Safeguarding in the new Ofsted framework: what you need to know and do

Safeguarding in the new Ofsted framework: what you need to know and do

Ofsted’s new inspection framework came into effect on 10 November 2025, with safeguarding still at the centre of every inspection. For the first time, it’s being assessed as its own evaluation area. Here’s what this means in practice and how you can make sure your school is inspection-ready.

For more detail, read our full guide on how Ofsted inspects safeguarding under the 2025 framework.

How safeguarding will be assessed under the 2025 framework

Unlike other evaluation areas, which are graded on a 5-point scale, safeguarding is judged on a ‘met’ or ‘not met’ basis. This reflects Ofsted’s expectation that every school must comply with statutory safeguarding requirements in full – there’s no partial pass.

During the planning phone call, the lead inspector will ask about any safeguarding matters your school has identified, including any concerns or allegations involving adults.

What does ‘met’ or ‘not met’ mean in practice?

In summary, safeguarding is met when your school:

• Has an open culture where everyone takes responsibility for keeping pupils safe
• Shows strong leadership and effective work with other agencies
• Learns from incidents and welcomes challenge in order to improve
• Keeps pupils safe, heard and supported – including those off site
• Trains staff well so they act quickly on any concerns
• Embeds safeguarding in the curriculum so pupils know how to stay safe
• Has clear, consistent policies that staff follow
• Fulfils its responsibilities in relation to allegations against adults, and child-on-child abuse
• Meets all statutory duties – including safer recruitment, referrals, record-keeping and the Prevent duty

Safeguarding is likely to be not met when inspectors find that any of the following apply:

• Serious or widespread failings put pupils at risk
• Leaders and governors don’t take enough action to resolve known weaknesses
• The school avoids challenge or fails to learn from incidents
• Pupils off site or in alternative provision aren’t safeguarded
• Pupils feel unsafe or unheard when raising concerns
• Allegations against adults, or of child-on-child abuse, aren’t handled properly
• Key statutory duties – like safer recruitment, referrals, record-keeping or the Prevent duty – are not met

What inspectors are looking for in safeguarding

Ofsted expects every school to show that safeguarding is part of its daily culture, not just a set of policies. Leaders should take a whole-school approach where everyone understands their role in keeping pupils safe. 

Inspectors will look for signs that your school:

1. Maintains an attitude of ‘it could happen here’: staff stay alert to risks in any situation and act quickly to protect pupils from harm, including neglect, abuse, exploitation and online dangers
    
2. Is open and transparent: leaders listen to pupils, staff, parents and carers, act on concerns and are open to challenge. Safeguarding decisions are clear, shared appropriately and regularly reviewed
    
3. Provides training and empowers action: staff are well trained and know how to raise concerns or seek help for a pupil when needed
    
4. Has effective safeguarding and child protection arrangements in place: processes for safer recruitment, managing allegations and maintaining the single central record are all robust. Your school is aware of pupils who may be at greater risk, such as those with SEND or who are non-verbal, and responds accordingly

Quick checklist for readiness

Use this list to help you make sure your school’s safeguarding arrangements reflect what Ofsted will be looking for:

• Update your safeguarding policy in line with KCSIE and Working Together to Safeguard Children: use our model policy and checklist to save time and make sure it includes everything it needs to 
   
• Check your single central record is complete and up to date: don’t forget, your SCR needs to be accessible to inspectors and clearly show when each required check was completed. Our single central record article and template explain what to include and help you stay aligned with KCSIE 2025
   
• Make sure every staff member knows how to spot and report concerns: help your staff feel confident spotting and responding to safeguarding concerns with our safeguarding and child protection essentials course 
   
• Refresh training records and plan any follow-ups: don’t forget to carry out regular safeguarding audits to help you spot training gaps and check that staff knowledge and practice stay in line with KCSIE 2025
   
• Review how you manage safer recruitment: download our Safer recruitment policy: model which covers safer recruitment procedures in appendix 2, so you can adapt them for your setting.
   
• Review and challenge your safeguarding culture: regular feedback helps you see how well safeguarding works in practice. Share our safeguarding staff survey to gather staff views on training, reporting processes and how confident they feel raising concerns

💡 See more: explore our safeguarding hub for training materials, briefing decks and factsheets to help you stay inspection-ready.

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