Safeguarding Consultancies

Safeguarding consultancies focus on specific areas to help settings/schools to consider strengths and areas for improvement in their safeguarding arrangements.

Consultancies will include a review of compliance with statutory guidance; as well as alignment with local safeguarding arrangements.

Following the visit, a report will be prepared to outline high level findings with recommendations or actions arising from the consultancy. 

The process is intended as a supportive audit to help schools evaluate and strengthen their safeguarding practices. Consultancies do not replace any advice given by regulatory bodies, statutory agencies, or inspectorates. Nor will they predict the outcomes or gradings of future inspections.  

Please see consultancy cost information. Please contact the lead officers to arrange. 

Early Years (Charlotte Percival): Half day consultancies can be requested by settings or will be offered by the Education Quality and Safeguarding Service following an inadequate Ofsted rating.

Schools (Emma Harding): The offer has been updated for 2025-2026. School based consultancies will focus on 4 key areas:

1. Leadership and Governance.
2. Safeguarding Policies and Systems.
3. Knowledge, Competence and Safety.
4. Child-centred practice.

Consultancy format:

• Pre-consultancy visit evidence request and review
• Consultancy visit (no more than a full day; depending on school size).
• Post-consultancy visit evidence analysis and report writing

Further detailed information about the School Based Consultancy Service can be found here.