Serious Incident Protocol

In the event of serious incidents, schools must escalate concerns in line with the Serious Incident Escalation protocol appendix 3.

Serious incidents include:

Significant near miss
- Onsite suicide attempt
- Onsite report of sexual assault by penetration
- Onsite serious violence,including weapon-enabled incidents
- Incident resulting in life changing/life threatening injury,
Incidents considered critical, such as those that significantly impact the community confidence and reputation or have attracted media attention
Circumstances leading to the dismissal of an adult from the organisation due to a safeguarding concern
Notification of a Child Safeguarding Practice Review
Child deaths.

The Safeguarding Officer, DSL and the Headteacher will convene a Serious Incident Strategy Meeting within one working day of receipt of the serious incident notification. Outcomes will be reported to the Director of Education, Safeguarding Trustee and the CEO, who will update the Chair of the Trustees.

Ongoing oversight of the serious incidents will be maintained by the Safeguarding Officer, Kelly Overhill. Strategic updates on serious incidents, including implications for learning and improvement, will be provided to the LSC and Trust Board through routine reporting cycles.

By following a structured and coordinated approach, the Trust and its schools can effectively manage serious incidents and minimise their impact on the school community. A meeting template can be found in google docs under safeguarding.

Key Participants:

The participants in a serious incident strategy meeting will vary depending on the nature of the incident, but typically include:

Trust Safeguarding Officer
Headteacher
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Where appropriate, representation from other Initio colleagues.

Key Elements of the Meeting:

Establishing the Facts:

A clear and accurate account of what happened.
Gathering evidence and statements.
Distinguishing between facts and speculation.

Risk Assessment:

Identifying potential risks to individuals and the school community.
Assessing the severity and likelihood of those risks.
Determining the need for immediate safeguarding measures.

Action Planning:

Developing a clear and concise action plan.
Assigning responsibilities and timelines.
Addressing immediate needs (e.g., medical attention, emotional support).
Planning for long-term support and follow-up.
Planning for communication with parents and the wider community.

Communication:

Establishing clear communication channels.
Developing consistent messaging.
Managing media inquiries.
Planning communications to parents and caregivers.

Record Keeping:

Maintaining accurate and detailed records of the meeting and all actions taken.
Ensuring confidentiality and data protection.

Review and Evaluation:

Establishing a process for reviewing the effectiveness of the action plan.
Identifying lessons learned and making necessary adjustments.

Important Considerations:

Safeguarding: The safety and well-being of students and staff must be the top priority.
Confidentiality: Maintaining confidentiality is essential, while ensuring appropriate information sharing with relevant agencies.
Legal Requirements: Adhering to all relevant legal requirements and school policies.
Emotional Support: Providing emotional support to those affected by the incident.

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