Stop press: New quality recognition scheme encourages development of best practice in out-of-school provision and builds on existing government regulation.

The NRCSE Quality Mark builds on Section 11 of the Children’s Act 2004 and addresses eight standards in educational provision:

1. Create an effective learning environment
2. Teach effectively
3. Record progress and achievement
4. Choose the right resources
5. Plan and develop your organisation
6. Select and support staff and volunteers
7. Make sure that children are safe
8. Manage finances

The NRCSE provides free self-evaluation resources and online guidance on minimum safeguarding standards on our website staging.supplementaryeducation.org.uk Downloadable templates and discounted training can be accessed by subscribing to NRCSE. Contact details for agencies providing support in the school’s local authority area are also provided. The NSPCC has recently updated their toolkit of safeguarding standards and guidance in line with Section 11 guidelines so that is a good place to start if your local safeguarding children board isn’t responding quickly. Section 11 of the Children Act 2004 places duties on a range of agencies and individuals to ensure their functions, and any services that they contract out to others, are discharged having regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. You can contact your local safeguarding children board to obtain details of the support provided in your area to meet these standards.

In order to apply for an NRCSE Quality Mark a supplementary school must:

• Meet the stated Section 11/safeguarding requirements for your local authority, and
• provide up-to-date information on the services it provides, and
• have received a visit from an appropriate person*.

*nationally qualified member of teaching staff, or Children’s Services, or registered NRCSE quality assurance mentor

Following a Recognition Meeting the school will receive a detailed report highlighting good practice and containing recommendations for development. Successful recognition will entitle the school to carry the NRCSE Quality Mark and the quality assurance report will be publicly available on the NRCSE Online Directory of Supplementary Schools (unless the supplementary school has provided a written request not to be publicly listed).

Start working towards an NRCSE Quality Mark today!

To enter your school for an NRCSE Quality Mark you must be able to demonstrate that you meet local safeguarding standards (see below) for Voluntary & Community Sector (VCS) organisations working with children and young people as detailed in: HM Gov. document ‘Working together to safeguard children’ 2015, chapter 2 and para 4 Section 11, Children Act 2004

• Culture of listening to and consulting with children
• Effective recruitment, selection and contractual procedures including safeguarding checks
• Staff/volunteer supervision, support, training, induction, review, competence
• Staff aware of safeguarding policies and procedures including what to do if concerned about a child
• Procedures for dealing with allegations against staff/volunteers
• Requirement to refer to DBS and local authority designated officer or team dealing with allegations against those who work with children (formerly known as LADO)
• Supportive environment for staff/volunteers that encourages sharing of safeguarding concerns and provides clear
• whistleblowing procedures
• Clear lines of accountability for safeguarding arrangements
• Senior board level/management commitment to safeguarding
• Designated professional lead for safeguarding
• Arrangements for information sharing with other professionals and LSCB

You can demonstrate this via written confirmation from your local authority, or confirmation from Ofsted that you meet the requirements of the childcare register, or by completing the NRCSE safeguarding quiz and uploading your management file online.

For more details about the NRCSE Quality Mark visit our website staging.supplementaryeducation.org.uk

Download a printable flyer about the NRCSE quality recognition scheme