Management Information Sheet

Children's Services is undertaking an audit of school performance in relation to their responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils. Schools are therefore required to submit the safeguarding self review tool in line with the timescales detailed below.

Governing bodies of maintained schools have a duty under section 175 (2) Education Act 2002 to make arrangements for ensuring the conduct of the school are exercised with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils at the school. Section 157 of the Act places the same requirements on Academies, Free Schools and Independent Schools.

The Local Authority has a duty to monitor the safeguarding arrangements in place in schools to ensure that pupils are appropriately safeguarded through the operation of appropriate policies, procedures and training. An audit of safeguarding practices in Norfolk Schools is taking place throughout this academic year and schools will be requested to submit a completed safeguarding self-review tool.

The Self-Review Tool has been revised in August 2013 to reflect changes in local and national guidance, with reference to best practice guidance and the requirements of the current Ofsted Framework for School Inspection. It is attached to this document and should be used as the framework for submitting evidence as requested.

What do I need to do?

All maintained schools, free schools and academies will be invited to submit a completed self-review tool for analysis in 3 groups over three terms as follows:

• Group 1: 14 October 2013 – 17 January 2014
• Group 2: 27 January - 4 April 2014
• Group 3: 28 April – 18 July 2014

If your school appears in the list of schools as attached, please can you complete and submit the revised self-review tool by no later than 4 April 2014 to: cs.pdcsafeguardingadministration@norfolk.gov.uk

Please note that you are not required to submit copies of supporting documentation but it is important that you provide a rating and a supporting commentary of evidence for each question. If you do not include this information, it is likely that you will be asked to re-submit the tool.

If your school is not included in Group 2 you will be sent a request via a Management Information Sheet at the beginning of the term the return for your school is required.

The Safeguarding Adviser will produce a termly overview report followed by a full report at the end of the review period. If individual practice issues are identified, these will be brought to the attention of the Senior Designated Professional, Headteacher, Chair of Governors and other relevant professionals as appropriate for remedy.

Thank you for your co-operation and support with audit. An audit of school safeguarding procedures was last completed by the Quality Assurance Team during 2010 and 2011. A total of 382 schools made a return, equating to an 89% return rate of the 431 schools that were contacted; the overall findings of the audit identified gaps in knowledge across the wider school workforce and training and guidance was tailored to meet these needs accordingly.

Reference documents

• Safeguarding in Schools: Best Practice, Ofsted (September 2011)
• Best Practice in Safeguarding in Colleges, Ofsted (April 2011)
• You have someone to trust - Outstanding safeguarding practice in primary schools, Office of Children's Commissioner (September 2012)