Audiobook | Keeping children safe in education 2026 – Part 1 & Annex A

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 “it could happen here” 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.