Safeguarding in Education

Unfortunately child abuse, radicalisation, cyberbullying and child sexual exploitation are common today. This module will familiarise you with key safeguarding phrases and explain important safeguarding terms and ideas that are central to the course.

By the end of the module, you’ll better understand who is most at risk of abuse, the extent of its occurrence and the meanings of terms like ‘child’ and ‘safeguarding’.

Safeguarding and protecting children and young people operates within a specific framework of guidance and legal procedures. This section introduces that framework and its application. Additionally, this section will highlight the roles and responsibilities of various organisations in safeguarding, as well as the guidelines for protection.

By the end of the module, you’ll have a clearer understanding of safeguarding guidance and legislation, learn what associated agencies you may be involved with and the legalities of safeguarding and child protection. You’ll also learn how these agencies collaborate to tackle the problems of abuse.

‘Early help’ refers to support aimed at improving outcomes for children. This type of assistance can be offered at any point in a child’s life. In this module, you will explore the meaning of ‘early help’ and its impact on the welfare of children and young people. You will also be presented with case study scenarios of early help support.

In addition, you will learn how these services are part of a broader ‘continuum of support’, where services are based on different thresholds of need guided by the local authority. Most children fall into Level 1, where their needs are met through universal services, while early help services are categorised under Level 2 and are designed for those with a low level of need. As the need increases, the threshold of need for statutory services, such as Children’s Social Care, may be required.

This module will enhance your capability to identify children and young people who may be at risk. You’ll learn about safeguarding principles which will aid in understanding the main types of child abuse. We’ll then explore the different categories of abuse.

Upon completing the module, you’ll understand the difference between the terms ‘child protection’ and ‘safeguarding’ and learn about the specific safeguarding categories and their potential impact.

There are many advantages to children using technology, but it also brings certain risks. This module covers the importance of safeguarding and online safety. It provides an overview of the potential dangers children encounter online, including grooming, sexting and cyberbullying. The module also highlights the legal implications to be aware of if you become aware of a concern and offers strategies to empower children to navigate the online world safely and report any concerns.

By the end of the module, you will better understand the technological risks, the best practices for online safety in education and the specific dangers children may encounter.

Schools have a legal duty to prevent pupils from being influenced by extremism. Staff should counteract extremist ideologies and recognise signs of susceptibility in pupils. Additionally, Ofsted expects school leadership to take steps to protect children from exposure to radical views.

This module explores how radicalisation can impact young individuals, helps you identify groups that might attempt to indoctrinate them and contextualises the Prevent strategy.

Children and young people might find it hard to express the abuse they face, and abusers can be adept at hiding their actions. It’s vital that any challenging behaviors signaling potential abuse are recognised.

By the end of this module, you will have a better understanding of the signs of physical, emotional and sexual abuse, as well as neglect and you’ll be informed of your professional responsibilities in an educational setting.

A child-centered approach is crucial, especially since children might report abuse multiple times before action is taken. This section uses a realistic scenario to illustrate the importance of maintaining this focus.

By the end of this module, you will have a better understanding of what it means to be child-focused and the responsibilities of educators in relation to documenting outcomes.

Expanding on the previous content about identifying signs and types of abuse and collaborating with outside agencies, this module explores the different methods of disclosure.

While it’s vital to maintain confidentiality when required, it’s equally important to know when and to whom disclosures should be reported to. Quick and appropriate responses to abuse disclosures are critical. This module outlines the necessary steps and highlights the dos and don’ts to achieve the best outcome.

By the end of this module, you’ll have a better understanding of how to address potential abuse concerns and understand how to proceed if you’re worried about an adult’s behaviour. We’ve also provided a guide to assist with concerns that may result in a referral.