Video Series for MATs and Academies

Dealing with safeguarding issues in a newly-formed Academy

In our four-part video series, we dissect a recent case involving a school which, after being deemed “inadequate” by Ofsted, converted into an Academy and subsequently joined a MAT. The case study explores how the newly-appointed Headteacher and Trust handled a safeguarding issue concerning a Teaching Assistant who repeatedly ignored direct management instructions.

Ellis Whittam’s Head of Employment Law Education Team, Jane Hallas, and Enlightened HR’s Executive Director, Justin Wilson, discuss from a legal perspective whether the process followed adhered to best practice and the legal options available to Trusts when dealing with a challenging employee.

Part 2: Undertaking An Investigation

Faced with repeated safeguarding incidents, this next episode takes a close look at the investigation process. Justin explains how the school approached this stage, from appointing a suitable person through to the conclusions drawn in the investigating officer’s report, and Jane shares her expert opinion on whether the procedure the Trust followed adhered to best practice guidelines, and whether failure to follow a reasonable management instruction may constitute gross misconduct. She also explains why taking historical behaviour into consideration may, in this case, come back to haunt them.

Available to watch now

Part 1: Managing Safeguarding Concerns

Available to watch now

Part 3: Conducting a Hearing

Available to watch now

Part 4: Handling a Repeat Safeguarding Offence

Have you experienced a similar incident at your school?

Our Employment Law and HR experts are here to support you. Call us on 0345 226 8393 or find out more about the fixed-fee service Ellis Whittam offers to MATs and Academies.

If you would like additional training on these topics, plus an update on the latest legal developments impacting schools, book your place at our FREE breakfast seminars taking place in November. With only a limited number of places at each venue, reserve your spot early to avoid missing out.

Breakfast Seminars

Jane and Justin will be joining forces again later this year to run FREE breakfast seminars at venues nationwide.

Join us to gain a greater understanding of the topics discussed in this video series plus how recent legal developments will affect your school.

Chester – 27th November

Register Now

About the Hosts

Jane qualified as a solicitor in 2009 and now works as a non-practising solicitor leading the Education Team at Ellis Whittam. Her team advise hundreds of education clients, from Multi-Academy Trusts and single academies, through to independent schools, PRUs, colleges and universities on all HR and employment related matters.

Prior to joining Ellis Whittam, Jane qualified as a teacher (many years ago) and taught GCSEs, A-Levels, a range of vocational/professional courses (including BTEC, AAT, CIPD, Banking) through to lecturing at degree and master’s level. She has also worked as an examiner for A-Level boards as well as the CIPD.

Justin has strategic leadership experience as a Headteacher and local authority adviser and significant commercial experience working on Academy and Free Development for two major consultancies at Director of Programmes level.

He has an outstanding reputation for the delivery of transformational education programmes on time and on budget, having delivered over 40 Academy, Free School and UTC projects in the past ten years, including all-age, primary and secondary schools.