After’, an initial PEP must be completed within 10 days – this is a statutory timescale which we need to stick to, and will mean we need to act quickly!
PEPs – Don’t forget the Deadline is just a month away!
| 2022-2023 | Halton PEP Submission Deadline |
| Autumn Term | Friday 4 November 2022 |
| Spring Term | Friday 3 March 2023 |
| Summer Term | Friday 9 June 2023 |
Change of email addresses
If your email address has changed (or is due to change!) please do let me know, but also remember to change this within the safeguarding partnerships training portal, so that you are still able to book onto any of their courses (dates of upcoming courses can be found below).
iCART Referrals
Over the summer, iCART has launched a new referral process. They have moved away from the old word document to a new web-based referral, all submissions must now be completed here: https://halton.me/icart-referral/
Partnership Training – Book via the Portal or email safeguarding.training@halton.gov.uk
All DSL’s and Deputy DSL’s must refresh their ‘Working Together’ Level 3 training once every 2 years (with regular updates during this time, such as the DSL workshops).
‘Working Together’ training is delivered by the safeguarding partnership & spaces can be reserved via the new Safeguarding Partnership Training Portal.
All partnership training is expected to be delivered via Teams and will presented by the most relevant agency.
- Working Together Full Course (For new DSLs) (9:30 -16:30) 16 November 2022 17 January 2023 23 March 2023
- Working Together Refresher (To be repeated every 2 years) (9:30 – 15:00)
21 October 2022
14 December 2022
23 February 2023
- LADO Training (9:30 – 12:00) 1 December 2022 3 March 2023
- Sexual Violence Awareness (9:30 – 12:00) 13 December 2022 1 March 2023
- ICON Lunchtime Briefing (12:15 – 13:00)
19 January 2023
- Domestic Abuse (9:30 – 12:30)
6 November 2022
6 February 2023
- Mental Disorder and Parental Capacity (9:30 – 13:00)
6 December 2022
- Bruising in non-mobile children (12:00 – 13:00)
9 November 2022
As all the courses above are delivered as a multi-agency offer, the spaces can be booked via the partnerships training portal: https://halton.accessplanit.com/accessplan/LMSPortal/UI/Page/Authentication/Login/Default.aspx
Or, if you can’t access the portal, please email safeguarding.training@halton.gov.uk
Safeguarding in Education Training
All the courses below are offered exclusively for education settings. Spaces on any of the courses below can be reserved by completing the short booking form next to each course.
Unless stated otherwise, all advertised courses will be delivered via Teams.
- DSL Workshop for ALL DSL’s. These are the main DSL updates and workshops. It is best practice for all DSLs & DDSLs to try and attend these meetings each term. (The agenda will be sent out prior to the meeting)
Autumn Term – 17 November @ 1pm via Teams – Book here https://forms.office.com/r/7QAVYZ1E9B
- Safer Recruitment for Headteachers, Senior Leaders, Business Managers and Governors
January 2023 Date TBC
- Safer Recruitment Refresher for Headteachers, Senior Leaders, Business Managers and Governors. (SR is valid for a maximum of 5 years) (A certificate from the full course must be seen before a place can be reserved on this course)
February 2023 Date TBC
- New to the role of DSL (Or infrequent user) This essential course is in addition to ‘Working Together L3 Safeguarding Training’ (which is delivered by the safeguarding partnership) and focusses on the role of DSL within a school setting – including managing referrals, specific areas of safeguarding and recording & reporting concerns.
Future dates TBC
- Designated Governor for Safeguarding Training. This course is aimed at any governor who has a specific safeguarding responsibility as part of their role. It will provide them with a clear understanding of suitable processes and procedures to enable them to carry out their duties effectively.
20 October 2022 – 9:30 – 4pm (Via Teams – email Benjamin.holmes@halton.gov.uk to book)
- Governor Safeguarding Training It is a statutory requirement that all governors should receive safeguarding training in line with all members of staff and volunteers who “should receive appropriate safeguarding and child protection training (including online safety).” Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022 states that the training should be regularly updated, at least annually, to provide them with relevant skills and knowledge to safeguard children effectively.
This can be delivered using the whole school training materials. However, if preferred, Governors can attend this course which looks at safeguarding in schools from a Governor perspective. (They will still need to ensure that they understand the school’s specific processes and procedures)
March 2023 Date TBC
- Single Central Record (For Headteachers, Business Managers and anyone responsible for the SCR and personnel files)This new briefing will go through each column expected on the single central record, pre-employment checks and the management of personnel files. There will also be an extended Q&A with an opportunity to ask questions.
***DATE CHANGE***2 December 2022 @ 9:30 – 11:30 via Teams
(Due to a clash with the Joint Headteachers meeting, this course has moved to 2 December. Places can be booked here: https://forms.office.com/r/32dnpY9RV7
That’s it for now…unless I have missed anything!
As ever, if there is anything I can help with (safeguarding, virtual school or anything inbetween, do get in touch. It may take me a little longer than usual to get back to you, but I always will!)
