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e-Bug educational resources
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December Safeguarding Update
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Halton Christmas Cards That Care 2021
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Schools Funding Bulletin – December 2021
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Platinum Jubilee Fund
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Liverpool City Region Skills Show 2022
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Sepsis Savvy Resources for Schools
e-Bug educational resources
“Please keep an eye out for the “e-Bug” resource packs, which are being sent to all Halton schools this week, to support efforts to promote good hygiene and infection prevention and control in schools this winter. e-Bug (see also https://www.e-bug.eu/) consists of free KS1-4 educational resources for schools and early years settings, aligned to the National Curriculum and endorsed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). It makes learning about micro-organisms fun and accessible, whilst teaching children and young people about the importance of hygiene and what we can do to keep coughs, colds and other bugs at bay. For further information or support on using the e-Bug resources please contact the NHS Bridgewater Community Healthcare Trust on 01925 946197 or bchft.ipcteam@nhs.net.”
December Safeguarding Update
It has been a busy few weeks in the world of Safeguarding & I know I have spoken to many of you over the past few weeks regarding families causing concern or to support in responding to specific incidents. Please remember I am here to help in these situations via phone or email. As we quickly approach the Christmas holidays, if you are considering a referral to iCART, wherever possible please do not wait until the last week before submitting. Of course, sometimes this will happen due to a specific incident or disclosure and is unavoidable, but where possible, please don’t delay. (As this is usually the busiest week for referrals all year).
A few updates below, a selection of handy resources and the Spring Term training dates can be found at the end.
DON’T FORGET! – The Autumn Term DSL and Headteacher Safeguarding workshop takes place on Tuesday 7 December @ 1pm – 4pm via Microsoft Teams. This will include a presentation from Michelle McPherson (The lead IRO and LADO) as well as updates and a handy CPD session. I will be sending the Teams link out later this week, so if you want to book on please email Benjamin.holmes@halton.gov.uk
Ask the Awkward!
Here is a link to a new campaign aimed at parents and carers relating to online behaviour.
Being online is an important part of how young people ‘do’ relationships. Young people are using online spaces for their social and romantic lives. Research demonstrates that they would like their parents and carers to talk with them more about this. We know that these topics aren’t always easy to talk about, so #AskTheAwkward has been created to help explore online relationships with secondary aged children, making these conversations part of everyday life.
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/ask-the-awkward/
7 Minute CPD
The Safeguarding Partnership have produced three handy ‘7 minute briefings’, all of which are attached for your reference and to share with staff, where relevant:
The partnership have also produced a briefing relating to White Ribbon’s 16 days to end violence against women, including the details of a few training course of Domestic Abuse – this can be accessed here:
Halton’s Locality and Social Care Teams…and DBS certificates
A quick reminder that Halton’s social care and locality teams will all have been appointed in line with safer recruitment procedures and hold a DBS. Schools do not need to see a physical copy of their DBS certificate – this is not necessary.
Instead, meetings will be confirmed prior to attendance, such as via a Halton email address with the name of who will be attending. This can then be verified against the ID badge for those who then arrive. The same is true for health, such as school nurses.
If working with pupils, it is important that school are satisfied that consent has been given by parents for any work to be completed and consider if it is appropriate for a staff member to be present.
Low level Concerns slides – Whole Staff Training PowerPoint
Attached to this email are a copy of some slides which can be used as the basis of a staff session on the implementation of your low level concerns policy. I have also attached another copy of the model Low Level Concerns Policy, in case you have not yet embedded this and it would be beneficial.
Please remember, these should always be reported to the Headteacher, not the DSL.
Staff Code of Conduct and Whistleblowing Policies
COMING SOON! I am in the process of writing a new model safeguarding whistleblowing policy and a model staff code of conduct. However, I am waiting for the publication of the new Guidance for Safer Working Practice, which will underpin these policies. I expect these will be ready for my January update, if not before.
TikTok videos about teachers –
In recent weeks, there has been a huge increase in a viral trend of targeting teachers on social media. Many schools have made reports around their pupils making explicit, offensive and harmful videos on social media, particularly on TikTok. The videos are either making reference to the school or individual teachers themselves through a variety of online accounts. Some of the content that has been shared includes pictures of staff being pulled from their organisation’s website and being altered to include pornographic imagery, offensive wording or harmful accusations relating to conduct or personality. As well as this, school’s trademarked logos and other pieces of branding have been used, highlighting concern over how it will affect their schools’ reputation online.
