Reed's School
Author: Alex Balls, Deputy Head and Designated Safeguarding Lead
The Challenge
Reed’s School is an HMC Independent Day and Boarding School in Cobham, Surrey. It caters for boys aged 11-18 and girls 16-18.
The central aim of the school is to support children who have lost one or both parents. Excellent pastoral care is at the heart of this aim. Prior to using MyConcern, we relied on written safeguarding records as well as electronic copies saved onto our network. It was time-consuming to share relevant information with key pastoral staff and external agencies when needed. Each case was dealt with on an individual basis, meaning analysis and monitoring of patterns was laborious.
Linking patterns of behaviour and various pieces of information together relied on individuals to make that connection. The growing complexity of safeguarding issues meant that the caseload needed to be managed more effectively.
The Solution - MyConcern
I wanted a simple mechanism for staff to report concerns and for them to be assessed and managed quickly and effectively.
Reed’s needed a system that could seamlessly put together a detailed chronology of all cases, regardless of whether referrals to external agencies where required. It was also crucial that the system would allow a team to be put in place easily to offer early intervention.
Implementing MyConcern
The technical support offered by MyConcern was impressive. The simplicity of integrating with our MIS and getting us set up to use MyConcern was a real positive.
The system achieved all that I wanted it to with immediate effect; our staff are happy to report even the slightest of concerns offering a more holistic visibility of the challenges and issues the children and young people in our care face.
The fact that we can create a team around the child with this system is invaluable, everyone then knows what has been and needs to be done, which is most reassuring.
Outcomes
As a DSL whether I’m on-site or not, I can manage cases, and be kept updated on progress along with our safeguarding team.
- Much simpler record-keeping
- Detailed chronologies
- We can see the whole picture
- Ability to analyse cases and look for patterns or trends
- Enhanced the quality of reporting to our Governors
- Review further training needs
- Peace of mind
Solutions
Our suite of safeguarding solutions to support schools is ever growing, so we can help with your safeguarding processes in a number of ways. Explore our products below:
For Concerns about Children and Young Adults
Easy-to-use, centralised, secure record-keeping and case management for all types of safeguarding concerns
Find out moreFor Allegations Against Staff
One of the most sensitive issues facing any leader is how to handle serious allegations about their staff. Confide is the answer
Find out moreFor Multi-establishment Reporting
A powerful reporting tool designed exclusively for multi-establishment safeguarding. Paired with MyConcern and Confide to provide high-level, anonymised reporting across groups of establishments
Find out moreFor Safer Recruitment
A safer recruitment and personnel vetting tool that acts as your Single Central Record. Designed to guide you through the recruitment process and to ensure that no check is missed
Find out moreFor Training and Self-assessments
Our package of safeguarding training and self-assessments to help you build and maintain safeguarding expertise in your organisation
Find out more
