Make sure children are safe
Code of Practice statement: Make sure that children and adults are safe at all times when they are in the school's care, by adopting, implementing and reviewing policies and procedures to protect them, and arranging Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks.
GOLD STANDARD: There is induction, support and training in safety and safeguarding for staff and volunteers.
You may wish to include:
- inclusion of safeguarding in staff handbook and induction
- evidence of staff training around safeguarding
- set of three or four staff/management minutes (reviewing policies and procedures).
Other resources
DfE – Safeguarding Children - children can only be safeguarded properly if the key agencies work effectively together. Local safeguarding children boards (LSCBs) are designed to help ensure that this happens. They put the former area child protection committees (ACPCs) on a statutory footing. For more information visit: www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/safeguardingandsocialcare/safeguardingchildren/safeguarding/
The Safe Network is jointly managed by the NSPCC and Children England and was created as a result of the Government’s Staying Safe action plan. The Safe Network website has lots of information and advice on how to assess your organisation, recruit the right people to work with children, undertake CRB checks and where to get the best kind of training for you. Community organisations, including supplementary schools, can order free ‘Are they Safe?' packs and CD-ROMs. For more information visit: www.safenetwork.org.uk
Children England is the new name of the National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations (NCVCCO). They are the leading membership organisation for the children, young people and families voluntary sector. Their mission is to create a fairer world for children, young people and families by championing the voluntary organisations which work on their behalf. www.childrenengland.org.uk/index.php?pageID=398
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) campaigns to change the law, provides ChildLine and the NSPCC Helpline and offers advice for adults. www.nspcc.org.uk/default.html