Consultation launched on changes to safeguarding guidance

The government has launched a consultation on proposed changes to keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) statutory guidance.

KCSIE sets out those legal duties that schools and colleges must comply with, together with what schools and colleges should do to keep children safe. Schools and colleges must have regard to KCSIE when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

The consultation is split into five parts. Part one sets out what staff in schools and colleges should know and do. It explains their safeguarding responsibilities, what the various forms of abuse and neglect look like and what staff should do if they have concerns about safeguarding matters.

Part two sets out the arrangements for the management of safeguarding, including the responsibility of governing bodies and proprietors, the role of designated safeguarding leads and the safeguarding policies and procedures that should be in place.

Part three sets out the safer recruitment arrangements schools and colleges should adopt and describes in detail the checks that are required for individuals working or visiting a school or college.

Part four sets out how schools and colleges should manage allegations of abuse made against teachers and other staff including supply teachers, volunteers, and contractors.

Part five is about managing reports of child-on-child sexual violence and sexual harassment and sets out what governing bodies and proprietors should be doing to ensure reports of child-on-child sexual violence and sexual harassment are managed appropriately.

The consultation says: "Many of the proposed changes are technical in nature. These are intended to improve the clarity of the guidance and ensure consistency throughout."

If approved, the changes would come into effect in September this year.

The consultation also seeks views on some online safety changes put into effect in 2021 and whether they have worked.

 

Read more