Thank you for completing this year’s Section 175 Safeguarding Audit. For schools that are part of a Multi Academy Trust or Federation, please ensure a separate return is submitted for each school with its own Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
The purpose of this audit is twofold. Firstly, under Sections 175 and 157 of the Education Act 2002, all Local Authorities must ensure that every school, whether maintained, academy, independent, or registered with the Department for Education, is fulfilling its statutory safeguarding responsibilities. This requirement directly aligns with the expectations set out in the current Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) guidance. Much of this statutory compliance is addressed in Part One of the audit.
The second part of the audit focuses on identifying key initiatives, priorities, and areas for development across Devon. This section helps us understand what is working well in schools and informs the Local Authority and wider safeguarding partners, particularly the Devon Children’s Safeguarding Partnership (DCSP), about where future priorities should lie. While this section is not mandatory, your input is highly valued, as the analysis will represent all Devon schools and will be shared with the Education Advisory Group, part of the DCSP Executive sub-group structure.
This year, Part Two includes questions developed by each of the Partnership’s sub-groups. Your responses will help shape, evaluate, and share the work of these groups, which include representation from education colleagues. It is vital that, in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023), education remains fully engaged in local decision-making to support children, families, and the agencies working with them.
The audit should be completed by the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), or in their absence, the Deputy DSL, and returned no later than 13 February 2026. This process provides an excellent opportunity to review safeguarding practice across your setting, identify areas for development, and incorporate these into wider school improvement plans. Involving the Safeguarding Governor or Trustee is encouraged, as no individual children or families should be referenced. The DSL should report the completion of the audit, and any identified actions or areas for development, to their governing body or trust board.
· Please include as much detail as possible.
· Devon Education Safeguarding team will also use this evidence to promote innovative practice with other schools and settings.
· This audit can also be used to evidence evaluation of safeguarding practices with inspectors from Ofsted or ISI.