How to review your child protection policy

What this policy needs to do

When you're reading your school's safeguarding policy, check that it: 

• Sets out how the school can take appropriate action in a timely manner to safeguard and promote children’s welfare
• Makes all staff and governors aware of their safeguarding responsibilities 
• Makes sure staff are properly trained in recognising and reporting safeguarding issues

Statutory safeguarding guidance says a child protection policy should include: 

• Your whole-school approach to child-on-child abuse
• The systems in place for pupils to report abuse
• Your safeguarding procedures (which should be in line with government guidance)
• Local multi-agency safeguarding arrangements (e.g. referring to procedures set by the 3 local safeguarding partners)
• Policies such as online safety and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

3 key questions to challenge the policy

You need to ask challenging questions when the policy comes to you for approval so you can satisfy yourself that the policy-reviewing process was robust.

Your policy