The role of the designated senior person
This role is key to ensuring that proper procedures and policies are in place and are followed with regard to child protection issues and that there is a dedicated resource available for other staff, volunteers and governors to draw upon.
The designated senior person should be a senior member of the school's leadership team who is designated to take lead responsibility for dealing with child protection issues, providing advice and support to other staff, liaising with the local authority (LA), and working with other agencies. The designated person need not be a teacher but must have the status and authority within the school management structure to carry out the duties of the post including committing resources to child protection matters, and where appropriate directing other staff. In many schools a single designated person will be sufficient, but a deputy should be available to act in the designated person's absence. In large establishments, or those with a large number of child protection concerns, it may be necessary to have a number of deputies to deal with allegations made against members of staff.
Broad areas of responsibility proposed for the Designated Senior Person for child protection Referrals:
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refer cases of suspected abuse or allegations to the relevant investigating agencies
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act as a source of support, advice and expertise within the educational establishment when deciding whether to make a referral by liaising with relevant agencies
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liaise with headteacher/principal (where role not carried out by the headteacher) to inform him/her of any issues and ongoing investigations and ensure there is always cover for this role.
Training:
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to recognise how to identify signs of abuse and when it is appropriate to make a referral;
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have a working knowledge of how Local Safeguarding Children Boards operate, the conduct of a child protection case conference and be able to attend and contribute to these effectively when required to do so;
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ensure each member of staff has access to and understands the school's child protection policy especially new or part time staff who may work with different educational establishments;
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ensure all staff have induction training covering child protection and are able to recognise and report any concerns immediately they arise. (This is essential in respect of staff that are perhaps part time or work with more than one school. such as Connexions personal advisors, trainee teachers and supply teachers.);
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be able to keep detailed accurate secure written records of referrals/concerns;
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obtain access to resources and attend any relevant or refresher training courses at least every two years.
Raising Awareness:
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ensure the establishments child protection policy is updated and reviewed annually and work with the governing body/proprietor regarding this;
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ensure parents see copies of the child protection policy which alerts them to the fact that referrals may be made and the role of the establishment in this to avoid conflict later;
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where children leave the establishment ensure their child protection file is copied for new establishment as soon as possible but transferred separately from main pupil file. (N.B. this can be done electronically). If a child leaves and the new school is not known, the DCSF should be alerted so that these children can be included on the database for lost pupils.
The DCSF has clear guidelines on what schools, governing bodies and LAs should do if they suspect that a child has been abused or assaulted. It is not, however, the responsibility of teachers and other staff in schools to investigate suspected abuse. They should not take action beyond that agreed in the procedures established by their Local Safeguarding Children Board.
Advice and information for desgnated senior person is also available on of Good Practice for Schools and Good Practice for Designated Senior Persons pages.
Last updated: 16 July 2007
