Training
Initial teacher training (ITT) standards require all newly qualified teachers (NQTs) to have acquired the necessary knowledge to develop an effective working understanding of their contractual, legal, administrative and pastoral responsibilities as a teacher. Included within that framework is training in the awareness and recognition of child abuse and neglect, or harm to a child, and the need for the education service to work in cooperation with the other professional agencies. The individual teacher-training institution determines the duration and structure of the training.
In addition, before they can be awarded qualified teacher status (QTS), all ITT trainees need to demonstrate that they can identify children with special needs and seek appropriate advice, and that they can work with other professionals, for example social workers and healthcare professionals.
It is also recommended that schools and local authorities (LAs) include child-protection issues in their induction training for all staff. This presents an ideal opportunity to remind staff of their responsibilities before they take up the duties of their post.
Schools and LAs should also make adequate provision for in-service training (INSET) for teachers and designated senior persons.
Mandatory safer recruitment training
The online training package, Safer Recruitment, is for headteachers, school governors and other school staff involved in recruitment, to ensure that interviews to appoint staff reflect the importance of safeguarding children. Safer recruitment training became mandatory for the recruitment of school staff from 1 January 2010. This means a recruitment panel must have at least one member that has completed the training, or where an individual is in charge of recruitment, that individual must have completed the training. It is the responsibility of schools to comply.
