Safegaurding question in a an interview

[mrsnw]

I am applying to a primary school for the reception teachers post. I haven't worked in a primary school for seven years as I have been a sahm. What questions about safeguarding might be asked? Any advice? Thanks so much in advance xx

Sorry seen the mistake in the title

I'd read up on the schools safeguarding policy abd procedures. This may include the escalation process. Make it clear your role is to report on and not investigate. Also read your local authority sgdg procedures. Remember the child is the primary concern.

Good luck!

They might ask about indicators re: neglect. Rising levels of emotional and physical neglect. Our children persistently late for school, wearing inappropriate clothes, poor personal hygiene etc

Are not our.

Will look up the escalation process. Thanksxx

When I had my interview several years ago, I was told that the correct response to a 'how would you safeguard children' was quite simply: I would be vigilant in spotting any child protection concerns. I would then follow the child protection policy and report to the child protection officer.

I was told that saying much more than that would be counter-productive, as your job as a teacher is to pass concerns on, not act on them in any way.

I had this question in an interview and spoke about child protection - logging concerns and accepting that I might never hear anything more. The headteacher then said "you have spoken about child protection, what about the other aspects of safeguarding?" , so be prepared to think about other aspects.

I spoke about giving children the skills and self confidence to tell someone if they are unhappy. They said one of the phrases they liked me using was "it's big word for small children, but I suppose ultimately it boils down to empowerment."

Wow thanks so much. Such great advice, I was getting really worked up. But yes of course you would go straight to the child protection person and share your concerns xx

Thanks oldroan. Will look up some documents. Can anyone advise a good one to read please? Xx

There will be a child protection question. Normally a "what woyld you do if..." question. The correct answer is always "I will follow relevant school procedure and inform the designated child protection officer". Short and sweets d leave it at that!

Just had child protection training refresher today! Safegaurding is how you protect all children, eg health and safety, ensure child goes home with correct adult, preventing/ stopping bullying, psche especially around cyber bullying.

You might want to think also about safeguarding in relation to technology use- teaching about safe use of the internet etc. And I agree with OldRoan- teaching children about boundaries and what to do if someone makes them feel uncomfortable.

Thanks ladies. Would you talk about risk assessment?

risk assessment is not for you to do, it is for someone with the relevant experience, so I would not make any comment on risk assessment.
I have quite often used the nice open question of what do you know about safeguarding? That is usually when somebody then proceeds to give all sorts of advice which could be horribly wrong. The answer still has to be that safeguarding is a much wider field of operation than child protection but I would follow the same kind of process. Firstly find out exactly what the school's policies are on the subject and when something comes up, my job is to ensure that the relevant person is made aware of the issue by following the policy.

If the panel want more they will ask for it and be specific.

"What would you do if a child asks if you can keep a secret?"

The answer being anything that makes it clear that you know that certain things cannot be kept a secret and you have a duty to follow the school's safeguarding procedures if a child make a disclosure to you.

risk assessment is not for you to do, it is for someone with the relevant experience, so I would not make any comment on risk assessment.

I wouldn't bet on it, I'm a teacher and regularly submit RA's.

Gosh hope the question is specific! So much to remember. Thanks ladies. I remember having to visit the places I was taking the children to do a risk assessment xx

Read the risk assessment section in the EYFS handbook, as it's somewhat different to what you may expect!

Lottiedoubtie, yes you may well have the relevant experience to do the risk assessment as most experienced teachers would, especially if they are using a computerised system such as Evolve. However the OP, mrsnw has not worked as a primary teacher for 7 years and she is just taking a major risk if she starts trying to talk about risk assessment at interview.

I disagree. I think it's important to say- as with most things, that you would refer to the relevant school policy (EV policy in particular re. Risk assessment). However, you can make some common sense suggestions, re. Ratios, organisation of any free time, etc...

Also for 'in school' issues, knowledge of the potential need to risk assess, visitors policy, special events etc...

Don't suggest you could do it all single handed/re-invent the wheel but showing awareness is different.

I'd be wary of any candidate who 'didn't do' or 'didn't comment' on any important issue to be honest.

Not sure if this is helpful, but if you are asked what you would do if a child disclosed something to you that could be indicative of abuse, you could say that you would make notes of everything said, including dates and times, and then refer the matter to the CPLO in the school.

This presentation on Ofsted and Safeguarding may prove interesting.