Safeguarding in Schools – Lambeth Safeguarding Children Partnership

Safeguarding in Education

Schools, nurseries and colleges are in a unique position to identify and respond to safeguarding concerns early. It is essential that all safeguarding partners work closely with colleagues in education to support them to do this. This page includes links to safeguarding resources and information to help colleagues in education, and specifically Designated Safeguarding Leads in their role. If you would like to see additional guidance or resources on this page, or you have an example of great practice and want to share it, please get in touch.

Model Safeguarding Policy

Lambeth’s model safeguarding policy for schools was revised in August 2024 to reflect the changes as a consequence of the publication of revisions to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE). KCSiE is statutory guidance which all schools and colleges must have regard to when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

In accordance with the guidance, governing bodies and proprietors of independent schools and colleges should ensure that all staff and volunteers are aware of the new policy and are kept up to date as it is revised. The revised policy should continue to be made available publicly.

The following model policy is designed to provide a framework for your school’s policy. It should be adapted to make it relevant to your setting and any particular local safeguarding issues you may be dealing with. School-specific information should be added, for example, information about the curriculum (including information about Relationships and Sex Education) and the school’s monitoring and evaluation procedures.

Operation Encompass

Operation Encompass is a police and education early information safeguarding partnership enabling schools to offer immediate support to children experiencing domestic abuse.

Operation Encompass ensures that there is a simple telephone call or notification to a school’s trained Designated Safeguarding Lead /Officer (known as key Adult) prior to the start of the next school day after an incident of police attended domestic abuse where there are children related to either of the adult parties involved.

Information is shared with a school’s Key Adult (normally the DSL) prior to the start of the next school day, after officers have attended a domestic abuse incident. This sharing of information enables appropriate support to be given, dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.

Operation Encompass Resources

Download the Operation Encompass Handbook for Schools for information on supporting children experiencing domestic abuse

If your school has not yet signed up to Operation Encompass or if you have any questions, please get in touch and we will pass your query on to our Police and Education partners.

Support and Resources

Make a safeguarding referral for support

Call Lambeth’s Integrated Referral Hub and follow up with a completed Multi-agency Referral Form.

Access Early Help in your area

There are five Community Early Help locality teams in Lambeth. Contact your local Early Help Team.

Helpful safeguarding resources

Visit the NSPCC for guidance on policy, audits and teaching resources.

Levels of Need Guidance

Use the Levels of Need guidance to help you identify and assess safeguarding needs – and access the right help at the right time.

Harmful Sexual Behaviour in Schools

Use this helpful toolkit to assess and respond to harmful sexual behaviour in school.

Confidential Crime Reporting & Info

Fearless.org provides young people with a safe and confidential space to report crime and seek advice.