Safeguarding notes for poet facilitators These notes are a brief overview of some of the safeguarding concerns you may need to be aware of when visiting schools. The Poetry Society has a longer and more comprehensive safeguarding policy, which is updated regularly. If you are working with young people on behalf of The Poetry Society, please email educationadmin@poetrysociety.org.uk to receive a copy of the full safeguarding policy. Everyone who comes into contact with children, and their families and carers, has a role to play in safeguarding children. A child is anyone who has not reached their 18th birthday yet.
Visiting schools as a facilitator Every school or organisation you visit where you will come into contact with children should have both a Child Protection Policy and a designated safeguarding lead (DSL). The safeguarding lead should provide support to staff members, including yourself as a facilitator, to carry out their safeguarding duties. If you have concerns about a child, you should ask for help and you must discuss your concerns with a designated member of staff, which will normally be the school’s or organisation’s DSL. This person then has responsibility for ensuring that the appropriate course of action is taken.
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If, for whatever reason, you do not have an opportunity to report a concern during the course of your visit, you should report your concern in writing, in as much detail as possible, to The Poetry Society at educationadmin@poetrysociety.org.uk. The Poetry Society will then contact the school to ensure that the appropriate action is taken, and to help manage any necessary further contact between yourself and the school. It is not your duty to investigate or to decide whether something is or isn’t abuse, only to share information. This is a legal responsibility for anyone working with children. It is best practice to gain the young person’s consent to share their disclosure, but even if they don’t consent, you must still share the information. You can also seek advice at any time from the NSPCC helpline – help@nspcc.org.uk or 0808 800 5000.
Cloud Chamber
