Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups - a governors perspective Governors Conference 14th March 2015 Penryn School Workshop delivered by: Helen Trelease Independent Safeguarding Children Trainer and Advisor, and Safeguarding Governor htrelease@btconnect.com

Introductions How do we define vulnerable? Who are our vulnerable groups in school? What impact can their vulnerability have on them? What is the role of the governing body in safeguarding vulnerable groups?

How do we define vulnerable? ‘Open to moral attack/ criticism / temptation’ etc ‘Capable of being physically or mentally hurt’ ‘In need of special care, support or protection’

Who are our most vulnerable groups within our schools?

Vulnerable Groups in school CYP subject of a Child Protection plan Pupil premium children includes children in care Those being bullied Those with poor school attendance Low self-confidence/self esteem Mental health issues Young carers Exposure to Domestic abuse Vulnerable Groups in school CYP from minority groups LGBT Those with low academic attainment Where socio economic factors are impacting on CYP These may not all apply to your setting but it reinforces the importance of ensuring that we look beyond child protection when we talk about ‘safeguarding’. Take some time before the course to consider safeguarding in the context of the education setting that you are training and if necessary add any that you feel you may be missing. Eg pupil mentoring, buddies, Promoting healthy bodies ie diet, exercise, knowledge of children Parental mental health and substance misuse Gifted and talented SEN and children with additional needs Those with challenging and complex behaviours 5

Local Perspective Whilst the percentage of children in poverty in Cornwall overall (19%) is below the national average (21%) there are some neighbourhoods where the proportion is twice the national average. Approximately 420 young carers Approximately 257 teenage parents 579 young offenders Estimated 6,400 children with identified mental health problem Taken from Cornwall’s Early Help Strategy 2013- 2015

CORNWALLS CHILD PROTECTION STATISTICS ( January 2015) Numbers of Children by District and Category Approximately 110,000 children in Cornwall Cornwall East Mid West Other No. of children subject to a child protection plan 405 159 123 119 4* No. of children in the care of the local authority 443 173 116 138 16 Figures can be placed in context of population of children aged 0-17 in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly as approx 105,000 ( as of 2003 South West ID)

Breakdown of no: of children under each category ( January 2015) (does not include small number under multiple categories) PHYSICAL 42 NEGLECT 253 EMOTIONAL 100 SEXUAL 10

What impact can their vulnerability have on them as individuals?

What is Safeguarding? Protecting children from maltreatment Preventing impairment of children’s health and development Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care Take action to enable all children have the best outcomes (Ref: Working Together 2013) Safeguarding is not just about child protection. This is only one aspect of keeping children safe but is the aspect we will be focussing on during this training. It is also about promoting the welfare of children and young people and meeting the needs of the child. Different settings have different responsibilities in relation to Staying Safe although there are common themes for everyone. Definition slightly revised in the recently published revised Working Together to Safeguard Children (April 2013).

Two key inspection issues follow from this definition The effectiveness of schools in taking reasonable steps to ensure that children and learners are safe. The effectiveness of the schools in helping to ensure that children and learners feel safe.

What does ‘Safeguarding children & young people’ mean within the context of your school setting? Emphasise that the term ‘safeguarding’ is sometimes confused and only thought of as another word for child protection. Very important to reinforce whilst they may have limited or no involvement in child protection everyone who works with children and young people has a responsibility to safeguard the children in their care. If you have got time get them to think about this in small groups without looking at the next slide. Take feedback and record it on flip chart/white board in a similar way to the next slide and then compare the lists. If anxious about time ask them to reflect on this at a later date but for now consider the following slide. 12

Safeguarding Child Protection Behaviour management Staff Conduct Observations: Knowing your children – who are your vulnerable children? Safeguarding Policies Building confidence and self esteem Safeguarding E- safety Managing allegations against Staff Dealing effectively with bullying These may not all apply to your setting but it reinforces the importance of ensuring that we look beyond child protection when we talk about ‘safeguarding’. Take some time before the course to consider safeguarding in the context of the education setting that you are training and if necessary add any that you feel you may be missing. Eg pupil mentoring, buddies, Promoting healthy bodies ie diet, exercise, knowledge of children LISTEN TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE Assessments ie Health and Safety and Risk Attendance Balanced curriculum including health, emotional and social wellbeing Staff Recruitment and Selection 13

Teachers Standards 2012 Part 2: Personal and Professional Conduct A teacher is expected to demonstrate consistently high standards of personal and professional conduct ----- Treating pupils with dignity, building relationships rooted in mutual respect, and at all times observing proper boundaries appropriate to a teachers professional position Having regard for the need to safeguard pupils’ well being, in accordance with statutory provisions

What does Safeguarding mean in the context of your role as a Governing body?

Safeguarding Child Protection Reviewing Policies and Procedures: including anti bullying, behaviour management Staff Conduct ‘Critical Friend ‘ Looked after Children E- safety Listening to Children and Young People Safeguarding Managing Allegations Against Staff Whistle blowing These may not all apply to your setting but it reinforces the importance of ensuring that we look beyond child protection when we talk about ‘safeguarding’. Take some time before the course to consider safeguarding in the context of the education setting that you are training and if necessary speak to the manager of the setting for their thoughts. Health and Safety (including building design) Relevant and Regularly Updated Safeguarding Training Monitoring Attendance Awareness of the Curriculum Safer Recruitment and Selection 16

Keeping Children Safe in Education Published April 2014 DoE Statutory Guidance for ALL schools and colleges Sets out the duties and responsibilities that schools and colleges must assume to safeguard and promote the welfare of children All schools and colleges must adhere to this guidance.

Keeping Children Safe In Education April ‘14 DoE: Part One: Safeguarding Information for all staff includes: Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding children. School staff are particularly important as they are in a position to identify concerns early and provide help for children to prevent concerns from escalating. Staff members working with children are advised to maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned.

Part Two: The management of safeguarding The responsibility of governing bodies and proprietors Key themes: Inter-agency working – this includes providing a co-ordinated offer of early help when additional needs of children are identified Safeguarding policies – effective child protection policy together with staff behaviour policy (code of conduct) Designated governor safeguarding lead Opportunities to teach safeguarding The children’s wishes and feelings- there need to be systems in place for children to express their views and give feedback Looked after children Missing Children - need to have appropriate safeguarding responses in place

Specific Safeguarding Issues: Keeping Children Safe in Education April ’14 DoE (Part One S.25) Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Bullying including cyber bullying Domestic abuse Drugs and Alcohol Fabricated, induced illness Faith abuse Female genital mutilation (FGM) Forced marriage Gangs and youth violence Gender based violence/ violence against women and girls (VAWG) Mental Health Private Fostering Radicalisation Sexting Teenage relationship abuse Trafficking TES website provides more information on these, as does NSPCC website, (www.nspcc.org.uk) and the GOV.UK website

The role of the Governing Body in relation to vulnerable children Ensure you have safeguarding governor and a chair of governors who are keeping up to date on local and national initiatives. To be a ‘critical friend’ What support and guidance is available for vulnerable children in your school? Attend appropriate training Check out how many you have? How is the money allocated for pupil premium children, and how can you show it is making a difference?