Briefing: Safeguarding in English schools
Schools are an important part of the wider system for safeguarding children in England and are in a position to identify concerns early and prevent them from escalating. Under the Education Act 2002, schools maintained by local authorities have a duty to carry out their functions with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of their pupils. A similar requirement is placed on independent schools (which includes academies and free schools) by the Independent School Standards Regulations.
This briefing summarises the Department for Education’s statutory guidance on Keeping children safe in education which provides information on what schools are required to do to meet their safeguarding responsibilities. This briefing provided by the House of Commons library should not, however, be considered a substitute for it, or for professional legal advice, when looking for detailed guidance on specific cases.
