Did you know the definition of safeguarding is changing?

Legislation changes all Designated Safeguarding Officer should know….

Following the publication of Working together to safeguard children 2023, the key legislation for schools and colleges Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE), is being updated. Last month a draft version was published by the Department of Education to help us prepare for the expected introduction in September 2024.

Remember that Keeping children safe in education 2024 is currently for information only, pending publication of the final version, so its important to check again once the final version is confirmed.

The guidance sets out what schools and colleges in England must do to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people under the age of 18

Below you will find an outline of the changes you need to know to reflect in your training for staff and policies and procedures.

Definition of safeguarding

The definition of ‘safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children’ has been updated.

The definition now includes the additional points of:

• providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge

• protecting children from maltreatment, inside or outside the home, including online.

Early help

The guidance on ‘Early help’ has also been updated. The update adds that professionals should be alert to the need for early help for a child who:

• is frequently missing/goes missing from education, home or care

• has experienced multiple suspensions, is at risk of being permanently excluded from schools, colleges and in alternative provision or a pupil referral unit

• has a parent or carer in custody or is affected by parental offending.

Abuse, neglect and exploitation

The term  ‘abuse and neglect’ has been changed throughout the document to ‘abuse, neglect and exploitation.’

The definition of ‘abuse’ has also been changed to clarify that harm can include children witnessing the ill-treatment of others and that this is particularly relevant when children see, hear or experience domestic abuse and its effects.

Children absent from education

The guidance updates ‘signs that children may be at risk of harm’ to change ‘deliberately missing education’ to read ‘unexplainable and/or persistent absences from education.’

Data protection

There is an recommendation that school staff, governors and trustees education professionals read the DfE Data Protection guidance for schools (DfE, 2024b).

Alternative provision

There is clarification that when a school places a pupil with an alternative provision provider, the school continues to be responsible for the safeguarding of that pupil.

Children who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or gender questioning

The ‘Children who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or gender questioning’ section is currently under review pending the outcome of the gender questioning children guidance consultation

If you want to find out more then why not attend one of our Level 4 Designated Safeguarding Lead/Officer courses designed specifically for those working in education.. We have an options for new in post or experienced staff. Find out more here!Individuals > Safeguarding Archives – Best for Training