Crime and intelligence - Reporting incidents in schools policy (N17)

1. Summary of Changes

1.1. This policy has been reviewed in January 2024 – minor amendments to terminology have been made.

2. What this Policy is About

2.1. This policy provides advice and guidance when dealing with any schools-based incident, and outlines:

• The responsibilities of schools when an incident occurs.
• How the incident should be handled if police need to be involved.
• Guidance on the type of incident which should involve police.
• Guidance on the type of incident that should be dealt with by the school.

Compliance with this policy and any linked procedures is mandatory.

3. Statement of Policy

3.1. Policy, agreed by the Home Office National Crime Recording Steering Group, determines that it should be the responsibility of school managers and staff, not the police, to deal with and record behavioural incidents involving children and young people on a school site in the first instance.

3.2. The purpose of the jointly published policy (DfE, Home Office and National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC)) is to ensure school managers have primacy for the recording and management of incidents that occur on school premises. However, in cases of uncertainty, schools should be encouraged to discuss incidents with the Central Child Centred Policing (CCP) Team or named Child Centred Policing Officer within the District Community Safety Unit who can seek guidance from the Child Centred Policing Co-ordinator, within Strategic Prevention Command.

4. Implications of the Policy

4.1 Finance / Staffing / Training

4.1.1. Training will be a requirement for existing officers and staff, should any new legislation be introduced or amendments to existing legislation be made.

4.2. Risk Assessment

4.2.1. This policy has been assessed as low risk.

4.3. Equality Impact Assessment

4.3.1. This policy has been assessed with regards to its impact on equality. As a result, it has been graded as having a high potential impact.

5. Consultation

•  Superintendent, Strategic prevention command
• Finance
• Human Resources
• IT Security
• Estates
• Legal
• Freedom of Information
• Health and Safety

6. Monitoring and Review

6.1. This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it meets and maintains the current working practices and legislation in relation to schools and young people.

6.2. The policy will be reviewed every two years with the next review scheduled for January 2026.

7. Security

7.1. Kent Police has measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management Policy (Policy W1000 - Information Management).

8. Retention and Disposal of Records

8.1. Kent Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention and Disposal Policy (Policy W1012 - Records Review, Retention and Disposal).