Posie talks to Safe Schools Alliance

Watched this live. Tracy was great. A real call to action.

What also struck me was when she spoke about the red flags when people try to close down the child safeguarding debate, when they make out we're prudes or bigots.

We see this tactic used on here frequently and, well, the removal of Mumsnet's biggest voices on safeguarding - see LangCleg highlights this.

Yesterday a thread on Dragtime Storytime was pulled immediately after the mention of several safeguarding red flags for parents.

I hope the SSA brings Oxfordshire CC to task on its horrendous schools' guidance and that this sets a precedent for LAs and schools across the country, including one of my own children's schools.

Just noticed you are from oxon novina. Sorry I won't be there but the others will be able to fill you in. We do have a local group (not ssauk just general chat) on FB. Pm me if you want to join.

Glad you all enjoyed the web chat. We have to get parents to take action. Parent power does have influence and they need to take control. Legal action coupled with parents challenging will be a powerful mix. .

Yes we will be at wpuk - we have a stalll so we should be easy to find! Please come and say hi.

This is excellent. Am I right in thinking SSA will be at WPUK on saturday? I'm hoping to talk to them. As it happens I'm bringing my older daughter (an oxfordshire teen) and my friend (a school governor), so it's relevant to all of us.

That was very informative and I cannot believe that the council have been so entirely dismissive that a court case is necessary. I do not have children but find the the fact it has to go this far terrifying, how anyone can say there is no impact to other children without undertaking the due diligence they are meant to beggars belief. Parents are meant to be able to trust schools and that all policies within them have been strenuously vetted.

Children's rights are safeguarding rights, how can they be so expendable on a lobby groups say so? If they truly acted in children's interests they would want the guidance to through rigorous assessments.

Tracy and Posie are both totally amazing. Posie's right - the reason more parents aren't speaking up (yet) is that they trust schools and they don't know. It will come though, I think. People will wake up and then they will fight for child safeguarding.

Just also want to flag that SSA have a draft letter to send to the CPS complaining about their dreadful guidance.
safeschoolsallianceuk.net/2020/01/28/write-to-the-crown-prosecution-service/

The bit where they talk about why no-one is speaking up and standing up for kids e.g. in the safeguarding panel on Oxfordshire CC (FFS) and Tracy says that the lobby groups have captured them and the individuals are 'highly ambitious' and Posie says 'children are expendable'.

Chilling.

Hang your heads in shame Oxfordshire CC - everyone keeping their heads down so they won't get fired. Sacrificing child safeguarding. Not even responding to substantive safeguarding concerns! Brushing off parents making them.You're failures - not doing your jobs. You KNOW you're wrong.

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men (and women) to do nothing.

Placemarking to watch tomorrow.

I am only about halfway through, but this is magnificent! Well done, Tracy Shaw, you absolute heroine! Well done, Kellie-Jay for asking pertinent questions and lending her your platform!

Off to dig a hole in Oxfordshire...

Loved this. All about action. I know all the reasons, but until more people take up actions like suggested in this video, it remains a social media debate that goes over most people's heads.

In the video, Safer Schools has many suggestions on talking to your schools, backed up by facts they share on their site.

I feel so empowered by what Tracey is saying. I feel confident now to approach my schools and have this out with them. The red flags document is a fab resource. Well worth watching and visiting their website.

I'm watching this now, Tracy you are magnificent. Thank you so much. So terrifying that girls are being forced to share with teenage boys parading around naked (from the sound of it) without being asked for their consent and their parents not being told. What happens when a child gets pregnant?

Thanks I'll watch this in the morning 👍