Safeguarding in Schools

The Department for Education (DfE) published new Statutory Guidance on Keeping Children Safe in Education in September 2022. 

Who this guidance is for?

This statutory guidance should be read and followed by:

• Governing bodies of maintained schools (including maintained nursery schools) and colleges
• Proprietors of independent schools (including academies, free schools and alternative provision academies) and non-maintained special schools. In the case of academies, free schools and alternative provision academies, the proprietor will be the academy trust
• Management committees of pupil referral units (PRUs).

The above persons should ensure that all staff in their school or college read at least Part one of this guidance,

The above persons should ensure that mechanisms are in place to assist staff to understand and discharge their role and responsibilities as set out in Part one of this guidance.

It relates to:

• Maintained schools and colleges
• Independent schools
• Academies and Free schools
• Alternative provision Academies and Free schools
• Pupil Referral Units
• Further Education colleges
• Sixth-form colleges

It sets out what schools and colleges must do to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people under the age of 18.

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022 includes information for all school and college staff.  The BWSCP recommends that this is distributed to all staff in schools, colleges and other educational establishments.

All educational establishments are required to also have regard to the following statutory guidance:

• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018
• Disclosure and Barring Service - Employer guide
• What to do if you're worried a child is being abused, March 2015
• Information Sharing: Guidance for Practitioners July 2018
• Regulated Activity (children) supervision of activity with children which is regulated activity when unsupervised.

Independent Schools and Academies are also required to have regard to the following regulations:

• The Education (Independent School Standards) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (which came into force 1st January 2013)

Schools with boarding provision need to have regard to:

• National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools (September 2022)
• National Minimum Standards for Residential Special Schools (September 2022)

In addition, schools may wish to refer to the following guidance:

• School Inspection Handbook - September 2018
• Ofsted Inspections: detailed information

Go to the Ofsted website to find out more.

Resources:

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022

DfE and ACPO drug advice for schools

Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools and colleges