The only course of its kind based on many years advising schools on critical incident management
Overview
Child protection incidents can arise in many circumstances involving allegations against staff, pupils, family members and others. Once the complaint is made, the school’s procedures can come under close scrutiny from social services, the police, parents, the civil and criminal courts and sometimes the press. Against this backdrop the Data Protection Act places some onerous obligations on schools to manage document disclosure very carefully.
This in-depth half day seminar will provide you with advice on how to manage these complex situations to ensure:
- timely and appropriate referrals are made to the relevant statutory agencies
- you adopt best practice in implementing and invoking the School's procedures and policies
- Data Protection Act principles are upheld throughout the child protection investigation
- allegations against employees are handled effectively
There will be a coffee break during the seminar and lunch afterwards when you will have the opportunity to network and chat informally with the speakers and other delegates.
Click here to download the event flyer.
Who should attend?
This seminar is the only course of its kind based on many years experience advising schools on critical incident management. The seminar is a must for:
- Headteachers and their Deputies
- Governors with responsibility for Child Protection
- Designated Child Protection Officers
- Heads of Pastoral Care.
Programme content
9.30am
Registration with coffee and pastries
10.00am
Strategic overview of the school's mandatory child protection policy and inter-agency procedures (Yvonne Spencer & Kris Robbetts)
Discussion on pupil behaviour policies, liaising with parents and anticipating and managing parental complaints.
11.10am
Tea & coffee
11.30am
Data protection and confidentiality (Paul Sampson)
Your duties to disclose documents and information to third parties.
12.00pm
Handling allegations against employees (Karl Deakin)
Dealing with suspension, communicating with external agencies and interested parties. Guidance on handling the investigation and disciplinary process. Charity Commission obligations, safer termination and statutory reporting obligations. How to deal with unfounded allegations.
12.40pm
Case study discussion and an opportunity to ask questions
1.00pm
Buffet lunch
Speaker details
Yvonne Spencer, Partner, Veale Wasbrough Vizards
Yvonne is a Partner at Veale Wasbrough Vizards and leads the Pastoral team within the education department. She advises on all aspects of education law including child protection, regulation and inspection, pupil exclusions and parental complaints.
Paul Sampson, Partner, Veale Wasbrough Vizards
Paul advises on all aspects of intellectual property including technology law, protection, licensing, infringement, multi-media development and franchising. He also specialises in all aspects of information technology. Paul regularly gives comprehensive advice in relation to website development and e-commerce.
Kris Robbetts, Senior Staff Solicitor, Veale Wasbrough Vizards
Kris is a member of the Pastoral team and advises on all aspects of education law including admissions, behaviour and discipline, exclusions, child protection, disability discrimination, complaints handling and incident management. Kris is a former resident assistant housemaster and assists schools regularly with contractual disputes and inspection compliance.
Karl Deakin, Associate, Veale Wasbrough Vizards
As a specialist education-employment lawyer, Karl advises schools and colleges on the full range of HR and employment law issues. Karl has particular expertise in incident management and difficult disciplinary matters. He is Child Protection Governor at a Bristol school.
Payment
Cheque: Please complete the online booking form and send your cheque for £85.00 (inc VAT) to Pat McDougall, Veale Wasbrough Vizards, Orchard Court, Orchard Lane, Bristol, BS1 5WS . Cheques should be made payable to 'Veale Wasbrough Vizards'.
Credit/debit card: Please call Pat McDougall on 0117 314 5216 to make your payment over the telephone.
Cancellation policy: Refunds can only be made for cancellations received more than 10 working days before the seminar date. If a cancellation is made after this time you will still receive a copy of the notes or you may send a colleague in your place.
