Tower Hamlets Schools Library Services

Our policies

Resources selection Policy

This document sets out our policies as to the selection, acquisition and removal of library stock.

Our aims

  1. To select for our schools the best available resources in a variety of formats and at all levels to support the priorities of the National and other curricula, for pupils, teachers and school librarians
  2. To provide materials that reflect the diversity of our multi-cultural society in a positive, balanced and accurate way, in line with London Borough of Tower Hamlets’ Equal Opportunities policy
  3. To provide materials that inspire, instruct, advise, inform, challenge and enrich the lives of the young people for whom they are intended

Resources Selection Criteria

Materials, in whatever format, should be of a high quality in terms of content and presentation and the best available in terms of production.  Examples of the range of formats provided are books, digital resources, artefacts, props and sensory materials, costumes, posters and picture packs.  Books are the main resource.

  • Materials should support and enhance the effective delivery of the National Curriculum and other curricula:
    • Pupil-level resources from nursery to secondary level
    • Resources for teachers to facilitate the teaching of the National Curriculum and other curricula
    • Professional books of practical use to school staff
    • Resources to support the professional librarian
    • Resources to meet the learning needs of SEND children
  • Materials should positively reflect the rich diversity of local, national and global communities in terms of age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion and ability and engender respect for human rights. Materials should assist schools in meeting the requirements of their own diversity and inclusion policies.
    • Resources that represent a global perspective, with special regard to historical, cultural, political and socio-economic topics, where appropriate
    • Resources that challenge racism and promote self-esteem of children from all backgrounds (cultural and familial) by showing people from these groups taking responsibility, making decisions, being successful, respected and admired
    • Resources that realistically and positively reflect the diverse roles and life-styles of all people in our pluralistic society
    • Resources that challenge homophobia and transphobia, challenge heteronormative bias and ensure sexual orientations and gender identities are represented in a positive way.
    • Resources that challenge biases against differently abled and neurodivergent people through positive representation and resources (through their design) that are accessible to differently abled and neurodivergent pupils.
    • Resources to support development education and global awareness, and in particular, support projects that the Global Learning London is currently managing.
    • Resources should – where possible – be written/ created by authors/ artists of backgrounds/ identities representative of content of the resources to ensure accurate and authentic perspectives.
  • Materials, both fact and fiction, purchased beyond the requirements of the National Curriculum should:
    • enrich and widen the learning experience
    • encourage a love of reading for pleasure and for purpose
    • Challenge children and young people with a diversity of ideas and perspectives to promote tolerance, empathy and understanding.
  • Materials will be provided in the format appropriate to the content

Criteria for withdrawing materials from the library

  1. Materials that are damaged
  2. Items that have not been borrowed for a significant period
  3. We now hold too many copies for our needs
  4. Materials with out-of date / dated or inappropriate presentation/ information/ content
  5. Materials whose contents no longer meet the basic selection criteria
  6. When a complaint against a specific resource is upheld

Complaints Procedure

Complaints may be made to the library in person, via direct email to schoolslibraryservices@towerhamlets.gov.uk or via our contact form.

  1. If a complaint about a particular item is received, the complainant will be asked to complete a complaints form and sign it
  2. The item will be removed from circulation until the complaint is resolved
  3. The Head of the Schools Library Services and SLS librarians will make a decision as to whether the complaint should be upheld in line with the library’s resources selection criteria and the Tower Hamlets equalities policies. If required, the complaint will be referred to the Tower Hamlets Education Partnership and the Tower Hamlets Head of Education
  4. Appropriate action is taken (write to publishers, withdraw the resource from shelves or reinstate book on shelves)
  5. Complainant will be notified of action taken with reasons for the action, within two weeks of complaint being made
  6. Changes, if any, will be incorporated into the resources selection policy

Diversity and equalities

Overview

The Tower Hamlets Schools Library Service (THSLS) is part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council.

Working with schools and cultural organisations, THSLS provides books and other educational resources, a programme of events and advisory services.

THSLS believes that there should be no barriers to accessing books and education and that all children and young people should be able to take part irrespective of circumstance.

