Building a Safer School…
Expert educational consulting services for school Safeguarding and Child Protection
Steven Isaacs BEd MA NPQH
Our mission statement…
At Building a Safer School, we are committed to creating and maintaining environments where all children feel safe, valued, and respected. In line with the principles set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024-2025, our mission is to empower schools with the tools, guidance, and expertise necessary to safeguard children from harm and to promote their well-being.
We work collaboratively with schools to develop robust safeguarding policies and practices, ensuring a proactive approach to identifying and responding to concerns. Our aim is to foster a culture of vigilance, inclusivity, and transparency, where all staff are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to act swiftly and appropriately when safeguarding concerns arise.
We believe that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and we are dedicated to supporting schools in providing a safe, nurturing, and supportive learning environment for every child, where their rights are upheld, and their voices are heard.
By delivering tailored consultancy, training, and ongoing support, Building a Safer School strives to enable schools to meet their statutory obligations and, most importantly, to protect children from harm while promoting a culture of care and respect.
Building the Safer School… (Since 2018)
Steven Isaacs BEd MA NPQH is the Director of the School Safeguarding Consultancy (SSC) and is a leading expert in all areas of school safeguarding. He has been working in education for the last 30 years and has been in Headship for over 15 years alongside the role of the Designated Safeguarding Leader.
Steven has a wealth of experience in Maintained, Independent and International Schools. He was also instrumental in setting up an orthodox Jewish school (Tashbar Primary School) in Edgware in 2002. He is able to assess how well a school carries out its statutory safeguarding and child protection responsibilities and will ensure that the school promotes child wellbeing. This is a key aspect of the school inspection process in the UK.
He moved two schools from a judgment of ‘ineffective’ safeguarding to ‘effective’ in June 2021 (at an Academy in East London) and November 2022 (an Independent School) ensuring that clear and manageable systems and processes were embedded into the day-to-day running of the schools.
Navigating the requirements can at times seem overwhelming, hence there is a need for a practical and comprehensive safeguarding pathway for all stakeholders.
Annual Safeguarding Packages…
Basic Package - Package 1
- Support with implementing statutory safeguarding measures
- Governor safeguarding training termly
- Fortnightly safeguarding supervision
- Remote DDSL support
- Acting Safeguarding Governor
- Unlimited phone advice
- Fortnightly onsite support / training
Basic Remote Package - Package 2
- One full-day site visit per month
- Governor Training
- Supervision for the DSL/DDSL
- Option of a remote DDSL
- Support implementing statutory safeguarding measures
Governor Package - Package 3
- Acting Safeguarding Governor
- Termly Report to Governors
- Attendance at Governors Meeting
- Termly Governor Training
- Unlimited phone advice
- Onsite Ofsted support
Premium Package - Package 4
- Unlimited phone advice
- Support with implementing statutory safeguarding measures
- Safeguarding Improvement Plan
- Policy writing to ensure Ofsted standards are met in safeguarding
- Monthly remote DSL supervision
- Weekly onsite visits / staff training
- Governor training
- Support formulating risk-assessments
- Option of a remote DDSL
- Social media checks to screen social media profiles of potential candidates
- Termly review of the SCR
- Onsite Ofsted Support
Testimonials
Menorah Grammar School Ofsted 2023: ‘Pupils feel safe at school.’
Steven exhibited strong leadership skills, effectively coordinating safeguarding efforts and implementing robust policies and protocols to create a safe and secure environment for everyone within the school community.
Moreover, Steven's excellent communication skills were evident in his ability to effectively liaise with external agencies, parents, and colleagues, fostering strong partnerships and ensuring a collaborative approach to safeguarding.
I highly recommend Steven Isaacs for any role related to safeguarding or child welfare, confident that he will continue to excel and make a meaningful difference wherever he goes.
Benjamin Cowen
Safeguarding Governor (Menorah Grammar School)
Safeguarding can often create bureaucratic challenges yet Steven managed to harmoniously balance excellence in safeguarding with the schools aspirations in both education and pastoral care.
Ofsted walked away highly complimentary of our safeguarding systems and processes and were highly complimentary of the way Steven led and managed the safeguarding department at Menorah.
I would highly recommend Steven as a formidable expert in School safeguarding for any school, especially those within the orthodox Jewish sector.
Doniel Goldberg
Chair of Governors (Menorah Grammar School)
‘Safeguarding is Effective...’ (Steven Isaacs Interim DSL)
Interim DSL at the Atam Academy, Romford (June 2021)
The inspection was conducted under Section 8 of the
Education Action 2005
‘Leaders work closely with outside organisations.’
‘Leaders have started to boost communication with parents…’
‘Leaders respond swiftly to any local issues…’
‘Pupils said that they feel safe in school.’‘
‘Leaders take swift action to deal with incidents of unsettled behaviour…’
’You and new leaders have worked swiftly to compile and follow a safeguarding action plan…’
Amanda Carter Fraser - Her Majesty’s Inspector (Ofsted - 25th May 2021)
Working in the community…
Chaverim Youth Organisation
Chaverim Youth Organisation has had the distinct privilege of collaborating with Steven Isaacs, a prominent figure in the field of Safeguarding. His invaluable expertise has greatly contributed to the development of our organizational policies, offering extensive guidance and dedicating considerable time to ensure that our safeguarding measures are of the highest standard.
Navigating the complexities of safeguarding within youth work settings can be challenging. However, with Steven's assistance, we have successfully struck a balance between maintaining exceptional safety protocols and fostering the unique ethos of youth engagement. This achievement is evident across our educational and outreach initiatives, where safety remains paramount without compromising the enriching experiences we provide to young individuals.
I wholeheartedly endorse Steven as an eminent authority in school safeguarding. I strongly urge any educational institution or youth-oriented organization, particularly those within the orthodox Jewish community, to avail themselves of his wealth of experience and expertise. His guidance is indispensable in ensuring the well-being and protection of young people in our communities.
Rabbi Shmuel Yosef Davidsohn
Chief Executive
Chaverim Youth Organisation
Contact the School Safeguarding Consultancy
For further information about our tailored packages (Basic, Governor and Premium) contact Steven Isaacs.
