Enhancing school safety with teamSOS

In February Capita Entrust hosted a webinar with Lisa Broad, independent consultant and Lawrence Royston, founder of teamSOS an incident communication system. During the webinar Lisa discussed the upcoming legislation Martyn’s Law and how to prepare for this from an education perspective, an overview of the discussion is included in this blog. 

Introduction

In an era where school safety is paramount, having effective communication tools during emergencies is crucial. teamSOS, developed by the founders of Groupcall and ParentPay, offers a robust solution for schools to manage incidents, particularly lockdowns. This blog post will explore how teamSOS can enhance your school's ability to communicate during emergencies and ensure the safety of students and staff.

About teamSOS

teamSOS is a communication system designed specifically for educational institutions. With a background in delivering scalable and reliable systems to over 20,000 schools across the UK, the founders of teamSOS bring a wealth of experience in education technology. Their previous work includes the Child Rescue Alert system, akin to the Amber Alert system in the US, developed in collaboration with the police.

Key features of teamSOS

teamSOS is designed to handle various emergency scenarios, with a focus on lockdown situations. Here are the three main functionalities it offers:

1. Raising Concerns: Staff can quickly raise concerns if they notice suspicious activities, such as someone jumping over the school fence. This immediate alert system ensures that the senior management team is informed promptly.
2. Mass Communication: The system allows for two-way mass communication, enabling staff to respond and coordinate effectively during an incident. This feature ensures that everyone is on the same page and can react swiftly to evolving situations.
3. Incident Timeline: teamSOS creates a detailed timeline of events, providing evidence for lessons learned and future reference. This feature is invaluable for post-incident analysis, as well as both evidencing and improving emergency response plans.

Real-time scenario management

teamSOS operates on various devices, including iPads, iPhones, Windows PCs, and as a web app. This flexibility ensures that all staff members can access the system regardless of the device they have. During an incident, such as spotting an intruder, a staff member can use the "Call for Help" button to alert the response team. The system then sends notifications to all designated staff members, who can join the conversation and provide updates.

Two-way communication and alerts

One of the standout features of teamSOS is its two-way communication capability. Staff can send and receive messages, share photos, and provide real-time updates. The system also supports desktop alerts, which take over screens across the school network, ensuring that everyone is aware of the situation, even if their screens are locked or in screensaver mode.

Lockdown management

In the event of a lockdown, teamSOS allows the senior management team to send announcements to all staff, asking them to confirm their status. This feature helps in quickly assessing the situation and ensuring that everyone is accounted for. The system also supports sending specific instructions, such as directing certain buildings to lock down while others evacuate.

Additional features

teamSOS includes built-in help videos from St. John's Ambulance, providing guidance on first aid during emergencies. The system also features a walkie-talkie function, allowing for voice communication that is recorded and stored for future reference. This ensures that all verbal communications are documented and can be reviewed later.

Conclusion

teamSOS is a powerful tool that enhances the ability of schools to manage emergencies effectively. By providing a comprehensive communication system, it ensures that staff can respond swiftly and efficiently to any incident, thereby safeguarding the well-being of students and staff. As schools prepare to comply with Martyn's Law, implementing a system like teamSOS can make a significant difference in emergency preparedness and response.

Next steps 

A recording of the webinar can be viewed here – click here

To find out more on teamSOS – click here

For more information on preparing for Martyn’s Law and safeguarding your school community visit here - Martyn's Law: Incident Response and Lockdown in Schools