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How often should schools and Colleges in England (UK) be re-trained in Safeguarding and Child Protection levels 1, 2 and 3?

As a leading Safeguarding training company in the UK, Europe and across Asia and the Far East, Graffham Consulting Ltd is regularly asked how often school staff should be trained or re-trained in Safeguarding and Child Protection. Over the years, guidance on this has changed and in order to keep up-to-date with the latest requirements and best practice for England, UK, you need to refer to the statutory guidance in the following document: Keeping children safe in education (statutory guidance for schools and colleges September 2016) and also refer to your Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) for guidance and look at options for best practice. We have given some pointers below:

ONLINE LEVEL 1: Safeguarding and Child Protection Awareness Course England, UK version

The Graffham Consulting Ltd online level 1 Safeguarding and Child Protection Awareness Course is for people who "come into contact with children through their place of work or voluntary work". If we look at the statutory guidance below, we can see that  "Governing bodies and proprietors should ensure that all staff members undergo  safeguarding and child protection training at induction. The training should be regularly updated. Induction and training should be in line with advice from the LSCBs."

"In addition all staff members should receive regular safeguarding and child protection updates (for example, via email, e-bulletins, staff meetings) as required, but at least annually, to provide them with relevant skills and knowledge to safeguard children effectively. "

Best Practice: Schools have a duty to make sure that their staff are trained and up-to-date with their safeguarding knowledge and as such many schools choose to provide safeguarding training yearly or every two years in order to keep up-to-date with the latest legislation and also to keep safeguarding fresh in the minds of staff. If you are unsure, please contact your Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) for their up-to-date guidance.

ONLINE LEVEL 2: Safeguarding and Child Protection Advanced Course England, UK version

The Graffham Consulting online level 2 Safeguarding and Child Protection Advanced Course is for people who "work with children through their place of work or voluntary work." This usually includes teachers, teaching support staff, and everyone who works directly with children. This course builds on the knowledge contained within our online level 1 course and as such delegates should make sure that their level 1 or Safeguarding and Child Protection Awareness  knowledge is up-to-date before completing our level 2 course in order to get the most out of the course.

In terms of guidance on how often the Safeguarding Advanced Level 2 course should be trained, this follows similar guidance to that of the level 1 above. See above section on Safeguarding Online Level 1.

LEVEL 3 Safeguarding and Child Protection For Designated Safeguarding Leads Course (England, UK version)

The Graffham Consulting Ltd level 3 Designated Safeguarding course builds on the knowledge contained within our online levels 1 and 2 courses and as such attendees should make sure that their level 1 and 2 knowledge is up-to-date before completing the level 3 course in order to get the most out of the level 3.

According to Keeping children safe in education: statutory guidance for schools and colleges September 2016 (page 16) (below) "The designated safeguarding lead and any deputies should undergo training to provide them with the knowledge and skills required to carry out the role. The training should be updated every two years."

Best Practice: Schools have a duty to make sure that their Designated Safeguarding Leads are trained and up-to-date with safeguarding knowledge and as such some schools choose to provide level 3 safeguarding training annually  in order to keep up with the latest legislation. If you are unsure, please contact your Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) for their up-to-date guidance.

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This guidance is for schools and colleges in England, UK and is the opinion of Graffham Consulting Ltd. If you are not sure or need more clarification, please refer to your Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB).

Correct as of September 2017 - Andy Douglas (Development Director)
Copyright (c) 2017 Graffham Consulting Ltd

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Graffham Consulting Ltd Client Testimonials

Royal Ballet School
'The trainer was brilliant, I learnt everything I needed to know. I found the day interesting, informative, and very enjoyable. The course surpassed my expectations, I learnt to be more aware and thorough, and to know my responsibilities. The course was definitely value for money.'

BBC Clubs

'The trainer was excellent, great communication, knowledge, and explained every detail. The sessions included a lot of useful explanations of issues and topics. The course very much met my expectations, very much value for money.'

Braeside School
'The trainer was excellent and I learnt good practical advice on how to proceed. The sessions were very useful and this Child Protection course will enable me to take up my role in September. The course was value for money.'

BBC
'The sessions were very good. The trainer was informative and there was a strong interaction with the students. The venue, refreshments and food were very good and the course was value for money.'

London Independent Hospital 
'The course more than met my expectations, to gain more understanding of the whole realm of child protection. I learnt loads. The sessions were very useful, the trainer was really good and I loved the interaction'

Glenarm College
'The trainer was excellent, I can't wait to do level 2. All the sessions were useful and I learnt more about Child Protection issues and how to deal with them. The course was value for money.'

Pavilion Nursery
'Excellent Trainer. I really did get a lot out of this.'

Disclaimer: Whilst we endeavour to ensure that the information contained in this Graffham Consulting Ltd webpage / article is accurate, the material is of a general nature and not intended to be a substitute for specialist advice. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that the content of the webpage / article or learning points will be suitable to your circumstances or adequate to meet your particular requirements. Accordingly, we will not be liable for any losses or damages that may arise from the use of learning points from this webpage / article or associated material.