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Child protection

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

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Working with governors on safeguarding issues

Governors carry the weighty responsibility of overseeing and monitoring safeguarding arrangements in schools. How can schools help them with this task? This article considers some practices they might adopt

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Common sense advice on safeguarding and volunteers

Now that the introduction of the ISA Vetting and Barring Scheme has been put on hold, how should schools ensure that volunteers are suitable and safe to work with students and what measures should you take to support them in their role?

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Are you up-to-date with the latest developments in safeguarding?

There are currently two live consultations that will impact upon your safeguarding duties, the most important of which is the long-awaited sector-specific guidance for the Vetting and Barring Scheme. Dai Durbridge explains how they will affect your safeguarding responsibilities in the new academic year

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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E-safety: is your school doing enough?

Outstanding e-safety provision requires clear leadership vision and whole-school involvement. David Gordon looks at new recommendations from Ofsted

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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

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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

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The Independent Safeguarding Authority – the current position

Dai Durbridge considers the current position of the Independent Safeguarding Authority and the effect the new powers will have on teachers and schools

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Baby P: lessons to be learned

What can schools learn from the Baby P case? Jenni Whitehead examines the report on Haringey children’s services and gives advice on how to prepare for unannounced inspections

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ContactPoint

Dai Durbridge discusses ContactPoint, the database recording all detail of children in England, and its impact on education and chid protection

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Protecting students on work placements

Work placements are a key learning activity for young people, however it is obviously important to ensure that your pupils are safe. Dai Durbridge discusses how, and whose responsibility it is

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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

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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

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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

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Supporting children of prisoners within school

There are important issues to consider regarding the children of parents who are in prison. This article gives advice as to what educational support can be put in place and the role that some SENCOs might play in coordinating this

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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?

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Advice on how to use necessary force with a pupil

When a teacher finds it necessary to use force with a pupil it is essential that they are clear on how to use that force — and how much to use — as well as how to deal with the recording and reporting of the incident afterwards

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Arson in school: what you need to know

Are you fully up-to-date with the latest guidance on preventing arson in your school? Gill O'Donnell provides a comprehensive briefing to make sure that you are

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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Dealing effectively with cyberbullying

Sarah Erwin-Jones discusses the growing problem of cyberbullying towards both pupils and staff, and looks at schools' legal obligations

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CPD to combat cyberbullying

With pupils who are often more computer-literate than teachers, informed CPD coordinators can do a lot to combat cyberbullying says Dr Jo Bruce

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The end of child protection registers?

Since April 1 2008, local authorities are no longer obliged to place children's names on a child protection register that they deem to be at risk of harm. This article explores the reasons behind this change as well as the potential consequences

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Legal case notes: Risking painful treatment to improve a child's life

This case discusses a judge's decision over whether to advise that a baby with haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis should have painful and invasive treatment in order to give her a 50% chance of life

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Preventing grooming: teaching children about problematic adult behaviour

How do you safeguard children from being groomed for sexual abuse? Mark Williams-Thomas discusses the need to understand the process in order to develop preventative strategies

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Safeguarding provision for disabled children

Jenni Whitehead looks at a document she believes to be essential reading for those working with disabled children, which can be used to audit your school's safeguarding provision

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Sport and child protection

As the government looks to include more sport in the curriculum, Crispin Andrews looks at the safety dilemmas involved in using outside staff to deliver activities

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Internet safety for young people

Do you think you know the key points regarding internet safety for children and young people? Jenni Whitehead says that a recent report challenging current thinking on the related dangers suggests not, and offers some suggestions of advice for young people

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Self-harm at primary schools: what you should know

Sue Morris looks at self-harm and suicidal behaviour in primary school children, including the definitions, prevalence rates and the factors that increase and reduce risk

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