Each nation has its own laws and guidance that sets out the safeguarding responsibilities of schools.
England
In England, the Department for Education (DfE) provides the key guidance for schools and colleges Keeping children safe in education (DfE, 2023).
It sets out the legal duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people under the age of 18 in schools and colleges. As of September 2022, the guidance also provides detailed information on how schools and colleges should respond to sexual violence and harassment between children.
Part 1 of the guidance should be read by all school staff.
> Read our briefing on Keeping children safe in education
Schools and colleges must also follow the guidance set out in Working together to safeguard children (DfE, 2023).
The safeguarding duty of schools and colleges is set out in section 175 of the Education Act 2002, the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, and the Non-Maintained Special Schools (England) Regulations 2015.
The DfE has also provided guidance for independent schools, which includes information about safeguarding (DfE, 2019).
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, the key guidance is Safeguarding and child protection in schools - a guide for schools (Department of Education, 2020).
The Department of Education (DE) has also published guidance for schools and other education settings on how to identify and manage harmful sexual behaviour displayed by children and young people (Department of Education (DE), 2022).
Schools must also follow the guidance, Co-operating to safeguard children and young people in Northern Ireland (Department of Health, 2017)
Article 17 and 18 of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 places a statutory duty on Boards of Governors (BoGs) to safeguard and promote the welfare of its pupils and to determine the measures to be taken at the school with a view to protecting pupils from abuse (whether at school or elsewhere).
Scotland
In Scotland, schools should follow the National guidance for child protection in Scotland (Scottish Government, 2023).
Wales
In Wales, schools must follow Keeping learners safe: the role of local authorities, governing bodies and proprietors of independent schools under the Education Act 2002 (Welsh Government, 2021).
References
Child protection in schools training
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