What Ofsted Looks for in Your Safeguarding Arrangements: A 2024/25 Inspection Readiness Guide for DSLs
A practical, reference-quality guide to the safeguarding elements Ofsted inspectors prioritise — drawn directly from the 2024 Education Inspection Framework, KCSIE 2024, and Ofsted's own published judgement criteria.
Why Safeguarding Is Inspection-Critical
Under the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework (EIF) 2024, safeguarding occupies a unique position: it is the only judgement area where a single weakness can result in the school being graded Inadequate regardless of its performance in other areas. Inspectors use a separate safeguarding evaluation schedule alongside the standard EIF judgements, and their findings are recorded on the school's inspection report.
In Ofsted's 2022–23 Annual Report, safeguarding was cited as a concern in a significant proportion of schools judged Requires Improvement or Inadequate. Common issues included inadequate recording of concerns, gaps in staff training, an absent or under-trained DSL, and failure to maintain a legally compliant Single Central Record (SCR).[1]
The 10 Things Ofsted Always Check
✅ The DSL and Deputy DSL
Inspectors will speak directly to the DSL and their deputy. They expect to see a trained, confident practitioner who can articulate their safeguarding approach, case management process, and knowledge of local agencies. The DSL must be a member of the senior leadership team and have adequate time for the role.
✅ Single Central Record (SCR)
The SCR must record pre-employment checks for all staff, volunteers, governors, and relevant contractors. It must be current, comprehensive, and show dates. Inspectors will sample-check the SCR on every inspection. A non-compliant SCR is a significant safeguarding concern.[2]
✅ Child Protection Policy
The policy must be reviewed annually, reflect KCSIE 2024 in full, be approved by governors, and be accessible to all staff and parents. It must include the school's approach to specific safeguarding issues relevant to the school's context (e.g. county lines, online safety, radicalisation).
✅ Staff Training Records
All staff must receive safeguarding training on induction and regular updates thereafter. Inspectors check training logs and may ask individual teachers what they know about the school's safeguarding procedures. Training must include online safety and specific issues relevant to the school context.
✅ Concern Recording System
A robust, chronological record of all safeguarding concerns must be maintained. Inspectors look for evidence that concerns are recorded promptly, actioned appropriately, and that the DSL has oversight. Gaps in recording are a red flag.
✅ Safer Recruitment
At least one person on every interview panel for staff who work with children must have completed safer recruitment training. This must be documented. Inspectors may ask about the school's safer recruitment process and check that DBS checks, References, and prohibition checks were completed before appointment.
✅ Pupil Voice
Inspectors speak to pupils. They ask whether children know who to speak to if they are worried about something, whether they feel safe, and whether the school takes bullying seriously. Pupils should know what to do and who to go to — by name, not just by role.
✅ Online Safety
KCSIE 2024 significantly expanded the online safety requirements for schools. Inspectors will check that the school has an up-to-date online safety policy, that filters and monitoring systems are in place and working, and that staff are trained on online safety issues.
✅ Contextual Safeguarding
Inspectors now expect schools to have awareness of the environmental and contextual factors affecting their pupils — including local gang activity, county lines, exploitation, and the online environments pupils inhabit. The DSL should be able to articulate the specific risks in their school's community.
✅ Governor Scrutiny
The governing body must have a named safeguarding governor who provides oversight and challenge to the senior leadership team. Inspectors may speak to the safeguarding governor and check that governors have received appropriate safeguarding training and receive regular reports from the DSL.
The Most Common Failings Inspectors Find
Analysis of Ofsted inspection reports flagging safeguarding concerns reveals a consistent pattern of weaknesses:[1]
- The SCR is incomplete, out of date, or does not record all required checks
- Safeguarding training records are incomplete or some staff have not been trained
- The child protection policy has not been updated to reflect KCSIE 2024
- Concerns are recorded inconsistently — some are on paper, some on systems, some not at all
- The DSL does not have sufficient protected time for the role and is routinely pulled away by other responsibilities
- Online safety monitoring is in place technically but staff are not trained to recognise alerts
- The school cannot demonstrate a clear referral pathway to their local MASH
Ofsted's S8 "Deep Dive" — What This Means for Safeguarding
Since 2019, Ofsted has used "deep dives" — detailed subject scrutiny sessions — as part of the standard inspection. While deep dives typically focus on curriculum areas, inspectors also conduct a safeguarding "deep dive" in which they look at a sample of pupil files, speak to the DSL in depth, and triangulate what staff, pupils, and parents say with the school's documented systems. Preparation for a deep dive means ensuring that your concern records, CPOMS/MyConcern logs, referral records, and training documentation are all audit-ready at all times — not just when an inspection is imminent.
Sources: [1] Ofsted (2023). Annual Report and Accounts 2022–23. gov.uk. [2] DfE (2024). Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024. gov.uk. [3] Ofsted (2024). School Inspection Handbook September 2024. gov.uk. [4] HM Government (2023). Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023. gov.uk.