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

In this episode, Jacqui, Jane, and Trevor discuss the changes in the Ofsted inspection framework and how school leaders can navigate these changes effectively. They emphasize the importance of context, leadership, and governance in the new framework, and provide insights on preparing for inspections without succumbing to performative leadership or burnout. The conversation highlights the need for a coherent school narrative, the balance between wellbeing and professional expectations, and the role of performance management in supporting teacher development. The episode concludes with practical tips for school leaders to ensure they are inspection-ready and to foster a culture of inclusion and high standards in their schools.

Keywords

Ofsted, school leadership, inspection framework, educational governance, school improvement, wellbeing, SEND, performance management, transformational leadership, school narrative

Takeaways

Inspection is now a conversation, not a verdict.

Leaders need to articulate their school's context clearly.

Governance is now judged on culture, inclusion, and wellbeing.

Strong leadership includes clear strategic direction and partnership with governors.

Evidence of impact on disadvantaged pupils is crucial for inspections.

A coherent assessment model is essential for demonstrating progress.

Regular staff surveys can help gauge wellbeing and expectations.

Performance management should focus on professional development, not just accountability.

Transformational leadership is achievable with the right context and support.

Schools must prepare a clear narrative that aligns with inspection criteria.

Sound bites

"Inspection is now a conversation, not a verdict."

"Evidence of impact on disadvantaged pupils is crucial."

"Regular staff surveys can help gauge wellbeing."

Chapters

00:00 Navigating the New Ofsted Framework

02:38 Understanding School Context and Inclusion

05:35 Leadership and Governance in Schools

08:49 Preparing for Inspection Readiness

11:33 Assessment Models and Evidence

14:32 Maintaining Standards and Expectations

17:53 Balancing Wellbeing and Professional Expectations

20:35 Addressing SEND Challenges in Schools

23:37 Effective Practices in Inclusion Rooms

33:00 Challenges in Special Education Placement

33:40 Preparing for Ofsted Inspections

35:04 Common Mistakes in Inspection Preparation

35:39 Strategic Planning for Inspections

38:49 Importance of Self-Evaluation and Evidence

41:32 Effective Communication with Inspectors

44:43 Understanding Transformational Leadership

47:26 Recognizing Exceptional Practices in Schools

50:45 Reflections on Early Headship Experiences

55:57 Top Tips for Effective Leadership

59:12 The Value of Performance Management

Keywords

parental complaints, school leadership, communication, trust, emotional labor, education, conflict resolution, parent engagement, school policies, teacher training

In this episode, Euan, Jacqui and Jane discuss the complexities of handling parental complaints in schools, emphasising the emotional labor involved and the importance of effective communication. They explore the underlying issues that lead to complaints, the need for training and support for school leaders, and the significance of building trust with parents. The conversation also covers the differentiation between concerns, complaints, and allegations, as well as strategies for effective triage and response. The hosts highlight the balance between empathy and boundaries, the importance of relationships in reducing complaints, and the necessity of clear policies. Finally, they provide practical tips for crafting strong initial responses to complaints and managing personal feelings in these situations.

Takeaways

• Complaints are emotional labor and can impact confidence.
• Trust between schools and families is crucial.
• Effective communication can prevent escalation of complaints.
• Training for staff on parent partnerships is often lacking.
• Building relationships with parents is essential for trust.
• Differentiating between concerns, complaints, and allegations is key.
• Good triage starts with a pause and deep breath.
• Empathy and boundaries can coexist in communication.
• Reducing complaints requires strong relationships.
• Clear policies help manage expectations and responses.

• Navigating Parental Complaints in Schools
• Building Trust with Parents: A Key to Success

• "Trust is low between schools and families."
• "The trust is hard won and easily lost."
• "Complaints are rarely about the complaint."

Sound BitesChapters

00:00 Navigating Parental Complaints

04:11 Understanding the Underlying Issues

09:34 The Urgency of Parent-School Partnerships

11:20 The Need for Training in Communication14:35Building Trust Through Engagement

20:15 The Role of Parents in Online Education

25:47 Strategies for Authentic Parent Partnerships

28:29 Differentiating Concerns, Complaints, and Allegations

34:00 Effective Triage of Complaints

36:12 The Importance of Timing in Communication

37:49 Balancing Empathy and Boundaries

40:23 Policies as a Framework for Communication

43:12 Common Pitfalls in School-Parent Communication

49:09 Building Trust to Reduce Complaints

53:43 Crafting Effective First Responses

57:15 Managing Personal Feelings in Complaints

01:01:56 Proactive Relationship Building

For more information about Euans work email hello@andparents.com