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Induction In 2006 the DfES published a guidance document - Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education - on safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children under the provisions of the Children Act 1989 and section 175 of the Education Act 2002. This document effective from 1 January 2007 sets out the roles that different agencies play for safeguarding children and sets out a framework for assessing children and their families under the Children Act 1989. As a result of this publication, the AoC and LSIS have developed a model policy guidance document for colleges. This model sets out a recommended policy, designed for governing boards to work through with their senior management, local safeguarding children boards (LSCBs) and any other relevant organisation, to ensure that the correct procedures are identified and followed during any investigation of abuse against a young person or child. Those parts of the policy that appear in italics must be considered by the LSCB. The model policy document consists of five sections: A General Policy Statement B The Designated Staff with Responsibility for Child Protection C Dealing with Disclosure of Abuse and Procedure for Reporting Concerns D Reporting and Dealing with Allegations of Abuse Against Members of Staff E Recruitment and Selection Procedures The Policy Part A General Policy Statement This section identifies the college's main commitments in its protection of children and young people, which will need to be agreed or adapted by the governing body. The policy document also recommends to governing bodies how policies and procedures should be annually reviewed in pursuit of commitment to safeguarding children. We recommend that governing bodies familiarise themselves with both parts of this section and adapt it accordingly to the needs of their own college. This section also requires the governing body to nominate a governor with special responsibility for child protection. The role and responsibilities of this position are identified throughout the model policy, and we recommend that any volunteer for this role is fully aware of what this entails prior to appointment. The nominated governor is also required to undertake appropriate training for the role. Part B Designated Staff with Responsibility for Child Protection This section identifies the responsibilities of: 1 Senior Staff Member with Lead Responsibility 2 Designated Staff Members 3 Designated Governor The designated governor is responsible for liaising with the Principal and Senior Staff Member with Lead Responsibility over matters regarding child protection, including:·
The designated governor is also responsible for overseeing the liaison between agencies [such as the police, social services - as defined by the LSCB] in connection with allegations against the Principal or the Senior Staff Member with Lead Responsibility. Part C Dealing with Disclosure of Abuse and Procedure for Reporting Concerns This section should not be adopted by a college without having first been reviewed by the college in partnership with its LSCB. The LSCB has established locally agreed inter-agency policies, which will determine the final wording of this section. Part D Reporting and Dealing with Allegations of Abuse Against Members of Staff Like many of the parts to this policy, this section is designed to act only as a starting point and will require consultation with staff, unions and the college's LSCB. It is made up of five sections: 1 Introduction 2 Receiving an Allegation from a Child 3 Initial Assessment by the Principal (or designated person) 4 Enquires and Investigations This section helps those identified as being responsible for safeguarding children in section B & C put into practice their various roles and responsibilities in the event of an allegation of abuse against a member of staff. Governing bodies will need to be familiar with this section and refer back to it during any investigations of abuse. External investigations should not be confused with internal disciplinary enquires by the college. Part four of this section explains how the two should work in collaboration and assist each other, where appropriate. It is important that Chairs of Governors are kept informed of any developments relating to this part of the investigation. Part five of this section identifies the procedure for the suspension of staff, when required. Suspension of the Principal can only be carried out by the Chair of Governors (or deputy in his/her absence) so we would recommend that all Chairs familiarise themselves with these guidelines and use them as a tool for assisting the decision-making process, during any investigation. Part E Recruitment and Selection Procedure This section provides colleges with a useful checklist when reviewing existing policies and produces. The AoC has developed a set of guidance briefings on child protection and safeguarding. In addition LSIS has developed a programme of one day workshops on safeguarding and safer recruitment. Details are on the LSIS website. What next? AoC members can download a model child protection policy from the AoC website here: AoC members can access guidance on safeguarding vulnerable groups, including guidance from Government, the ISA and the CRB, along with factsheets, FAQ’s, information about training for the FE sector (the LSIS training) and regular news and updates on the new Vetting and Barring Scheme, on the AoC website here: |
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