Handsam Reminders
In the hustle and bustle of other responsibilities, you may have overlooked some articles from Compliance Matters Issue 30. Below are some of the things that were making the news in the world of compliance in November 2021.
Menopause in the Workplace
An estimated 13 million people are living with menopause in the UK, including women, trans people and intersex people. Yet menopause is still largely taboo in many places of work. A growing number of people of menopausal age are having to give up their careers when facing extreme symptoms because of the lack of support available in their workplace. Handsam encourages schools and academies to make resources and support readily available for staff so that they can feel confident and supported in their career.
Is Your Firewall Secure?
The onus is on schools and colleges to ensure that their firewalls and internet security are robust enough to defend them from the threat of cyber attacks and also to filter out online searches on harmful or illegal subjects. Schools and colleges must ensure that they are aware of any new trends, social media groups, YouTube videos etc that your students are accessing.
It is important to recognise that no filtering systems can be 100% effective and need to be supported with good teaching and learning practice and effective supervision
Successfully Negotiating the Safeguarding Element of Ofsted Inspections
For Ofsted, It's business as usual with inspection teams back in schools since September. The importance of the safeguarding element of the inspection has been further heightened by the impact of the ‘Everyone’s Invited’ movement, Ofsted’s subsequent review into sexual harassment and abuse and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Are You Ready for the Children's Code?
The Children’s Code (or to give its formal title, the Age Appropriate Design Code) came into force on 2 September 2020 with a 12-month transition period to give organisations time to prepare. It’s a data protection code of practice for online services, such as apps, online games, and web and social media sites, likely to be accessed by children. Following research by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), it was revealed that three-quarters of businesses surveyed are aware of the Children’s Code. Their survey of 500 services and businesses showed that they are still in the preparation stages.
The Effects of Pornography on the Developing Child
The most basic effect of watching too much internet porn or even gaming is how it affects sleep. People end up ‘wired and tired' and unable to concentrate on work the next day. Constant bingeing and seeking that dopamine reward hit can lead to a deep habit that is hard to kick. It can also cause ‘pathological’ learning in the form of addiction.
Disposing of Hazardous Waste
If you think that a school would never need to dispose of hazardous waste, then think again. Items that may seem harmless, for example, batteries or printer toner, can be classified as hazardous and need to be disposed of in the right way. Add to this any chemicals used by your science department and even bodily fluids produced by children who have become unwell, must be handled with care.