Main faculty head named as first tsar

A major headteacher of practically 20 years has change into the primary colleges safeguarding tsar, tasked with serving to leaders talk higher with different companies.

Over the subsequent yr, Jon Le Fevre will assist the Division for Schooling to discover whether or not colleges ought to change into a fourth safeguarding companion and assist roll out social care reforms.

He’ll collect proof of the place safeguarding communication is working nicely between colleges and others, reminiscent of councils and police, and strengthen their voice. One instance is the place colleges sit on native safeguarding boards.

“I’m going to go to as many councils as I can. I believe the extra we have now schooling at these boards, the higher the dialog will likely be and safeguarding improved,” Le Fevre instructed Faculties Week.

“I’m in a supportive position – it’s not accountability, it’s not an inspectorate. I’m there to facilitate higher working collectively.”

With 17-years of headship expertise, Le Fevre most just lately led Pilgrims’ Cross major faculty, in Hampshire, the place they’d “actually good preparations” with social employees and different companies.

“We’ve to do what’s greatest for youngsters however I’m very acutely aware of the stresses and pressures inside colleges at the moment,” he added.

Final yr, DfE mentioned it could “discover” legislative modifications to incorporate colleges as a statutory safeguarding companion, alongside councils, well being providers and police.

The MacAlister assessment of kid social care warned leaving colleges out meant the voice of schooling was “lacking”.

Le Fevre has a £129,000 contract to do the work, which runs till March 2025. He’s working alongside two different safeguarding tsars, Deborah McMillan who leads on councils and Lorraine Parker, who focuses on police.

Faculties trying to work with Le Fevre can attain him on jon.lefevre@schooling.gov.uk