If you become aware of an incident, the ‘Professionals Online Safety Helpline’ can help.
They have also written a useful article of how best to respond if this happens in your school: https://saferinternet.org.uk/blog/tiktok-videos-targeting-teachers-support-from-professionals-online-safety-helpline
Recording Incidents of Neglect / Pastoral Cause for Concern
When recording a neglect / cause for concern on your online recording system (e.g. CPOMS / My Concern, etc.) consider expanding on neglect to include subcategories for the types of neglect (Physical, Educational, Emotional, Medical).
A further tip to consider, is to add in a box on the incident form (which can be accessed through ‘Form Builder’ within the ‘admin’ section) to note the IMPACT of the incident upon the child. This should help with any future referrals and keep chronologies more child focussed and provide a clearer rationale for the subsequent ‘actions’ taken.
Protecting Children from Exploitation
This toolkit was created by the Disrupting Exploitation Programme in Greater Manchester with support from The Children’s Society.
It is based on survey feedback from teachers, school-based work with young people and experiences from supporting young people and families who are victims of child exploitation.
The toolkit is broken down into three sections:
- The training hub with key training videos produced from across the organisation
- The helpful documents section which brings together key resources that will support schools and school staff in safeguarding children from exploitation
- PHSE Sessions which collates key resources to support group or 1-1 sessions focused on safety, consent and raising awareness of exploitation in an age-appropriate way.
Children’s Social Care Restructure.
Following on from my recent explanation of the social care restructure, please be advised this has been postponed until the New Year. I will share team structures and contact details as soon as I receive them.
Report harmful content button
We’ve seen a significant rise in legal but harmful material online. It can appear in many different forms and often takes us by surprise. It can be upsetting, disrespectful and even downright disgusting. There’s racism, hate speech, explicit pornography, suicide content, the list just goes on and on. But what may surprise us even more, is how often people find it.
Have you ever seen something online and thought ‘How can they get away with that? Surely that’s illegal?’ Online sites, sometimes the most familiar websites we’re accustomed to are consistently keeping harmful material on their servers because it is technically classified as legal. Despite this, even if content is legal, that doesn’t mean it isn’t offensive. Despite this, people should not be victim to harmful material online! That’s where Report Harmful Content comes in.
It is a free button all education settings can install on their website to make it even easier for harmful content to be reported.
Further information can be found here: https://swgfl.org.uk/services/report-harmful-content/report-harmful-content-button
Safety Central – BOOK A TRIP!
Don’t forget, Halton schools also have access to the amazing Safety Central. To find out more and to book a class visit, email hazel.crampton@cheshirefire.gov.uk
Incidents of Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment
Following the release of the updated KCSIE and specific guidance on responding to incidents of SVSH, all schools should now have clear recording procedures in place for any incidents of SVSH. Please ensure that data relating to the frequency and type of incidents that have occurred are reported to your governing body (along with subsequent action taken as a result of any patterns or trends identified).
Towards the end of each term, I will be sending out a VERY short questionnaire in order to gather data from across Halton on the incidents which have occurred. This will enable me to identify key trends and areas of concern, which can feed into Halton wide support for schools.
Online Safety Live 2021
In case you were not able to attend the recent ‘Online Safety Live’ training, here is a copy of the Prezi.
I will also share the key messages during the upcoming DSL workshop…but at the bottom of this update you will find all the links and materials in one handy place!
https://prezi.com/p/bgkg1g6gdk4w/online-safety-live-2021/
Training
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 by emailing safeguarding.training@halton.gov.uk . All partnership dates are expected to be delivered via Teams.
Working Together Full Course (For new DSLs)
20 January (8 Spaces remaining)
18 March (20 spaces remaining)
Working Together Refresher (To be repeated every 2 years)
17 February (17 Spaces Remaining)
LADO Training
2 December (Fully Booked)
8 February (Fully Booked)
15 March (1 Space Remaining)
More dates will be added in 2022.
Email safeguarding.training@halton.gov.uk to be added to the waiting list for future dates.
