Why is robust safeguarding training so important?

With key phrases like ‘safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility’ and ‘safeguarding must be the priority’ we can understand why schools sometimes try and find the quickest and easiest way to ensure all their staff have received some form of training. But what exactly should senior leaders be looking for within safeguarding training? And how do we ensure that safeguarding CPD isn’t just a tick-box exercise that takes place during INSET in September? Within this blog, I’m going to explore some of the key factors that senior leaders and designated safeguarding leads must consider when looking for high-quality safeguarding training for their staff teams.

The myths around ‘levels’…

As safeguarding specialists, our team are frequently asked about what levels our various safeguarding trainings equate to – it is apparent that there is still some confusion on what is required within education. Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) no longer makes reference to levels within safeguarding training. The requirements outlined in legislation are that: “All staff should receive appropriate safeguarding and child protection training…at induction The training should be regularly updated.” (KCSIE)

The guidance goes on to say “all staff should receive safeguarding and child protection (including online safety) updates (for example, via email, e-bulletins, and staff meetings), as required, and at least annually, to continue to provide them with relevant skills and knowledge to safeguard children effectively.” Alongside robust training that equips staff with the knowledge of how to recognise signs and indicators of abuse, raises the profile of professional curiosity and provides wider awareness of contextual harms that children may experience, we encourage schools to facilitate regular safeguarding updates for all staff. These updates should both inform staff of new concerns or trends but also refresh knowledge of school procedures on recording concerns, for example. Updates can be provided through staff briefings, email bulletins or by sharing resources provided from external organisations. When delivered across the year, it ensures that staff are vigilant to current concerns and that safeguarding is considered a priority throughout.

Within Keeping Children Safe in Education there is specific reference to training for Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs), but again this is not referenced as Level 3 safeguarding training, as it was historically. The guidance states “The designated safeguarding lead (and any deputies) should undergo training to provide them with the knowledge and skills required to carry out the role. This training should be updated at least every two years.” (KCSIE) DSLs should ensure that their training is thorough and enables them to fulfil their role effectively for the welfare of children in their setting. Refreshing this training every two years ensures that DSLs are up to date with current local and national requirements for safeguarding children and that our knowledge is evolving alongside the needs of children and families.

Safeguarding culture

A strong safeguarding culture within schools is essential because it creates an environment where children are consistently protected, supported, and able to thrive. It is not just about policies—it’s about everyday attitudes, awareness, and action from all staff and pupils. Although many factors contribute to this culture and how well it is embedded, robust training and CPD is fundamental. It sets the standard for all staff, ensuring they understand their roles, responsibilities and the privileged position they hold in keeping children safe. It is where their confidence begins to grow and their awareness sharpens, enabling them to recognise when something may be wrong, both within and beyond the school environment. We need staff who view their surroundings through a safeguarding lens, respond appropriately to disclosures, be curious, ask the right questions and challenge when necessary.

When it goes wrong

A lack of effective safeguarding training is a recurring failure often recognised in Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews. One of the most recent and widely recognised examples is the review into Neil Foden, Our Bravery Brought Justice. My colleague Lauren recently explored the key learning themes in her blog, with staff training highlighted as a significant factor.

In this case, Foden, acting as the DSL, refused to attend a safeguarding course, stating that he anticipated it “wouldn’t teach him anything new.” When his deputy later attended local authority safeguarding training, Foden dismissed it as incorrect and instructed staff that any child protection concerns should not be referred to Children’s Services. Instead, he directed that all matters be investigated internally by the headteacher, placing sole responsibility for referral decisions on himself.

It was also noted that, had school staff received effective safeguarding training—particularly in relation to grooming and sexual offending—they may have been more likely to recognise some of Foden’s behaviours and feel able to report them. As highlighted in Our Bravery Brought Justice, “professionals and volunteers working with children must be encouraged through training and professional development to ‘think the unthinkable’ and to understand that ‘it could happen here’.”

If you have attended any safeguarding training from One Education, you will recognise this as a key message we consistently emphasise, alongside links to safer recruitment and reporting allegations against staff. Learning from Child Practice Reviews is a central element of all safeguarding training delivered by One Education, and this case provides a powerful example of how such training can make a meaningful difference.

