This conversation is with CPOMS staff about CPOMS's own products. All three guests work for CPOMS, which sells safeguarding software to schools, and the discussion includes CPOMS Engage; HeadteacherChat has not independently tested it. Published 12 October 2023, so products and guidance described are as they stood then.

What this covers

  • What a joined-up approach to safeguarding looks like.
  • A pupil who attends both a mainstream school and a PRU: how shared information helps staff in each setting know about domestic abuse at home and support the child.
  • How a system such as CPOMS Engage is meant to reduce barriers to sharing information across settings and with the local authority.

Before you act on it

Schools' safeguarding and record-keeping duties are set out in Keeping children safe in education, multi-agency arrangements in Working together to safeguard children, and when and how to share information in the DfE's information sharing advice. No particular product is required; the duties stay with the school. If you are considering software, run a data protection impact assessment and follow the DfE's buying for schools guidance.

About the session

Jonathan and Lucy are joined by the team at CPOMS to look at the challenges we face when sharing information with external agencies in an efficient and secure way.

They are joined by:

Nicki Higgins

Nicki is the Sales Team Manager. She has a background in Pastoral Support in both Secondary and Primary School settings and used CPOMS safeguarding software in her previous role as DSL. Nicki is qualified as an NLP Practitioner and holds a degree in Counselling and Psychology in Community Settings.

Karl Lodge

Karl is a Business Development Manager at CPOMS, which he joined in 2017. More recently Karl has focused on the launch of CPOMS Engage with PRU's, AP's, mainstreams, Independent schools, and Local Authorities. Prior to joining CPOMS, Karl has 12 year’s experience within the education sector.

Sophie Wilkinson

Since joining in 2016, Sophie has led the product management with CPOMS Systems Limited. Sophie has worked with the teams to bring two additional products to market in CPOMS Engage and CPOMS StaffSafe. Prior to joining CPOMS, Sophie served as a teacher in the UK for over a decade.

They discuss:

  • What does a joined-up approach to safeguarding look like?
  • If a child was in a situation where they attend a main stream school and a PRU, how would a joined-up approach help relevant staff be aware of domestic violence happening at home so staff can best support that child?
  • How can a system like CPOMS Engage help remove barriers to information sharing across settings and with the local authority?