Department for Education written question – answered at on 11 June 2018.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that (a) Academy and (b) Free schools provide adequate levels of (i) protection and (ii) safeguarding of students.
‘Keeping children safe in education’ (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2) is statutory guidance that all schools (including academies and free schools) must consider when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of their pupils.
The guidance sets out the following: that children should have a safe environment in which they can learn; all staff have a role to play in safeguarding children; all staff should receive regular safeguarding training and that all schools should have an effective child protection policy. The guidance is clear on the importance of making referrals to children’s social care and/or the police when a child has been harmed or is at risk of harm.
Ofsted has published guidance that sets out what inspectors must consider when inspecting safeguarding (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inspecting-safeguarding-in-early-years-education-and-skills-from-september-2015). Inspectors will always report on whether or not arrangements for safeguarding children are effective.
The Education and Skills Funding Agency has responsibility for considering safeguarding and child protection policies of academies and free schools through compliance with the schools’ funding agreements. When the department is made aware of any safeguarding issues in academies or free schools, we work quickly to involve the right organisations, consider safeguarding and child protection policies and compliance with the funding agreement. If the case requires specific child protection actions or inspection, we will make the appropriate referrals.
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