Safeguarding children in schools and education settings

Everyone in education services shares an objective to help keep children and young people safe by contributing to:

• creating and maintaining a safe learning environment for children and young people
• identifying where there are child welfare concerns and taking action to address them, where appropriate, in partnership with other agencies
• the development of children’s understanding, awareness and resilience through the curriculum

Welsh Government issued guidance in January 2015 called ‘Keeping Learners Safe’ which is currently being reviewed. The purpose of this guidance is to help all education providers make sure they have effective systems in place to support the achievement of those objectives. Under Section 175 of the Education Act 2002 local authorities, governing bodies of all maintained schools and Further Education institutions and proprietors of independent schools must have regard to this guidance. It sets out the responsibilities and arrangements for exercising their functions to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people in Wales. It is also relevant for supply agencies which supply staff to the education sector, contractors who work in education establishments responsible for under 18s, as well as other providers of education and training for those under 18.

Each Local Authority in Wales has a Lead Officer for Safeguarding in Education, whose role it is to support and monitor safeguarding practice across schools, education settings / services in each area.

The name and contact details for the relevant officer should be located in the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy for each school and on the website for the respective Local Authority.

Click here for Keeping Learners Safe - The role of local authorities, governing bodies and proprietors of independent schools under the Education Act 2002

Click here for The Education Act 2002

Managing Professional Concerns in an Educating Setting

It is essential that any allegation of abuse made against a teacher or other member of staff or volunteer in an education setting is dealt with fairly, quickly and consistently, in a way that provides effective protection for the child, and at the same time supports the person who is the subject of the allegation. The quick resolution of allegations of abuse should be a clear priority to the benefit of all concerned.

This is statutory guidance from the Welsh Government’s Department for Education and Skills on handling allegations of abuse against teachers and other staff Safeguarding children in education.

Click here for Safeguarding children in education: handling allegations of abuse against teachers and other staff - Guidance for local authorities, headteachers, school staff, governing bodies and proprietors of independent schools