In the education sector, particularly as educators, we are responsible for creating safe, nurturing environments where our pupils can learn, grow and thrive.
The most important aspect is being aware of the signs of abuse in children and young people, whether that is mental or physical abuse. Safeguarding concerns go beyond protecting youngsters from physical safety – it’s about preserving their overall well-being too. That’s why proper safeguarding training courses are a necessity for school staff at all levels to protect children in their care.
By equipping yourself with the right knowledge and skills, you’ll be better positioned to spot potential risks or issues and know how to respond appropriately. From understanding the different types of abuse to learning how to have those tricky conversations, safeguarding training gives you a proper toolkit for being a rockstar pupil protector!
In this blog post, we’ll dive into all the ways getting clued up on safeguarding can seriously level up your role as an educator.
What is Safeguarding?
When we hear the term ‘safeguarding’, our minds often immediately jump to protecting children from physical harm. While this is undoubtedly a critical aspect, safeguarding encompasses a much broader scope to ensure the overall safety and well-being of children and young people.
It is a preventative process that aims to shield children and vulnerable individuals from all forms of abuse, neglect, and other potential sources of harm.
Safeguarding extends far beyond just physical abuse, as the risks children face can manifest in various ways.
Emotional abuse and neglect, which can involve belittling, bullying or imposing unrealistic expectations, can deeply impact a child’s mental health and self-esteem.
Sexual abuse, whether through inappropriate touching, exploitation or exposure to explicit materials, represents a devastating violation.
Neglect, including a failure to meet a child’s basic needs for food, clothing, shelter or medical care, can stunt their growth and development.
Who should undergo safeguarding training?
Safeguarding training is a requirement for anyone who works or volunteers with children, including teachers, school staff, healthcare professionals, social workers, youth workers, sports coaches, and volunteers in youth organisations or community groups.
Recognising tell-tale signs of abuse and neglect
Mental Signs of Abuse and Neglect:
Emotional abuse like belittling or bullying
Imposing unrealistic expectations
Impact on mental health and self-esteem
Behavioural changes such as withdrawal or aggression
Fear of certain individuals or environments
Physical Signs of Abuse and Neglect:
Unexplained injuries or bruises
Signs of malnutrition or dehydration
Poor hygiene or inappropriate clothing
Frequent absences from school or social events
Delayed physical development or growth
Statutory Requirements
In the UK, it is a legal requirement for all school staff to receive appropriate or advanced training. The Department for Education’s Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) statutory guidance mandates that:
All staff members must undergo safeguarding training as part of their induction
Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) must receive multi-agency training every two years
All staff must complete regular safeguarding updates, with annual training recommended as a minimum
These are the core requirements, but many schools go above and beyond with more comprehensive and frequent training programs.
Ofsted Expectations
Ofsted inspections specifically assess a school’s safeguarding policies and culture. Inspectors will:
Check that all staff have undergone relevant safeguarding training
Review training records and materials
Speak to staff at all levels about their safeguarding knowledge
Evaluate how well training equips staff to identify issues, follow procedures, and foster a protective environment
Strong safeguarding training practices are viewed very favourably during Ofsted inspections.
Enhance trust in your institution by implementing mandatory safeguarding training for all staff members., In the UK it is a legal requirement that anyone who works or volunteers with children or young people must have the knowledge and skills needed to help keep children safe. This demonstrates to both parents and stakeholders that your organisation prioritises best practices and the safety of all individuals involved.
Professional safeguarding training
Working with children and young people can be immensely fulfilling, but it also entails significant responsibility. One crucial aspect of this duty is ensuring the safety of those under your care.
Safeguarding training is essential to equip your team with the necessary skills to deliver a service that safeguards children and young people. So, let’s explore the top 5 advantages that safeguarding training can offer to your workplace!
1. Learn who might be vulnerable
If you’ve never had safeguarding training, spotting young people at risk of abuse or neglect can be tough. Training offers insight into identifying vulnerabilities and ensuring proper care.
2. Recognising tell-tale signs of abuse and neglect
Moving directly on from learning about which young people are at an increased risk of being vulnerable, safeguarding training also covers the tell-tale signs of abuse and neglect, enabling your staff to actively monitor the young people in your care, being consciously aware of their wellbeing.
3. Improve your team's communication ability
Effective communication with children and young people regarding their needs and well-being is fundamental to safeguarding. Consequently, safeguarding training prioritises methods for staff to engage in conversations about abuse and neglect with children and young people.
4. Increase trust in your institution
Enforcing safeguarding training for all staff members shows to both parents and stakeholders that your organisation/ institution takes child protection very seriously. Additionally, it can encourage better team communication between staff, volunteers and parents, as parents will be able to ask staff members questions related to safeguarding, knowing that they’ve undergone a professional-level certification in the subject.
5. Enable staff to record and report abuse and neglect appropriately
As an educator discovering that there’s been an incident of abuse and/or neglect among the children or young people in your care can be very distressing. Safeguarding training breaks down the appropriate courses of action to take, empowering your staff by giving them the skills and knowledge they need to appropriately report abuse and neglect.
Reporting Abuse Effectively
While no educator ever wants a pupil to experience abuse, safeguarding training provides the tools to respond quickly and effectively if disclosure does occur. From handling that initial conversation with sensitivity to navigating reporting protocols, this knowledge empowers you to be an advocate for the child’s wellbeing.
Training provides clear step-by-step guidance on properly documenting concerns, escalating issues through designated safeguarding leads, determining when to involve outside authorities like social services, and following up on all reported cases. The importance of trusting instincts and promptly reporting through proper channels is emphasised.
Choosing the right training
Effective safeguarding training with Connex Academy
At Connex Academy, we believe safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people is everyone’s responsibility. Education settings including play centres, nurseries, schools and colleges play an essential role in protecting children and young people who may be at risk from harm, abuse and neglect.
They do this by creating a safe environment, providing robust policies and procedures, regular training and updates ensuring that the adults who work in the organisation, including supply staff and volunteers, don’t pose a risk to children.
Which is why we have several courses so you can start safeguarding training immediately:
Don’t forget to check out our ‘After The Bell’ podcast, which you can listen to on a weekly basis on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
If you would like any more information, please do not hesitate to contact us by email at info@connex-academy.com or call 01253 543 660.
