Safeguarding- do your policies talk to each other?

While all institutions recognize the importance of a robust and effective safeguarding and child protection policy, it is equally important to understand that many other policies and processes within an educational environment contribute to the safety and wellbeing of the student body.

To ensure effective safeguarding, it is crucial to understand how various policies overlap and contribute to this goal. These connections should be explicitly stated in the policies themselves, which must be regularly updated to reflect the latest safeguarding guidance and advice. For instance, your safer staff recruitment policy should prioritize safeguarding students and highlight the importance of obtaining comprehensive references and including safeguarding questions in interviews. Additionally, safeguarding and student wellbeing themes should be incorporated into the curriculum whenever possible. Maintaining a set of complementary, well-coordinated policies is essential for fostering an environment conducive to the effective care of learners.