You said, we did for schools and partners (2023-2024)

You 2023-2024 Annual School and Partner Satisfaction Survey Analysis

‘You said, we did’ (115 Responses).

Schools

91 responses – 99% either very satisfied (81/91) or satisfied (9/91) with the service. 1% were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.

Partners –

24 responses – 100% very satisfied (24/24).

This is the first year that we have sent out a separate EVC summary which got 37 responses. Combined this is our best response yet with 152 responses.

You said – comments taken from the survey

We did – our response

Themes:

Training

I would like more support around supporting absent pupils who are still on roll.

Please refer to the attendance section of the Cognus website for more information around this: Attendance Support Team – Cognus.

I would like more support around vaping concerns and addictions.

Information and signposting to support services have been shared in the recent safeguarding briefings, which can be found here: Safeguarding Briefings from the Education Safeguarding Team – Cognus

You can also access further support by contacting: H4Y-Sutton-trifold-for-print.pdf (cranstoun.org)

I would like more information and training around serious youth violence and risks in the local area.

Please liaise with your police school’s police officer. Details are available on the Sutton Contact Sheet: Commonly asked questions – Cognus

Or contact Youth Engagement to discuss your bespoke needs: christopher.j.hamilton@met.police.uk

Please also refer to the Sutton Youth Newsletter: Sutton Youth Newsletter – March 2024.pdf

I would like more training on direct work with young people.

Please refer to the Cognus website to access support from our different services: Services – Cognus.

Alternatively, if a child has a social worker, please liaise directly with them.

Information is also available here: www.nspcc.org.uk.

I would like opportunities to refresh on skills that may have become jaded.

Please refer to the following training that is available to you free of charge:

Bitesize Safeguarding Training Videos and Accompanying Slides – Cognus

Sutton LSCP Training – https://suttontraining.event-booking.org/

To complete the Learning from Serious Case Review e-learning click here https://www.virtual-college.co.uk/resources/free-courses/learning-from-serious-case-reviews

To access any other e-learning, click here https://suttontraining.event-booking.org

I would like more resources for pupils on raising awareness of radicalisation.

You will find lots of resources here:

Educate Against Hate – Prevent Radicalisation & Extremism

Home – Stop Hate UK

Alternatively, please contact Sutton’s Prevent Lead – samantha.coleman@sutton.gov.uk

I would like the opportunity for 1:1 supervision.

Please contact hayley.cameron@cognus.org.uk to discuss your supervision needs.

I would like regular cost-effective supervision that is time efficient.

Please contact hayley.cameron@cognus.org.uk to discuss your supervision needs.

Also, please ensure you have contributed to our survey:

I would like training on the impact of homelessness.

To access e-learning, click here https://suttontraining.event-booking.org

I would like more information on expectations of out-of-school settings.

After-school clubs, community activities and tuition: safeguarding guidance for providers – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

I would like more training on best practice for filtering and monitoring.

Please refer to the LGFL website for training:

https://safetraining.lgfl.net/

Filtering for DSLs/SLT – https://safefiltering.lgfl.net/

You can also make use of the DSL WhatsApp Group to obtain peer support from the DSL Network. If you would like to be added to this group, please contact hayley.cameron@cognus.org.uk with a suitable mobile number and we will get you added on.

I would like more support around managing online risks e.g., use of Tik Tok and other social media platforms, including what the expectations are on schools and when to involve the police liaison teams.

Support and resources are available here:

Homepage – UK Safer Internet Centre

CEOP Education (thinkuknow.co.uk)

when-to-call-the-police–guidance-for-schools-and-colleges.pdf (npcc.police.uk)

I would like more training on harmful sexual behaviour.

Sutton LSCP Training – https://suttontraining.event-booking.org/

I would like more guidance on what to say, not to say at point of referral.

This is something you should discuss with CFCS.

You can also refer to our bitesize training on Voice of the Child:

Bitesize Safeguarding Training Videos and Accompanying Slides – Cognus

I would like more training on how to talk to pupils about the current conflicts in Palestine/Gaza.

Please refer to the local authority website for support available:

Homes for Ukraine – Sutton Council

Also, consider contacting our EP Service to discuss further:

Educational Psychology – Cognus

I would like more training on taking notes of disclosures effectively.

Please refer to our bitesize training on Voice of the Child:

Bitesize Safeguarding Training Videos and Accompanying Slides – Cognus

I would like more training on CME.

