Consultation on the redesign of KSCIE 2025

Safeguarding children is a paramount responsibility in education. Teachers, Designated Safeguarding Leads, support staff, and educational leaders uphold this duty of care seriously.

Recognising the evolving landscape of safeguarding challenges, the Department for Education has initiated a call for evidence in preparation for the annual revisions to Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE). The initiative invites stakeholders to contribute their insights and experiences.

Opened on March 28, 2024, the call for evidence highlights the dynamic nature of safeguarding. As new threats emerge, it becomes imperative to reassess existing practices and devise effective solutions. The breadth of this call seeks to encompass issues shared by safeguarding professionals within educational institutions and address systemic changes that necessitate alignment with evolving safeguarding policies. Notably, insights from Ofsted's 'Big Listen' initiative are also considered in this endeavour.

Central to this initiative is the recognition that safeguarding frameworks must adapt to meet emerging challenges. KCSIE serves as a cornerstone document, aiding schools and colleges in the early identification of concerns, fostering collaboration with other professionals, and establishing robust processes and procedures. Ministers have decided that KCSIE 2024 will only have technical changes before final publication in September 2024, with a view to providing a more substantively updated document encompassing wider changes to be delivered in 2025.

The call for evidence seeks to engage stakeholders in shaping the future versions of KCSIE and long-term safeguarding policies. By seeking reflections, experiences, and suggestions from schools, colleges, and professionals, the Department is striving to enhance its understanding of safeguarding practice development and direction. Input gathered through this 12-week consultation period will be crucial in informing policy decisions and ensuring that staff are equipped to safeguard children effectively within educational settings.

Although the call for evidence results will not be published, the Department commits to consulting on substantive changes made to future versions of KCSIE and safeguarding policies. This transparent approach highlights the importance of collaborative efforts in enhancing child protection measures within educational environments. As stakeholders contribute their perspectives, the collective goal remains steadfast: to cultivate safe and nurturing spaces where children can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Scheduled to conclude on June 20, 2024, this initiative aims to gather diverse perspectives to inform the future direction of safeguarding policies in schools and colleges.

Sam Preston (Safeguarding Director) & Sara Spinks (SSS Author and Former Headteacher)