Berkswich Nominated Link Governor Remit for Safeguarding

Berkswich governing board is responsible for ensuring that the school's safeguarding policies, procedures and training are effective and comply with the law at all times, enabling all children to have life in all its fullness.

The Safeguarding Link Governor:

• Should have relevant and up-to-date knowledge and experience of safeguarding in schools
• Must have access to appropriate training to enable them to fulfil the role
• Is responsible for monitoring the school's compliance with safeguarding arrangements
• Ensures all staff understand their responsibilities for safeguarding pupils and reporting concerns
• Acts as the link between the governing board, headteacher and DSL, reporting back on monitoring activities and the school's compliance with KCSIE
• Develops and maintains awareness of safeguarding policies and processes on behalf of the governing board
• Ensures the school maintains a culture of 'it could happen here'
• Ensures safeguarding information for pupils is provided in an age-appropriate, accessible way
• Ensures that the school establishes an open and positive safeguarding culture that puts children's interests first.

Suggested pattern of visits

The Safeguarding Link Governor should visit the school three times per year, once each term. After each visit, the governor should complete a brief visit report in the usual format. Following the summer term visit, the Link Governor should compile a brief written report (maximum 3 sides A4) as the Governors' Annual Safeguarding Review. This will be read and reviewed at a full governing board meeting at the end of the school year to ensure governors are fulfilling their statutory duties.

Autumn Term Visit

• Review Child Protection/Safeguarding Policy
• Review safeguarding training arrangements (including staff training, DSLs, updates, and induction training content)
• Review arrangements for children with SEND and other vulnerabilities
• Review how the school promotes children's wellbeing and welfare
• Spot check of SCR
• Discuss current safeguarding cases and review record-keeping

Spring Term Visit

• Check curriculum elements (how children are taught to keep safe)
• Review arrangements for pupils' online safety
• Check recruitment processes and Safer Recruitment training
• Review filtering and monitoring systems
• Spot check of SCR
• Discuss current safeguarding cases and review record-keeping

Summer Term Visit

• Review how pupils' views are sought and acted upon
• Review how pupils' positive mental health is supported
• Review arrangements to prevent child-on-child abuse
• Review safeguarding arrangements for children missing education
• Review how safeguarding concerns are acted upon quickly and effectively
• Discuss site security and the Prevent duty
• Spot check of SCR
• Discuss current safeguarding cases and review record-keeping