Family Worker and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

PURPOSE OF POST

The Family worker and Deputy DSL will support the DSL in relation to safeguarding and child protection across the school. They will support the DSL in strategy discussions and inter-agency meetings and contribute to the assessment of children.

They will advise and support other members of staff on child welfare and child protection matters and liaise with relevant agencies such as the local authority and police.

Raising the profile of safeguarding with the school so that all teachers, students, parents and visitors are aware of safeguarding issues and referrals

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Managing referrals

Refer cases of suspected abuse to the local authority children’s social care

Support staff who make referrals to local authority children’s social care

Refer cases to the Channel programme where there is a radicalisation concern

Support staff who make referrals to the Channel programme

Refer cases to the Disclosure and Barring Service where a person is dismissed or left due to risk or harm to a child

Refer cases where a crime may have been committed to the police

Keep detailed, accurate and secure written records of concerns and referrals

Working with staff and other agencies

Ensure staff can access and understand the school’s child protection and safeguarding policy and procedures (especially new and part time staff)

Inform the Head of School and Executive Principal of safeguarding issues, especially ongoing enquiries into whether a child is at risk of harm, and police investigations

Liaise with the case manager and the local authority’s designated officer for child protection concerns in all cases where a member of school staff is involved

Liaise with staff on matters of safety, safeguarding, and when deciding whether to make a referral

Act as a source of support, advice and expertise for staff

Understand the assessment process for providing early help and intervention

Develop a working knowledge of how local authorities conduct a child protection case conference and a child protection review conference

Attend and contribute to child protection case conferences effectively when required to do so

Training

Undergo training to develop and maintain the knowledge and skills required to carry out the role Undergo Prevent training and be able to:

- Support the school or college in meeting the requirements of the Prevent duty

- Provide advice and support to staff on protecting children from the risk of radicalisation             

Undergo training on female genital mutilation (FGM) and be able to:

- Provide advice and support to staff on protecting and identifying children at risk of FGM

- Report known cases of FGM to the police, and help others to do so

Refresh knowledge and skills at least annually so remain up to date with any developments relevant to the role Obtain access to relevant resources

Raise Awareness

Ensure the school’s child protection policies are known, understood and used appropriately

Work with the governing board to ensure the school child protection policy is reviewed annually (as a minimum) and the procedures and implementation are updated and reviewed regularly

Ensure the safeguarding policy is available and easily accessible to everyone in the school community

Ensure that parents have read the safeguarding policy, and are aware that referrals about suspected abuse or neglect may be made, and the role of the school in this

Link with the local safeguarding children board (LSCB) to make sure staff are aware of training opportunities and the latest local policies on safeguarding

Be alert to the specific needs of children in need, those with special educational needs and young carers

Encourage a culture of listening to children among all staff, ensuring that children’s feelings are heard where the school puts measures in place to protect them

Other areas of responsibility

Where children leave the school, securely transfer their child protection file to their new school as soon as possible, separately from the main pupil file

Undertake safer recruitment training and support the school to follow best practice

Monitor the single central record and ensure it complies with all relevant legislation

Provide safeguarding reports to the governing board

Model best practice and uphold the principles of confidentiality and data protection at all times

The DSL will be required to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people, and follow school policies and the staff code of conduct.

During term time, the Family worker and Deputy DSL should always be available during school hours for staff in the school to discuss any safeguarding concerns. Ideally this will be in person, but can also be via phone or video calling in exceptional circumstances.

Please note that this list of duties is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that the employee will carry out. The postholder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service’

We will consider any reasonable adjustments under the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act (1995), to enable an applicant with a disability (as defined under the Act) to meet the requirements of the post.

All staff working in the Academy have a duty to safeguard and promote the health, safety and welfare and all children and young people for whom they are responsible or with whom they come into contact within the course of their duties.

The Vale Academy believes that every child does matter, and adherence to the Academy’s Every Child Matters Policy is not only compulsory, but should be practiced mindfully at all times.

Safeguarding

‘We believe in the safeguarding and welfare of children and expect all staff to share this view’.

The Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. We are an equal opportunities employer.

The Department for Education (DfE) has set out statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ for schools and colleges on safeguarding.

Safeguarding is defined in paragraph 4 as: “Protecting children from maltreatment; preventing impairment of children’s health or development; ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes

The definition of 'children' includes everyone under the age of 18.