Welcome to the March edition of our Safeguarding newsletter for colleagues. Read on for the latest news, advice, and guidance relating to safeguarding matters.

Key Topics: 

• Current key topics in the news – Momo challenge and knife crime 
• NSPCC advice on listening to teenagers
• Catch 22: Spot the Signs: Child Exploitation and Missing Awareness
• Mandatory safeguarding training
• Total People safeguarding figures for the month of February
• A reminder of how to complete a concern form for learner or colleagues

Articles & Resources

Momo Challenge

Hitting the news last month was the Momo challenge. A scary looking character supposedly appears on social media and sets children dangerous “challenges”. Click here to watch about it.  Initial reports were concerning with regard to our younger and more vulnerable learners. To date, we have had no reports of a learner’s self-harming or being concerned regarding this challenge.

Our advice is NOT to draw attention to anything online that might be harmful. To be aware that learners might want to talk about how they feel regarding this new report, and to be able to offer support and guidance to young vulnerable learners about how to keep safe online. 

Further resources:

Online Safety Alerts – Think Before you Scare
Parents – scare or prepare

BBC – When you see something scary online

Knife Crime

In January’s Newsletter, there were details of resources available for discussion with young learners around the threat and dangers of knife crime. Although these resources are branded with the London message, the content can be used more generically. Knife crime relating in particular to young people continues to be a current topic in the news.   11 – 15 March 2019 was Knife Crime Awareness Week.  The public are encouraged to call  Crimestoppers.uk.org anonymously on 0800 555 111 if they know of someone who is regularly carrying a knife.

Further resources:

London Knife Crime Toolkit

Crime Stoppers

Let children Know you’re listening (NSPCC)

Researchers have identified the appropriate interpersonal skills that adults need to show in the moment of disclosure, to make it clear they are listening to children and are taking them seriously.
The NSPCC has launched a campaign to share these key skills: 
Show you care, help them open up

Take your time, slow down

Show you understand, reflect back

Further resources:

NSPCC – Let children know you’re listening

Catch 22   Spot the Signs: Child Exploitation and Missing Awareness Poster Hub

Catch22, a not-for-profit, social business who work with people to develop services that build resilience and aspiration. They work extensively with young people and understand the challenges that may face those who are particularly vulnerable. Catch22 also run an number of alternative provisions. Their website have a number of posters available such as the one below, raising awareness on a range of subjects such as child exploitation, online safety, missing from home.

Further resources:

Poster Hub

Impact of gangs in schools report

Mandatory training

Please ensure you complete your mandatory training on ilearn no later than 19 April 2019.

Keeping Children Safe in Education

Safeguarding  

Ilearn can be accessed by going to ‘my hub’ on the group intranet.

The safeguarding team are currently reviewing any additional guidance and development they can offer Colleagues in relation to contextualising concerns, noticing signs, patterns of behaviour and having the confidence to discuss them.

Safeguarding Figures: February 2019

These figures are in line with what we might expect with a half term break for those in the educational setting and nothing of note from apprentices in the workplace.

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Are you aware of how to report a concern?

This was covered in your induction but if unsure click here

Unresolved concern are concerns that still require monitoring from either Safeguarding or from the reporting person. Please ensure that you update Safeguarding of the outcomes to learner concerns so they can be closed.

Our concern levels are as follows:

• Information – at present staff member is monitoring the situation
• Low Level – staff member presenting doesn’t require involvement from the Designated Person
• Moderate Level – the concern may require input from the Designated Person
• High Level – staff member requires immediate action from the Designated Person

Next Month…

We will be seeking feedback on the Safeguarding Newsletter and  we will be welcoming requests for articles to be featured.