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Safeguarding Children and Young People by Halloran Morrissey
Staff across each of our campuses participated in two ‘Safeguarding Children and Young People’ training sessions in 2020. The sessions were facilitated by Halloran Morrissey, who are leaders in supporting organisations to safeguard children.
The first session was presented in April and the second session was presented in June. The sessions formed part of the School’s ongoing response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and provided an opportunity to launch the School’s ‘Safeguarding Review’.
Session 1 – April 2020
This session explored the key themes and findings from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse relevant to independent schools and schools that have boarding facilities. The Royal Commission recommendations around child safe organisations was the focus of this session which examined the child safe standards. Case studies were utilised to enable and facilitate discussions. The session ended with a briefing on plans for 2020 and beyond with regards to safeguarding at TKS.
Topics covered:
• Royal Commission into Institutional
Responses to Child Sexual Abuse • Child Safe Organisations • Child Safe Standards • St Kevin’s College Toorak Case Study • Briefing on TKS Safeguarding Review. Key learnings:
• The findings of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child
Sexual Abuse are a shocking reminder of how institutions, including schools, have failed to protect the children in their care. • The focus needs to be on recognising that a culture of safety is something every individual who works in a school can contribute to. Every, single, day. • The child safe standards clearly identified that keeping children safe means an ongoing focus on a number of different areas of school operation including HR, the physical and online environment and training staff. It’s not just about reporting concerns, it’s about prevention, as well as responding. • The School’s Safeguarding Review is a demonstration of a commitment to safeguarding students and to continuous improvement. Those who were participating in the review interviews could reflect post-training so that their contribution in the interview was informed (about areas of good practice, as well as areas that require improvement).
Session 2 – June 2020
This session focused on the safeguarding culture in schools. Within this context, reporting culture and reporting requirements were explored. The session looked at allegations against employees and the recent changes in NSW with regards to reportable conduct. In addition to safeguarding children, the session also focused on staff protecting themselves from complaints being made against them. Case studies and scenarios were used to examine high risk activities. Topics covered:
• Leadership Governance and Culture • Child Protection Legislation • Legislation Changes • Reporting Obligations • Focus Area: Reportable Conduct and • Professional Boundaries.
Key learnings:
• The importance of a leadership in creating a child safe organisation. In addition, the culture of reporting and sharing information within a school is critical to establishing a child safe organisation. • While keeping children safe is of paramount importance, keeping staff safe from a complaint is also important and this requires an open and transparent discussion about risks attached to certain tasks and activities.
Staff need to know how to identify high risk activities and how to manage risk in those situations. • School policies and the Code of
Conduct are critical guidance for staff to assist them in their decision making when interacting with students. Overall, the sessions provided important training for staff of The King’s School and set the path for the Safeguarding Review.
David Swinfield Director of Continuous Improvement
