To many, the Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) document can be somewhat daunting: 119 pages of guidance that is updated annually.

It contains information that ensures we know how to discharge our legal responsibilities, as well as guidance that, if used incorrectly, has the potential to make a bad situation worse.

This is why, as educators, we have a duty to ensure that the guidance is used appropriately and with due regard. Its content is the foundation on which we should base our safeguarding policies and practices and it should be one of every safeguarding team’s go-to documents.

How to effectively implement KCSiE

Having previously worked as a senior consultant within a leading safeguarding charity, I was fortunate to work with some fantastic organisations and schools who have implemented the KCSiE document successfully.

I wouldn’t say perfectly, because anybody who works in safeguarding needs to be aware that we should never be complacent - as this is precisely the time when things can slip.

Training should not happen just for training’s sake. Time is a precious currency - especially so in education - and one that is in short supply in an increasingly busy time, so when we have the privilege of delivering training it should be succinct, purposeful and, of course, enjoyable.

These are the principles that I stick to when delivering training at my school, and they work well. 

1. Make it relevant

Every school has a unique context: training should reflect this, while still ensuring that the content is true to the KCSiE requirements.

Up-to-date examples should be used where possible to reflect the ever-changing safeguarding landscape.

As a trust-wide vice principal, I am currently based at Malcolm Arnold Academy in Northampton. When I delivered the KCSiE update training in September, I ensured that I used local statistics to show the impact of lockdown on the number of safeguarding referrals to the local authority.

2. Use case studies

You can effectively engage staff with activities including case studies. There are a wealth of case studies and, sadly, serious case reviews available for us to learn from.

By using these examples we can make it clear to staff that this isn’t a theoretical problem. It is vital that we learn from mistakes that have already happened so that the same thing doesn’t happen in the future.

3. Little and often

Schools should be refreshing their KCSiE training frequently. Don’t just deliver a session at the beginning of the year and hope for the best. Staff should receive training throughout the year - these don’t have to be long sessions but short, concise and useful.

Every recap should expand on the information that was disseminated at the start of the academic year, and then focus on different elements of the guidance. At the core of each session should be time spent reaffirming what staff responsibilities are, and how they can execute these.

4. Have KCSiE always on your mind

Leaders should keep the KCSiE conversation going all year long.

Why not have a mini safeguarding quiz at the start of weekly meetings? This will ensure that staff complacency is minimised and awareness is continually raised and renewed.

5. Ask for feedback on your training

It is of the utmost importance that you listen to your colleagues.

Get feedback from your training, ensure that you address any concerns that are raised, or areas that need further exploring - and, importantly, explore them. Use the feedback to adjust your future training, don’t just file it away.

What do we all need KCSiE to do?

The key element to embed within any organisation is that every member of staff realises not only the relevance of the KCSiE at an individual level, but also their responsibilities in ensuring its fulfilment across the organisation.

As educators, we all have the responsibility to ensure that the safety of young people in our care is paramount. Relevance and engagement for all staff, without exception, is critical to the success of this team-wide responsibility and will ensure that we continue to learn from the mistakes of the past.

I have seen first-hand how the successful implementation of KCSiE eliminates complacency in safeguarding practices and how the guidance can and will evolve with real-life examples and experience.

Craig Keady is trust-wide vice principal at the David Ross Education Trust