Return to blog

Safeguarding changes from September 2019

|
General
A blog post image

4 key actions for you to take

  • Include upskirting and serious violent crime in your safeguarding training in September. We've updated our 2019 safeguarding INSET pack and our safeguarding essentials elearning to reflect these changes so they're ready for you to use - (upgrade your membership to get full access)
  • Carry out section 128 checks on your maintained school governors if you haven't already
  • Know and follow the new local arrangements set by your safeguarding partners
  • Use the Department for Education's (DfE) new online safety guidance

Part 1 - information for all staff

All staff working in schools are required to read at least part 1 of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE). Here are the main changes to part 1.

Upskirting is now a form of peer-on-peer abuse 

It's a criminal offence and is now listed in paragraph 27.

Definition: upskirting is typically when a photograph is taken under a person's clothing without them knowing, for sexual gratification or to cause the victim humiliation, distress or alarm.

New information on serious violent crime (29-30)

The new text says that all staff need to know the indicators that may signal that children are at risk from, or are involved with, serious violent crime. Including:

  • Unexplained gifts/new possessions - these can indicate children have been approached by/involved with individuals associated with criminal networks/gangs
  • Increased absence from school
  • Change in friendship/relationships with others/groups
  • Significant decline in performance
  • Signs of self-harm/significant change in wellbeing
  • Signs of assault/unexplained injuries

Staff should also be aware of the associated risks and understand the measures in place to manage them.

Part 2 - the management of safeguarding

This is for headteachers, designated safeguarding lead (DSL) teams and governors.

Multi-agency working (68-75)

Changes to this section are to clarify the expectations for all agencies, including schools, in the context of the phasing out of local safeguarding children boards (LSCBs). Specifically that:

  • The new safeguarding partners and child death review partner arrangements must be in place by 29 September 2019
  • Your school should be aware of and follow these new local arrangements - this includes your senior leadership team, DSL and governing board

As a reminder, your 3 safeguarding partners are:

  • Local authority (LA)
  • Clinical commissioning group within the LA
  • Chief office of police within the LA

Reference to new relationships, health and sex education (89)

Under the context of 'Opportunities to teach safeguarding' there's now text explaining that the following subjects will be mandatory from September 2020:

  • Relationships education (for all primary schools)
  • Relationships and sex education (for all secondary schools)
  • Health education (for all pupils in state-funded schools)

For more information about these new requirements, go to our relationships, health and sex education 2020 resource hub.

Part 3 - safer recruitment

Maintained school governors (173-174)

The guidance now clarifies that:

  • Maintained schools should carry out section 128 checks on their governors
  • Associate members don't need to have an enhanced DBS check

Read more about section 128 checks.

Annex C - online safety

There's now a link to new DfE guidance on teaching online safety in schools.

Members of The Key for School Leaders have access to thousands of resources on safeguarding and all areas of school leadership and management at thekeysupport.com/SL

Sign up for our news briefing

The Key's weekly education sector round-up, delivered to your inbox every Friday.

Get weekly news briefing