As you know each half term we focus on a key HR issue to further support schools and academies in managing their extensive HR responsibilities. This half term, we are focusing on Safeguarding – focusing both on safer recruitment and safeguarding concerns arise involving adults working in schools.
Pre-employment checks are well embedded into employment practices as is the maintenance of a Single Central Record. We regularly undertake SCR Audits for schools and academies and the most common mistake is failure to record the date of the required checks.
It is not sufficient to record “Yes” the check has been undertaken, the date you checked the documents must be recorded for every check. In the case of DBS and Barred List checks this is the date you checked the original certificate not the date of the
certificate.
While in some respects the splitting of Part 4 of Keeping Children Safe in Education has given greater flexibility in dealing with different types of cases it has always led to some confusion in defining whether matter falls under Part 1 (the “harm test”) or Part 2 (“low level concerns”). The distinction is important, as different rules apply in terms of how they might be dealt with for example in terms of references and the potential for managed exits.
We are adding to our guidance over the course of this term to assist. The Government is calling for evidence to inform its review of Keeping Children Safe from 2025. The scope of the review ranges from safer recruitment practices to the role of the Designated Safeguard Lead and record keeping. Have your say at Safeguarding children in schools and colleges. The consultation closes on 20 June 2024.
Our additional resources so far are as follows:
- NEW checklist for checking application forms
- Requesting and providing references – updated existing guidance on when and how to refer to safeguarding matters
More resources will be available throughout the course of the term.
