What is safeguarding in schools?
Safeguarding in schools refers to the actions taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. It encompasses a wide range of responsibilities and practices aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of all pupils.
Key aspects of safeguarding include:
- Protecting children from abuse and neglect
- Preventing impairment of children's mental and physical health or development
- Ensuring children grow up in circumstances consistent with safe and effective care
- Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes
Safeguarding is not just about protecting children from deliberate harm; it also involves keeping them safe from accidents, bullying and other forms of abuse.
Who is responsible for safeguarding?
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility within a school setting. However, there are specific roles and responsibilities:
- Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): A senior member of staff responsible for overseeing all safeguarding matters
- Headteacher: Ultimately responsible for ensuring that safeguarding policies are implemented
- Governors: Responsible for overseeing the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements
- All staff: Have a duty to report any concerns and follow safeguarding procedures
It's crucial that all staff members understand their role in the safeguarding process and are familiar with the school's policies and procedures.
Safeguarding in primary schools — what school staff need to know
Primary school staff should be aware of the following key points:
- Recognise signs of abuse or neglect, which may be physical, emotional or behavioural
- Understand the importance of early intervention
- Know how to respond to disclosures from children
- Be aware of specific safeguarding issues such as bullying, online safety and domestic abuse
- Understand the referral process for reporting concerns.
Primary schools should foster an environment where children feel safe to express concerns and seek help when needed.
Safeguarding in secondary schools — what school staff need to know
Secondary school staff should be aware of additional safeguarding concerns:
- Understand the complexities of peer-on-peer abuse
- Be knowledgeable about issues such as sexting, substance misuse and mental health
- Recognise signs of radicalisation and extremism
- Be aware of the risks associated with social media and online platforms
- Understand the importance of promoting positive relationships and consent.
Secondary schools should provide age-appropriate education on safeguarding issues and ensure that pupils know where to seek support.
What does effective safeguarding look like?
Effective safeguarding in schools is characterised by:
- A whole-school approach where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility
- Clear policies and procedures that are regularly reviewed and updated
- Robust staff training and continuous professional development
- Strong partnerships with parents, carers, and external agencies
- A culture of openness where concerns can be raised and discussed
- Regular risk assessments and safety audits
- Effective record-keeping and information sharing.
Schools should strive to create a safe environment where children feel valued, respected, and able to discuss any concerns they may have.
What safeguarding training and support should be available to teachers and other school staff?
Schools should provide comprehensive safeguarding training and support:
- Induction training: All new staff should receive safeguarding training as part of their induction
- Regular updates: At least annual refresher training for all staff
- Specialist training: Additional training for DSLs and those working with vulnerable children
- Online training modules: To supplement face-to-face training
- Scenario-based training: To help staff apply knowledge to real-life situations
- Access to resources: Providing staff with up-to-date guidance and materials
- Supervision and support: Regular opportunities for staff to discuss concerns and receive guidance
Training should be tailored to the specific roles within the school and should cover both national guidance and local procedures.
Conclusion
Safeguarding is a critical aspect of education that requires ongoing attention and commitment from all school staff. By staying informed, vigilant and proactive, educators can create a safe and nurturing environment where all children can thrive and reach their full potential.
References and further reading
- Department for Education. (2024). Keeping children safe in education 2024. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66ce094e8e33f28aae7e1f6d/Keeping_children_safe_in_education_2024_part_one.pdf
- NSPCC. (2024). Safeguarding children and child protection. https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection
- UK Government. (2024). Working together to safeguard children. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children--2
