Low-Level Concerns Policy Template for Schools (KCSIE 2025)

{[ ["How staff should report a low-level concern","The policy must name the recipient — usually the headteacher. Must also name an alternative recipient for concerns about the headteacher (typically the chair of governors)"], ["How concerns are recorded","Securely, separately from personnel files. Access must be restricted to those who need to know"], ["What happens to the record if the staff member moves school","Low-level concern records must be considered as part of reference requests. The policy must set out how this works"], ["How patterns of low-level concerns are monitored","A single concern may be minor; a pattern may indicate something more serious. The DSL must regularly review records"], ["When a low-level concern becomes a LADO referral","The threshold for LADO referral must be clearly set out — based on KCSIE 2025 Part 4"], ["Reassurance for good-faith reporters","Staff who report in good faith will not face adverse consequences. This must be stated explicitly to encourage reporting culture"] ].map(([title, sub]) => ` `).join('')}

{[ ["Conflating with the main CP policy","KCSIE 2025 requires a separate standalone document — not a section within the CP policy"], ["Not naming a specific recipient for reports","'Report to a senior leader' is not sufficient. The policy must name the specific role and the alternative where the concern is about that person"], ["Failing to address concerns about the headteacher","A significant gap — if the concern is about the most senior person in the school, the process must still be clear and safe"], ["Not setting out the record retention schedule","How long are low-level concern records kept? The policy must specify this"] ].map(([title, sub]) => ` `).join('')}