Child protection and safeguarding policy

Part two, paragraphs 122–123

Safeguarding policies and procedures 122. Governing bodies and proprietors should ensure there are appropriate policies and procedures in place in order for appropriate action to be taken in a timely manner to safeguard and promote children’s welfare. 123. These policies should include individual schools and colleges having: • an effective child protection policy which: • reflects the whole school/college approach to child-on-child abuse (see paragraphs 192-193 and Part five), • reflects reporting systems as set out at paragraph 121, • describes procedures which are in accordance with government guidance, • refers to locally agreed multi-agency safeguarding arrangements put in place by the safeguarding partners (see paragraphs 132-139), • includes policies as reflected elsewhere in Part two of this guidance, such as online safety (see paragraphs 164-169), and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) (see paragraphs 249- 251), • is reviewed annually (as a minimum) and updated if needed, so that it is kept up to date with safeguarding issues as they emerge and evolve, including lessons learnt, and • is available publicly either via the school or college website or by other means. • a behaviour policy28, which includes measures to prevent bullying (including cyberbullying, prejudice-based and discriminatory bullying) 28 All schools are required to have a behaviour policy (full details are here). If a college chooses to have a behaviour policy, it should be provided to staff at induction as described above.

Keeping children safe in education · Reviewed 2026-10-26

Effective from 2026-09-01

Part two, paragraph 123

• is reviewed annually (as a minimum) and updated if needed, so that it is kept up to date with safeguarding issues as they emerge and evolve, including lessons learnt, and • is available publicly either via the school or college website or by other

Keeping children safe in education · Reviewed 2026-10-26

Effective from 2026-09-01

Part two, paragraph 123

• is available publicly either via the school or college website or by other means. • a behaviour policy28, which includes measures to prevent bullying

Keeping children safe in education · Reviewed 2026-10-26

Effective from 2026-09-01

Schedule, paragraph 32(1)(c)

(c)particulars of the arrangements for meeting the standard contained in paragraph 7 are published on the school’s internet website or, where no such website exists, are provided to parents on request;

Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, Schedule · Reviewed 2026-10-26

About this guidance: definitions of school and college, including maintained nursery and 16–19 academies

Unless otherwise specified: • ‘ school’ means: all schools whether maintained, non- maintained or independent schools (including academies, free schools and alternative provision academies), maintained nursery schools1 and pupil referral units. • ‘ college’ means further education colleges and sixth-form colleges as established under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 and institutions designated as being within the further education sector.2 College also means providers of post-16 Education as set out in the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 1 The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS) is mandatory for all early years’ providers. It applies to all schools, including maintained nursery schools that have early years provision. Maintained nursery schools, like the other schools listed under ‘About this guidance’, must have regard to Keeping children safe in education when carrying out duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children (by virtue of section 175(2) of the Education Act 2002 – see footnote 19 for further detail on this requirement). 2 Under section 28 of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 (‘designated institutions’). 6 (as amended). 3 16-19 Academies, Special Post -16 institutions and Independent Training Providers. For colleges, the guidance relates to their responsibilities towards children who are receiving education or training at these institutions.

Keeping children safe in education · Reviewed 2026-10-26

Effective from 2026-09-01

Part three, footnote 120: ISS does not apply to 16–19 free schools and academies

120 The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014. The regulations do not apply to 16-19 free schools and academies.

Keeping children safe in education · Reviewed 2026-10-26

Effective from 2026-09-01