In this episode of "Being Head," hosts Jacqui and Jane engage in a profound discussion about safeguarding children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), particularly focusing on the critical role of attendance as an early indicator of risk. They emphasize that when children with SEND stop attending school regularly, the signs of safeguarding risks often go unnoticed, leading to serious consequences. The conversation highlights the importance of a multi-agency approach, where various professionals collaborate to ensure that no single individual holds the entire picture of a child's needs. Guest Nicola Griffiths shares her insights on how schools can better support these children by fostering relationships, utilizing data effectively, and creating a culture of reflective practice rather than mere compliance.

Keywords

safeguarding, SEND, attendance, multi-agency approach, reflective practice, education leadership, child welfare, early intervention, emotional safety, school culture

Takeaways

"Poor attendance is one of the earliest and clearest safeguarding indicators we have, particularly for children with SEND."

"Every child deserves that consistent access to a high quality education and every child can thrive with the right support."

"Data gives us the picture, it tells us what's happening, but it's actually the people that make the difference and improve outcomes for young people."

"Never assume someone else is holding the risk."

"When families feel safe with us, then children are safer overall."

Sound bites

"Poor attendance is one of the earliest and clearest safeguarding indicators."

"Never assume someone else is holding the risk."

"Safeguarding and attendance for pupils with SEND is fundamentally linked to belonging."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Safeguarding SEND

01:59 The Importance of Attendance in Safeguarding

03:39 Understanding the Impact of Poor Attendance

08:36 The Role of Multi-Agency Collaboration

14:20 Moving Beyond Compliance to Reflective Practice

20:34 Capturing the Voice of the Child

26:43 Early Identification of Risks in SEND

29:47 Creating a Culture of Safeguarding

34:53 If I Only Knew: Reflections on Leadership

38:30 Top Tips for Safeguarding SEND

Link to Nicolas mentioned website.

https://www.nwadcs.org.uk/about-nwadcs