Minute of Meeting of the Audit and Risk Committee of 27 September 2022 for Approval - Appendix 1
Perth and Kinross Council · 7 December 2022
Back to Audit and Risk Committee — 7 December 2022 and its agenda
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Page 1
EXEMPT Appendix 1 EXEMPT NOT FOR PUBLICATION BY VIRTUE OF PARA 15 OF PART 1 OF SCHEDULE 7A OF THE 1973 ACT. P1. EDUCATION AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES (a) Violence and Aggression There was submitted a report by Chief Internal Auditor (22/247) presenting an audit in response to a grievance by letter, from a member of staff to a school Headteacher relating to an incidence of violence and aggression by a pupil. In response to a question from Councillor C Stewart regarding the whistle- blower and if they had been contacted regarding the audit, J Clark advised that the whistle-blower had been involved in the internal audit findings of the report and the HR process. The whistle-blower then received the draft and final reports of the audit. In response to a question from Councillor C Stewart regarding a pattern in challenging behaviour, J Clark advised that from Internal audit’s review, there were several challenging behaviours found over a period. She added that it was a very complex case and Education, and Children’s Services were involved in supporting the young person. In response to a question from Councillor C Stewart regarding the process of reporting incidents and if a change would be required, F Mackay advised that the incident took place prior to the use of the DASH reporting system being fully embedded. It is now fully embedded. She added that the system allows incidents to be monitored, reported and resolved more efficiently, creating greater security. Once an incident of distressed behaviour has been reported by a member of staff, the system automatically notifies a member of Senior Management who would then decide on the necessary action. In response to a question from Councillor N Khogali regarding the focus on reporting incidents and if it leads to fewer incidents, F MacKay advised that it does enabled a focus on prevention in relation to the children and staff involved and supports an awareness in schools of challenging behaviour which is also very important in reducing incidents. In response to another question from Councillor N Khogali regarding the effectiveness of the whistle-blower system, J Clark advised that issues reported had been addressed by changing processes and staff are reporting incidents effectively. F MacKay added that the Violence and Aggression Working Group focuses on improvement and has representation from schools, health and safety and Unions and Professional Bodies to reduce the number of challenging behavioural incidents recorded. In response to a question from Councillor I MacPherson regarding staff undertaking CALM training, F MacKay advised that through CALM, staff are trained to use de-escalation approaches such as distraction methods to help reduce the number of challenging behaviour incidents. Staff should only use CALM measures if they are fully trained. Ongoing support and refresher training are also provided. In response to a question from Councillor C Stewart regarding headteachers and if they are required to inform teachers to report behavioural incidents through the DASH reporting system, F MacKay advised that regular reminders are sent to schools.
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EXEMPT In response to a question from Councillor C Stewart regarding information collated, F MacKay advised that regular reports are brought to the Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff and the Joint Consultative Committee highlighting incidents of challenging behaviour throughout schools on a term basis. F MacKay advised that data collated showed around 300 incidents in schools in Perth and Kinross in term 4. Councillor C Stewart asked for information to be circulated to members on the number of challenging behaviour incidents that had been repeated in term 4. Resolved: The contents of report 22/47, be noted.