Safeguarding Children in Schools and Colleges (Level 2)

Safeguarding Children in Schools and Colleges (Level 2) – Online Course

Course overview
This two-hour, CPD-accredited online course develops awareness of safeguarding responsibilities in schools and colleges. It explores how to recognise signs of abuse, neglect and exploitation, respond to disclosures, follow reporting procedures and understand the roles of safeguarding partners. Topics also include online safety, radicalisation, child trafficking and safer recruitment, helping education staff contribute to a safer environment for children and young people.

Please note: This Level 2 course provides safeguarding knowledge and awareness for educational settings. It does not replace designated safeguarding lead training, specialist instruction or additional role-specific training required by an employer.

What the course covers
• Safeguarding principles, key concepts and children’s rights
• Vulnerability, abuse and child maltreatment
• Types of abuse, including physical, sexual and emotional abuse
• Recognising indicators of abuse, neglect and exploitation
• Roles of safeguarding partners and local authorities
• Online safety, online abuse and filtering and monitoring
• Sexual offences and relevant legislation
• Child trafficking and female genital mutilation (FGM)
• Radicalisation and the Prevent duty
• Responding to concerns, seeking advice and reporting procedures
• Creating a safe environment for children
• Absenteeism and potential safeguarding concerns
• Safer recruitment, shortlisting and self-declaration
• Safeguarding considerations for individuals and organisations using school premises

Who is it for?
• Teachers and teaching assistants
• School leaders, governors and college staff
• Designated safeguarding leads (DSLs)
• Pastoral staff and learning support assistants
• Administrative and support staff
• Lecturers, cover supervisors and early career teachers
• Volunteers, regular school visitors and contractors
• Anyone working with children or young people in educational settings

Practical benefits
• Improve awareness of signs of abuse, neglect and exploitation
• Understand safeguarding responsibilities within educational settings
• Recognise factors that may increase a child’s vulnerability
• Develop confidence in responding to concerns and disclosures
• Understand reporting, referral and escalation procedures
• Support safer learning environments and consistent safeguarding practice

What learners will be able to do
• Explain the purpose and principles of safeguarding children
• Recognise common indicators and patterns of abuse and neglect
• Identify potential safeguarding risks and vulnerability factors
• Understand how to respond appropriately to a concern or disclosure
• Record safeguarding information clearly, accurately and objectively
• Follow relevant reporting and referral procedures
• Understand confidentiality and information-sharing considerations
• Apply safeguarding principles in day-to-day educational practice

Is this training a legal requirement?
There is no general legal requirement to complete this specific Level 2 course. However, schools and colleges in England must meet their safeguarding responsibilities, including relevant expectations in the statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education. The Children Acts and Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance also provide important safeguarding frameworks. Employers should ensure staff receive training appropriate to their roles and responsibilities.

Assessment and certificate
The course is assessed through an online multiple-choice test with a 70% pass mark. Unlimited retakes are available. On successful completion, learners receive an instant digital CPD-accredited certificate worth 2 CPD points.