Episoder
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Welcome to the Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 Audiobook: Part One and Annex A
Thank you for taking the time to listen to this audiobook, which has been created to support all staff in schools and colleges in understanding their safeguarding responsibilities under Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026. Reading and understanding Part One of the guidance is a statutory requirement for all staff, and Annex A contains important additional information for those who work directly with children.
Throughout this audiobook, you will be guided through the key principles, responsibilities and safeguarding issues that every member of staff needs to understand in order to help keep children safe. You will hear about the importance of adopting a child-centred approach, recognising that safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone's responsibility and that every decision should be made in the best interests of the child.
The audiobook explores:
⢠The role of all staff in identifying concerns, responding appropriately and working as part of the wider safeguarding system.
⢠The safeguarding policies, procedures and reporting processes that every member of staff should know and follow.
⢠The role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead and the importance of sharing concerns promptly and effectively.
⢠Understanding abuse, neglect and exploitation, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect.
⢠Child-on-child abuse, online safety and the growing ways in which technology can feature within safeguarding concerns.
⢠Child criminal exploitation, child sexual exploitation, county lines, serious violence, domestic abuse, mental health concerns, radicalisation and other significant safeguarding risks.
⢠The importance of professional curiosity, trusting your instincts and maintaining an attitude of âit could happen hereâ when concerns arise.
⢠What to do when concerns are identified, including the importance of acting immediately, recording concerns accurately and sharing information appropriately to safeguard children.
The guidance reminds us that no single practitioner can ever have the full picture of a child's life. Safeguarding is most effective when professionals work together, share information promptly and take action at the earliest opportunity to ensure children receive the right help at the right time.
As you listen, we encourage you to reflect on how the information applies to your role and the children and young people you work with. The guidance emphasises the importance of building trusted relationships, listening to children's voices, recognising signs of vulnerability and remaining professionally curious when something does not feel right.
Ultimately, safeguarding is about ensuring that children are protected from harm, receive support as soon as concerns emerge and are able to grow up in circumstances that enable them to thrive. By understanding and applying the information contained within Part One and Annex A, every member of staff plays a vital role in creating a safer environment where children can learn, develop and achieve their best possible outcomes.
Thank you for listening. We hope this audiobook supports your understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and reinforces the importance of being child-centred, professionally curious, vigilant and confident in taking action when concerns arise.
Every action taken to safeguard a child matters. By listening to children, remaining curious, sharing concerns appropriately and acting when something does not feel right, we can help ensure that children receive the right help, at the right time, from the right people. Safeguarding is not simply a responsibility - it is a commitment to protecting children, promoting their welfare and ensuring they are able to thrive, achieve and be heard. Together, we can create safer environments where every child feels protected, valued and supported.
The Safeguarding Voice podcast brought to you by ECP Safeguarding.
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Welcome to Chapter 3 of our audio book to Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026.
In this second release, we move from principles into practiceâexploring how the safeguarding system provides help, support, and protection for children and families at every level of need. Whether concerns are emerging or risks are significant, this chapter sets out how services respond with clarity, coordination, and purpose.
This part of the guidance is for everyone working directly with children and families, and for those who design, lead, or commission services. It will deepen your understanding of how universal services, early help, Family Help, and statutory intervention come together as a single, joined-up systemâensuring children receive the right help at the right time.
Chapter 3 places strong emphasis on early identification, timely intervention, and consistent relationships. It introduces and embeds the Family Help model, showing how targeted early help and statutory support align to create a seamless pathway for families. It also sets clear expectations for multi-agency assessment, decision-making, and planning, alongside the statutory duties that underpin child in need and child protection work.
Youâll explore the practical realities of safeguarding: how to recognise when families need support, how assessments should be carried out, and how practitioners work together to respond to risk, both inside and outside the home. The chapter also gives detailed guidance on responding to complex needs, including extra-familial harm, domestic abuse, exploitation, and the specific vulnerabilities of babies, disabled children, and young carers.
At its heart, this chapter is about action, what good safeguarding looks like in day-to-day practice, how collaboration works in real terms, and how systems must respond quickly, thoughtfully, and proportionately to keep children safe and help families thrive.
Letâs continue.
Listen now to Chapter 3: Providing Help, Support and Protection.
Read ECP's briefing: click here
Link to the full guidance document: click here
The Safeguarding Voice podcast brought to you by ECP Safeguarding.
