Safeguarding considerations for Schools: Do we need to make further changes to our safeguarding / child protection policy?

Yes, the policy will need to be amended for September in light of the revisions to KCSIE 2020 and the DSL should take the lead on this.  

It is very likely that schools will have already revised their safeguarding policy to adapt to the implications of the pandemic (perhaps by way of addendum) and the partial reopening of schools during the Summer term. This may now need a further review to take account of the measures and revised procedures in place for full reopening in September. As previously, it may still be that it is simplest that these aspects are captured by way of addendum or appendix to the current policy. This must be published and communicated as appropriate.

By way of reminder, during the summer term, a school’s DSL or deputy (wherever possible) should have reviewed and revised the school’s child protection policy to ensure it reflects:

• any updated advice received from local safeguarding partners
• any updated advice received from local authorities regarding children with EHCPs, the local authority designated officer and children’s social care, reporting mechanisms, referral thresholds and children in need
• what staff and volunteers should do if they have any concerns about a child
• the importance of all staff and volunteers acting immediately on any safeguarding concerns
• DSL (and deputy) working with and supporting children’s social workers and the local authority virtual school head for looked-after and previously looked-after children
• Peer-on-peer abuse
• what staff and volunteers should do if they have concerns about a staff member or volunteer (the principles in part 4 of KCSIE will continue to apply)
• arrangements to support any children who do not meet the ‘vulnerable’ definition (in relation to attendance at school during lockdown which, as set out in the DfE re-opening guidance, could be implemented again if required)
• what arrangements are in place to keep children not physically attending the school safe, especially online and how concerns about these children should be progressed.