Safeguarding training to become requirement in schools

In a bid to keep children safe in education, government officials are discussing plans to make safeguarding training for school staff an annual requirement.

The Department for Education’s impending move will see schools increase the frequency at which they train their staff on safeguarding and child protection policies. At present, safeguarding training for school staff is rolled out every two years.

As well as school staff, governors, councils and sponsors could be encouraged to ensure children are taught about the importance of safeguarding. This would involve youngsters embarking on online safeguarding training courses.

The draft proposal, entitled ‘Keeping children safe in education: Statutory guidance for schools and colleges’, states: “Online safeguarding is an important topic and the assumption is the vast majority of governing bodies and proprietors will already be ensuring the children in their school are suitably equipped with regards to safeguarding. But we are keen to hear views as to the change in emphasis.”

The latest guidance would also involve schools filtering and monitoring pupils’ internet use in order to protect them from any online material considered harmful and inappropriate. The draft proposal highlighted examples such as pornography, Daesh propaganda and information on how to travel to Syria.

Commenting on the proposal, Sally Bates from the National Association of Headteachers, said that many of the things set out are already performed by schools, but the requirement for more frequent training is welcomed.

Ms Bates added that making personal, social, health and economics education compulsory would ?free up the appropriate time within the school day to address this important issue?.

The Department for Education welcomes any feedback on the existing guidance.

Sources:
http://schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-to-double-amount-of-safeguarding-training-under-new-plans/

Virtual College has worked with Safeguarding Children Boards to develop Safeguarding Children Training, to find out more click here.