NSPCC resource will help schools meet safeguarding standards

The NSPCC today (20 April) launches Improving Safeguarding in Schools (ISIS), the first online self-assessment and development resource to help schools improve children's safety and well-being.

ISIS(1) features a step-by-step online guide to help schools audit how they are meeting safeguarding standards. The standards have been cross-referenced with the Ofsted self-evaluation form and National Healthy Schools framework. ISIS also provides schools with development tools, such as best practice examples and action plans.

ISIS will build the skills and confidence of staff and governors in safeguarding children. It will reassure parents and carers that the school is actively involving pupils in improving standards to help keep them safe.

NSPCC head of safeguarding in education service Jo Scherer-Thompson said: "The NSPCC views the education sector as key to keeping children safe. With around eight million children attending more than 25,000 schools in England, teachers and other education professionals have a major role to play.

"This is the first  single national self-assessment and development resource for safeguarding in schools. The NSPCC asked schools what they needed and ISIS is the result."

NSPCC ISIS programme manager Melissa Schmolke said: "Working through the resource will show the whole school and others how safeguarding standards are being met. ISIS involves staff, parents, and pupils in the assessment process, and the development of policies and practices to help keep children safe."

ISIS will help inform the work of the NSPCC 'Safeguarding in Education Service'. This new service, to launch in 2010, will help education professionals fulfill their safeguarding responsibilities.

For more information go to www.nspcc.org.uk/isis

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Notes to editors:

(1) ISIS will cover six quality areas. Each quality area has a number of defined standards with indicators and identified key outcomes that can be achieved. Schools will need to make a judgement, via a process of self assessment, about the extent to which they meet each indicator and then plan how to make improvements. The areas are:

• promoting emotional health and well being
• pupil behaviour
• child protection
• safety and security
• governance
• staff

ISIS will initially be available in England during 2010/11. The NSPCC is currently undertaking a scoping exercise to make ISIS available to schools in the other UK nations, with a version for Wales expected to be available in 2011/12.