Contents
Background
This One Minute Guide (OMG) should be read in conjunction with No.6 One Minute Guide (OMG) Transfer of Child Protection Safeguarding files.
Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) September 2019 paragraph 83 states that:
In addition to the child protection file, the designated safeguarding lead should also consider if it would be appropriate to share any information with the new school or college in advance of a child leaving.
This sharing of information is vital to ensure that the new education setting can put in appropriate support for the student prior to them joining the establishment.
Things to consider
It has been recognised that schools are very robust with sharing attainment information to a child, or young person’s new setting, however due to concerns regarding GDPR schools can be reluctant to share safeguarding, SEN and behaviour records.
Schools should ensure that all information is shared with the next setting, this should include:
- Safeguarding file
- Behaviour record
- SEN information – including plans
- Attainment information.
- Attendance information.
- Medical records – including plans
- Any additional information or records of support for example Right for Children case number.
Sharing of this information prior to the child/ young person joining the new setting is important to ensure that no information is lost and to ensure that the new setting has a complete picture of the child/young person, including any risks associated. These risks must include any vulnerabilities, for example risk of exploitation and/ or radicalisation.
The new setting should contact the safeguarding team of the current setting once an interview has been arranged to gain verbal information and then this should be followed up by the child/young person’s file once they start at the new setting.
Historically this sharing of information was more difficult due to differences in recording systems across the county, however now with the use of the Early Help Right for Children computer system, as well as electronic recording systems it is easier for professionals to share the early intervention worries when a child / young person moves on to a new setting.
It is vital that as soon as it has been agreed that the child / young person will move to a different education setting, that the new setting will be invited to attend any current multi agency meetings, for example Child Protection meetings, Child in Need meetings or team around the family meetings. This ensures that the new setting will have a complete overview of any concerns regarding the child / young person and their family.
GDPR – where possible you should obtain consent from the child and/ or parent carer to share the information with the new setting, however GDPR must not be used as a reason to not share information without consent if you feel that not to share the information may impact on the child/young person or another individuals wellbeing or safety. For further information please refer to the seven golden rules to information sharing outlined in ‘Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers’ below.
Ensure that you record your decision for sharing the information.
Further information
Information Sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers. July 2018
One Minute Guides: Advice for practitioners, including Transfer of Child Protection Safeguarding files.