Management Information Sheet
Updated Ofsted Safeguarding Briefing - Points of Particular Reference for Governing Bodies
Ofsted have just published a revised "Briefing for Section 5 inspectors on Safeguarding Children" and this October 2009 guidance supersedes that issued previously. This new guidance document and the checklist it contains are the ones the Ofsted inspectors are now expected to use. Therefore, it is important that all schools are fully conversant with this document, and also the Ofsted evaluation schedule for schools (www.ofsted.gov.uk), which includes the grade descriptors and guidance, not only on the specific judgement "The Effectiveness of Safeguarding Procedures" but also within a number of other judgements which inform this judgement. For example, in the prime judgements about outcomes for children and young people in relation "to what extent do pupils feel safe?" and in the evaluation of "pupils' behaviour".
A further point has been added to the inspectors' evaluation of the effectiveness of the governing body, and now they also need to take account of: "the extent to which the school's self evaluation indicates compliance with statutory regulations".
In relation to leadership and management - the effectiveness of safeguarding procedures, the following section has been added to section 26 as follows:
"From 12 October 2009, List 99 and the Protection of Children Act (PoCA) List are replaced by a single children's barring list (the Children's List), which is maintained by the Independent Safeguarding Authority. Further information about CRB and Independent Safeguarding Authority can be found in annexes 1 and 2 of the briefing".
In section 27 it states "regardless of Local Authority procedures, it is the governing body's responsibility to ensure that safe recruitment checks are carried out in line with Safer children and recruitment in education. This states that List 99 checks (or from 12 October 2009 Children's List checks) must be undertaken for all school staff before they begin work. The teachers' pensions on-line children's barred list check covers the Children's List (as well as an residual List 99 bars) from 12 October 2009. The teachers pensions on-line check is only used if a barred list check has not been obtained by a CRB enhanced disclosure by the time the individual starts work.
In section 28 "from 12 October 2009 it is a criminal offence:
For employers to take on an individual in Independent Safeguarding Authority regulated activity (for example, frontline services such as schools) if they fail to check that person's status.
For employers to not refer serious safeguarding concerns to Independent Safeguarding Authority (further information is available in annex 1 of the briefing).
Schools need to take particular note of the guidance with reference to the single central register from section 30 through to section 34. In particular with reference to the definition for "administrative errors" and that no allowances will be made, for example, for breaches to the requirements for the Independent Safeguarding Authority's Barred List (Children's List) and CRB disclosures.
In part 2 of the document section 40 has had an additional section added to the information which inspectors need to take into account. This relates to "school federations and other collaborative arrangements".
The inspection planning section of the briefing, through to the end of the document, has undergone review and needs to be read thoroughly to ensure the guidance given is being fully addressed. In addition the annexes have been revised - the vetting and barring scheme; CRB disclosures; possible interview questions; evaluation of the school's child protection policy; evaluating the quality of records relating to safeguarding issues and training for designated members of staff - and these need to be clearly understood by the school and governors.
Schools are reminded that to support the meeting of safeguarding regulations in relation to school visits and to provide proof/ evidence of school actions that use of the Local Authority 'Evolved Programme' on the on-line visits approval system will provide such evidence.
The newly revised October 2009 Ofsted briefing is now available on the Norfolk Safeguarding and Equalities site: www.schools.norfolk.gov.uk.
A further point has been added to the inspectors' evaluation of the effectiveness of the governing body, and now they also need to take account of: "the extent to which the school's self evaluation indicates compliance with statutory regulations".
In relation to leadership and management - the effectiveness of safeguarding procedures, the following section has been added to section 26 as follows:
"From 12 October 2009, List 99 and the Protection of Children Act (PoCA) List are replaced by a single children's barring list (the Children's List), which is maintained by the Independent Safeguarding Authority. Further information about CRB and Independent Safeguarding Authority can be found in annexes 1 and 2 of the briefing".
In section 27 it states "regardless of Local Authority procedures, it is the governing body's responsibility to ensure that safe recruitment checks are carried out in line with Safer children and recruitment in education. This states that List 99 checks (or from 12 October 2009 Children's List checks) must be undertaken for all school staff before they begin work. The teachers' pensions on-line children's barred list check covers the Children's List (as well as an residual List 99 bars) from 12 October 2009. The teachers pensions on-line check is only used if a barred list check has not been obtained by a CRB enhanced disclosure by the time the individual starts work.
In section 28 "from 12 October 2009 it is a criminal offence:
For employers to take on an individual in Independent Safeguarding Authority regulated activity (for example, frontline services such as schools) if they fail to check that person's status.
For employers to not refer serious safeguarding concerns to Independent Safeguarding Authority (further information is available in annex 1 of the briefing).
Schools need to take particular note of the guidance with reference to the single central register from section 30 through to section 34. In particular with reference to the definition for "administrative errors" and that no allowances will be made, for example, for breaches to the requirements for the Independent Safeguarding Authority's Barred List (Children's List) and CRB disclosures.
In part 2 of the document section 40 has had an additional section added to the information which inspectors need to take into account. This relates to "school federations and other collaborative arrangements".
The inspection planning section of the briefing, through to the end of the document, has undergone review and needs to be read thoroughly to ensure the guidance given is being fully addressed. In addition the annexes have been revised - the vetting and barring scheme; CRB disclosures; possible interview questions; evaluation of the school's child protection policy; evaluating the quality of records relating to safeguarding issues and training for designated members of staff - and these need to be clearly understood by the school and governors.
Schools are reminded that to support the meeting of safeguarding regulations in relation to school visits and to provide proof/ evidence of school actions that use of the Local Authority 'Evolved Programme' on the on-line visits approval system will provide such evidence.
The newly revised October 2009 Ofsted briefing is now available on the Norfolk Safeguarding and Equalities site: www.schools.norfolk.gov.uk.