Safer organisation’s Conference

1. Safer organisation’s Conference How do we keep Children safe in our Organisations? Steve Hall & Adam Fearon-Stanley.

2. Welcome Ian Lewis Director, Children & Family Early Intervention and Children’s Social Care Croydon Council

3. 1.30pm Welcome 1.45pm The M.O. of a Perpetrator (Modus Operandi) 2.20pm Table Discussion “What can you do to reduce these behaviours” 2.40pm Feedback from Groups 3.00pm Coffee Break 3.15pm What helps Organisations be safe 3. 50 pm Table Discussion “What works well in your organisation? What more can you do?” 4.30pm Close All Timings are approximate

4. The Modus Operandi of The Perpetrator William Vahey Southbank International School Recommendation 4 The Department for Education should be asked to revise the training requirement within Keeping Children Safe in Education (2015) to include training on the modus operandi of sex offenders and consideration should be given as to how to encourage such an approach across the wider children’s workforce. Westminister Serious case Review

5. Few choose the profession explicitly in order to abuse • Can be men or women • No age trends • Use of the Internet very prevalent • Use of grooming of children • Targeting Vulnerability • The Relationship with the child.- “its what its all about” • Trust, Quasi peers, jesting, touching , bullying / controlling • Encouragement and rewards. • Slowing increasing intimacy/behaviours • Reframing children’s behaviour as precocious/flirting

6. Exploiting relationships with adults. • Get close to people who are close to child • Helpful, supportive, pastoral visits • Involved in multi access points (- volunteering) • Use of Authority to control children via a variety of • manipulative techniques- “But it’s still manipulation” • Blurring Boundaries • Perceived Position of power • Cannot be touched, or challenged

7. Unconventional Behaviour • Rule breaking, inconformity, “going the extra mile” • Informality • The ever helpful volunteer (– makes them indispensable) • Extra-Mural Activities • School journeys, music, sports, drama, • Opportunities to act • making space

8. Vanessa George – Little Teds Nursery- Plymouth • Was part of a network on the Internet • Abused whilst changing nappies in “plain sight” • Took photos of abuse on her “Fun Phone” • Described as “fun and bubbly”, “the life and sole” • Was seen as a powerful member of staff • “Although she was not senior in her position, other factors such as her age, personality and length of service could have created an illusion of position of power and encouraged a sense of trust” • Showed inappropriate pornographic photos of adults to colleagues and spoke of inappropriate relationships- (MOT for sex)

9. The Croydon perspective : Mr Piano Teacher • Took inappropriate photos of female pupils on • his mobile phone (400 found) • Organised and managed School trips • Unofficial school photographer • Indispensible : Was the Head’s “right hand man” • Was involved in other Children’s services- Choir / Church youth groups • Previous allegation by pupils put down to a misunderstanding and need to protect him as a male teacher

10. Christopher Field Woodcote Primary School, Oxfordshire Called 2 girls “special” Described a group of girls as flirts Gave gifts from lost property Abused in the head’s office- closed doors Previous allegation - investigated internally “had difficulties adjusting to formality at school”

11. The Croydon perspective The Maths Teacher • Currently undergoing prosecution for sexual texts and advances to a 15yr old pupil • Offering extra Tuition to pupils without school knowing • Worked in a number of organisations for relatively short periods • Recruited via numberous Agencies • Exaggerated personal Achievements to pupils and staff • Sexually Abusive relationships with women of own age (-caution for DV) • Inappropriate advances towards an 18 year old TA • Seen by pupils “snogging his girlfriend in the playground

12. Jason Dabbs : Newcastle X Nursery 'Jason gave her two pens from the teacher's desk. Next day he said she'd stolen them and would go to prison.' The pens were still at home, in a drawer, buried under the child's nighties. 'To this day she still thinks she could go to prison As the only male member of staff colleagues felt unable to challenge him. Encouraged children to sit on his lap in the classroom in full view Many of the children said they loved him, including the girl whose revelation to her father first sparked the investigation. They didn’t want him locked up

13. Nigel Leat , Hillside First School, Weston-super-Mare Called girls “sweetie Pie” Chosen pupils praised TA raised concerns as to how his behaviour might be misinterpreted. Dealt with in school as a concern for a teacher not concerns about one Manipulated everyone around him

