Safeguarding Audits

Statutory Safeguarding (Section 11/157/175) Audits

Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 places a legal duty (section 11 Children Act 2004 and sections 157/175 Education Act 2002) on Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership/Local Authority to seek assurance as to the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements for registered education providers in their area.

The results and actions arising from these audits should also be shared with Governing Bodies/Proprietors/Management Committees to enable them to have strategic oversight of the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements. 

Registered education providers operating in Shropshire are asked to complete a statutory safeguarding audit on an annual basis. 

2025-2026 Audit Process

From this academic year, all registered education providers will be required to submit their audits via an online platform. 

Headteacher/Managers/Childminders/Principals  are responsible for making sure the statutory safeguarding audit is completed (but can allocate other people to contribute to/view it).  They should have already received a letter from the Director of Children's Services and an email enabling them to access the audit. If you have not received a letter/email, please contact the Safeguarding Audits email address on this page.

The audit must be submitted by 27th March 2026: Education providers have the duration of the Spring Term to complete the audit.

The Education Quality Safeguarding Team will be providing support to help providers to complete the audit. This includes:

• Audits Respondents Manual

• Dedicated contact email (if you're unable to resolve difficulties via accessing the manual):  safeguarding.audits@shropshire.gov.uk 

• Launch Webinars and Troubleshooting drop-ins throughout the Spring Term (please see table below):

Next steps:

Summer Term 2026:

• The Education Quality Safeguarding Team will provide indicative findings to the 
  Education Partnership and Children’s Safeguarding Partnership Boards, will review audit 
  completion and follow the non-completion escalation process (included in the email with 
  this letter).
• Audits will be reopened in the week commencing 4th May 2026 for agreed extensions (by 
  exception only) and ongoing updates.

Autumn Term 2026: 

• The Education Quality Safeguarding Team will report thematic findings from the audits to 
  the Education Partnership and Children’s Safeguarding Partnership Boards.
• Preparations will begin for the 2026-2027 audit, which will be launched again in the Spring Term.