Theme 2: Working within the law and frameworks
Rationale
Teachers have legal obligations, rights and contractual entitlements as employees to work within the law and frameworks in order to protect and safeguard the rights and well-being of learners and colleagues. Legislation, statutory and non-statutory frameworks exist to ensure not only that all children and young people receive their educational entitlement but also to protect and safeguard their well-being, both in schools and beyond.
Standards
| C3 | Maintain an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the professional duties of teachers and the statutory framework within which they work, and contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of the policies and practice of their workplace, including those designed to promote equality of opportunity. |
| C16 | Know and understand the relevant statutory and non-statutory curricula and frameworks, including those provided through the National Strategies, for their subjects/curriculum areas and other relevant initiatives across the age and ability range they teach. |
| C21 | Know when to draw on the expertise of colleagues, such as those with responsibility for the safeguarding of children and young people and special educational needs and disabilities, and to refer to sources of information, advice and support from external agencies. |
| C22 | Know the current legal requirements, national policies and guidance on the safeguarding and promotion of the well-being of children and young people. |
| C23 | Know the local arrangements concerning the safeguarding of children and young people. |
| C24 | Know how to identify potential child abuse or neglect and follow safeguarding procedures. |
| C37 | (a) Establish a purposeful and safe learning environment which complies with current legal requirements, national policies and guidance on the safeguarding and well-being of children and young people so that learners feel secure and sufficiently confident to make an active contribution to learning and to the school. (b) Make use of the local arrangements concerning the safeguarding of children and young people. |
Scope
These standards are about ensuring that teachers have a working knowledge and understanding of what the law and frameworks say, how they are to be implemented or complied with, and what expectations they place on you as a teacher.
For example, aspects of practice covered by these standards might include:
- taking the initiative to find out about relevant workplace policies and practices and current legislation concerning the rights of children
- taking opportunities, for instance in staff, team or departmental meetings, to contribute to discussions about the development of any new policies or practices governing the teaching profession and the workplace and implementing them
- showing an awareness of the relevant statutory and non-statutory curricula and frameworks in your planning and teaching
- developing your understanding of your responsibilities in relation to the health, well-being and safety of children and young people
- developing your knowledge of how and when to access appropriate information regarding safeguarding using the experience and expertise of key personnel
- making judgements, with support, about how to act to safeguard a child or young person and making appropriate use of the local safeguarding arrangements such as the Local Safeguarding Children Board or other agencies with responsibility for child welfare
- developing your knowledge about your school policy and guidance about how to recognise children who may be at risk of neglect or abuse and taking steps to increase your awareness of the different forms and extent of child abuse, including physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
Questions
Prompt questions that can be used for discussion with your induction tutor:
- What opportunities are there for you to keep up to date with the latest statutory requirements for your subject and/or curriculum area?
- What information and briefings have you received on the current legal requirements and local arrangements for safeguarding children and young people and implications for your practice?
- What information have you received about when and whom to consult regarding matters of safeguarding?
- How confident are you about how you can ensure your learners are safe and that health and safety regulations are complied with?
- What additional support or guidance do you feel you need?
