Showcase Magazine Autumn 2026 - Flipbook - Page 21
HIGHER LEVEL
LEARNING
BEYOND THE POLICY
Reviewing your Culture of Safeguarding
How do you
embed
Safeguarding in
everything you
do?
Having a safeguarding policy is essential, but simply having
one doesn't automatically mean you have an effective culture
of safeguarding. This organisation-wide culture is a key
feature of your setting that Ofsted will look for at inspection.
For managers and senior leaders, the bigger question is: how
do you know your safeguarding arrangements actually work?
REVIEW
AUDIT
EVALUATE
How effective are we?
How effective are we?
How effective are we?
Gather feedback from staff
and learners. Test
confidence in reporting
concerns and consider
whether training is
translating into everyday
practice.
Sample safeguarding
records, referrals, training,
recruitment documentation
and risk assessments. Look
for gaps, inconsistencies and
patterns.
Use what you have learned
to improve policies,
procedures and practice.
Consider incidents,
emerging risks, legislation,
feedback and lessons
learned.
Evaluate
Audit
Identify
Act
LOOK BEYOND YOUR SETTING
DON’T FORGET GOVERNANCE
Safeguarding shouldn't sit solely with your
Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Senior leaders and those responsible for governance should provide
oversight and constructive challenge. Rather than simply asking
whether the policy has been reviewed, ask:
You cannot provide every type of support somebody may
need. A strong safeguarding culture includes knowing
where specialist support can be found. Regularly review
your signposting and referral routes for services such as:
Counselling and mental health support
Domestic abuse and sexual violence services
Legal advice and employment support
