Education

Keeping children safe in education 2025 –  notes that:
11. All staff should be aware of systems within their school or college which support safeguarding, and these should be explained to them as part of staff induction. This should include the:

• Child protection policy which should include the policy and procedures to deal with child-on-child abuse.
• Behaviour policy which should include measures to prevent bullying, including cyberbullying, prejudice-based and discriminatory bullying.
• Staff behaviour policy (sometimes called a code of conduct) which should include low-level concerns, allegations against staff and whistleblowing.
• Safeguarding response to children who are absent from education, particularly on repeat occasions and/or prolonged periods.
• role of the designated safeguarding lead (including the identity of the designated safeguarding lead and any deputies)
• Copies of policies and a copy of Part One (or Annexe A, if appropriate) of this document should be provided to all staff at induction.

Southend on Sea City Council provides a suite of safeguarding policies and support forums for all Southend on Sea Schools, colleges and multi-academy trusts to use to comply with their statutory duty as set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education and local SET Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures. Further Early Help support for children with Autism and/or ASD can be found here.

Southend Suite of safeguarding policies and guidance
These policies are for all schools, colleges and trusts to adapt and personalise. Updates to policies will be added directly to this page when available.

• Child protection policy 
  • Staff code of conduct
  • Governor code of conduct for maintained schools
  • Academy Trust Governance Code
  • Attendance policy
    • Children Missing Education Guidance
    • Children Missing Education – Referral Form
  • Behaviour policy guidance: “When the Adults Change” Paul Dix is Southend-on-Sea’s training provider in Relational Practice. Relational Practice training is provided to all Southend schools, parents and carers and professionals across Children’s Services. This approach involves schools, families and professionals working together to make a difference by improving relationships between adults and young people. Schools and families will be able to work better together to support attendance, engagement in learning and emotional wellbeing across their school community. Embedded effectively, relational practice can lead to a seismic shift in improving behaviours, strengthen inclusive practice and lead to a more cohesive approach towards inclusion and across the city. Further information on Relational Practice approaches https://www.whentheadultschange.com
• Safer Recruitment
  • Letter of assurance for visiting council staff
  • Letter of assurance (SEND Assessment, Access & Inclusion Teams)
  • Letter of assurance (Specialist Support Service) 
  • Letter of assurance (Early Years) 
  • NSPCC Safer Recruitment Training for Schools – please note we cannot verify this training as it is provided by a provider independent of the council, however, it is acknowledged that NSPCC are recognised providers in the field.
• Managing Allegations
  • Discipline & dismissal at work policy 
  • Disciplinary procedure
  • Dismissal procedures
  • Where school have concerns about the behaviour of an individual person who is working or volunteering with children, or allegations are made about this person, they should contact the LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) within one working day and complete a referral.
    Email [email protected] (Tel: 01702 534539)
• Prevent
  • Risk assessment templates for early years, schools and further education – Educate Against Hate
  • Educate Against Hate – Prevent Radicalisation & Extremism

Safeguarding Training: All staff should receive appropriate safeguarding and child protection training (including online safety) which is regularly updated. In addition, all staff should receive safeguarding and child protection updates (for example, via emails, e-bulletins and staff meetings), as required, and at least annually, to provide them with the skills and knowledge to safeguard children effectively.

The designated safeguarding lead (and any deputies) should undergo training to provide them with the knowledge and skills required to carry out the role. This training should be updated at least every two years. The designated safeguarding lead (and any deputies) should also undertake Prevent awareness training.

Whilst the SSCP do not have the facility to provide safeguarding training directly, we do support the delivery of training from a number of resources here: SSP E-Learning platform. Free training is available at: www.safeguardingsouthend.co.uk. We also encourage Southend professionals to access safeguarding training through the Essex Safeguarding Children Board and Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership.

SSP Safeguarding in Education Forum: The SSP hold a quarterly SSP Safeguarding in Education Forum to seek the voice of education, to understand safeguarding issues education providers are seeing and to showcase support services on offer in Southend. Whilst championing the voice of education providers across the SSP, the SSP Safeguarding in Education Forum provides an opportunity to share information, learn from case reviews and appropriate audits and an opportunity to network with other education settings and safeguarding partners in Southend. If you would like to join the forum, please email [email protected].

Safeguarding Audits: Southend Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) has a statutory duty to ensure the effectiveness of each organisation, represented on the Partnership, for the purposes of safeguarding and promoting child welfare in Southend. Working Together to Safeguard Children  highlights that all schools, colleges and other educational providers have a pivotal role in safeguarding children and promoting their welfare. Section 175 of the Education Act 2002 places a duty on governing bodies of education settings to make arrangements for ensuring functions are exercised with a view to safeguarding. The statutory framework also highlights that similar duties under s157 Education Act 2002 and Education (Independent School Standards) (England) Regulations 2014 apply to proprietors of independent education settings as detailed in section 94(1) and (2) of the Education & Skills Act 2008. To support this, every 2 years the SSCP undertakes an Education Safeguarding Audit across all education settings in Southend (next audit scheduled for September 2026). This audit has two functions: it provides assurance to the SSCP on the safeguarding requirements education settings have in place and gives schools an opportunity to review and update their practice. Feedback is provided and actions or further work highlighted. In between the audit cycle, schools must submit an updated action plan in relation to any identified gaps/further work required to assure the partnership board.

Southend Safeguarding Children Partnership Strategy: To understand the priorities of the SSCP, please view our strategy here.

Any general enquiries about education safeguarding should be directed to:

• Senior Schools Advisor: Julie Hollingsworth: [email protected]

Any enquiries relating to concerns or allegations about staff or volunteer should be directed to:

• • LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer), Email [email protected] (Tel: 01702 534539)

Education Safeguarding is led by Amanda Champ who is head of service for Education Performance, Partnership & Safeguarding.