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In this round-table episode, our safeguarding consultants explore one of the UKâs most pressing digital questions: should social media be banned for under 16s?
Drawing on professional insight and real-world experience, the panel examines the impact of social media on young peopleâs mental health, exposure to harmful content, and risks such as online exploitation. The discussion also considers the balance between parental responsibility, platform accountability, and the role of government regulation.
With reference to the Online Safety Act 2023, the episode explores whether stronger safeguards are enough, or whether more restrictive approaches should be considered to better protect children and young people.
This episode offers a balanced and thought-provoking conversation for anyone working with children, supporting families, or navigating the realities of online safety today.
Online Safety Act briefing - https://ecp-safeguarding-blogs.blogspot.com/2024/10/online-safety-act-2023-explainer.html
Kids Online World - https://www.kidsonlineworld.com/
Internet Watch Foundation - https://www.iwf.org.uk/
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP) - https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/
Childnet - https://www.childnet.com/
Education Support - https://www.educationsupport.org.uk/
NAPAC - https://napac.org.uk/
Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Mind - https://www.mind.org.uk/
The Safeguarding Voice podcast brought to you by ECP Safeguarding.
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Welcome to our audio guide to Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026.
In this newly released edition, we bring you the latest statutory guidance in a clear and accessible audio format. Whether youâre travelling between visits, catching up during a busy day, or deepening your understanding of safeguarding practice, this guide is designed to support you, wherever and however you choose to listen.
This audiobook is for everyone who plays a role in the life of a child: teachers, social workers, health professionals, police colleagues, early years practitioners, volunteers, youth workers, and leaders across all safeguarding partnerships. If your work touches the lives of children or families, this guidance is written for you. Listening will help you feel more confident in your responsibilities, better connected across agencies, and more equipped to contribute to a system that protects children and supports families.
The 2026 update strengthens expectations for inclusive, antiâracist and antiâdiscriminatory practice; confirms the guidance applies to all children, including unborn babies; expands responses to harms such as domestic abuse, child sexual abuse, coercive control, online risks and groupâbased exploitation; embeds the Family Help model by integrating early help and Section 17 support into a single multidisciplinary offer; and reinforces multiâagency accountability with clearer informationâsharing duties, stronger use of data and impactâfocused reporting, all within a more streamlined statutory framework that supports consistent, highâquality safeguarding practice
In Chapter 1, we begin with the foundations: what shared responsibility for safeguarding truly means in todayâs system. Youâll explore the principles of childâcentred practice, the value of wholeâfamily approaches, and how strong professional relationships, curiosity, and effective information sharing underpin good safeguarding work. This opening chapter sets the scene for the guidance that follows and the collaborative culture it seeks to strengthen.
Letâs begin.
Listen now to Chapter 1: A Shared Responsibility.Read ECP's briefing: click here
Link to the full guidance document: click here
The Safeguarding Voice podcast brought to you by ECP Safeguarding.
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Boarding schools and residential education settings present safeguarding responsibilities that extend far beyond the classroom. In this episode, we are joined by Jane Morris, Director of Safeguarding at Mill Hill Education Trust, to explore the unique safeguarding challenges within boarding environments.
The discussion looks at how staff are trained to recognise and respond to risk, the importance of creating a culture of openness and trust, and how schools balance privacy with supervision in residential life. We also explore the role of peer relationships and dormitory dynamics, alongside practical advice for parents on supporting their childâs wellbeing while staying informed about safeguarding arrangements.
This episode is relevant for educators, safeguarding leads, parents, carers, and policymakers, offering insight into how boarding settings can create safe, supportive environments where every child feels protected and heard.
Support resources mentioned in this episode
Education Support https://www.educationsupport.org.uk/
NAPAC https://napac.org.uk/
Samaritans https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Mind https://www.mind.org.uk/
The Safeguarding Voice podcast brought to you by ECP Safeguarding.
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In this episode, we are joined by Vicki Blackburn, Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Head of Dame Alice Owenâs School, to discuss what it truly means to create effective safeguarding cultures. Culture is about more than policies and proceduresâitâs about shared responsibility and mindset. We explore how schools, colleges, and other educational settings can move beyond compliance to create environments where every student feels safe, supported, and able to thrive.
Resources and Support:
Education Support â https://www.educationsupport.org.uk/
NAPAC â Support for survivors of abuse: https://napac.org.uk/
Samaritans â 24/7 support: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Mind â Mental health support: https://www.mind.org.uk/
The Safeguarding Voice podcast brought to you by ECP Safeguarding.
