School governors play a vital role in ensuring that schools provide a safe, supportive, and protective environment for all pupils. While governors are not responsible for day-to-day safeguarding decisions, they hold an important strategic role in overseeing safeguarding policies, monitoring safeguarding culture, and ensuring that appropriate procedures are in place to protect children from harm.
This course has been designed specifically for school governors and members of governing boards, including those serving in maintained schools, academies, and multi-academy trusts. It provides a clear understanding of safeguarding responsibilities at a governance level and explains how governors can effectively monitor safeguarding arrangements within their school.
Safeguarding is a statutory responsibility within education settings. Governing boards must ensure that safeguarding policies and procedures comply with national legislation and statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), Working Together to Safeguard Children, and the Children Act 1989 and 2004.
Through this course, learners will gain an understanding of the legal framework surrounding safeguarding, the types of abuse that children may experience, and the systems schools must implement to protect pupils. The course also explores the governance responsibilities associated with safeguarding, including oversight of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), safer recruitment, safeguarding culture, and responding to safeguarding incidents.
By completing this course, governors will gain the knowledge and confidence required to ask the right questions, challenge appropriately, and ensure that safeguarding remains a priority within their school.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Explain what safeguarding means within an education setting
- Understand the legal and statutory framework for safeguarding in schools
- Identify the different forms of abuse and safeguarding risks affecting children
- Understand the role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
- Describe the safeguarding responsibilities of school governors
- Recognise how safer recruitment protects pupils
- Understand how schools respond to safeguarding concerns
- Monitor safeguarding arrangements effectively as a governor
Who This Course Is For
This course is suitable for:
- school governors
- members of academy trust boards
- trustees within multi-academy trusts
- safeguarding governors
- members of governing committees
Course Disclaimer:
This course is designed for information and awareness purposes only and does not, unless otherwise stated, provide a regulated qualification or evidence of occupational competence. Learners are responsible for obtaining any additional training, assessment, supervision, or certification required by their employer, sector regulations, or professional standards.
