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Ofsted safeguarding evidence:

a guide, NOT a checklist!

BSP Headteacher Conference

29th April 2015

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● Leadership and management

● Inspectors should consider the, ‘effectiveness with which a school identifies any pupils who may be at risk, using a case study approach based on concerns about individual pupils that may have originated either inside or outside the school’. [School inspection handbook, para 157]

● Behaviour and safety ● #Inspectors must look at a small sample of case studies in order to evaluate the

experience of particular individuals and groups, such as pupils for whom referrals have been made to the local authority (checking how the referral was made and the thoroughness of the follow-up), disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs, looked after children and those with mental health needs’ [School inspection handbook, para 171]

● Achievement of pupils ● ‘Inspectors must take account of ‘case studies of individual pupils’ [School inspection

handbook, para 195]

Safeguarding evidence

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Safeguarding evidence

Area Focus Activity and evidence to be recorded

Complaints about safeguarding

Information about any complaints against the school

Checks on portal NB 1 – inspectors do not investigate complaints but examine the issues relating to it and the complaints process in the school.NB2 – reference should be made in the report to an evaluation of the ‘issues’ to show that these have been looked at.

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Safeguarding evidence

Internet references

Internet search as part of their pre-inspection planning to see whether there are any safeguarding issues

Checks internet – records on summary EF

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Safeguarding evidence

Safeguarding incidents at school

Absence and exclusion

Inspectors should ask whether there have been any safeguarding incidents since the last inspection of the school. Inspectors should record the school’s response.A list of referrals made to the designated person for safeguarding in the school and those that were subsequently referred to the local authority, along with brief details of the resolution How is absence from school identified and followed up (particularly for potentially vulnerable young people

Discussion with HT Anonymised examples and numbers and brief details of resolution.

Track pupils taken off roll, those with long-term absence

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Safeguarding evidence

LA safeguarding report

The executive summary and areas for development of the most recent Ofsted inspection report on the relevant local authority’s child protection arrangements (LCSB websites)

Checked before inspection – any relevant issue recorded.

SCR Is fully compliant and includes the new prohibition of teaching check

SCR checked on site

Disqualification by association – early and later years checks

School has undertaken relevant checks

Discussion about process recorded

Safeguarding policy Is up to date and accurately identifies procedures

Policy examined and complies with guidance.

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Safeguarding evidence

Knowledge of safeguarding procedures (staff)

Staff’s understanding of the of the procedures - staff know what to do if they suspect abuse and whether there have been any incidents or referrals to the LADO since the last inspection Staff take the appropriate and necessary action in accordance with local procedures and statutory guidance

Records are kept securely.

Discussion with staff and DSP – recorded and quality evaluated.

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Safeguarding evidence

Knowledge of safeguarding procedures (pupils)

Pupils’ understanding of how to keep safe and about aspects such as

bullying, including cyberbullying (by text message, on social networking sites, and so on) and prejudice-based bullying

racist, disability, and homophobic or transphobic abuse

Discussion with pupils - detail recorded as to area explored.

Training Staff and DSP have been trained at the correct intervals and at the appropriate level

Certificates seen, includes dates.

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Safeguarding evidence

Case studies Vulnerable children files examined - evidence of safeguarding procedures seen How referrals to the LADO were followed up).

Observation of files and discussion with DSP. Anonymous recording indicates who selected the case studies.

Governance Governors have asked staff to read Part One of Keeping Children Safe

Minutes and documentation confirming that staff have done this (and how GB know).

Governors understand their responsibilities and are suitably trained

Discussion with governorsGovernors’ minutes

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Safeguarding evidence

Safe recruitment and allegations against staff process

Robust systems in place with staff having a copy /understanding of written procedures for managing allegations.

Examination of record of process and staff files. Anonymised recording.

FGM How alert are staff to the possible signs that a child has been subject to female genital mutilation or is at risk of being abused through it; what sort of training have they had.

RecordsStaff trainingStaff awareness..all recorded.

Different cultural traditions

School furthers tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures

Staff discussionPupils’ viewsCurriculum planningBooks and internet material

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Safeguarding evidence

Protected characteristics

School encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act – those with protected characteristics are included.

Staff discussionPupils’ viewsCurriculum planningBooks and internet material

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Safeguarding evidence

Extremism and radicalisation

This is the extent to which the school prevents these things and protects pupils.The school should aim to prevent the political indoctrination of pupils through the curriculum. This includes avoidance of systematic promotion of partisan political views in a way that is likely to exert undue influence on the views of young people.The school must follow the teachers’ standards / standard in independent schools.

Staff discussionPupils’ viewsCurriculum planningBooks and internet material

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Safeguarding evidence

Other safeguarding aspects

Health and safety, including fire safety and behaviour

Electrical, gas, water safety

The physical environment for children is safe and protects them from harm or the risk of harmAll checks regarding fire safety are carried out and a fire risk assessment is reviewed annually. Annual checks on services.PAT testing Water temperature and bacterial checks.

Policy / proceduresChecks on general and specialist accommodation including risk assessments. Checks on high risk behaviour (behaviour plans, incident /sanction logs and risk assessments). Records of trends and patterns. Fire policy and records of checks by staff.

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Safeguarding evidence

Use of reasonable force

Staff are trained, have policy/procedures in place and keep sufficiently detailed records.

Policy Procedures including de-escalation and use of physical restraint. Detailed restraint log accurately recorded, including numbers and analysis of trends and patterns by schoolStaff training

Meeting the needs of pupils with medical conditions

How pupils with conditions are supported and managed in relation to their medical conditions and also pastoral care

Discussion with pastoral leader, medical staff, support workers, and examine practical arrangements to maximise educational access.

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Safeguarding evidence

First aid Staff are suitably trained, records kept well and equipment ready at hand and up to date.

PolicyStaff training - datesRecording of FA incidents including procedures and analysis by school

Educational visits

There are suitable procedures which ensure pupils’ safety.

Policy and procedures (practical arrangements)Risk assessments

Internet or e-safety

Staff and pupils are aware of safe use of internet and related media

Discussion with pupilsProtocols and policy

School security The physical environment for children is secure and protects them from harm or the risk of harm

Checks on site security