Safeguarding in Education
Schools, nurseries and colleges are in a unique position to identify and respond to safeguarding concerns early. It is essential that all safeguarding partners work closely with colleagues in education to support them to do this. This page includes links to safeguarding resources and information to help colleagues in education, and specifically Designated Safeguarding Leads in their role. If you would like to see additional guidance or resources on this page, or you have an example of great practice and want to share it, please get in touch.
​
​
Model Safeguarding Policy
The model safeguarding policy for schools was revised in September 2023 to reflect the changes in national guidance as a consequence of the publication of revisions to ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education'. This guidance became statutory on 1 September 2023 and all schools and colleges must have regard to it when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
In accordance with the guidance, governing bodies and proprietors of independent schools and colleges should ensure that all staff and volunteers are aware of the new policy and are kept up to date as it is revised. The revised policy should continue to be made available publicly.
The following model policy is designed to provide a framework for your school’s policy. It should be adapted to make it relevant to your setting and any particular local safeguarding issues you may be dealing with. School-specific information should be added, for example, information about the curriculum (including information about Relationships and Sex Education) and the school’s monitoring and evaluation procedures.
Operation Encompass
​
Operation Encompass is a police and education early information safeguarding partnership enabling schools to offer immediate support to children experiencing domestic abuse.
Operation Encompass ensures that there is a simple telephone call or notification to a school’s trained Designated Safeguarding Lead /Officer (known as key Adult) prior to the start of the next school day after an incident of police attended domestic abuse where there are children related to either of the adult parties involved.
Information is shared with a school’s Key Adult (normally the DSL) prior to the start of the next school day, after officers have attended a domestic abuse incident. This sharing of information enables appropriate support to be given, dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.
Op Encompass Resources
Sign up for free online training run by the national Operation Encompass team
Download the Operation Encompass Handbook for Schools for information on supporting children experiencing domestic abuse
If your school has not yet signed up to Operation Encompass or if you have any questions, please get in touch and we will pass your query on to our Police and Education partners.
