By Gavin Mackintosh-
The Department Of Education is running a consultation today to improve outcomes for 1.6m ‘children in need’ known to social services, The Eye Of Media.Com has heard
Children on the edge of care who are known to social services are usually behind their school peers at GCSE, and are also three times more likely to be persistently absent from school and up to four times more likely to be excluded.
The DfE is launching a consultation to change the role of “designated safeguarding leads” , that is, the teacher responsible for coordinating the safeguarding of children – so they have a greater focus on improving the academic achievement of vulnerable pupils. It is also aimed at enhancing the skills of teachers to enable them to support children who have issues with attendance, behaviour and engagement.
DEDICATED SENIOR LEADER
Children’s minister Vicky Ford is consulting on having a dedicated senior leader in schools to ensure schools know who their vulnerable children are, set high aspirations for them and put in place the right support so they can achieve.”
Safeguarding leads have broad oversight of the safeguarding of children, making sure staff across a school understand signs of child abuse and neglect, as well as referring concerns to children’s social care when appropriate.
The Department Of Education has promised to “look to understand the capacity needed to strengthen the role”, by consulting as part of changes to the statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’.
Vicky Ford, the children and families minister, said: “We know that on average, three children in every classroom need a social worker.“We also know that far too many of those children fall behind, which is why I am determined to be ambitious for these children and ensure they are seen, safe and able to succeed.
“Teachers and social workers are some of the most dedicated professionals in society, delivering for children up and down the country. But I do not want any child to slip through the cracks, which is why we are consulting on having a dedicated senior leader in schools to make sure schools know who their vulnerable children are, set high aspirations for them and put in place the right support so they can achieve.”
Dr Sam Royston, director of policy and research at The Children’s Society, said: “Children who are on the edge of the care system can struggle at school as much as children in care, and it is fantastic to see the government recognise the importance of dedicated extra support to help them succeed academically.
“It’s vital that this support focusses not only on their grades, but also on their well-being and personal development