Kind regards,
Ben
Allegrodance – Schools workshop opportunity @ the brindley theatre
The Kingdom of Narnia presented by Allegrodance is coming to the Brindley Theatre Runcorn on Tuesday 14 February 2023 at 7pm. It promises to be a must see dance experience for all the family. see attached for more information, attached poster.
Islam CPD Webinars for your Primary Schools
Imran Kotwal from Muslim Learner Services and well known to many primary teachers, will be running Islam CPD webinars for primary schools after the October half-term. These are new webinars to support primary.
The webinars are aimed to help develop subject knowledge and confidence in teaching Islam.
– Births, weddings and funerals in Islam
– Prophets in Islam
– Life of Prophet Muhammad – Key events
– What does it mean to be a Muslim in Britain today?
– Hadeeth Study – Teachings of Prophet Muhammad
DATES, FEES AND TO BOOK A PLACE ON THE WEBINARS PLEASE CLICK HERE OR COPY THIS LINK INTO YOUR BROWSER https://zfrmz.com/QHbpEpZCzuMcZ93lsr5K
If your school would like Imran to visit your school, either face-to-face or virtual to lead an Islam assembly, pupil workshop, a session for parents and or Islam training for your staff – please complete the enquiry form HERE or copy and paste this link into your browser https://zfrmz.com/aJbKiqynJlHAK9stSRYO
World Mental Health day 10th of October 2022
For World Mental Health Day 2022 we are focusing on how the current cost of living crisis and how money worries can affect your mental health.
Our mental health is impacted by many things including our environment, the circumstances where we live and work and, our relationships.
Many of us are avoiding the news, not wanting to hear what price increases are next on the cards. Petrol, gas and electricity, interest rates. It can be overwhelming. Worrying about money and how you are going to make ends meet is stressful and can have a huge impact on your physical and mental health.
Stress and worry can affect our ability to process information and make decisions. Worries about money can lead to difficulty managing money – and vice versa – and you may start to feel like you are in a vicious circle, unable to change the situation.
However, it’s important to remember that you are not alone and there are a support services to help you and your clients and staff. This support can help you to understand and manage your feelings as well as offer practical support with your financial situation,
Our new Cost of Living web page includes details of services that can offer help. Click here to visit the page.
The impact of the cost of living crisis will affect everyone in different ways. While some may be able to cope both financially and mentally for now at least, others will already be struggling to make ends meet or even survive. It is important we understand the needs of those we are supporting so we can share the right information.
Mind and Every Mind Matters have a number of different resources available to share to help us manage our feelings and emotions.
https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/
Sometimes the best thing we can do for each other is to listen. You don’t have to try to solve a person’s problem. Listening to understand can help reduce someone’s distress so they are able to think more clearly. For more tips on listening visit How to support someone your worried about
Finally, although suicide is complex, we know money worries can lead to increased risk of suicide please consider utilising Halton’s Suicide Prevention Toolkit to promote resources and support available https://www3.halton.gov.uk/Pages/health/hit/Campaigns.aspx
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or need urgent mental health support, help is available and details can be accessed via the Need Help Now? section of the local www.halton.gov.uk/mhinfopoint
Regards Halton Health Improvement Team
Book Start
I have an allowance of the following book packs that I can distribute to children in Halton:
Dual Language Books – These are suitable for up to 5 year olds and there are 35 different languages available.
Baby Packs – These are suitable for up to about 2ish and can be given out to any little ones that you have contact with.
The New Book Start packs – There are two new packs that are meant to be given out to children from deprived backgrounds, if any settings have a fairly high number of children that are eligible I can provide packs for the whole class. The packs are:
Toddler pack for 1-2 year olds
Pre-school packs for 3 year olds.
SN Packs – I have a small supply of packs for children with delayed fine motor skills these are suitable for up to 4 years old.
If you would like any more information about the Book Start program or any of Halton Libraries’ other services please feel free to contact me.
Nikki Lamb MA, BSc (Hons), PGCE
Development Officer (Children and Families)
Halton Libraries 0151 511 8323
Reading Well for Teens (previously Shelf Help)
A new booklist to support the mental health and wellbeing of teens has been developed nationally by the Reading Agency. It is an update and refresh of the 2016 Reading Well for young people or “Shelf Help” scheme, focusing on teens’ mental health and wellbeing in a post-pandemic context. The titles provide information, advice and support to help teens better understand their feelings, handle difficult experiences and boost confidence.
The booklist is targeted at teenagers (13-18) but includes a wide range of reading levels and formats to support less confident readers and encourage engagement. Some of the recommended books suggest useful self-help techniques; there are also personal stories, graphic formats, and fiction. Alongside the books are a selection of digital and classroom resources to support teens.
Halton
All the books on the list will be available in all 4 of Halton Libraries and we are launching the collection locally on 18th October at 12-2 pm and 3.30-4.30pm.
If you would like to come along and see the books and resources, we will be launching them at 12-2pm and 3.30-4.30pm on that day.