14. Lessons from William Vahey Perceived power role in the school – role of wife Extra- mural activities Volunteered to help out Unconventional conduct Favourites/cliques Stretched boundaries Listening to pupils (Known as “PerveyVahey”) Previous allegations - investigations Staff didn’t know others were concerned

15. Table Discussion “What can you do in your Organisations to reduce these behaviours” List some of the things you do in your organisation which helps to reduce opportunities for These behaviours to manifest themselves

16. Safer Organisations Safer Recruitment Safer Spaces Safer Culture

17. Safer Recruitment ‘Effective recruitment and selection of staff is essential to safeguarding children. Recruitment and the checks that are undertaken as part of this process are the organisations first chance to make robust efforts to prevent unsuitable individuals from working with children (Children’s Workforce Development Council Recruiting Safely Guidance, 2009) P.I.C.K

18. ‘The Basics are Necessary, but not Sufficient………..’ Safer Recruitment provides the first tangible opportunity……but must not be relied on as a sufficient safeguard. We must be tireless in the creation of organisational cultures which make clear the unacceptability of abuse of children and demonstrate at every opportunity the seriousness with which it will be dealt with. Only then will organisations become safer places for children (Erooga, M.2012)

19. Safer Spaces and Situational Prevention in Organisations ‘Prevention is better than cure’

20. Offenders are active decision makers and chose to perpetrate offences to gain benefits to avoid consequences – Rational Choice Theory (Cornish and Clarke) For a crime to occur there must be a suitable crime, an offender, and a lack of supervision/ guardians-Routine Activity Theory (Cohen and Felsen) Zones of territorial influence, Natural Surveillance, Image of Mileau -Defensible Space Theory (Newman)

21. Brainstorming risks These will be unique to your organisations Can be categorised under 7 headings Lifestyle and routine activities, Physical Environment, Victim Characteristics, Target Locations, Facilitators, Organisational Climate and community influences

22. Strategies -RISK REDUCTION -RISK PREVENTION

23. Managing Allegations Safely ‘Procedural Fairness within a Precautionary Approach’

24. Principles The welfare of the child is paramount All organisations that work with children have a duty to safeguard and promote children’s welfare Organisations that provide services to children should ensure that adults understand what behaviour is expected of them Adults about whom there are concerns should be treated fairly, honestly, and with common sense and good judgement and be provided with support Allegations should be managed efficiently and as quickly as possible , avoiding unnecessary delay The welfare of the adult should be protected to guard against possibly unfounded allegations.

25. Behaviour that gives rise to allegations Behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed a child; Possibly committed a criminal offence against, or related to, a child; Behaved towards a child or children in a way that may indicate s/he is unsuitable to work with children

26. Behaviours…. Contravened safe practice guidance Exploited or abused a position of power Acted in an irresponsible manner, which a reasonable person would find alarming or questionable Demonstrated a failure to understand or appreciate how their actions could adversely impact on the safety and wellbeing of a child Demonstrated an inability to make sound professional judgements which safeguard the welfare of children • Failed to appropriately follow policy or procedures relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children • Failed to understand or recognise the need for clear boundaries in their work • Behaved in a way in their personal life which could put children at risk of harm • Become subject of criminal proceedings not relating to a child • Become subject of enquiries under local child protection procedures

27. How can we do this? -Consult appropriately-Record and document carefully and promptly-Acknowledge lack of expertise or information and seek advice or guidance as needed-Keep an open mind until a conclusion is reached-Know and act in accordance with law or seek advice-Know and apply your procedures-Take account of appropriate guidance-Take account of all relevant factors-Give each factor their appropriate weight-Apply duty of care to children and adults

28. Contact the LADO Steve Hall 020 8239 4322  Adam Fearon-Stanley 020 8726 6000 ext 63860 Steve.hall@croydon.gov.uk or adam.fearon-stanley@croydon.gov.uk or lado@croydon.gov.uk

29. Safer Culture -An explicit safeguarding culture and ethos with values and behaviours which are both articulated and lived at each level in the organisation -Clear policies and procedures which make clear to staff what is expected of them and facilitate the raising of concerns -Courageous management who are prepared to act appropriately on concerns and staff who are prepared to challenge and raise concerns -Children and young people having a voice and mechanisms for raising their concerns which are taken seriously (Erooga, M. 2009)

30. -In your table groups think about the following: • What do you think you do well in your organisations to keep children and adults safe • What could you do better in your organisations to keep children and staff safe

31. Any Questions ?