We were first introduced to SCR Tracker when we received the weekly newsletter bulletin from Andrew Hall.
We were using LA templates (Excel) and the Office Managers in each school maintained these for their individual school. We wanted Trust level easy access to the records to increase support for each school and to improve and simply monitoring across the board.
To be honest, apart from ensuring value for money, we only looked at SCR Tracker and were assured of the quality of this as it had been recommended by Andrew Hall.
We had an initial online demonstration and invited key members of trust/school staff including the CEO, Headteachers, Office Managers and Governors with specific responsibility for Safeguarding. Following our decision to go ahead, a virtual training session was provided. I also use the live chat function regularly and get instant helpful responses, the staff are extremely friendly and approachable.
At a trust level we have more confidence that the SCRs are continously up to date. Monitoring is now much quicker than it was previously and we can quickly and easily see where there are any gaps.
I like the customisable templates so we can tailor them to suit individual needs. We have adapted our template so that 'school ready' also records read policies and training dates - with an alert to let us know when these need updating. The SCR tracker staff were very helpful and patient with me when I was adapting the template to records these things! I have set the alerts to weekly which is a good reminder for me to check if anything needs doing.
It has saved monitoring time. Money wise the old excel system was free so we do have additional costs but the new system provides confidence, and it has the potential to be so much more than a SCR.
At a recent Ofsted Inspection the inspectors were really impressed with the system. Staff confidence in individual schools since using the system has also improved. Using it to monitor training and distribution of policies has also been a huge success and the systems and processes are better.
I would recommend SCR tracker and their after sales support has been superb.