61 Response Accepted in Part AI-assessed

Nationally accredited safeguarding training in schools

Recommendation

The Department for Education and the Welsh Government should: set nationally accredited standards and levels of safeguarding training in schools; make the highest level of safeguarding training mandatory for headteachers, designated safeguarding leads in England or designated safeguarding persons in Wales, designated safeguarding governors, or the proprietor or head of the proprietorial body; and undertake an urgent review in order to improve the provision and effectiveness of relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) for children with special educational needs and disabilities, both for children who are in mainstream settings and for those in special schools.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
The UK government stated in June 2022 that it would consider setting nationally accredited standards and levels of safeguarding training in schools further. It also reported that 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' guidance was strengthened to provide a framework for higher-level training for designated safeguarding leads and headteachers. No further published evidence of specific nationally accredited standards has been identified since May 2023.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 24 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
This recommendation requires implementation across many organisations. The assessment reflects central policy response, not adoption in individual organisations.
Jurisdiction
England
Section Reference
E
Response
Accepted in Part
Accepted in Part UK Government
22 May 2023

On 30 June 2022, the UK government stated that it will consider setting nationally accredited standards and levels of safeguarding training in schools further. It also stated that Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance was strengthened and sets a 'strong framework' for a higher level of training to be undertaken by designated safeguarding leads and headteachers. The UK government also stated a national evaluation of Relationships and Sex Education implementation, including in special schools, is planned and that it would consider the options for a specific piece of work to support teachers of Relationships and Sex Education in special schools. On 30 June 2022, the Welsh Government stated National Minimum Safeguarding Training Standards and a framework of training requirements by role are being developed by Social Care Wales. This will apply to independent schools. It also stated that as part of the strengthening of the independent school regulations, options for strengthening the requirements for safeguarding training and prescribing the levels of training for those identified in the recommendation will be considered. In addition, it will consider the provision and effectiveness of its new Relationships and Sexuality Education Code for children with additional learning needs in Wales.

Read Full Response
Source
Inquiry IICSA
Report The Residential Schools Investigation Report 10 Mar 2022
Responsible Bodies
Department for Education Primary
Recommendation age 4.0 yrs
Last formal update 1037 days ago