Children’s Mental Health Week 7-13 February 2022
DCS Short Break Consultation Events
Cheshire and Wirral Maths Hub Newsletter January 2022
Chester Zoo – free school visits
Schools Funding Bulletin – February 2022
February Safeguarding Update
Children’s Mental Health Week 7-13 February 2022
In the context of ongoing disruption in schools as a result of the pandemic, there has never been a more important time to mark Children’s Mental Health Week 2022.
Children’s Mental Health Week 7-13 February 2022
Children’s Mental Health Week is run by children’s mental health charity, to focus on the importance of looking after our emotional wellbeing from an early age. This year’s theme is ‘GROWING TOGETHER’.
For Children’s Mental Health Week 2022, Place2Be is encouraging children (and adults) to consider how they have grown, what they need to help them grow, and how they can help others to grow too.
For more details and lots of free resources visit Children’s Mental Health Week
To raise awareness of children and young people’s mental health, the Health Improvement team are running resilience workshops via Teams. The Resilience Framework Workshop will look at different ways we can support a young person to be more resilient. It will cover examples of how teaching staff have used the ‘Boing Boing’ framework and will highlight practical tools and approaches that can be used to contribute to building resilience with children when times are especially tough.
Dates
09 Feb -15:30-16:15 on Teams
21 March -15:30-16:15 on Teams
20 April -15:30-16:15 on Teams
If you need information about mental health services locally and nationally, check out our Halton Mental Health Information Point. Here you will also find tips, resources, practical tools and guidance for children, parents, carers and staff to look after their mental health.
It is so important that staff are looking after their own mental health- I have attached our Mental Health offer to schools in Halton, which includes Staff Wellbeing training.
Halton CCG and Halton Borough Council are promoting the ‘REACH’ free text message service in the area. REACH 85258 is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. People who are anxious, stressed, depressed, suicidal or overwhelmed and who need immediate support. Please see link for resources to help you promote the support available: https://www.cheshireandmerseysidepartnership.co.uk/mental-health-crisis-helplines-and-text-support/reach-halton-knowsley-st-helens-and-warrington/
Any questions please do not hesitate to contact myself: maria.mcnulty@halton.gov.uk
DCS Short Break Consultation Events
Disabled Children’s Service Parents & Carers Consultation Event please see attached for more information.
Cheshire and Wirral Maths Hub Newsletter January 2022
Please see attached Maths hub newsletter.
See link below free school visits.
Schools Funding Bulletin – February 2022
Please find link below to the latest funding update. The funding opportunities with the more imminent deadline are at the top of the bulletin.
If you have a project or an idea that you require advice and funding assistance with, please fill out an Enquiry Form.
Schools Bulletin – February 2022
February Safeguarding Update
Welcome to the February Safeguarding Update!
I hope you are well and the term is moving along nicely? A few updates and new resources to share this month, which I hope will come in handy. As usual, the dates for future courses are at the end of the update. I have attached the slides from the recent lunchtime briefings on the changes to the CP model for those who were not able to join.
Safer Internet Day – 8 Feb – Together for a better internet.
Safer Internet Day takes place next week, on the theme of ‘All fun and games’, which will focus on exploring respect and relationships online. You can register your school for the event and find out more about the day here: https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2022
The resources for all ages from 3 – 18 can be found here https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2022/educational-resources , including the links to the virtual assemblies…and anything else you might need!
Finally, here is the link to the special live event at 2pm on the day with Liverpool FC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v35AlJojanI
The DfE’s Resource Hub for DSLs
The DfE is looking to create a safegaurding resource hub for DSLs and Headteachers. To help them get an understanding of what would be most beneficial, they have created a short questionnaire which can be accessed here: DFE development of a new online resource hub for DSLs in schools and colleges (office.com)
Online Safety Training for DSLs
Back by popular demand, the SWGfL are hosting a couple of extra ‘Online Safety Live’ webinars on 9 March. More info and details of how to book can be found here: https://swgfl.org.uk/magazine/2022-online-safety-live-events-available-for-uk-safer-internet-centre/
Transfer of records document
As you will be aware, Keeping Children Safe in Education 2021 stipulates that child protection records must be transferred to the receiving education provider within 5 working days. These records must be transferred separately to the main pupil file.
To support this process (especially since the majority of schools have now moved to an online recording system), the Education Sub Committee of the Safeguarding Partnership requested that I create a new ‘Transfer of Records’ form, which provides a clear summary of any social care involvement or risks that the receiving nursery / school / college needs to be aware of along with other relevant information. A copy of the new form can be accessed here and can be used for any future transfers from this point onwards. The second part of the form can then be retained by the previous education provider as evidence that the records have been transferred.
If you wish to provide any feedback on the form, or if you identify any further elements which could be included in a future version of the document, please do get in touch.