Sexual Violence Awareness (1/2 Day)
1 December (14 Spaces Remaining)
7 March (18 Spaces Remaining)
As all the courses above are delivered as a multi-agency offer, the spaces can be booked by emailing 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 emailing Benjamin.holmes@halton.gov.uk
Please be advised that in order to cover the cost of room hire, course materials and refreshments, I will eventually need to begin charging for places on all face to face training. It is likely this will be £20 for a half day and £40 for a full day.
- 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)
Tuesday 7 December 2021 @ 1pm – 4pm (Via Microsoft Teams)
Thursday 17 March 2022 @ 1pm – 4pm (Via Teams)
- Safer Recruitment for Headteachers, Senior Leaders, Business Managers and Governors
10 January 2022 @ 9am – 4:30pm (Via Microsoft Teams)
25 April 2022 @ 9am – 4:30pm (Venue TBC)
- Safer Recruitment Refresher for Headteachers, Senior Leaders, Business Managers and Governors. (A certificate from the full course must be seen before a place can be reserved on this course)
20 January 2022 – 9:30am – 12:30pm (Via Microsoft Teams)
24 May 2022 – 9:30 – 12:30 (Venue 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.
13 December 2021 – 9:30 – 4pm (Face 2 Face Training – Venue TBC)
11 July 2022 – 9:30 – 4pm (Venue 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.
11 May 2022 – 9:30 – 4pm (Venue TBC)
- 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 2021 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)
29 November 2021 – 1pm – 4pm (Via Microsoft Teams)
27 June 2022 – 6pm – 9pm (Via Microsoft Teams)
- 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.
25 January 2022 @ 9:30 – 11:30 (Via Microsoft Teams)
Places on all courses can be reserved by emailing Benjamin.holmes@halton.gov.uk
Halton Christmas Cards That Care 2021
Please help us by making or writing cards with your children for us to share with those in care homes.
see attached for more information.
Schools Funding Bulletin – December 2021
If you have a project or an idea that you require advice and funding assistance with, please fill out an Enquiry Form.
Schools Bulletin – December 2021
Platinum Jubilee Fund
The Spotlight funder this time is the Platinum Jubilee Fund who offers grants to tackle entrenched social issues. Please see attached for more information
If you have a project or an idea that you require advice and funding assistance with, please fill out an Enquiry Form.
Liverpool City Region Skills Show 2022
Working in partnership with Prospects, Mel and the Apprenticeship Support by Be More Team will be delivering the Liverpool City Region Skills Show on the 18th and 19th January 2022. There will be over 100 exhibitors offering a wide range of interactive experiences for 4000 visitors to try out, including a virtual parachute jump, changing a light on a bus and a mocktail making experience to name but a few! The exhibitors will be made up of local/national employers, colleges, training providers and councils.
There will be live vacancies being promoted and lots of staff on hand to offer advice and guidance on employment, apprenticeships, training and skills. On the 18th, we have a twilight session from 4.30-7pm – this is where we are encouraging parents to come along with their children to support with choosing their options. It is also a great opportunity for older residents to attend as the main event on the 19th will primarily be focused on school pupils. At the moment only 3 of Halton’s secondary schools have signed up and it would be a real shame for pupils of the schools that haven’t signed up to miss out. So the twilight session would be god for those to attend also, with their parents/guardians.
Can you please raise awareness of this fantastic event with your customers and learners – but also with your families and friends. For more details, please visit https://www.lcrskillshow.com/
We may even want to consider putting transport on and taking a group of customers/learners to the event? And, of course, it would be a great opportunity yourself to explore the great many options available within the Liverpool City Region.
For more information about Apprenticeship Support by Be More, please visit https://be-more.info/
Sepsis Savvy Resources for Schools
Please see Sepsis Savvy Resources for Schools which are now available to download. Sepsis Trust are keen to try and spread the awareness of sepsis across the 11.7 million young people in education across 32,000 establishments throughout the UK. Sepsis Trust has provided FREE PSHE sepsis awareness resources!
The resources comprise free, downloadable lesson plans and resources for all key stages and are carefully curated to each appropriate age group. The comprehensive sepsis lesson plans are informative and interactive and include educational videos, teaching resources, and an animation narrated by UKST’s ambassador, Harry Potter and Star Wars actor, Warwick Davis. The campaign is also supported by a TV medic, Paediatrician, and UKST Ambassador Dr. Ranj!
There is also a downloadable customisable template for schools:
https://sepsistrust.org/about/about-the-charity/our-current-campaigns/schoolsresources/