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Welcome to this EYFS audio book, where we present the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework in a clear and accessible way. The EYFS sets the national standards for early years care, learning and development, making sure every child from birth to five is safe, supported and given the best possible start.
Section 3 is essential listening for anyone working in early years: practitioners, leaders, managers, safeguarding leads, support staff and those responsible for maintaining highâquality practice in groupâbased or schoolâbased settings. If your role involves caring for children aged 0 to 5, then understanding these safeguarding and welfare requirements isnât optionalâitâs a legal duty, and itâs central to creating environments where children can thrive.
This audio book presents Section 3 of the EYFS, which focuses on safeguarding and welfare. Youâll hear about the policies and procedures every setting must have in place, the standards for staff suitability and training, expectations around supervision, first aid, behaviour support, SEND considerations, health and safety, and keeping accurate records. This section sets the foundation for keeping children safe, and ensuring your setting meets its statutory responsibilities every single day.
Full text version available here:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68c024cb8c6d992f23edd79c/Early_years_foundation_stage_statutory_framework_-_for_group_and_school-based_providers.pdf.pdf
The Safeguarding Voice podcast brought to you by ECP Safeguarding.
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In this episode, we speak with Catherine McLaughlin, Deputy CEO and Director of Services & Development at the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, to explore the often-misunderstood issue of stalking. Stalking can take many formsâfrom persistent unwanted contact and being followed to surveillance through digital means. It affects people from all walks of life and can leave long-lasting emotional and psychological impacts.
Catherine McLaughlin is the Director of Services & Development and Deputy CEO at the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. She leads the operational delivery of the National Stalking Helpline and Advocacy Services and heads the policy and campaign work related to stalking and personal safety.
Catherine brings her wealth of experience leading the National Stalking Helpline, the Stalking Threat Assessment Centre, and nationwide advocacy services to discuss:
The different forms stalking can takeEarly warning signs to look out forWhy stalking is often minimised or misunderstoodHow to seek helpâfrom law enforcement, mental health professionals, and advocacy groupsSteps to reclaim safety and controlIf you or someone you know has experienced stalking, this episode offers clear, compassionate guidance and information on how to get the right support.
Resources and Support:
https://www.suzylamplugh.org/
https://napac.org.uk/
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
https://www.mind.org.uk/
The Safeguarding Voice podcast brought to you by ECP Safeguarding.
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In this episode we explore the complex and often overlooked issue of stalking behaviours among young people. From obsessive messaging to digital surveillance, these behaviours can subtly emerge in teenage relationships and social circles, often normalised by pop culture or peer dynamics.
Catherine McLaughlin, Director of Services & Development and Deputy CEO at the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, joins us to unpack how to support young people in navigating the âfirstsâ of adolescence while spotting red flag behaviours. Together, we discuss how unhealthy attachments can develop, how to identify controlling patterns early, and the importance of giving young people the tools to recognise and challenge these dynamics before they escalate.
This is a critical conversation that shines a light on unhealthy relationship behaviours and provides practical guidance for safeguarding young people.
Guest Bio
Catherine McLaughlin is the Director of Services & Development and Deputy CEO at the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. She leads on the operational delivery of the National Stalking Helpline, Advocacy and the Stalking Threat Assessment Centre, as well as policy and campaign work.
Support and Further Resources
If this episode raises any concerns or difficult feelings, support is available:
NAPAC â Support for survivors of abuseSamaritans â 24/7 supportMind â Mental health supportHollie Gazzard TrustAlice Ruggles TrustSuzy Lamplugh TrustThe Safeguarding Voice podcast brought to you by ECP Safeguarding.
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This episode of the KCSiE 2025 Audiobook covers Part 1: Safeguarding Information for All Staff. It explains what school and college staff need to know and do to safeguard children effectively.
Learn how to take a child-centred and coordinated approach to safeguarding, understand key responsibilities, recognise signs of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and respond appropriately. The episode also outlines the role of the designated safeguarding lead, the importance of early help, and how to build trusted relationships with children to help keep them safe.
By listening, staff can quickly understand their statutory duties and be prepared to identify and respond to concerns at the right time, ensuring children receive the right help when it matters most.
