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Safeguarding training requirements

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General
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All staff

  • All school staff must undergo safeguarding and child protection training (including online safety) at induction and this must be updated regularly
  • This doesn't have to be formal face-to-face training, and can include online learning
  • Safeguarding training during induction should give staff an awareness of the school's safeguarding systems, including:
    • The child protection policy
    • The behaviour policy
    • The safeguarding response to children going missing from education
    • The staff behaviour policy/code of conduct
    • The role and identity of the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and any deputies

In addition, all staff should:

  • Be aware of their local early help process and understand their role in it
  • Be aware of the process for making referrals to children’s social care and for statutory assessments under the Children Act 1989
  • Know what to do if a child tells them he/she is being abused or neglected

Make sure they're also familiar with your school's whistle-blowing procedures.

You should provide staff with copies of the child protection, behaviour, and staff behaviour policies and a copy of part 1 of Keeping Children Safe in Education at induction. All staff must read at least part 1 of the guidance.

The DSL

Before becoming the designated safeguarding lead (DSL), or a deputy, you must complete training that provides you with the knowledge and skills to perform the role. If you're joining a newly established school, such as a free school, you must complete the training before the school opens.

This training must be updated every 2 years. You must also update your knowledge and skills "at regular intervals, but at least annually".

These updates can include:

  • E-bulletins
  • Meetings with other DSLs
  • Taking time to read and digest safeguarding developments

What to cover

DSL training must help you to:

  • Understand the assessment process for providing early help and intervention, for example through locally agreed assessment processes
  • Have a working knowledge of how LAs conduct child protection case conferences and child protection review conferences, and attend and contribute to these effectively when required
  • Ensure each member of staff has access to and understands the school’s child protection policy and procedures, especially new and part-time staff
  • Be alert to the specific needs of children in need, those with special educational needs (SEN) and young carers
  • Understand relevant data protection legislation and regulations, especially the Data Protection Act 2018 and the GDPR
  • Understand the importance of information sharing, both within your school, and with the 3 safeguarding partners and other agencies
  • Be able to keep detailed, accurate, secure written records of concerns and referrals
  • Understand and support the school with regards to the requirements of the Prevent duty, and be able to provide advice and support to staff on protecting children from the risk of radicalisation
  • Recognise the additional risks that children with SEN and disabilities (SEND) face online, and be confident you have the capability to support SEND children to stay safe online;
  • Obtain access to resources and attend any relevant or refresher training courses
  • Encourage a culture of listening to children and taking account of their wishes and feelings, among all staff, in any measures the school may put in place to protect them

Use The Key's Safeguarding Training Centre to help you save time and stay compliant with which training you need. 

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