Issue - meetings

The Board received a report on guidance for schools on the use of metal detecting wands and the protocols required. It was intended that this guidance be circulated to all schools and school governors, and that each school would produce its own protocol, which would be shared with parents and consulted on with the local community. It was noted that the emphasis was not on criminalising any young person, but on obtaining the best solution for the individuals concerned.

The Board discussed the twin-track approach of some schools to drugs, where young people had an opportunity to come forward and share information without the risk of punishment, and how this might work for knives. The Board noted that schools did have discretion regarding how they responded to information provided voluntarily by pupils, and that the CAF assessment, which would automatically be triggered for any young person found in possession of an offensive weapon, would look at the needs of that young person holistically; the emphasis would not be on punishment.

It was noted that where the use of metal detecting had been introduced, such as at CoNEL, the process had caused few problems and had been an effective way of communicating that the institution was not complacent in its protection of the young people for whom it was responsible. The Board greatly welcomed the progress that had been made regarding this issue.

RESOLVED

That, taking into account the comments made during discussion of the report, the Board supports the LSCB to release the Protecting Young People from Violent Crime guidance to schools.