KCSiE 2025 audiobook, Safeguarding for school staff, Statutory safeguarding guidance, Child protection training, Designated safeguarding lead, Keeping children safe in education
The Safeguarding Voice podcast brought to you by ECP Safeguarding.
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In this episode of Safeguarding Voice, weâre exploring what effective safeguarding looks like in faith-based communities. Our guest, Claudia Kitsberg, is the Head of Safeguarding and Welfare at the United Synagogue, where she has led a shift from reactive approaches to proactive community safeguarding.
Claudia shares how sheâs built systems that prioritise training, support and early intervention â ensuring volunteers, staff and community members feel confident to raise concerns and better protect those around them.
Whether you work in faith settings or support those who do, this episode offers valuable insight into building trust and accountability in safeguarding systems.
Claudia Kitsberg is the Designated Safeguarding Lead at the United Synagogue. She has played a key role in shaping safeguarding policy and practice, introducing comprehensive training and support structures that have increased confidence in reporting and improved outcomes across the community.
Support & Self-Care Resources:
If this episode raises any concerns or difficult feelings, support is available:
NAPAC â Support for survivors of abuseSamaritans â 24/7 supportMind â Mental health supportThe Safeguarding Voice podcast brought to you by ECP Safeguarding.
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Safeguarding Guidance: What to Do if You're Worried a Child Is Being Abused (Audio Version)
Safeguarding is not just the responsibility of the Designated Safeguarding Lead â itâs a shared duty. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families as a part of their role has a part to play in recognising and responding to concerns.
This audiobook is a free, accessible version of the official government guidance: What to do if youâre worried a child is being abused. Itâs designed to support practitioners identify the signs of child abuse and neglect and understand what action to take.
Listening to this guidance helps create stronger safeguarding cultures where staff can recognise the signs of abuse or neglect, understand how to respond, and feel confident in reporting concerns. This isnât about ticking boxes â itâs about developing a mindset where every concern is taken seriously, and every child is protected.
Stream this safeguarding audiobook on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Full written guidance available here
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a80597640f0b62302692fa1/What_to_do_if_you_re_worried_a_child_is_being_abused.pdf
The Safeguarding Voice podcast brought to you by ECP Safeguarding.
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In this episode of Safeguarding Voice, ECP Safeguarding CEO Nicole Williamson is joined by safeguarding consultant Carly Spicer to explore key safeguarding responsibilities in out-of-school settings. Together, they unpack the non-statutory Department for Education (DfE) guidance for after school clubs, tuition providers, and community activity organisers.
This episode is essential listening for anyone working with children and young people outside of mainstream educationâincluding tutors, volunteers, community leaders and activity providers. We break down the main headlines of the guidance and discuss how it can be practically applied in your setting to promote safety, transparency and compliance.
đ Read the guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-parents-and-carers-on-safeguarding-children-in-out-of-school-settings/using-after-school-clubs-tuition-and-community-activities
đ Read our summary blog https://ecp-safeguarding-blogs.blogspot.com/2023/10/prioritising-safety.html
Listen now and gain confidence in safeguarding best practice beyond the classroom.
The Safeguarding Voice podcast brought to you by ECP Safeguarding.
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Join us on this bonus episode of Safeguarding voice. On this episode we explore the themes, terminology and prevention advice around misogyny and young people. All through the lens of the popular Netflix series Adolescence. We hope you enjoy this episode.
Amy Strode is an education and safeguarding professional, specialising for the last seven years within the counter-extremism and counter-terrorism sector, providing proactive support and contextual safeguarding interventions across all stages of education. Amy's broader experience includes frontline practice within mainstream primary schools; developing and facilitating programs on improving safeguarding dialogues and difficult conversations; and producing independent research and training on Incel Ideology, the wider Manosphere and linked harms.
Evelina holds a Master's degree in International Political Communication, and has previously worked for Prevent in the London borough of Enfield. She is a specialist CVE practitioner and trainer working in the education sector and holds recognized expert knowledge in the Extreme Right Wing, gender and extremism, and online extremist space. She also specialises in additional vulnerabilities such as SEND in radicalisation safeguarding.
