OFSTED Consultation: Improving Inspection of Safeguarding
Ofsted has opened a consultation on the proposed changes to their inspection framework. One of the main changes being proposed is the reworking of the safeguarding judgement to be a single ‘met’ or ‘not met’.
Whilst this may at first glance appear simplistic and reductive, Ofsted has published several inspection toolkits detailing each judgement. These toolkits are designed to support early years, schools, independent schools, and further education and skills settings.
Safeguarding Criteria
Safeguarding under the new framework is assessed across six key areas:
- Culture
- Safeguarding information for all staff to know and act on
- Management of safeguarding
- Safer recruitment
- Safeguarding concerns or allegations
- Child-on-child sexual violence and sexual harassment
What Constitutes a ‘Met’ Safeguarding Judgement in Schools?
For a school to achieve a ‘met’ safeguarding judgement, it must meet specific criteria in each of the six areas:
- Culture
- Leaders and those responsible for governance must establish a safeguarding culture where all staff understand their collective responsibility for pupil safety.
- Pupils must be kept safe and feel safe within the school environment.
- Staff must remain vigilant and carry out their safeguarding duties effectively.
- Leaders, staff, and governors should be receptive to challenge and reflective in their practice, ensuring safeguarding policies are under continuous review.
- Safeguarding Information for Staff
- Leaders, staff, and governors must know and comply with statutory safeguarding requirements.
- Staff must understand indicators of potential safeguarding issues and follow procedures consistently.
- Management of Safeguarding
- Leaders and governors must meet their statutory responsibilities, as set out in:
- Working Together to Safeguard Children
- Part Two of Keeping Children Safe in Education
- Schools must comply with their duties under the ‘Prevent’ duty, ensuring staff can identify and respond to risks of radicalisation.
- Leaders and governors must meet their statutory responsibilities, as set out in:
- Safer Recruitment
- Leaders and governors must implement safer recruitment practices, following the guidelines in:
- Working Together to Safeguard Children
- Part Three of Keeping Children Safe in Education
- This includes recruitment for alternative provision, host families, and private fostering.
- Any minor safeguarding concerns identified during an inspection must be promptly rectified, with clear steps taken to resolve them.
- Leaders and governors must implement safer recruitment practices, following the guidelines in:
- Safeguarding Concerns or Allegations
- Leaders and governors must adhere to strict policies for reporting, referrals, and record-keeping, as outlined in:
- Working Together to Safeguard Children
- Part Four of Keeping Children Safe in Education
- Leaders and governors must adhere to strict policies for reporting, referrals, and record-keeping, as outlined in:
- Child-on-Child Sexual Violence and Harassment
- Leaders must fulfil their statutory duties in responding to incidents of child-on-child sexual violence and harassment, ensuring compliance with:
- Working Together to Safeguard Children
- Part Five of Keeping Children Safe in Education
- Leaders must fulfil their statutory duties in responding to incidents of child-on-child sexual violence and harassment, ensuring compliance with:
This consultation presents a critical opportunity for educators, school leaders, and stakeholders to provide feedback on how Ofsted inspections should evolve.
SSS Learning
19 February 2025
