Top Safeguarding Tips For 2025/26

We hear fromeducationlawyer and safeguarding expertDai Durbridgeto gain advice on the safeguarding challenges facing schools and trusts this academic year.

There are plenty more to mention, but these are my top issues for schools and trusts to focus on this academic year.

Effective record keeping

This is fundamental to good safeguarding practice but often done poorly. Detailed records provide an accurate account of safeguarding concerns, incidents or disclosures and helps prevent misunderstandings or miscommunications about what happened.

Records should contain clear facts, full sentences and avoid using initials. This latter point is crucial; the use of initials has no data protection benefit but can significantly reduce clarity of recording and in turn, increases risk.