What about governors?

Pt 76 of Keeping Children Safe in Education states that “governing bodies and proprietors should ensure that all governors and trustees receive appropriate safeguarding and child protection (including online) training at induction. This training should equip them with the knowledge to provide strategic challenge to test and assure themselves that the safeguarding policies and procedures in place in schools and colleges are effective and support the delivery of a robust whole school approach to safeguarding. Their training should be updated regularly.” When facilitating safeguarding assessments for schools to quality assure records and processes, senior leaders will often share that governors have accessed safeguarding training within their professional roles, perhaps within the NHS or working elsewhere in education, which is not appropriate or effective. Governors should access training specific to this role, enabling them to offer professional challenge and understand strategic safeguarding responsibilities in more detail. Records of governor safeguarding training should be accessible and where records are missing, this must be followed up.

With regards the Child Safeguarding Practice Review referenced above, safeguarding training for the governing body may also have equipped members with the confidence and tools to appropriately challenge Foden’s behaviour and explanations. The Review identifies that “the lack of understanding of professional standards, safeguarding procedures and safeguarding training, even at senior staff and officer levels, is a key theme.”

Safeguarding – always evolving

Another important consideration is that, regardless of experience, the safeguarding landscape is constantly evolving. Contextual risks children are faced with today are substantially different from those of just a few years ago. As such, Designated Safeguarding Leads must actively seek out continued professional development (CPD) opportunities that are relevant to their school’s context and that strengthen their confidence in managing increasingly complex cases. Simply completing a similar DSL course every two years may not be sufficient. Engaging in DSL network meetings, subscribing to safeguarding newsletters, and reviewing newly published Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews are all valuable ways to stay informed.

Why choose us?

At One Education, our Safeguarding Specialists are passionate about all aspects of safeguarding and child welfare, but we would all agree that developing and delivering training is our favourite part of the job. We are also very familiar with the eye rolls that often follow the phrase, “your safeguarding training needs updating,” which is why we work hard to ensure our sessions feel different from the norm.

We regularly review and update all of our training to ensure it remains relevant and reflective of current legislation and emerging issues. We also ensure that it is CPD-certified so that colleagues feel confident that they are accessing a professional course. Whilst safeguarding may never be described as “fun,” we prioritise making our sessions engaging and interactive—definitely no “death by PowerPoint”. By drawing on real-life experiences and practical examples, we ensure the content is both relatable and directly applicable to school life, while remaining firmly grounded in statutory guidance and best practice.

For experienced Designated Safeguarding Leads seeking their two-yearly statutory update—without revisiting the basics they already know—our Advanced DSL training is particularly well suited. Developed in response to delegate feedback, it recognises the need for more tailored provision for those who have held the role for several years. The course provides an opportunity to engage at a deeper level, share expertise with peers, and explore safeguarding from a more strategic perspective.

We also facilitate face-to-face safeguarding training for whole staff teams including briefings on specific areas such as domestic abuse, Prevent awareness, Child Criminal Exploitation, SEND and safeguarding amongst many others. Our team of specialists have a wealth of knowledge and experience in national and local procedures for safeguarding and child protection and are keen to develop the knowledge of professionals working in education.

Here is some recent feedback from our training sessions:

“Interactive, collaborative, relevant and thoughtful – thank you, I really ejoyed it!” – Assistant Headteacher

“The training was really engaging throughout. Kept us actively thinking and discussing.” – Deputy Headteacher

“Opportunities for professional discussions about a range of scenarios were great. Thank you it has been an interesting and informative day that has been very useful.” – Deputy Headteacher

“Trainers were knowledgeable and helpful.” – Headteacher

“Really enjoyed the training and looking forward to putting into place lots of useful tips and advice.” – Headteacher

To book on any of our training courses just head to the One Education website or for any more information or to be added to our safeguarding newsletter list drop us an email: safeguarding@oneducation.co.uk

For information on how to access One Education briefings and training please contact us on 0161 276 0160 or by emailing safeguarding@oneeducation.co.uk