Welfare Checks
Have you ever had an incident where a child has not arrived at school and you cannot get through to anyone to find out why they are not in school? You have tried all the phone numbers on the system (including the additional contact not in the home), you have sent text messages…but still you cannot get through to anyone. You have attempted a home visit but not had any success. Where do you go next? iCART? But do you have enough concerns to demonstrate S47? If not, you would require consent… Police? But are your concerns serious enough? It is in these instances where you just need assurances that the children are safe and well…but just don’t know what to do next.
To help with this, once all other options have been exhausted including home visits, emergency contacts being contacted (and the social worker being contacted if already open to social care or if now meets the threshold for S47), it has been agreed that schools can now, in these exceptional circumstances, contact the youth engagement police officers Jane Tetlow and Suzi Williams (or the youth engagement PCSO) who will join you to complete a joint home visit. I must stress, this should only be used as a last resort and after school has already attempted visits and are able to evidence their concerns.
Safer Schools Youth Partnership
A quick reminder as we approach the half way point in the year that the Police’s Safer Schools Youth Partnership continue to offer a wide range of sessions for all schools within Halton. A copy of the schedules for primary here and secondary schools here
The SSYP have also produced a handy guide for schools on responding to incidents of youth produced sexual images. A copy can be found here and is the first in a series of new guides which will be released in the coming months.
School Advice Line for Harmful Sexual Behaviours
SWGfL and The Marie Collins Foundation, have created the Harmful Sexual Behaviour Support Service for professionals working with children and young people in tackling harmful sexual behaviours, funded by the Home Office and in collaboration with the Department for Education.
Support is available for anyone in England working with children and young people, particularly designated safeguarding leads within primary and secondary schools and alternative provision. Support is also available to early years provision, colleges and wider safeguarding professionals (including police, social workers and healthcare professionals).
If children within your care have been displaying or affected by specific incidents of harmful sexual behaviour (HSB), the service can provide initial support and signpost to further resources and advice. The service can also provide advice on developing policies and processes in relation to harmful sexual behaviour.
Practitioners are available Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm. To contact the service about any concerns relating to this issue, please phone: 0344 2250623 or email hsbsupport@swgfl.org.uk Further information can be found on the website. It’s important for professionals to access services like this so they can effectively identify and react to harmful sexual behaviour incidents. https://swgfl.org.uk/harmful-sexual-behaviour-helpline/
The UK Government has also launched its Stop Abuse Together digital toolkit. The campaign aims to empower parents and carers to take steps to help keep their children safe from abuse. Visit the website https://stopabusetogether.campaign.gov.uk/ for more details.
CSE Materials – Alright Charlie
Suitable for pupils in Years 5 and 6 (but also older pupils, including those with additional needs), Basis Yorkshire has created an excellent video and supporting resources. All the details can be found here: https://basisyorkshire.org.uk/resource/alright-charlie-cse-primary-school-resource/
How to Recognise & Respond to potential Child to Parent Abuse (CPA)
Have you ever worked with a family where you have observed or become concerned about these sorts of behaviours?
- Does the child display abusive, coercive or threatening behaviour towards their parents, carers, guardians or siblings?
- Is the parent reluctant to talk about their child’s behaviour in the home?
- Does the parent ask to talk to you away from their child, or ask you not to tell them they have spoken with you?
- Has the parent sustained an injury and is reluctant to say what happened?
- Are there concerns around child sexual exploitation or child criminal exploitation?
If so, it is important to consider the possibility of Child to Parent Abuse. If you wish to find out more about recognising or responding to potential CPA, there are some great tips available via this website:
https://www.pegsupport.co.uk/recognise-and-respond-to-cp
MAP Training
Every school needs to have at least one member of the safeguarding team trained to be able to use the Eclipse system (used for MAPs). If you have not completed this training, or feel it would be beneficial for others to be trained on the team, then the next available date is:
Friday 4 February 10:00 – 11:00 via TEAMS.
Please book on by emailing krista.hibbert@halton.gov.uk
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)
18 March (Fully Booked)
More dates will be added soon by the safeguarding partnership
- Working Together Refresher (To be repeated every 2 years)
17 February (Fully Booked)
26 April (15 Spaces Remaining)
- LADO Training
8 February (Fully Booked)
15 March (Fully Booked)
More dates will be added later in 2022.
Email safeguarding.training@halton.gov.uk to be added to the waiting list for future dates.
- Sexual Violence Awareness (1/2 Day)
7 March (5 Spaces Remaining)
- Fri (12pm-1pm)
25 February (5 Spaces Remaining)
9 March (Fully Booked)
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
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)
Thursday 17 March 2022 @ 1pm – 4pm
- Safer Recruitment for Headteachers, Senior Leaders, Business Managers and Governors
25 April 2022 @ 9am – 4:30pm
- 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)
24 May 2022 – 9:30am – 12:30pm
- 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.
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
- 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)
27 June 2022 – 6pm – 9pm
- 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.
4 May 2022 @ 9:30 – 11:30 (Via Microsoft Teams)
Places on all courses can be reserved by emailing Benjamin.holmes@halton.gov.uk