Breaking barriers to opportunity: How schools can lead in keeping children safe
This bold initiative aims to allow every child to thrive, underpinned by a collaborative, child-centred system.
"Children's social care is a top priority because it has the power to transform children's lives".
But what does this mean for schools and their role in safeguarding?
Here's a breakdown of the key reforms and how they could shape the future of education and child protection.
Four Pillars of Reform
The government's strategy revolves around these principles:
- Keeping children with their families whenever it's safe, preventing them from entering the care system
- Children should be supported to live with kinship carers or in foster families rather than in residential care
- A review and redesign of the care market to reduce profiteering and the use of unsuitable accommodation and create positive outcomes for young people
- Investment in workforce, data-sharing and evidence-based programmes to improve outcomes
It highlights a child-centred whole-system approach emphasising collaboration between local and national authorities.
Key actions driving social care reform
These reforms will create a system where every child can feel safe and supported and empower children and families to thrive. Here is a breakdown of some of the reforms:
- Multi-agency child protection teams
- Single Unique Identifier
- Early intervention
- Family group decision making mandatory
- Clear legal guidance on information sharing
- Responsibilities for the Virtual School Heads
- New duty and parents educating children at home
- Data management
- Supporting care leavers
What could this mean for education?
"Around five children in every classroom will need support from a social worker at some point during their school years."
For education, this would strengthen your multi-agency child protection by having greater involvement both operationally and strategically by having a seat around the table in safeguarding decision-making. They will legislate the establishment of multi-agency child protection units in all local authority areas.
Introducing every child to have a unique identifier will also improve the collaborative safeguarding measures between schools, families and other agencies, providing a more holistic view of the child's lived experiences. This will ensure the consistent identification of the child across different systems, promoting partnership working and timely and accurate information sharing.
The Virtual school heads role will be expanded, they will ensure that all vulnerable children receive the educational support they need, and will champion attendance, attainment and progress, ensuring that children with a social worker and those in kinship care are in school, safe and are learning.
Early intervention & prevention
With schools being one of the largest referrers to children's social care, the reforms highlight the need for proactive measures. Early intervention strategies will empower schools to address risks before they escalate, involving families and extended networks in creating safety plans.
Changes for vulnerable and home-educated children
Proposals will prevent children at risk from being removed from school for home education without local authority consent. Authorities will also maintain a register of children not in school, ensuring their safety and visibility.
Strengthening data management in schools
The new proposals emphasise the need for robust data management practices to maintain accurate safeguarding records; schools should use a secure system that maintains confidentiality and is only accessed by those who need to.
Supporting schools with Tes
At Tes, we're committed to helping schools navigate the complex safeguarding world. Our trusted solutions provide the tools and resources you need to stay ahead:
Tes Safeguarding Training
Equip your staff with up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding legislation, practical skills to identify risks, and best practices for creating safer school environments. With over 80 flexible online courses in safeguarding, compliance, health and safety, and wellbeing, you can ensure your staff are ready to support every child effectively.
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Tes MyConcern
Simplify safeguarding with MyConcern, our all-in-one platform for recording and managing student concerns and staff allegations. Centralising all information will help you spot patterns and trends quickly, allowing you to address issues before they escalate.
Book a consultation today to explore how our safeguarding solutions can support your school.
Source: Full DfE document – Keeping Children Safe, Helping Families Thrive