Child Protection review

Part two of the Munro review of the independent child protection review called The Child’s Journey was published yesterday by Professor Eileen Munro.

The full report and part one can be viewed on the link below

http://www.education.gov.uk/munroreview/

There are some information relating to Schools in sections 2.25 2.36 & 5.20 which are pasted below.

Summary of the review in relation to Schools

Roles such as named and designated school lead for safeguarding have an important part to play in the child protection system. Designated leads who are experienced in child protection can help colleagues think through worrying signs and decide whether or not referral to children’s social care is needed.

It says children’s problems may be noticed by a large number of professionals and the public including Schools, who may see signs for concern that a child is being abused or neglected. Deciding how serious these signs are is not always easy.

It will remain vital that the child protection and safeguarding responsibilities of institutions like schools are properly reflected in their respective inspection frameworks, including the new framework for school inspections currently being developed by Ofsted.


Full Sections mentioning Schools

2.25

Roles such as named and designated health professional or school lead for
safeguarding, for example, have an important part to play in the child protection
system. Designated leads who are experienced in child protection can help
colleagues think through worrying signs and decide whether or not referral to
children’s social care is needed. To prevent neglect and abuse, the provision and
support provided through a range of universal services, such as education and health
care is critical.

2.36

Children’s problems may be noticed by the immediate or extended family who seek
help or by professionals in contact with family members, for example primary health
care centres, health visitor services, midwifery, ante‐natal services and GP practices,
schools, early years services such as nurseries and children’s centres, the police,
adult mental health services, substance misuse services, and housing services. There
are, therefore, a large number of professionals and the public who may see signs for
concern that a child is being abused or neglected. Deciding how serious these signs
are is not always easy

5.20

The review endorses the distinct role external inspection can play in the
improvement of services for children and that inspection should continue for
safeguarding and child protection services in the future, a point that ADCS made in
their response to a recent Local Government Group consultation
in the recent Schools White Paper inspection also remains crucial for the
purposes of promoting accountability. The externality provided by inspection is
perhaps the single most important element that distinguishes inspection from
sector‐based improvement solutions discussed later in this chapter and, given the
capacity issues related to developing fully a sector‐based improvement model, it is
crucial that external inspection continues.

5.28

It will remain vital that the child protection and safeguarding responsibilities of
institutions like schools, early years settings, hospitals, and services such as police
and youth offending work are properly reflected in their respective inspection
frameworks, including the new framework for school inspections currently being
developed by Ofsted.