Staff training and induction

17. All staff will receive an induction so they are aware of our safeguarding systems. This will include the child protection policy, behaviour policy, child-on-child abuse policy and procedures, behaviour policy and staff behaviour policy, safeguarding response to children who are absent from education and role of the DSL and CSE Lead (including the identity of the DSL and any deputies). We will provide copies of policies and a copy of Part one (or Annex A, if appropriate) or KCSIE to all staff at induction. We will maintain a record of induction.

18. Staff will receive appropriate safeguarding and child protection training (including online safety which amongst other things includes an understanding of the expectations, applicable roles and responsibilities in relation to filtering and monitoring) at induction. This training will be refreshed every three years.  All staff will also receive at least annual child protection and safeguarding updates (including online safety) to provide them with relevant skills and knowledge to safeguard children effectively. All staff will receive annual training in child sexual exploitation awareness. We will ensure staff safeguarding training is integrated, aligned and considered as part of the whole school safeguarding approach and wider staff training and curriculum planning and training helps staff to understand local safeguarding procedures. We will maintain a record of training.

19. All staff will be made aware of the following:

• Telford & Wrekin early help process and their role within it;
• the process for making referrals to children’s social care and for statutory assessments under the Children Act 1989, especially section 17 (children in need) and section 47 (a child suffering, or likely to suffer significant harm) and the role they might be expected to play in such assessments.
• what to do if a child tells them he/she is being abused, exploited or neglected.
• how to reassure victims they are being taken seriously and that they will be supported and kept safe;
• that children may not feel ready or know how to tell someone that they are being abused, exploited or neglected, and/or they may not recognise their experiences as harmful;
• staff should be professionally curious and speak to the DSL or their deputies if they have concerns about a child, and
• staff should build trusted relationships with children which facilitate communication

20. We will encourage staff to consider the TWSP briefing on professional curiosity

21. Staff know how to manage the requirement to maintain an appropriate level of confidentiality. This means only involving those who need to be involved, such as the DSL (or a deputy) and children’s social care. Staff will never promise a child that they will not tell anyone about a report of any form of abuse, neglect and/or exploitation because this may ultimately not be in the best interests of the child. All staff will reassure victims that they are being taken seriously and that they will be supported and kept safe. A victim will never be given the impression that they are creating a problem by reporting abuse, sexual violence or sexual harassment. Nor will a victim ever be made to feel ashamed for making a report. Staff will record how they have reassured victims.