This online course tests participants knowledge of Part 1 and Annex A of Keeping Children Safe in Education 2018, reinforcing understanding and providing confirmation to DSLs that their staff have read the guidance.
Part one of Keeping Children Safe in Education (p.4) states that governing bodies of maintained schools and proprietors of independent schools “should ensure that all staff in their school or college read at least Part one of this guidance.” Schools should also ensure that staff are assisted to understand and discharge their role and responsibilities as set out in Part one.
At the end of Part one, the guidance sets out that individuals who work directly with children should also read Annex A (p.15).
As with all government guidance, when the term “should” is used this means that the advice set out should be followed unless there is good reason not to, and so it is important that schools are able to evidence compliance with these requirements.
How do you assist staff to “understand and discharge their role and responsibilities”? At safeguarding network we have developed an online Knowledge Check to help you understand where your staff are at.
Consisting of two sections, the knowledge check looks at the formal requirements set out in Part one of Keeping Children Safe in Education whilst then testing users understanding of what this means for the children and young people you work with.
Section one of the check asks staff what role they have in school and then determines which parts of Keeping Children Safe in Education they should read, as well as providing links to the relevant documents. This section also requires staff to record the date that they read Part one and confirm where necessary that they have read Annex A. Finally there are checks that they have read other required policies and they can identify who their DSL is.
The requirement for schools is not only that staff have read Part one, but that they understand their role and responsibilities. Section two of the knowledge check therefore tests understanding through multiple choice questions and scenarios. Users must achieve over 75% to pass and will get a certificate to evidence this. Feedback is provided for each question, and users who do not pass there is the opportunity to take section 2 again.
When a school signs up for staff to complete the knowledge check, safeguarding network will provide regular reports on who has completed the check and answers that have been provided. This can help the DSL and governing bodies to understand if there are particular areas where additional training is required, and whether it is for a specific cohort of people or for the school as a whole.
This report can then also be used to evidence compliance with the requirements.
If your school subscribes to safeguarding network then the knowledge check costs just 99p per user. The Designated Safeguarding Lead can agree access for staff through their console.
If your school does not subscribe to safeguarding network the knowledge check costs £9 per user. For access please contact us and we will discuss your needs with you.
