Safeguarding Audits

Statutory Safeguarding (Section 11/157/175) Audits

Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 places a legal duty (section 11 Children Act 2004 and sections 157/175 Education Act 2002) on Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership/Local Authority to seek assurance as to the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements for registered education providers in their area.

The results and actions arising from these audits should also be shared with Governing Bodies/Proprietors/Management Committees to enable them to have strategic oversight of the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements. 

Registered education providers operating in Shropshire are asked to complete a statutory safeguarding audit on an annual basis. Below is the audit template registered providers were expected to complete for 2024-2025.

The process for 2025-2026 is under development but will require education providers to submit their audits using an online platform. More details on the new process will follow via Education Updates in the Autumn Term.

Practice Audits (Good Practice)

A practice audit template is provided by the Local Authority to assist schools with auditing and assurance for children attending their school who are receiving Early Help or Children's Social Care help/support/protection. It is recommended that Practice Audits are completed regularly throughout the academic year form part of schools ongoing review and improvement activity.