As an independent child protection trainer and consultant, I have been training FE staff over the past 10 years and have been encouraged by the higher priority given to this important area.
As your report (Worries over child safety in colleges, TES 25 August) points out, colleges do not usually have the benefit of support from local education authorities, but I have encouraged designated staff to make links with their local safeguarding children’s board to help them overcome this isolation.
Child protection training for all staff is important to develop a safeguarding culture within FE colleges. While extending Criminal Records Bureau checks is significant, many abusers go undetected and a culture of appropriate vigilance, linked with knowledge about how to respond to concerns, are key steps to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people with whom the college has contact.
Sue King
suemking@btinternet.com
