Schools Law Brief

STOP PRESS

• more detail regarding local safeguarding partners and liaison with them including:
  • need to reference change in arrangements and timescale for transition and need to engage (including a statutory duty to cooperate if named as a relevant agency)
  • DSL being primary point of contact
  • staff being appropriately trained in LSP arrangements (as advised by them)
  • need to expressly reference local criteria for action and local protocol for assessment when covering local arrangements in the school's safeguarding policy
     
• re-ordering of early help indicators (and removal of early signs of abuse/neglect)
   
• more clarity about LA obligations when a referral for a statutory assessment is made (they should not just acknowledge but also make a decision regarding next steps within one working day and see the child asap if referral requires further assessment)
   
• more detail regarding data protection and information sharing, including:
  • need to be proactive in information sharing with local agencies
  • need for staff to be appropriately trained in GDPR/DPA including golden rules for information sharing to ensure information is shared effectively
  • new guidance on retention of data relating to allegations of child sexual abuse
     
• new duty to refer staff who are suspended or redeployed because of concerns that they pose a risk of harm to the DBS