Safeguarding

The latest news, analysis and professional advice on keeping children safe, including new legislation, KCSIE updates, case studies from DSLs and more

Thursday

6th Feb 2025

Gilruth pauses school ‘sex survey’ amid concerns over data availability
Education secretary has recognised the ‘strength of feeling’ over use of data from health and wellbeing census that asked upper secondary school students about sex and relationships
Gilruth with Venus and Mars

Wednesday

29th Jan 2025

What’s really going on with teenage girls?
There is a gender divide when it comes to students’ mental health, with girls more likely to experience challenges. Zofia Niemtus tries to find out why
Teenage girl looking vulnerable
More children will come to school hungry, warns poverty report
The impact of the cost-of-living crisis on pupils’ ability to learn is highlighted in a report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Empty plate with child's hands

Tuesday

28th Jan 2025

Safeguarding issues will rise as social media loosens its restrictions
Safeguarding in schools will become more challenging with social media companies relaxing their grip on what happens on their sites – and leaders need to be ready, writes 91¶¶Òõ editor Jon Severs
Girl on mobile phone with social media logos

Wednesday

22nd Jan 2025

Safeguarding action ends too soon, heads’ leader tells MPs
Even when school safeguarding concerns result in an intervention, this can end too soon, requiring repeated referrals, the education committee heard
Turning off alarm clock

Thursday

16th Jan 2025

Ofsted considers longer safeguarding inspection insights
Binary judgements for schools on safeguarding are likely to remain, although they could change from ‘effective’ or ‘ineffective’ to either ‘met’ or ‘not met’
Ofsted considering longer safeguarding inspection insights

Monday

13th Jan 2025

7 key questions for schools arranging SEND provision
Schools and trusts looking to become more inclusive face challenges along the way – a trust leader who has been on this journey shares her advice
Child's toy with question mark

Friday

10th Jan 2025

The safeguarding disconnect affecting children and teachers
Legal experts say a misalignment of guidance used by professionals to record allegations of sexual abuse is failing teachers and pupils – with potentially devastating consequences. Ellen Peirson-Hagger investigates
‘An invidious position’: the safeguarding disconnect affecting children and teachers

Thursday

9th Jan 2025

This five-minute task could save a life this year
Does your school have a defibrillator? If so, make sure it’s registered on the national database – it could be the difference between life and death, says this headteacher
Defibrillator

Tuesday

7th Jan 2025

7 things Sir Martyn Oliver told MPs on Ofsted reforms
Ofsted chief gives Commons committee an overview of what he believes the new school inspection report cards should cover
Seven things Sir Martyn Oliver told MPs on Ofsted reforms

Thursday

19th Dec 2024

Stigma, safeguarding and social change: toilet training in early years
Staff report increasing numbers of children starting school without being toilet trained – but the issue is complex and requires careful consideration, writes Julian Grenier
Learner plate potty training

Thursday

12th Dec 2024

Snus: What it is, why it’s dangerous and what else schools need to know
A safeguarding lead outlines why another new nicotine-related trend entering schools requires clear oversight and action
Snus: What it is, why it's dangerous and what else schools must know