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Written question asked by Gregory Stafford (Conservative) on Monday, 28 April 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 30 April 2025. It was answered by Stephen Morgan (Labour) on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Children: Protection

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on support for (a) parents and (b) schools in understanding the legal routes to raise concerns about people who pose a potential safeguarding risk.

Answer

This government believes that action must always be taken to protect children from any safeguarding risk. That is why we are taking forward system reforms in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill and have published a government progress update to the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. The Keeping Children Safe mission board, chaired by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of Education, will ensure that there continues to be a cross-government focus on safeguarding, including how parents can be best supported.

We have also provided robust statutory safeguarding guidance for all schools on the policies and procedures they must put in place to safeguard and promote the welfare of their pupils. This guidance not only sets out the different types of abuse and harm but also supports all staff to know what signs to look out for, including how they must respond to any concerns about a child and when to make a referral to local safeguarding partners, the police and Prevent services.

Advice for parents is also clear that where there are child protection concerns, these should be reported to local authority children’s social care departments or to the police if a child is at immediate risk of harm.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
48819
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Children Protection Parents Legal systems Schools
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk