Firm appointed to develop and market services to support safeguarding in schools

Commercial innovation specialists BxBy have been appointed by child and adult safeguarding company Ethica Solutions to develop and market its portfolio of safeguarding services designed to help protect children and support safeguarding practitioners in schools.

The first phase of a large scale dedicated programme will be rolled out to 53 academy schools across four multi-agency trusts in Hampshire, Surrey, the Thames Valley and the surrounding areas in September.

This programme will provide a holistic service underpinned by education, mentorship, new technology and innovation, that will support 4,200 teachers and staff over a three-year period.

It also responds to the requirement of the 2017 Children’s & Social Worker’s Act for schools to provide relationship and sex education, by offering student seminars and workshops for all age groups.

Speaking about the programme, former senior police officer safeguarding expert and education director, Dr. Richard John said: “We are delighted to be rolling out this significant safeguarding programme for schools. I have yet to see an holistic service that travels from the governing body and headteacher to the teachers, safeguarding leads, teaching assistants and ancillary staff, to the children we strive to protect.

“Protection of vulnerable people is everyone’s responsibility and our 360 degree programme takes a practical approach to delivery and assessment, whilst maintaining the rigour of regulatory requirements.

“Our mission is to get a safeguarding culture embedded throughout an organisation and for it to be effective we must work with, and help, safeguarding professionals.

“Having a policy is not enough, it must be put into practice, be well-supported, audited and evaluated, and this is where we can provide resources, assistance and guidance.

“Teaching staff and our protectors are under immense time and budgetary pressure so we believe a proactive, strategic approach that is well supervised, will to help combat risks, provide education, mentorship and build long-term trust and partnerships. This is a highly effective solution for all.”

The last Ofsted national annual report flagged weaknesses and concerns about the effectiveness of some schools to tackle safeguarding. The common thread in those establishments where the safeguarding provision was ineffective was a lack of rigorous oversight, including leaders not regularly checking that they were fulfilling their responsibilities.

Bookings are now being taken for autumn training programmes. Call Pauline Christie on 01256 338 483 or email info@bxby.co.uk.