When it comes to safeguarding, many organisations still rely on online multiple-choice courses or short webinars to keep staff training up to date. But safeguarding isn’t a tick-box exercise—it’s about placing the learner at the heart of every decision. Staff must be equipped to navigate complex concerns, spot emerging trends, build effective strategies, and meet Ofsted requirements with confidence and care.
We can also be inclined to see a completed training course as the end of a journey – book course, complete course, get certificate, done – but that could not be further from the truth.
In this blog, we’ll take you through key considerations and give you some examples of how you can make safeguarding a cycle of support and improvement within your organisation.
The reality of safeguarding
Safeguarding involves addressing complex issues like mental health problems, abuse, neglect, and even radicalisation. Staff must be equipped to handle these sensitive and often challenging situations effectively.
Recognising patterns and trends in safeguarding is crucial. This involves analysing behaviours to identify recurring problems or emerging threats. By understanding these trends, you can proactively address potential issues before they escalate.
You need more than basic knowledge to safeguard apprentices effectively; it requires practical strategies to navigate challenges. This includes understanding how to collaborate with multiple agencies, continuously improving safeguarding practices, and creating feedback loops to encourage continuous development.
Ofsted requirements
Ofsted has clear expectations when it comes to safeguarding training. They look for a strong safeguarding culture (an environment that prioritises safeguarding, and where everyone understands their role in protecting apprentices) and they also expect regular, comprehensive training that goes beyond simple online courses.
Recent proposed updates to the Ofsted Education inspection framework (EIF) have placed even greater emphasis on safeguarding. Key changes include a focus on the effectiveness of safeguarding training and the ability of staff to identify and respond to safeguarding concerns.
Meeting these requirements
To meet Ofsted’s safeguarding requirements, the training you implement should provide comprehensive, up-to-date information on safeguarding practices and legislation. Safeguarding is an evolving field, and staff must stay current with the latest developments and best practices.
Your staff’s CPD also needs to go beyond multiple-choice-assessment type courses. When faced with a potential or developing safeguarding issue, your staff won’t be prompted with options A, B, C or D on how to proceed. They need to develop critical thinking skills to decide on the correct course of action for the unique situation and analytical skills to evaluate the impact of safeguarding strategies. For example:
- What behaviours or indicators led up to this? Does this indicate a trend?
- Was this dealt with in a safe, compliant and effective manner? How could it be improved?
- What follow-up support or action may be required? Does this require collaboration with other teams or organisations?
- How can this experience support best practice, training or policies going forward?
Interactive and scenario-based learning is far more effective than multiple-choice assessment in preparing staff for real-world challenges. This type of training helps staff engage with realistic scenarios, and develop the skills and confidence needed to handle complex safeguarding issues. It’s also proven to be more effective at embedding learning, than methods like quizzes or simple information recall.
Beyond the CPD
It’s crucial to regularly assess the effectiveness of safeguarding measures. This involves monitoring training outcomes, evaluating the impact of safeguarding strategies and making necessary adjustments to improve practices.
The Department for Education mandates statutory safeguarding training every 2 years for Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) and Deputy DSLs, but it’s also essential to keep up to date with new information and safeguarding risks. For instance, if your DSL’s had a training update in 2024, their training would not have included the proposed changes to the Ofsted inspection framework. Given that this includes a significant focus on inclusion and safeguarding, it could have a big impact on how they manage their role.
It’s also important to check in with your staff on a regular basis – because the responsibility for safeguarding sits with all those engaging with learners. The reality of safeguarding can often mean that your team may feel overwhelmed and have little time to respond to their own personal and professional needs. Create safe spaces for them to discuss challenges and share feelings, and make sure they have self-care strategies in place to cope with the responsibility of the role. These check-ins are also a great time to reflect on and share best practice within your organisation.
When we invest in meaningful, ongoing training and support for staff, we create safer, more inclusive environments where apprentices can truly thrive. By going beyond the tick-box, we not only meet our regulatory responsibilities, we empower our teams to make a real difference in the lives of the learners that we support.
Support for safeguarding in apprenticeships
Psych-Logical – safeguarding and behavioural specialists – work closely with education providers as they deliver support and training to young people in the workplace. SDN and Psych-Logical are teaming up to deliver interactive online safeguarding workshops, designed to cover the essentials of safeguarding and give you the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills to effectively safeguard learners.
Workshop 1: Introducing safeguarding
For those new to safeguarding or seeking an in-depth refresher, this session lays the foundation for effective safeguarding leadership. Delivered by experienced safeguarding leads, this session will provide key insights into what makes effective safeguarding.
- Creating safe spaces – understand the pillars of safeguarding and foster a strong safeguarding culture.
- Roles & responsibilities – clarify the role of the DSO/DSL, the wider workforce, and governance structures.
- Identifying safeguarding trends – stay informed on local and national safeguarding developments.
- Overcoming barriers – learn strategies to navigate safeguarding challenges effectively.
Workshop 2: Designated Safeguarding Officer/Lead Training
For those new to safeguarding (who must complete both parts for full certification) or those requiring a statutory two-year refresher, this session focuses on practical application and managing safeguarding challenges.
- Identifying & responding to risk – recognising concerns and taking the right action.
- Legislation & guidance – understanding key safeguarding and prevent legislation, including recent updates.
- Referral routes & professional confidence – knowing when and how to refer, managing professional challenges, and recording safeguarding concerns effectively.
- Developing a DSO toolkit – accessing key resources to support you in your role.
- Case management coaching – gain direct coaching from experienced safeguarding leads on handling complex cases.
- Scenario-based learning – work through real-life safeguarding situations to build confidence in decision-making.
Visit our events page to find out more and to book your place.