Child Protection Coordinator

How prevalent is child maltreatment in the UK?

The NSPCC has conducted a survey into children and young people’s experiences of maltreatment and victimisation. Here, the authors report on its main findings

Making the links to promote wellbeing in schools

Deborah Michel, Robin Banerjee, Nichola Jones and David Davies describe a project to promote emotional wellbeing schools that makes a close link between aspirations, assessment and intervention

New guidance on dealing with allegations of abuse agaiunst teachers and other staff

New guidance on the management of allegations is out for consultation. Jenni Whitehead looks at the key points and finds some aspects of them worrying

How to tackle identity-based bullying

Sexual exploitation: a growing problem

Two recent reports warn of the growing problem of the sexual exploitation of young people. Jenni Whitehead examines the reports and their implications for practice

What the Munro review means for schools

Use of force: the need for greater clarity

As the government prepares to introduce new guidance on the use of force, Dai Durbridge examines current problems for school staff in interpreting the law

Vulnerability to online grooming

The majority of teenagers are vulnerable to online molestors and we need to help them understand the specific risks, says Jenni Whitehead

Child abuse images: the need for vigilance

The sight of child abuse images can shock and staff who report them need support. Jenni Whitehead discusses a new report and the relevance of its findings for schools

Interviewing staff and making sure they're suitable

Every year schools recruit new members of staff, from headteachers, to teachers, to classroom assistants and administrative staff. It is vital that a robust procedure is followed for all interviews to ensure that the successful candidate is a suitable person to work with children and young people

Preparing your safeguarding procedures for Ofsted

Perhaps more than any other inspection judgement, ‘The effectiveness of safeguarding procedures’ has caused anxiety amongst schools. Here are some suggestions for how you might prepare.

Record keeping for efficient child protection

Record keeping is an essential part of a school’s role in child protection; it is vital that it is done accurately and managed carefully and securely

Are your school’s pupils safe online?

The internet is a vital learning resource, but its use comes with a number of legal risks. Following the Byron Review in 2008, the delivery of e-safety in schools has come under greater scrutiny. Rebecca Taylor-Onion looks at schools’ legal duties to ensure the online safety of their pupils and how they can manage the risks effectively

Dealing with disclosure: practical guidance

You never know when disclosure might happen, or to whom. Suzanne O'Connell provides practical guidance to share with all staff and volunteers

Child protection training: new staff and support staff

Most schools are aware of their duty to provide child protection training, but did you know that you are required to ensure that all members of staff are inducted effectively in child protection at the time when they first join the school? Suzanne O'Connell gives detailed advice on how to structure this training

A quick roundup of the main political parties’ school manifesto points

What do the four main parties (Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Green) have to say about education?

Working Together to Safeguard Children 2010 guidance explained

Dai Durbridge, a safeguarding expert at Browne Jacobson solicitors, examines the new Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance and summaries the key changes below

Working with parents when there are concerns for a child's safety

In this e-bulletin we look at the sensitive issue of how to work with parents and carers when you have a concern over the wellbeing of their child

Developing approaches to manage self-harming behaviours

In this edition we consider self-harm and discuss what teachers can do to help young people who are vulnerable to self-harm

Staff training in child protection

This is the first issue of a new series of e-bulletins on child protection. They are designed to be practical and accessible and to help you in your role of designated person for child protection within school

The Child Protection and Safeguarding Handbook for Schools

Author: Ann Raymond

The Child Protection and Safeguarding Handbook for Schools fully outlines and explains child safeguarding policy and child protection policy, to aid you in implementing effective and thorough safeguarding of pupils and students in your school

Information sharing policy at schools

How will Lord Laming's 2009 report impact upon a schoo's information sharing duties and resulting policy? Dai Durbridge discussesses correct information sharing and its role in good child protection practice

Managing cases of students' emotional abuse

Cases of student emotional abuse can all too frequently go unnoticed believes Jenni Whitehead. Here she suggests an exercise for staff-room discussion

Sexual relations with pupils over 16

Teachers should not face prosecution for sexual relations with pupils above the age of 16 (the age of consent) − this is what Chris Whitehead, the general secretary of the NASUWT said in October 2008. Jenni Whitehead discusses

Multi-agency child protection: a case study

This story of a 14-year-old who was being groomed and in danger of sexual exploitation illustrates the importance of multi-agency child protection

Legal case notes: Care orders and young children

This case centres around the use of care orders and alternative custody, with the child's welfare being the court's paramount consideration

CPD learning networks: Lambeth and Kosovo

School can greatly benefit in terms of CPD from links between a network of schools; in this case one in Lambeth and another in Kosovo, which have brought CPD benefits to teachers in both areas. Elizabeth Gowing explains

Talking to parents about child protection

Jenni Whitehead discusses the difficulties faced by named persons, or child protection coordinators, in talking to children's parents about their concerns and the need to follow child protection procedures

Legal case notes: Sexual abuse

Michael Segal summarises a case of alleged sexual abuse within a family, and the difficulty involved in a related welfare hearing

Maintaining good order and discipline: what powers do teachers have?

