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Safeguarding

Safeguarding: a guide for governing boards

Learn how to ensure that your board has sufficient knowledge and capacity to meet its safeguarding responsibilities.

Guidance
11/11/2024
Pupils-learning young pupils learning in front of the teacher

One of the most important duties that governing boards fulfil is to ensure that their school or trust is creating safe environments for pupils.

Governing boards must comply with the duties outlined in statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE). Use our safeguarding guide to ensure that your board has sufficient knowledge and capacity to meet your safeguarding responsibilities.

The guide covers:

  • how to meet your safeguarding responsibilities
  • strategic oversight and monitoring
  • understanding how safeguarding policy works in practice
  • governor and trustee safeguarding checks

The latest version of KCSiE is in force from September 2024. It contains updates that boards should be aware of, including:

  • an updated safeguarding definition with an emphasis on early help and support
  • additional indicators of the potential need for early help
  • clarification around alternative provision safeguarding responsibilities
  • amendments in line with draft non statutory guidance Gender Questioning Children

Download our guide for further information on these updates.

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