Safeguarding information for school governors

Everyone has a responsibility to protect children from harm.  Some children can be at risk of neglect, emotional harm, physical abuse and sexual abuse in any environment including with close family members as well as strangers.

Statutory responsibilities

Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE), is statutory guidance that places requirements on all boards to ensure their schools have effective safeguarding policies and procedures in place that take into account local risks, any statutory guidance issued by the Secretary of State, any Local Authority guidance and locally agreed inter-agency procedures.

As outlined in the:

• Maintained Schools Governance Guide
• Academy Trust Governance Guide

in relation to safeguarding and pupil welfare a board has a duty to ensure that it:

• carries out its functions with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
• has regard to the statutory guidance issued by the Secretary of State for Education relating to arrangements required to fulfil its safeguarding duties.

This is outlined in:

• section 175 of the Education Act 2002
• and for academies the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014.

Governing bodies have a strategic leadership responsibility for its school’s safeguarding arrangements. They must:

• comply with their duties under legislation:
  • All governors, trustees, Local Academy Committee members must have an Enhanced Disclosure Barring Certificate and a Section 128 check
• have regard to KCSIE guidance:
  • All schools must have a Designated Safeguarding Lead
  • All schools must have at least one Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
  • A named board individual with the link/lead responsibility for safeguarding
  • All board members receive appropriate safeguarding and child protection (including online) training at induction
• ensure that policies, procedures and training in their schools are effective and comply with the law at all times
• Under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act, all schools are subject to the Prevent duty, see DfE Prevent Duty Guidance.

Governors, trustees, Local Academy Committee members and associate members should ensure they have read and follow at least part 2 of the KCSIE guidance.

Westmorland and Furness Council expect all governors, trustees, Local Academy Committee members and associate members to undertake:

• Essential Safeguarding training for governors and trustees, NGA Learning Link e-learning
• Prevent Duty training, DfE
• Safer Recruitment training, NGA Learning Link e- learning.

Detailed information about required safer recruitment practices can be found within 'Part 3 Safer Recruitment' of  KCSIE statutory guidance. 

Resources, support and training 

KCSIE, statutory guidance (as mentioned above).

Working together to safeguard children, should be read together with KCSIE.

DfE Prevent Duty Guidance requires all education providers ‘to help prevent the risk of people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism’. This includes safeguarding learners from extremist ideologies and radicalisation.

Most importantly, providers should consider the needs of children, young people and adult learners at each stage of the safeguarding process.  Prevent e-learning training is available at the DfE, which all board members should complete.

Cumbria Safeguarding Children Partnership (CSCP) website.  E-learning training for partners is available but you will be required to register for access.

NGA Learning Link e-learning platform, Westmorland and Furness Council provides free access to all schools.  In relation to safeguarding, see modules:

• Essential Safeguarding training for governors and trustees
• Safer Recruitment training

Detailed information about required safer recruitment practices can be found within KCSIE statutory guidance. Part 3 Safer Recruitment.

Getting help

If you are concerned that a child or young person is in an emergency situation you should contact the police urgently on 999. 

Any other concerns about a child should be referred to the Westmorland and Furness Safeguarding Hub:

• Telephone Number - 0300 373 2724
• Email Address - safeguarding.hub@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk 

Your school will have details of the LA Designated Officer (LADO) who can also be contacted regarding safeguarding concerns. 

Further details can be found on the CSCP website.