Please refer to our bitesize training on CME and information on the Cognus website:

Bitesize Safeguarding Training Videos and Accompanying Slides – Cognus

Children Missing Education – Cognus

I would like further advice on how to support children who have been victims of sexual exploitation, such as sharing nudes.

Please refer to our bitesize training on grooming and sextortion:

Bitesize Safeguarding Training Videos and Accompanying Slides – Cognus

Training is also available on the LSCP website:

Sutton LSCP Training – https://suttontraining.event-booking.org/

Please also refer to the recently updated document:

Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: advice for education settings working with children and young people – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

I would like more support with sections of the S175 audit.

You can contact hayley.cameron@cognus.org.uk or suttonlscp@sutton.gov.uk for support at any stage of the S175 process. We will be making some changes for 2024-2025 which will hopefully make the process easier.

I would like more support with completing the prevent audit and policies.

There are lots of resources available here:

Prevent duty guidance briefing for Schools and Early Years: https://www.educateagainsthate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Prevent-Duty-Guidance-Schools-and-early-years-providers-briefing-note-1.pdf

Risk Assessment Templates: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-risk-assessment-templates

Training and resources to support your whole school approach to Prevent: https://prevent.lgfl.net/

I would like more information on chastisement and the law in Sutton.

Please refer to the commonly asked questions document for information and guidance around physical chastisement:

Commonly asked questions – Cognus

Please also refer to the flowchart in the Sutton Threshold Guidance:

Sutton Local Safeguarding Children Partnership – LSCP Policy & Practice (suttonlscp.org.uk)

I would like more training on adoption.

Please contact the Virtual School at Cognus to discuss further:

Sutton Virtual School – Cognus

I would like more training on FGM.

To access e-learning, click here https://suttontraining.event-booking.org

Prevent updates and best practice for primary schools would be useful.

There are lots of resources available here:

Prevent duty guidance briefing for Schools and Early Years: https://www.educateagainsthate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Prevent-Duty-Guidance-Schools-and-early-years-providers-briefing-note-1.pdf

Risk Assessment Templates: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-risk-assessment-templates

Training and resources to support your whole school approach to Prevent: https://prevent.lgfl.net/

I would like more training on supporting children with SEND.

Please contact the SEND team at Cognus: Welcome Information – Sutton SEND Service – Cognus

Training is also available here:

Sutton LSCP Training – https://suttontraining.event-booking.org/

To access any other e-learning, click here https://suttontraining.event-booking.org

The Safeguarding Network are also currently running training sessions on Safeguarding and SEND:

Safeguarding Network

I would like more frequent training to support schools.

Training is readily available and can be accessed here:

Sutton LSCP Training – https://suttontraining.event-booking.org/

To access any other e-learning, click here https://suttontraining.event-booking.org

Delivered by the Education Safeguarding Team – Event List : Safeguarding (event-booking.org)

Bitesize Safeguarding Training Videos and Accompanying Slides – Cognus

I would like more training around GDPR – in particular the law around information sharing with separated parents and a child’s rights to have data withheld.

Please refer to our Commonly Asked Questions Document:

Commonly asked questions – Cognus

I would like training on keeping effective safeguarding records.

Please refer to our bitesize training on safeguarding files:

Bitesize Safeguarding Training Videos and Accompanying Slides – Cognus

I would like more training on the CLA process and Special Guardianship Orders.

Please contact the Virtual School at Cognus to discuss further:

Sutton Virtual School – Cognus

Any specific resources or support designed for alternative provisions or organisations supporting schools with students. We often support students that are not able to engage with mainstream education, and have additional needs or behavioural concerns.

Please contact our Inclusion team: School Inclusion – Cognus

General Communication

It is really hard to absorb the huge volumes of information, and I often miss things, but there’s nothing you can do as I know you want to ensure we know all there is to know.

In the Summer term, we will send out the safeguarding briefing once a month as a trial. After the briefing in April, the briefing will come out on the first Wednesday of every month.

Continue to build resources and videos on the website. We find these useful to refer back to. Could there be a shared resource area for DSLs – not sure how it would work. I know lots are sent out in the briefing but thought it may be useful to have things in one place for everyone.

Our bitesize materials will come out termly instead of half-termly following the Easter break. New content will be available in April and then again in July.

All safeguarding briefings and relevant documents can be found here:

Safeguarding Briefings from the Education Safeguarding Team – Cognus

All bitesize materials can be found here:

Bitesize Safeguarding Training Videos and Accompanying Slides – Cognus

I find the content of the big safeguarding meetings a lot to take in and wonder if it is possible to have more frequent meetings with less content, but I know this would be difficult for most because of time.

