When we were formed in 1993 our founding director had a clear vision. Her approach focussed on children and their overall wellbeing and how well supported and qualified professionals could have a positive impact on children and their learning. Having spent several decades working with pupils, schools, Governing Bodies and the Local Authorities over this period she was trusted, respected and her word was very much her bond. Whilst our formation preceded Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE), the CRB / DBS and even the internet our culture, beliefs and values were defined at inception.

Since those early days there has been significant regulatory change but the remaining constant has been our belief that every child has an entitlement to live free from abuse, harm and neglect. 

Safeguarding runs through our very core and whilst Partnership and Integrity are key values and part of our trinity, without a focus on Safeguarding they would fall, as would ESL.

So what measures are in place to safeguard pupils:

• We spend approximately 2 hours with every team member explaining and reinforcing the importance of Safeguarding, what expectations schools have and our vision for children to live free from abuse, harm and neglect.
• Every team member is recruited and selected in full compliance with KCSiE.
• Each year we ask every team member to read Part 1 of KCSiE and sign a statement to that effect, the most recent guidance dated September 2018 has been sent to all current supply team members.
• Every team member is in receipt of a Staff Manual and Client & Employee Care Policy which reminds team members of the importance of Safeguarding and the part that they play in achieving our aim and vision.
• Every team member is invited to participate in on line training which has been quality assured by the NSPCC.
• Biannually we ask external auditors to review our policies and procedures, make any recommendations and issue a certificate of Assurance that we deliver the stringent standards of compliance and best practice expected by the REC.  In July we were awarded the Gold Standard of compliance.
• We encourage schools to share with us their experiences of ESL and our supply team. Our team are encouraged to self-evaluate, review, seek development and improve.

As the end of first term of the academic year approaches we reiterate that we remain, resourced, equipped and committed to working with our supply team and our schools in partnership, to resolve any human resource challenge.