Additional reading:
Institute of Strategic Dialogue report referenced re online algorithms and misogyny- https://www.isdglobal.org/isd-publications/algorithms-as-a-weapon-against-women-how-youtube-lures-boys-and-young-men-into-the-manosphere/LSE Research on The Manosphere- From Pick-Up Artists to Incels: Con(fidence) Games, Networked Misogyny, and the Failure of NeoliberalismMask Off: Masculinity Redefined- JJ Bola- covers masculinity from an intersectional male perspective.Men Who Hate Women- Laura Bates- extensive coverage of the ManosphereReconciling Jekyll and Hyde: The future of masculinity research within the domestic violent extremism context.Hutchinson et al_I'm Not Super Familiar with Children's Ecosystems Online_Vol XIX_Issue 1_2025.pdfThe Safeguarding Voice podcast brought to you by ECP Safeguarding.
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An essential listen for all early years practitioners! On this episode we are joined by our own ECP Safeguarding consultant Alan Gardiner talking us through the key reforms of the Early Years Statutory framework 2025. Alan breaks down for us the key changes which providers are expected to implement as of 1st September 2025. We hope you enjoy this episode
Support and Self care organisations:
https://napac.org.uk/
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
https://www.mind.org.uk/
Resources:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-education-and-childcare--2/early-education-and-childcare-effective-from-1-april-2025
The Safeguarding Voice podcast brought to you by ECP Safeguarding.
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Join us for a discussion with Annelli Peavot, Head of Safeguarding at Canterbury Christ Church University, as we delve into the topic of safeguarding in higher education. In this episode, Annelli shares her expert knowledge on the responsibilities of HE institutions in ensuring the safety of both staff and students.
We explore the unique challenges faced by safeguarding professionals in higher education, including preventing radicalization and discuss the essential elements of robust safeguarding systems. Discover practical strategies for creating a safe and supportive learning environment.
Tune in to learn how universities can effectively protect their community and navigate the complexities of safeguarding in today's landscape.
https://napac.org.uk/
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
https://www.mind.org.uk/
#HigherEducationSafeguarding #UniversitySafeguarding #PreventDuty #StudentSafety #StaffSafety #SafeguardingPodcast #CanterburyChristChurchUniversity
The Safeguarding Voice podcast brought to you by ECP Safeguarding.
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In this episode we are joined by Annelli Peavot Head of Safeguarding with responsibilities for Prevent at Canterbury Christ Church University. Exploring the Office for Students E6 condition: Tackling Sexual harassment and sexual misconduct in higher education. Annelli shares her knowledge and expertise about the requirements for institutions, exploring undertaking a needs analysis and next steps for HE providers. We hope you enjoy this episode.
Resources and further reading:
https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/for-providers/student-protection-and-support/harassment-and-sexual-misconduct/condition-e6-harassment-and-sexual-misconduct/
Support and Self care organisations:
https://napac.org.uk/
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
https://www.mind.org.uk/
The Safeguarding Voice podcast brought to you by ECP Safeguarding.
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In this months episode listen in to a discussion with our podcast host Carly Spicer and our guest speaker Owen Thomas, Head of Fathers development at the gender charity Future Men. In our episode we explore the value of engaging and involving fathers in support for children and young people. Looking at current research, engagement strategies and the positive impact this can have on children, families and communities.
Resources and further reading:
Supporting evidence-informed practice with children and families | Research in Practice
Search | Research in Practice
Search everything - University of East Anglia
Publications | Innovation in Fatherhood and Family Research | University of Lincoln
The Myth of Invisible Men
Www.futuremen.org Advocacy - Future Men
Support and Self care organisations:
NAPAC
Samaritans
MIND
The Safeguarding Voice podcast brought to you by ECP Safeguarding.
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Welcome to this latest episode of Safeguarding voice. In this episode we explore the SEND code of Practice with our ECP consultant Caroline Dulin.
Caroline shares her working experience of using the guidance during her previous role in education and highlights its value for practitioners in ensuring consistent and aligned approaches to supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. We hope you enjoy this episode. Guest speaker- Caroline Dulin
For full guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25
For ECP guidance summary: https://ecp-limited-blogs.blogspot.com/2024/09/send-code-of-practice.htmlThe Safeguarding Voice podcast brought to you by ECP Safeguarding.
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We are joined in this months episode by Dan Roe - The Designated Safeguarding Lead for Educational and Sporting Futures. As an outstanding rated Ofsted provider, Dan shares his knowledge and insights from the process, providing practical advice to other providers in the sector. We hope you enjoy this episode.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-education-and-skills-inspection-handbook-eif
The Safeguarding Voice podcast brought to you by ECP Safeguarding.
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