Schools

Abuse inquiry demands tougher school safeguarding rules

The indendent inquiry into child sexual abuse (IICSA) wants to fix 'shortcomings' in safeguarding training, data-sharing, checks and sanctions

The indendent inquiry into child sexual abuse (IICSA) wants to fix 'shortcomings' in safeguarding training, data-sharing, checks and sanctions

1 Mar 2022, 13:33

More from this author

The government must tackle “many shortcomings and failings” in current safeguarding training, data-sharing, checks and sanctions in schools, according a child sexual abuse inquiry.

The Independent Inquiry ito Child Sexual Abuse’s latest report on residential schools, published today, says many “deeply distressing cases of serious abuse” went unnoticed or were not appropriately handled.

“Poor leadership frequently left staff unaware of how to respond to concerns about sexual abuse or too afraid of potential consequences to act,” said Professior Alexis Jay, IICSA chair.

“Day and residential schools play a key role in keeping children safe from harm, but despite 20 years of enhanced focus on safeguarding they are not as safe for children as they should be. This must change.”

The government-ordered inquiry had heard evidence over five independent special schools, four fee-paying specialist music schools part-funded by government grants, an independent boarding school, and two state day schools – Headlands School in the East Riding of Yorkshire, and Hillside First School in Weston-super-Mare.

Teacher Nigel Leat had pleaded guilty in 2011 to 36 offences against young girls at Hillside First School, with a review finding his inappropriate conduct had been noted more than 30 times but effective action not taken.

At Buckingham council-maintained special school Stony Dean, previously largely residential, two heads of care were convicted of sexual offences in 2000 and 2005 – one involving his former school and the other involving four Stony Dean pupils.

The IICSA published wide-ranging recommendations, urging the DfE to respond within six months.

1. National standards for safeguarding training

The government should introduce “nationally accredited standards and levels of safeguarding training in schools”.

The highest level of such training should be mandatory for heads or designated safeguarding leads.

The report notes “considerable differences of approach” as there is no minimum content for safeguarding in the initial teacher training curriculum, and academy and independent teachers do not need to have trained to achieve qualified teacher status.

It also said there is no designated safeguarding lead qualification, despite the NSPCC warning the inquiry that it risked staff lacking the required knowledge. There is a similar lack of compulsory training for boarding school staff, or specific or additional training for staff working with children with special educational needs in mainstream or special schools.

2. More powers for misconduct watchdog

There are “weaknesses” in teacher regulation, the report found.

The Teaching Regulation Agency, which has the power to ban teachers over misconduct, should have its remit extended to cover all teaching assistants, learning support staff and cover supervisors.

Current TRA guidance for schools does not make clear enough that safeguarding omissions can be sufficiently serious to constitute misconduct.

The report stated: “This means that cases of serious incompetence leading to safeguarding failures and risking harm to a child may not be referred to the TRA.”

The government is already consulting on widening the TRA’s powers.

3. More checks on volunteers

Current guidance on keeping children safe in education should provide more detail on the required supervision needed of volunteers in schools, according to the panel.

It should make clear DBS checks are free for volunteers and should be used “wherever practicable”.

Despite an increasing number of volunteers in schools, they are currently not eligible to be checked for any bans on working with children as they are “not considered to be engaged in a regulated activity”. Enhanced DBS checks are not compulsory.

4. Notify Ofsted of issues

Schools should be required to inform Ofsted when they refer staff to the Disclosure and Barring Service or Teaching Regulation Agency, while residential special schools and boarding schools should have to inform them of alleged abuse and other “serious incidents”.

There should be “professional or regulatory consequences” for failure to notify over such allegations.

“There are numerous examples of positive inspection reports predating the emergence of serious safeguarding concerns, and which are then followed by less positive inspection reports.”

Current inspection arrangements are “complex and confusing” over safeguarding. Effective inspection is sometimes hampered by the DfE, inspectorates and other agencies not sharing information, and staff also being “parsimonious” with providing information.

Chief inspector Amanda Spielman had told the inquiry her officials were often “expected to inspect blind”, with both the DfE and council staff not consistently sharing all relevant information.

5. Review RSHE for SEND pupils

The DfE is encouraged to hold an “urgent review” to improve relationships, sex and health education for children with special education needs and disabilities, in all settings.

The report noted a significant proportion of young victims of harmful sexual behaviour have learning disabilities. Charity Mencap told the inquiry RSHE was vital, but needed to be adapted to their learning needs and different, “often more limited life experiences” – something “often not achieved”.

There is no separate syllabus or guidance for pupils with SEND in the current RSHE guidance, with Mencap arguing for “greater leadership” by government.

Government: rules already strengthened

A government spokesperson called sexual abuse “abhorrent”, and said it expected schools and colleges to provide the right support, care and protection.

“Our Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy sets out a whole system, cross-government approach to tackling all forms of child sexual abuse, regardless of where it takes place.

“Following the Ofsted Review last year, we strengthened guidance and support for teachers to help them spot signs of abuse and work is also underway to improve how safeguarding partners – police, council and health services – work together to protect children.”

Such reforms include asking schools to dedicate inset day training to safeguarding guidance and delivering the RSHE curriculum, reforming its guidance and extending it to post-16 settings, and updating Ofsted’s handbook over identifying abuse.

Latest education roles from

IT Technician

IT Technician

Harris Academy Morden

Teacher of Geography

Teacher of Geography

Harris Academy Orpington

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Exams Assistant

Exams Assistant

Richmond and Hillcroft Adult & Community College

Lecturer Electrical Installation

Lecturer Electrical Installation

Solihull College and University Centre

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

Beyond exams: why ASDAN’s refreshed qualifications are key to real-world learner success

In today’s outcome-driven education landscape, it’s easy to overlook the quieter, yet equally vital, qualities that help learners truly...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Turbo boost your pupil outcomes with Teach First

Finding new teaching talent for your school can be time consuming and costly. Especially when you want to be...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Inspiring Leadership Conference 2025: Invaluable Insights, Professional Learning Opportunities & A Supportive Community

This June, the Inspiring Leadership Conference enters its eleventh year and to mark the occasion the conference not only...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Catch Up® Literacy and Catch Up® Numeracy are evidence-based interventions which are highly adaptable to meet the specific needs of SEND / ALN learners

Catch Up® is a not-for-profit charity working to address literacy and numeracy difficulties that contribute to underachievement. They offer...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

Schools

Drop in teacher job adverts as falling rolls and cuts bite

Headteachers say they are expecting to employ fewer staff amid falling pupil numbers and financial pressures

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Schools

Surge in school cuts ‘threatening Labour’s opportunity mission’

Poll for Sutton Trust charity finds rise in leaders laying off staff and cutting curriculum as funding storm hits...

Rhi Storer
Schools

Parents to get more of their money back from sQuid

Company said it had 'reviewed its refund policy' after Schools Week revealed parents' concerns

Freddie Whittaker
Schools

DfE bans former head of ‘holistic’ AP school after Ofsted safety concerns

Ofsted inspectors found pupils at the Devon school could access nearby train tracks and industrial units

Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *