Safeguarding Referrals: A Step-by-Step Guide for School Staff

Step 1: Recognise and Record

Safeguarding concerns arise from many triggers: a child's disclosure, a physical observation (unexplained injury), a behavioural change, or information from another person. When you notice a concern:

• Record what you saw, heard, or were told — use the child's exact words where possible. Do not paraphrase or interpret.
• Note the time, date, and setting
• Record any physical signs (location of marks, description) but do not photograph or examine the child
• Do not promise confidentiality to the child

Step 2: Report to Your Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Under KCSiE 2024, all school and college staff must report safeguarding concerns to the DSL (or deputy DSL in their absence) without delay. This is a duty, not a choice — even if you are uncertain.

• Use your school's agreed recording system (e.g., MyConcern, CPOMs, or a paper concern form)
• If the DSL is unavailable and the concern is urgent, you can refer directly to children's social care
• If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 999 first

Step 3: DSL Assessment and Decision

The DSL's role is to assess the concern and decide on the appropriate response. Possible actions include:

• Monitor and review — concern noted but requires further information
• Early help offer — referral to early help services to provide support before statutory threshold is reached
• Referral to children's social care — where abuse or neglect is suspected or confirmed
• Police referral — where a crime may have occurred (always in parallel with social care where a child is at risk)

Step 4: Making a Referral to Children's Social Care (MASH)

Most local authorities in England operate a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) as the single point of contact for referrals. When making a referral:

1. Call the MASH or children's social care duty number for your local authority
2. Have ready: child's name, DOB, address, school, nature of concern, and any relevant history
3. Follow up the telephone referral in writing within 24 hours (using your local authority's referral form)
4. Social care must acknowledge receipt and inform you of next steps within 1 working day
5. If you do not hear back, follow up and document that you did

What Happens After Referral?

Following a referral, children's social care will conduct an Initial Assessment within 5 working days to determine the level of risk and need. This may lead to a Strategy Discussion (involving police, health, and education), a Child Protection Enquiry (Section 47), and potentially a Child Protection Conference within 15 working days.

Your role as a school is not over once a referral is made — schools are key partners in the child protection process and will be invited to contribute to assessments and conferences.

Key Contacts and Resources

• Your Local Authority MASH — find via your LA website or gov.uk
• NSPCC Learning DSL Training: learning.nspcc.org.uk
• DfE KCSiE 2024: gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2
• In an emergency: 999 (police/ambulance)
• NSPCC Helpline (professional consultation): 0808 800 5000

Sources: DfE, Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024 (September 2024); HM Government, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 (December 2023); DfE, What to do if you're worried a child is being abused 2015; NSPCC, Safeguarding Referrals: Best Practice Guidance (2024). Last reviewed: April 2026.