What is safeguarding in schools? What KCSIE 2026 asks of staff

The statutory guidance schools follow

Keeping children safe in education 2026 sets out the legal duties schools and colleges must comply with to safeguard and promote the welfare of children under 18. It applies to all schools and colleges in England and was last updated on 1 September 2026. It works within the wider system set out in Working together to safeguard children, where the local authority, the integrated care board and the police are the three statutory safeguarding partners.

The guidance defines safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children as providing help as soon as problems emerge, protecting children from maltreatment inside or outside the home and online, preventing harm to their health or development, making sure they grow up with safe and effective care, and taking action so all children have the best outcomes.

The core principles for staff

The part one overview for all staff starts with four core principles:

• Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. Remember, it could happen here.
• Maintain a child-centred approach: always consider what is best for the child.
• Children need the right help at the right time.
• Schools and colleges are part of a wider safeguarding system alongside children's social care, the police and health services.

What every member of staff must know

• the safeguarding systems in the school or college, including the child protection policy and behaviour policy
• who the designated safeguarding lead and their deputies are
• the types of abuse, neglect and exploitation, including online harms
• signs such as changes in behaviour or attendance, injuries, disclosures or online threats
• how early help (which KCSIE 2026 calls Family Help) and referrals to children's social care work

The designated safeguarding lead (DSL)

Every school and college should appoint an appropriate senior member of staff from its leadership team as designated safeguarding lead. The DSL takes lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection, including online safety, and this should be in their job description. Staff take concerns to the DSL or a deputy, and the DSL decides whether to manage support in school, start a Family Help assessment or refer to statutory services. DSL training should be updated at least every two years.

What to do if you have a concern

The guidance tells staff to act immediately: report concerns to the DSL or their deputy without delay and follow the child protection policy. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. If the DSL is not available, that should not delay action: speak to a member of the senior leadership team or take advice from children's social care. Record every concern with a summary, actions, decisions, the reasons for them and outcomes. Data protection is not a barrier to sharing information to keep a child safe.

Concerns about staff and whistleblowing

Concerns or allegations about staff, including supply staff, volunteers and contractors, go through the school's own procedure, however small they seem. Allegations that may meet the harm threshold involve the local authority designated officer (LADO). If you cannot raise a concern about safeguarding practice internally, the NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line is 0800 028 0285.

Training requirements

Keeping children safe in education says all staff should have safeguarding and child protection training, including online safety, at induction, regularly updated, and safeguarding updates at least annually. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own guidance for schools.

Training

Lift College Safeguarding Children Level 2 is 3 hours in 7 modules for staff who work with children and families, with a CPD Standards Office accredited certificate the same day you pass. Designated safeguarding leads and deputies can take DSL Training, 6 hours in 8 modules.