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Safeguarding our future: The vital role of child protection in secondary schools
Anne Rodgers
19-06-2023
The shaping of young minds is a task entrusted to us as educators and staff of secondary schools. We bear a profound responsibility for our students’ academic growth and physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. In the wake of this, understanding the importance of child protection and its implications within our school environment is paramount.
In this article, Anne Rodgers underscores the importance of child protection training for all school staff, emphasising its different aspects and encouraging a collective responsibility towards safeguarding our students.
Child protection: A legislative mandate
In the UK, child protection is governed by numerous legislative mandates, with the Children Act 1989 & 2004, the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, and the Keeping Children Safe in Education 2021 being central to its edifice. However, the essence of these mandates does not merely lie in their existence; it is in their conscientious execution that we truly safeguard our students.
Child protection training
We have recently launched a comprehensive eLearning course on child protection, covering all aspects to enable us to create a safe and supportive environment for our students. The course consists of five crucial modules, including recognising possible abuse, responding appropriately, reporting concerns, recording observations and preventing abuse.
Module 1 - Recognising possible abuse
The first step to protection is recognition. Understanding the various forms of abuse, including emotional, physical, sexual, and neglect, and recognising their potential signs are the cornerstone of effective child protection.
Module 2 - Responding appropriately
Once we identify a potential issue, how we respond can significantly impact a child's willingness to share and seek help. This module covers the importance of non-judgmental and supportive responses to such disclosures.
Module 3 - Reporting your concerns
Reporting concerns is not just an ethical obligation; it's a legal one, too. Learn about the correct internal and, if necessary, external reporting procedures, and understand the ramifications of not reporting suspected abuse.
Module 4 - Recording your observations
The importance of accurate and factual recording can't be overstated in child protection. Learn about the type of information to record, the correct procedure for recording, and issues related to confidentiality and data protection.
Module 5 - Preventing abuse
Prevention is always better than cure. This module delves into how we can create a secure environment that discourages abuse, including implementing robust anti-bullying and online safety policies.
The role of school governors in child protection
School governors also play a critical role in setting the strategic direction for child protection. Their responsibilities include setting child protection policies, ensuring regular staff training, appointing a competent Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), and monitoring and evaluating our safeguarding practices.
Conclusion: Safeguarding our students, our future
As we look towards a future where every child feels safe and secure within our school walls, we must reflect on our role in child protection. From teachers and administrative staff to volunteers and governors, we are responsible for keeping our children safe from harm. By investing in comprehensive child protection training, we strengthen our collective capability to recognise, respond to, and prevent potential threats to our students.
Together, let's ensure our schools are more than just centres of academic learning; let's create sanctuaries where every student feels safe, valued, and heard because our collective vigilance today safeguards the well-being of our future generation.
About the Mandatory Training Group
The Mandatory Training Group is one of the leading UK providers of CPDUK-accredited statutory and mandatory training, continuing professional development (CPD) courses, eLearning software and workforce development solutions for all sectors.
By making things simple and designing interactive e-learning content, we can provide meaningful training programs at all levels and enhance the capacity and resilience of individuals and organisations.
Click here to see our wide range of accredited safeguarding and child protection training courses.
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References and resources
Department for Education (2023) - Keeping children safe in education.
HM Government (2004) - Children Act 1989 & 2004.
HM Government (2006) - Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.
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