Explore the New Additions to the Handsam Library

New Quick Guides and Policies

Handsam would like to make you aware of the new or updated Quick Guides you can now access through our Quick Guide Library. We respond to the needs of our customers, through safety issues we encounter on audits or direct requests for content on particular subjects when expanding our resources. This allows us to continue to grow our library around the direct compliance needs of our clients.

PAY01 Teachers' Pay: Guidance on Statutory Pay Policies

Governing Bodies are required to carry out their legal obligations for teachers’ pay in accordance with the terms of the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions of Service Document (STPCD) which is published annually.

This document has been amended to reflect the changes in the apprenticeship levy

PAY02 Teachers' Pay: Pay Levels

This Quick Guide has been completely updated and includes all the up-to-date information on:

  • 2021 Pay Levels for the Period 1st September 2021 to 31st August 2022
  • Leadership Spine (Head Teachers, Deputies and Assistant Heads)
  • Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) Payments
  • Special Educational Needs (SEN) Allowances
  • Previous Structures
  • References and Resources

Example Policy for Children who are Looked After (CLA)

The local authority (LA) is the corporate parent for children who are looked after (CLA). This means that any actions in which (your school or college would usually involve parents, seek parental permission or look for parental support and advice, will come to the LA. You should show that your facility is committed to supporting the LA in their corporate parenting role and doing all that it can to promote the educational achievement and wellbeing of CLA.

This example policy outlines topics such as statutory requirements, responsibilities, safeguarding and attendance.

Example Domestic Abuse Policy

The Government definition of domestic violence and abuse is: 'Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. This can encompass, but is not limited to, the following types of abuse: • Psychological • Physical • Sexual • Financial • Emotional

This new example policy outlines what schools and colleges should know about possible indicators of abuse, support, minimising risk and the responsibilities of the school, the nominated officer, the employees and the school's HR function.

PM02 Professional Standards

Professional standards, which are statements of a teacher’s professional attributes, skills, knowledge and understanding, clarify the professional expectations of them at each career stage and describe what progression looks like. The standards provide the backdrop to discussions about how a teacher’s performance should be viewed in relation to their present career stage, that which they are approaching or aspire to.

This has been updated to add clarity to what the standards are used for.

CP10 Protecting Children From Internet Abuse

No one would deny that the internet offers infinite opportunities as a wonderful learning resource for children of all ages. However, like all good things, it has a dark side and the more widespread and accessible it has become, the more it has attracted the attention of those people with unhealthy interests in sex, particularly activities involving children.

This Quick Guide has been updated to reflect recent amendments to the Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) regulations.

CP15 Disqualification by Association

This document outlines the conditions of the Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations 2009 and the Childcare Act 2006, which dictate under what terms professionals can be barred from childcare capacities, including management of childcare provision.

This Quick Guide has been amended with new information regarding the implications of disqualification by association and the application of the general data protection regulation.

Find out more about our Quick Guides and Policies

The Handsam Quick Guides Library contains over 900 documents with all the relevant information, exemplars, checklists and guidance notes you need to ensure you're up to date, including all the DfE, HSE and other formal resources all in one place. It's unique!

Handsam also offers various different policies packages, including providing you with easy-to-use templates for you to tailor yourselves, reviewing your existing policies, or working with you to deliver fully bespoked policies for your school, college or MAT.

If you're not a Handsam client, or you don't buy our Quick Guides or one of our Policies packages, please contact us to discuss how we can help to keep you organisation compliant.