An inspection-ready safeguarding compliance checklist for headteachers, fully aligned with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 (KCSIE 2025) and the latest Ofsted inspection expectations.
Be fully prepared for your next Ofsted safeguarding inspection with the Safeguarding Inspection Preparation Checklist for Headteachers (2025 Edition).
This professional, editable checklist has been developed in line with KCSIE 2025 and the School Inspection Handbook (September 2024), giving you a clear, structured process for ensuring safeguarding compliance before, during, and after inspection.
What's Included:
1. Pre-Inspection Preparation
- Full Single Central Record (SCR) compliance check.
- Case lists and referral tracking (including LADO and low-level concerns).
- Policy review for child protection, behaviour, staff conduct, and online safety.
- Staff training records and refresher cycles.
- Secure child protection file protocols.
2. Safeguarding Culture Review
- Evaluates whether your school maintains a child-centred, open, and vigilant safeguarding ethos.
- Ensures safe reporting routes and professional curiosity among staff.
3. During the Inspection
- Evidence gathering for SCR, recruitment, and safer staffing.
- Guidance for Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) meetings.
- Information sharing protocols compliant with DPA 2018 & UK GDPR.
- Staff and pupil engagement questions and expectations.
4. Post-Inspection & Ongoing Responsibilities
- Embedding improvements into your safeguarding approach.
- Governor training and statutory duty awareness.
- Continuous monitoring of filtering and monitoring systems.
File Format: Editable Word (.docx)
Pages: Approx. 5–7 pages depending on formatting
Includes: Direct references to KCSIE 2025 and School Inspection Handbook
A note from Lucy and Jonathan:
Did you know you can get access to all of our templates, online learning, and a fantastic community of school leaders to connect with? Join the HeadteacherChat Community and get everything in one place.
