Schools have a fundamental responsibility to keep young people safe. This includes providing secure environments, protecting students from harm and responding appropriately when concerns arise. As safeguarding expectations continue to evolve, schools are recognising that reacting quickly is no longer enough – a proactive approach is essential.
Recent findings from SOS Children’s Villages show that while 78% of schools believe they are meeting safeguarding standards, this still falls short of the 90% target. The gap highlights the need for schools to review how safeguarding works in practice.
One solution lies in adopting a clear, proactive safeguarding strategy that can adapt to different school contexts. The British Council Partner Schools safeguarding resources support schools with doing exactly this, offering practical guidance to help communities act before issues escalate.
However, even the strongest strategy will only succeed if everyone is involved. Safeguarding works best when students feel able to speak up and when every adult in the school community is prepared to listen and respond with confidence.
Safeguarding cannot rely on the staff’s observations alone. Students experience school life differently and may notice issues that staff do not immediately see.
Giving students a voice allows schools to:
When students know they will be listened to, they are more likely to raise issues – whether those issues are big or small. Feeling heard can reduce anxiety, build trust and strengthen students’ sense of belonging within the school community.
This emphasis on listening aligns with wider British Council Partner Schools thinking around shared responsibility. As explored in our article on leadership at all levels for schools, creating a culture where you distribute responsibility among staff leads to more accountability and stronger outcomes across the whole community.
Students need safe, predictable environments where they feel comfortable raising concerns. If a student sees a peer being dismissed over a minor issue, they may hesitate to speak up about something more serious.
Listening spaces can take many forms – pastoral check-ins, trusted adults, or student councils. What matters most is consistency. Students must see that concerns will be taken seriously and handled with care.
Schools that prioritise listening send a clear message: student wellbeing matters, and every voice counts.
Safeguarding is not the responsibility of one individual or team. It depends on a strong, shared network across the school, involving teachers, support staff, leadership, and administrators.
Misunderstandings often arise when safeguarding is seen as ‘someone else’s job’. Clear communication helps address this. Every adult should understand:
Strong alignment across the community also helps schools manage resistance to new policies. When everyone shares and understands expectations, safeguarding becomes part of everyday practice rather than an added burden.
Clear reporting systems help ensure you handle safeguarding concerns consistently over time. Standardised forms support accurate recording and reduce the risk of misinterpretation.
Written documentation also creates transparency as students and staff can see that concerns are logged, followed up on and addressed appropriately. This predictability builds trust and encourages others to come forward.
Some situations may require verbal communication first, especially when urgent action is needed. However, written records remain essential for accountability and follow-up.
Many staff members worry about getting safeguarding responses wrong. Without training, this fear can lead to hesitation or inaction.
Schools should provide regular training that:
Ongoing professional development helps staff feel supported rather than overwhelmed. It also ensures that safeguarding responses remain consistent, even as staff roles or policies change.
Training can also address emerging challenges, such as managing digital communication or mobile phone use. These issues often sit outside traditional safeguarding scenarios, which means staff may not recognise risks early or feel confident intervening.
Safeguarding depends on open communication and clear action. Students must feel safe to speak up, and adults must be ready to listen and respond appropriately.
A proactive, standardised safeguarding strategy helps schools move beyond quick reactions towards long-term protection. When everyone understands their role and shares responsibility, safeguarding becomes part of the school’s everyday culture.
British Council Partner Schools support this work by sharing practical tools, research and guidance designed for international contexts. By engaging with these resources, schools can strengthen their safeguarding practice and ensure students are protected, heard and supported.
Explore the British Council Partner Schools safeguarding resources on the Online Support for Schools platform to help your school build a proactive, community-wide approach to safeguarding.