The Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) policy document provides a wealth of helpful information that our members value. However, at 183 pages it can feel overwhelming for school staff and leaders. 

The KCSIE guidance is expected to be read alongside the ‘Working together to safeguard children’ guidance and the advice for practitioners on ‘What to do if you are worried a child is being abused’. This is carefully synthesised information that constitutes a further 186 pages of advice. 

The scope of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) role widens year on year and the statutory guidance, as evidenced above, gets longer. Where roles change and attract new, significant responsibilities – as is the case, in our view, with DSLs – ASCL would expect there to be a review of the pay and conditions attached to that role.

Schools require sufficient time to read and understand these safeguarding expectations each year. This requires protected CPD time. In ASCL’s Blueprint for a Fairer Education System we recommend schools and colleges are provided with more time for engaging with professional learning.

The timing of the annual release of the KCSIE guidance is important. Schools require time to incorporate changes, update policies and plan dissemination and training in line with the annual publication of KCSIE. 

Draft KCSIE for 2024 was published in May. This is helpful for schools, allowing time for DSL and leadership planning, assuming it is confirmed as the final version. However, the statement that it may still be subject to change leaves schools in an uncertain position and impacts effective planning.

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