Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility. No matter the role you play in education, whether you’re at the chalk face in schools, training teachers and leaders – like we do at SFE or supporting safeguarding in another capacity – we all have a role and duty to keep children safe.

One of the key ways we do this, is through robust record keeping and information sharing. When training DSLs, myself and the other Safeguarding Advisers make it explicitly clear to all of our delegates that accurate record keeping is a key part of safeguarding – not only to show what’s been done, but also to build up the bigger picture of a child’s lived experience and what their life is truly like. These records show the puzzle pieces – the concerns, the actions, the interventions and the outcomes in providing children with safety, security and the opportunity to truly thrive.

For years, these records were paper based; tomes of loose-leaf paper, wonky lever-arch folders and a multitude of coloured forms recorded all manner of safeguarding issues – filed away in locked cabinets for confidentiality. But as with everything, technology has advanced and online systems have been created to not only store these vital records, but to enable safeguarding staff to access, analyse and action these in a much more effective and robust manner.

There are a few big ‘players’ in the online safeguarding world, with one being CPOMS – a company who provide a range of online systems for educators to record, organise, store and transfer safeguarding files, providing a ‘one-stop-shop’ for all things safeguarding. Systems such as CPOMS are designed for efficiency, security and clarity, allowing educators and safeguarding staff to focus on the most important thing – keeping children safe.

Services for Education are delighted to partner with CPOMS, sharing a mutual goal of supporting colleagues in education and beyond to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children. Through collaboration on webinars and safeguarding panels to staying up to date on the systems schools are using and new technological advances – this partnership can only strengthen what both organisations offer and provide a greater level of support to those we work with.

We are excited to work together with our schools across Birmingham and beyond, so keep your eyes peeled for collaborations on webinars, panels and more in the future!

About the Author

Lucie Welch – Adviser, Services For Education

Lucie Welch has worked in the field of Primary Education for the last 15 years, holding the positions of Assistant Head of School, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Attendance Lead and Designated Teacher for Looked After Children. Through working across several local authorities and within multi-academy trusts, Lucie has garnered a passion for safeguarding and supporting children and young people to enable them to thrive.

At Services For Education, Lucie is an integral part of the Safeguarding team, sharing her expertise with schools, colleges, trusts, and other educational settings across the city of Birmingham and beyond. Dedicated to improving safeguarding practices in an actionable and impactful way, Lucie works closely with settings to provide bespoke training, supports with reflection on their own practices during Safeguarding audits and always strives to contribute to a better learning environment for all children. Through delivery of statutory training for DSLs and Safer Recruitment, Lucie works with colleagues in all age ranges and is a source of expertise within these areas.

Lucie also wears other important hats within the School Support Team. Not only is she dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of students through her role in safeguarding, but she also plays a key part in the PSHE/RSE and Health for Life teams. Additionally, Lucie partners with the Best Practice Network to deliver the Early Career Framework, supporting new teachers in their professional development.