The Education Child Protection Service offers a full advisory and support service in matters of Child Protection to designated teachers with responsibility for Child Protection, head teachers, school governors and other professionals.
Detailed training for designated teachers is offered termly, to guide and assist professionals in understanding and applying best practice and procedure in the field, as laid down within statutory provision.
Our aim is to ensure that:
- All child protection training by the Education Child Protection Service will be underpinned by the London Child Protection Procedures.
- Every designated teacher and deputy designated teacher has received child protection training.
- Head teachers will have had the opportunity to attend training on managing allegations against professionals.
- Designated governors with responsibility for Child Protection receive training.
- Training for managers will continue to be made available in Child Protection.
Evaluation
Courses are quality controlled and assured with summary evaluation reports being produced as evidence of best value. Feedback is used constructively to continuously maintain our high standards. A review of the effectiveness and support is evaluated by a Framework of Standards questionnaire sent out to schools by the Child Protection Officer each academic year.
Quality Standards
Child Protection Procedures are followed according to the London Child Protection Procedures. The standards in child protection training are those agreed by the Regional LEA Child Protection Training Forum. The trainers used to deliver child protection training have proven track records, a good working knowledge of Waltham Forest and local procedures as well as accreditation from the Children Social Care Services or the NSPCC.
Whilst there is no charge to schools for the Education Child Protection Service advice and support, there is a charge made for attendance on courses and this charge reflects the cost of delivery, course materials, venue hire and refreshments. The courses are non-profit making and are widely accepted as good value for money.
The Education Child Protection Service will:
- Respond immediately and appropriately to all enquiries about Child Protection issues and advise on the required action as outlined in the Local Safeguarding Children's Board (LSCB) guidelines.
- Liaise with the Police Child Protection Team, Children Social Care Services, the Primary Care Trust (PCT) and the voluntary sector in order to address issues following correct procedures.
- Advise schools of their responsibilities and the standards they are expected to reach in order to protect children. Maintain records of child protection referrals.
- Disseminate information to schools on child protection issues.
- Liaise with Human Resources when allegations have been received against members of staff/head teachers.
- Facilitate courses for head teachers on managing allegations against professionals.
- Facilitate courses for school governors who have responsibility for child protection.
- Facilitate whole school training on child protection and creating a school policy for child protection.
Confidentiality and Record Keeping
The Education Child Protection Officer maintains a record of every case brought to the attention of the service, including: reports, minutes of strategy meetings and case conferences, correspondence and telephone calls. All records of referrals are kept.
All confidential records are kept under strict secure conditions. Confidentiality is maintained on all cases dealt with by the Education Child Protection Services and information shared only with those professionals who have involvement in individual cases.
The Education Child Protection Service, under its monitoring remit, maintains a database to ensure schools fulfil their responsibilities in safeguarding children.
Availability
The Education Child Protection Service is usually available through schools immediately where child protection advice is required.
