Role of Safeguarding Governor

Outline of role


The Children’s Act 2004 places a duty on agencies to ensure that their functions are discharged having regard for the need to safeguard children and promote their welfare.

By safeguarding and promoting welfare we mean:

  • Protecting children from abuse or neglect 
     
  • Preventing impairment of the child’s health or development 
     
  • Ensuring children’s are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care 
     
  • Creating opportunities to enable children to have optimum life changes in adulthood 
     
  • As the governor responsible for safeguarding children, you will play an essential role in ensuring children in education are kept safe from harm

 
Suggested duties


It is recommended that the Safeguarding and Child Protection Governor should not be a parent governor or teacher governor as this could lead to them being compromised in the event of a disciplinary matter.

  • To be familiar with LA guidance and policy relating to Safeguarding and Child Protection and associated issues, and to attend training for nominated Safeguarding and Child Protection governors 

 

  • To ensure that the Governing Body puts in place a suitable Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and associated procedures 

 

  • To champion safeguarding and child protection issues within the school 

 

  • To encourage other members of the governing body to develop their understanding of the governing body’s responsibilities with regard to Child Protection and assist them to perform their functions in respect of Safeguarding Children and Young People 

 

  • To contribute to ensuring any deficiencies in the school’s safeguarding practices are addressed which may be brought to Governors’ attention by a member of school staff, a parent, an officer of the Authority or from any other source 

 

  • To meet regularly with the senior member of the school’s leadership team who is the designated teacher for safeguarding and child protection in order to monitor the effectiveness of the governing body’s Safeguarding and Child Protection policy. It is recommended that this is at least a termly meeting 

 

  • To ensure that the governing body receives an annual report on the implementation of the school’s safeguarding and child protection policy and procedures including: 

Arrangements for ensuring that the school’s safeguarding and child protection policy is communicated to, and implemented by, all staff:

  • Ensuring that the designated member of staff with lead responsibility for Safeguarding and Child Protection is part of the school’s leadership team, and has sufficient time and resources at his /her disposal to carry out his / her duties effectively 
     
  • Ensuring that a deputy designated teacher for safeguarding and child protection is identified 

 

  • Ensuring that the Designated Teacher for Safeguarding and Child Protection and his/her deputy receive training every two years 

 

  • Training in Child Protection undertaken by ALL staff, including Lunch Time Supervisors, clerical staff and other ancillary staff, every three years 

 

  • Arrangements are in place for the inclusion of child protection procedures in an induction programme for all people working in the school, no matter for how long, nor the status of that individual 

 

  • Arrangements to ensure safer recruitment procedures and appropriate checks on new staff and volunteers 

 

  • The number of students currently subject to a Child Protection Plan NB details of names will not be provided to maintain confidentiality 

 

  • How Safeguarding and Child Protection issues are addressed through the curriculum 

 

  • The provision of information to the LA about how the governing body’s duties in respect of Safeguarding and Child Protection have been discharged 

 

  • The Chair of the governing body will liaise with the Head teacher and the Authority over matters regarding confidential child protection issues involving allegations against staff 

 

  • Where there is an allegation of abuse against the head teacher, the Chair of the governing body will take the lead in liaising with the LA and/or partner agencies unless a member of the Governing Body has relevant expertise which would mean that person was better fitted to take this role, including: 
  1. Notifying the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) immediately 
  2. Ensuring with LA support that appropriate action is to be taken in accordance with agreed procedures 
  3. To attend initial and subsequent strategy meetings as required if other agencies are involved 
  4. To take the lead in an investigation under employment procedures in conjunction with Human Resources and the Child Protection Service when the other agencies’ involvement is at an end 

The Vice Chair of the governing body will deputise for the Chair in the Chair’s absence as appropriate.

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Worried about a child or young person?

If you want to report any abuse or discuss concerns in relation to children and young people please contact:

Hammersmith & Fulham - tel: 020 8753 6610 
Kensington and Chelsea - [email protected] or tel: 020 7361 3013 
Westminster - [email protected] or tel: 020 7641 4000 

In an emergency call the police on 999.