Our aims

  • provide a wide range of high quality learning resources (for early years, primary, secondary and sixth form) that reflect our multicultural and diverse community in a balanced and accurate way, as an efficient, cost-effective way for schools to resource the curriculum and promote reading for pleasure
  • support schools in their aim to have excellent school libraries by providing professional advice and training on the management and organisation of learning resources and by supplying the services of a professional librarian to manage the school library on a regular basis
  • enrich the curriculum through global learning and pupil participation, helping young people make the connection between the local and the global

Equality, diversity and inclusion are values which are fundamental to THSLS & Tower Hamlets Council.

It is our ambition that these values are placed at the core of our organisational policies, processes, practices and culture. Valuing diversity is one of the four core values of Tower Hamlets Council.

We will promote diversity and equality in everything we do to improve the quality of life for everyone living, working and visiting Tower Hamlets. The borough’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths and assets.

We will build upon this to provide an accessible and responsive service that enables everyone to take part in the social, cultural and economic wealth of the borough. Our commitment is supported by several legal duties that require us to promote equality and eliminate discrimination. These provide tools to help further embed diversity and equality in the culture of the organisation.

We believe we have a strong moral and social duty to do everything we can to challenge prejudice and discrimination and promote better understanding and respect. At the same time, we recognise that discrimination takes place and tensions can sometimes exist between different communities. 

Tower Hamlets Council aims and values

As a service provider we will:

  • Promote equality of opportunity and eliminate discrimination in the planning and delivery of our services in terms of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, health and income status
  • Promote good relations between communities and address negative stereotyping of any groups
  • Ensure that all residents have equal opportunity to participate in the democratic process
  • Tackle harassment relating to a person’s age, disability, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, health and income status.

As an employer we will:

  • Develop, review and promote policies and practices that ensure equality of opportunity and eliminate discrimination for our workforce in all areas of employment (including recruitment, retention, learning and development, promotion, grievance, disciplinary and retirement)
  • Ensure that our workforce reflects the diverse nature of the borough.

We will comply with:

  • the Equal Pay Act 1970
  • the Sex Discrimination Act 1975
  • the Race Relations Act 1976
  • the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000
  • the Disability Discrimination Act 1995
  • the Disability Discrimination Act (Amendment) 2005
  • the Human Rights Act 1998
  • the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003
  • the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003
  • the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006
  • the Equality Act 2006
  • the Equality Act 2010 (supersedes majority of previous legislation)

This strategy is always under review.
Contact: Jacob Turner, jacob.turner@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Safeguarding Policy

Overview

This policy applies to all THSLS staff working either as an employee or as an external provider of services (e.g. workshop leaders, volunteers, visiting artists, students) working on behalf of THSLS. THSLS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect everyone working for THSLS to share this commitment. We all have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe and are committed to practice in a way that protects them.

The purpose of this policy is:

  • to protect children and young people who receive THSLS’ services.
  • to provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding.

Legal Framework

This policy has been devised using the following:

  • Children Act 1989
  • United Convention of the Rights of the Child 1991
  • Data Protection Act 1998
  • Sexual Offences Act 2003
  • Children Act 2004
  • Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
  • Relevant government guidance on safeguarding children including Relationship Education, Relationship and Sex Education and Health Education guidance Sept 2020

It should be read alongside other Council policies and procedures including:

  • The THSLS’ Staff Handbook
  • Advice provided by the Tower Hamlets Safeguarding Board
  • Online teaching guidance (ongoing)
  • Equal Opportunities
  • Health and Safety
  • Complaints and Whistleblowing procedures
  • Safer Recruitment

We recognise that:

  • the welfare of the child is paramount (Children Act 1989).
  • all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse.
  • some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency communication needs or other issues.
  • working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

  • valuing them, listening to and respecting them.
  • adopting child protection practices through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers.
  • developing and implementing an effective e-safety policy and related procedures.
  • providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, and training.
  • recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made.
  • sharing information about child protection and good practice with children, parents, staff, and volunteers.
  • sharing concerns with agencies who need to know, and by involving parents and children appropriately.

Contacts

  • Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Jacob Turner: Schools Library Services Manager (Tel: 020 7364 6428) jacob.turner@towerhamlets.gov.uk
  • THSLS Librarian: Monica Carmichael (Tel: 020 7364 6428)
  • If a child is at immediate risk of harm contact the police on 999.
  • The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO – see below) can be contacted Monday to Friday: 9-5pm on 020 7364 0677 or by email on LADO@towerhamlets.gov.uk. There is an out of hours contact number for evenings and the weekend 020 7364 4079.