Essential safeguarding for governors and trustees

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Safeguarding

Essential safeguarding for governors and trustees

E-learning

02/09/2024

UPDATE: The latest version of statutory guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education, comes into force in September 2025. You can read about changes to the guidance in our recent blog. An updated safeguarding e-learning module will be available for Learning Link subscribers in the autumn term.

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At a glance

This module covers what you and your governing board must do to fulfil the governance safeguarding role.

You will cover:

what safeguarding and child protection is

the purpose and effect of legislation and statutory guidance

what trusts, schools and their boards and staff need to do to establish sound safeguarding practice

what is expected of governors, trustees and local governors in relation to safeguarding

ways in which those governing should work with school staff to create a safe school culture and environment

the strategic oversight and monitoring of safeguarding in your school or trust

Study time

1 hour 30 minutes

Certificate upon completion

Module description

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. All staff and volunteers have a responsibility to provide a safe environment in which children can learn and will be expected to undertake suitable training and comply with school safeguarding policies.

This introductory course, broken into shorter units, focuses on what those governing need to know and do to be able to fulfil their safeguarding role. It covers policies, procedures, principles and practice in all types of school. Using a combination of engaging learning activities, animated scenarios, governor and trustee explanation, key documents to review, challenges and solutions and consolidation questions you will explore how your board should approach safeguarding in your school organisation.

Focusing on practical good governance and sensible practical approaches and providing useful questions and templates you will gain the confidence necessary to contribute effectively to safeguarding in your school or trust.

This module is part of the governance induction programme

Induction is a crucial first step for any new board member. This suite of e-learning modules will give you a clear and confident understanding of what governance is, why it matters, and how to do it well - whether you’re joining a maintained school or a multi academy trust.

Think of this programme as your national induction: it gives you the big-picture foundations of governance and how it works. It’s the perfect companion to the training and induction you’ll receive from your own school, trust and/or local authority. Together they’ll help you step into your new role with clarity and confidence.

The programme is structured as follows:

An introduction to the English education system

Get to grips with how education works in England. This module breaks down the structure of the school system, what schools must provide, and where governance fits within it. You’ll learn what the Key Stages mean, the difference between a maintained school and a trust, and how the school year is organised. Ideal if you’re new to education or just want a clear concise overview.
Understanding the expectations of governance in your setting
What exactly does a governing board do? This module explores the core purpose of governance and covers: what the expectations are of governors and trustees; the different types of schools and boards; and how delegation works. This module is essential for those who are familiar with the education system, but new to the role governance plays within it.
Essential safeguarding for governors and trustees
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and those governing have a key role to play. This module outlines the policies, principles and practices you need to know, and how boards should monitor and support safeguarding in their school or trust and how you and your board should approach safeguarding where you govern.
An introduction to the strategic role of governance

Governance is all about staying focused on the big picture. This module explains how boards set the vision, stay on-track, and make sure strategic leadership drives improvement. Whether you're brand new or need a refresher, this module will help you understand what strategic governance really looks like in action.
How to complete monitoring visits
Monitoring visits are a vital part of overseeing school performance. This short module shows you how to approach visits in a strategic way, from planning and enacting them to linking them to improvement plans and reflecting on what you’ve seen. Great for those preparing for their first visit or looking to sharpen their focus.
An introduction to compliance
What are your legal duties as a governor or trustee? This module introduces the key areas of compliance, why they matter, how boards can meet their responsibilities effectively through monitoring - and what happens if you don’t. It offers practical guidance to help you stay on top of the essentials and avoid pitfalls.
The recipe for effective governance
What makes a great board? This final module pulls everything together, looking at how boards work as a team, the roles of the chair and governance professional, and how to hold leaders to account. It’s a great way to round off your induction and step into governance with purpose and confidence.

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“I did not realise how little I knew or really understood. Thank you”

User review
“Very clear explanations and good practical examples. Easy to navigate”

User review
“Being tested is useful. Case studies make it real. Detail was excellent.”

User review
“It made me feel empowered as a governor to contribute to safeguarding at the nursery school.”

User review

Who developed this module?

Paul Aber

Head of Training Development

Paul leads and manages ��Ƶ��app’s face-to-face training, e-learning and development programmes. This includes recruiting, training and managing ��Ƶ��app’s team of consultants and trainers. Paul has many years’ experience of governance, including in maintained schools and academy trusts.

View Paul's full profile

Monica Juan

��Ƶ��app consultant

Monica has more than 15 years of governance experience mainly as a chair, serves as a trustee in a Northamptonshire MAT and is a National Leader of Governance. Having been a Local Authority Governance Support Adviser for many years, she is now Head of Governance and Safeguarding for a large Midlands MAT where her remit includes developing and facilitating governance training. Monica is also a Safer Recruitment accredited trainer with The Lucy Faithfull Foundation.