Covid-19: Frequently Asked Questions for Education Leaders and Designated Safeguarding Leads

The Education Safeguarding Service have published an FAQ document for education leaders and Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) in response to queries raised during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Please note this document will be amended on a regular basis, so we recommend leaders and DSLs access the most up to date version.

• Is the Education Safeguarding Service still available to provide safeguarding advice and consultations?

• Is there national safeguarding guidance for education settings in response to Covid-19?

• Is there local guidance and resources for education settings in response to Covid-19?

• My DSL training is due to expire, and I can’t access a course due to cancellations. What should I do?

• Can we stay open if we do not have a DSL onsite?

• Is the DSL expected to attend meetings in person?

• I had booked a member of staff to attend initial DSL training, but it was cancelled due to Covid-19 – can they act as a deputy DSL?

• Do we need to write a new child protection policy?

• Can an addendum child protection policy be ratified/approved by the Chair of Governor’s alone?

• Should we publish/share personal contact information, for example the DSL or headteacher?

• What should we do if we have welfare concerns about a child or family?

• What should we do if a child is missing education and we are unable to contact the parents?

• What should we do if we receive an Operation Encompass notification for a child not attending school?

• A child who has been identified as vulnerable due to social care involvement has not attended school, what should I do?

• Do all children with an EHC Plan need a risk assessment?

• Do staff moving between schools/settings need a safeguarding induction?

• What should we do if we have a concern about a member of staff’s conduct or an allegation is made, and the usual safeguarding lead or point of contact is not available in this crisis?

• What safeguarding considerations do we need to explore when implementing remote learning?

• Can you recommend a system to use for video conferencing/remote learning?

• How should we ‘record’ live remote learning sessions?

• I have a different query.

Kent schools, early years settings and colleges can contact the Education Safeguarding Service to discuss any specific safeguarding concerns or practices, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.