We can look at reducing the number of speakers. We can also allocate time for DSLs to lead on slots, so more discussion is generated.

I am interested in whether feedback is given to the government from Sutton regarding the change in children’s mental health, the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and the pandemic on families and the pressure there is currently on schools and teaching staff.

Yes this is regularly shared by Kieran Holliday and Jo Cassey.

It would be good to have a what’s available guide in terms of training and different services.

These guides are already available for you:

Services – Cognus

In terms of training, please see below:

Sutton LSCP Training – https://suttontraining.event-booking.org/

To access any other e-learning, click here https://suttontraining.event-booking.org

Delivered by the Education Safeguarding Team – Event List : Safeguarding (event-booking.org)

Bitesize Safeguarding Training Videos and Accompanying Slides – Cognus

Keep the meetings virtual. This is really useful and means we can always attend.

We will be keeping our meetings virtual as this has been requested by the majority of DSLs and attendance at these meetings has been higher since doing so. Although, we are regularly in schools for face-to-face training.

I would like more face-to-face meetings.

There is also the opportunity to meet face-to-face at our end of year event in July: Event : COGNUS—Sutton-DSL-End-of-Year-Network-Event – 20956 (event-booking.org)

Sometimes we feel silly for asking a question, depending on who answers the call.

Please be assured, there is no such thing as a silly question. Apologies if you were made to feel that way. If you would like to get in touch to discuss details, please contact hayley.cameron@cognus.org.uk.

Sometimes the DSL meetings can be seen as a bit of a sales pitch.

Most of our speakers are offering services that are free of charge, but we will take this into consideration for future sessions.

The newsletters have been redesigned and this is a better format. They could be quite lengthy.

I am pleased the format of the newsletter has been well received. This will continue to be work in development and all feedback will be taken into consideration. We want the information to be as easily accessible as possible.

We always feel listened to in terms of the guest speakers that are arranged for DSL meetings – always very informative.

Thank you for this feedback. A lot of thought goes into arranging the speakers. If you have any ideas for future speakers, please get in touch with a member of the team.

Review the CP Policy to include information on post-separation/domestic abuse.

Thanks for the suggestion. Our policy template is just an example. Many schools adapt or use their own versions. Feel free to add any information that is required as the policy should be personalised to meet the needs of your school.

It would be good to have a clear remit for each member of the team.

We can certainly provide this. If you are unsure, please refer to our email signatures.

More succinct presentations at breakfast meetings. This is a busy time for schools, and it would be good to have the information presented quickly and to stick to the main points.

We can look at reducing the number of speakers and reducing the information shared. We can also allocate time for DSLs to lead on slots, so more discussion is generated.

Information sharing – sometimes we are not aware of referrals made to CFCS if threshold is not met, but this information is important to build a bigger picture for the child.

This was recently discussed at the termly locality and education meetings. Please refer to the action plan which you will find on our Commonly Asked Questions Document. Dates for the Summer term meetings will be shared after the Easter break.

In summary:

We are committed to maintaining the following:

This is an excellent service!
You are amazing as a team and as individuals. Always going the extra mile to help us and all Sutton pupils.
Approachable team. Always willing to help and support whenever needed. This is very reassuring.
The service continues to be excellent – with concerns/calls/queries responded to quickly. You are never made to feel like you are asking a silly question or wasting time, and advice is helpful.
I am always able to get advice and support when needed. The response is always prompt, and a solution is always provided or signposted.
The support and training available to schools is first class. The team are always available to answer any queries and offer really useful support. I leave every DSL meeting equipped to deal with what is often a very challenging role.
This service enables us to have an expert second opinion on our concerns, gives us confidence in our decision making and enables us to feel supported with our actions and with the complexities of working in safeguarding.
We find this service to be excellent. We have found the group and bespoke supervision to be highly supportive and helpful given our complex issues. The team are available and extremely helpful. We are always grateful for the support.
Better service than other boroughs in terms of accessibility and support for schools.
Thank you for all your hard work and for being easily available for advice, guidance, and support.
The team is fantastic and have a wealth of knowledge that has been fundamental in helping our safeguarding processes.
Continue doing what you do.

We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with you and to maintain effective safeguarding policies, practices, and procedures across Sutton. Thank you for everything you do!