What powers do teachers actually have when it comes to disruptive pupils at school? Dai Durbridge discusses with reference to the use of force and confiscation

Ashura and self-flagellation

What can and should schools do when they learn about cases of self-flagellation, as part of religious ceremonies like Ashura in the Shi'a Muslim community?

Female genital mutilation: what schools can do

20,000 girls may be at risk of female genital mutilation in the UK. The charity Forward urges schools to watch out for the signs

Legal case notes: Adoption and birth parents

In terms of the child's welfare, cases related to adoption and birth parents can be complicated legally; especially when the father is unknown. Michael Segal explores a related case

Dealing with forced marriage and 'honour'-based violence

Schools can have a major role to play to protect children from domestic violence such as 'honour'-based violence and forced marriage. Jenni Whitehead looks at a report by the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee

Mobile families: points to remember

The needs of families that move can be overlooked. Philip Jones examines the importance of a thorough background investigation on mobile families, in order to effectively support the children involved

A new look for National Professional Qualification for Headship

The new National Professional Qualification for Headship pilot is underway. Crispin Andrews talks to one of the first participants

Educating sex offenders: a school's duty

In cases of sexual offence, it is often a school's duty to educate the perpetrator as well as protect the victim. Yvonne Spencer provides advice on how to balance these competing needs

CPD best practice: innovative teaching

Does your school encourage innovation within teaching through its CPD? According to the GTCE, most teachers are displaying innovative practice, even though they don't realise it. This article showcases some best practice

Self-harm at primary schools: what you can do

What can schools actually do about tackling self-harm at primary schools? Sue Morris discusses this in her second article on self-harm and suicidal behaviour in primary school children

Legal case notes: LA negligence in child protection cases

Local authorities owe a certain standard of care to children within their area. This case explores the legal implications and consequences of that responsibility, if it is believed to not have been upheld

Remembering child protection with older young people

The protection of older young people, particularly from the ages 16 to 18, can be overlooked. One serious case review of the suicide of a 16-year-old girl highlights the issues involved, explains Jenni Whitehead

Giving looked after children more support

The underperformance of, and lack of opportunity for, children in care is a cause for concern in our schools. 'Care Matters', is a government package of measures designed to redress the balance, as Suzanne O'Connell explains

Raise pupils' awareness of children's rights

A resource developed by ECPAT UK raises pupil's awareness of child trafficking and invites them to make an informed decision about joining a campaign

When can you use force to control and restrain a pupil?

Are you familiar with the details surrounding this vital piece of legislation? Claire Anderson explains to educators what they need to know regarding the basic legal implications of when they are able to use force with pupils

Improving school performance management can improve learning

Linking performance management to professional development (CPD) can immediately improve specific areas of learning across the school, Carol Taylor advises CPD leaders

Understanding and preventing suicide in young people

What makes young people want to commit suicide, and, crucially, how can we prevent it? Jenni Whitehead looks at research and approaches to helping

Education employment law: statutory leave and pay entitlements

Do you know your way around educational employment law? Does your school's pay and remuneration package meet or exceed minimum standards? Tamara Ludlow gives a legal overview of essential information for both leadership teams and staff

Legal case notes: Interviewing children in court

This case discusses the dilemma of weighing a child's wellbeing against the need for that child to give evidence in court, in order to provide a fair trail for the defence

Staff training material for child protection issues

This resource offers a number of theoretical case studies where child protection could be a concern, intended for staff discussion. It then follows each scenario with suggested points for consideration

Dealing with fabricated or induced illnesses

What steps should you take when you believe that a pupil is displaying symptoms that are deliberately induced or fabricated? Jenni Whitehead summarises revised guidance for how schools should deal with this type of abuse, and stresses the importance of inter-agency communication

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Child Protection Coordinator