September 2023: "The Role of Schools in Safeguarding" Mon 18 Sep 2023

However, this year, the start has been marred for some schools with issues surrounding the use of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) raising concerns about the safety of school buildings. For many students, this means a return to home learning and the challenges that it may bring. We hope for a swift resolution to these issues to ensure every student has access to a safe physical school environment.

With these challenges in mind and schools being more than just places of learning. They are in fact communities where children and young people spend a significant portion of their lives, becoming the generation of tomorrow. Therefore, it is crucial to highlight the role of schools in the safeguarding process, and how each staff member is essential, acting as a frontline defense against abuse and neglect.

1. Recognising the Signs: Teachers and school staff are often the first to notice if something is wrong. Whether it's a change in behaviour, unexplained injuries, or signs of neglect, these professionals are uniquely positioned to spot potential safeguarding concerns.
2. Creating a Safe Environment: A school's primary responsibility is to provide a safe environment for its students. This involves clear policies and procedures that are regularly updated and communicated to all staff, students, and parents. It also means ensuring the physical safety of school premises.
3. Regular Training: Safeguarding is an evolving practice. New challenges arise and in response, school staff receive regular training on best practices and legal requirements, supported with the latest resources made readily available.
4. Open Communication: Encouraging open communication is key. Students should feel comfortable approaching any staff member with their concerns, knowing they will be taken seriously and that the school will act in their best interest.
5. A Whole-School Approach: Safeguarding isn't just the headteacher's responsibility or the designated safeguarding lead. It's a collective effort. Everyone from the school cleaners to the senior leadership team should understand their role in keeping students safe. This whole-school approach ensures that safeguarding is embedded in the school's culture.

Schools don’t just offer an education, they are a sanctuary for many students, a place of safety, support, and stability. By recognising their pivotal role in safeguarding, schools can ensure they remain places where every child feels safe, valued, and protected.

Spotlight: Learning and Improvement & Training Sub-Groups 

This month, I am spotlighting two important sub-groups within the Bradford District Safeguarding Children Partnership (BDSCP) and the Bradford Safeguarding Adults Board (BSAB) that focus on learning and training.

The Learning and Improvement sub-group of BDSCP ensures the delivery of accessible multi-agency training that complements individual agency training. They prioritise child-centred learning opportunities that respect diversity and family strengths. This group is also responsible for evaluating training, ensuring compliance with national and local guidelines, and disseminating learning from Case Reviews.

On the other hand, the Training Sub-Group of BSAB coordinates safeguarding adults' learning and development activities in the Bradford District. They aim to ensure that people working with at-risk adults are skilled and competent. They focus on collaborative working and learning across both children and adult services, providing training opportunities that are person-centred, to a high standard, and responsive to emerging needs.

Both groups previously mentioned play a crucial role in ensuring up-to-date safeguarding training provided in Bradford is made accessible, comprehensive, and effective.

Say hello to Lindsey Hussain 

I am delighted to introduce Lindsey Hussain, our Multi-Agency Training Coordinator, pivotal in ensuring that training occurs across the partnerships, focusing on key learning areas. With her at the helm, we are confident that our training programs will continue to be of the highest standard.

For those interested in further resources, including upcoming training opportunities, I highly recommend checking out www.saferbradford.co.uk. It is a treasure trove of key information and training resources that will benefit everyone involved in safeguarding.

Closing thoughts:

As we wrap up this months blog , Id like to give you a sneak peek into our upcoming blogs . October will see us delve into the National Hate Crime Week , shedding light on the importance of understanding, recognising and combatting hate crimes in our community. Come November, during Adult Safeguarding Week, our focus will shift to the pressing issue of financial abuse, a form of mistreatment that often goes unnoticed but has devastating consequences for its victims.

Until Next Time lets prioritise the safety and well being of our young learners.