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<p>Schools and colleges are under a legislative duty to safeguard and promote the
welfare of children. As part of this duty, they must have regard to statutory safeguarding
guidance, 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' and 'Working Together to Safeguard
Children'. Available respectively at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2</a>
and <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children--2"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children--2</a>.
The guidance sets out the steps that they must take and the systems that must be in
place to provide support for children at each stage of their education. In the context
of both guidance documents ‘children’ includes 16 and 17 year olds.</p><p> </p><p>Ofsted
inspectors report on whether or not arrangements for safeguarding and supporting children
and learners are effective. Ofsted has published guidance to inspectors setting out
the approach they should take to inspecting safeguarding in early years, education
and skills – <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inspecting-safeguarding-in-early-years-education-and-skills-from-september-2015"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inspecting-safeguarding-in-early-years-education-and-skills-from-september-2015</a>.
This makes clear that safeguarding is not just about protecting children and learners
from deliberate harm and neglect and relates to broader aspects of care and education.
Pupils’ and students’ personal development, behaviour and welfare is also a key area
of focus in all inspections of education providers conducted under Ofsted’s Common
inspection framework.</p><p> </p><p>We are clear in 'Working Together to Safeguard
Children' and 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' about the importance of early help
assessments. Early help means providing support as soon as a problem emerges at any
point in a child’s life. These assessments should be undertaken by school and college
staff for children, especially vulnerable children, aged 16 and 17 as appropriate
to their local circumstances. Effective early help can prevent problems escalating.
In some cases, however, the school or college may consider that the child is a child
in need, as defined under the Children Act 1989, and make a referral to children’s
social care.</p><p> </p><p>We are currently conducting a range of work to assess and
improve the support children in need receive, including those experiencing mental
ill-health, domestic abuse, exploitation or substance misuse. The children in need
review and call for evidence, which was launched on 16 March, is looking at the educational
outcomes for all children in need, including 16 and 17 year olds, and what support
they need to improve those outcomes. The Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme
is also funding projects to assess how early help and contextual safeguarding can
help protect adolescents and prepare them for adult life.</p>
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