1. Safeguarding training is essential in ensuring that staff are able to identify signs of abuse, recognise inappropriate behaviour and know how to report concerns. Leaders and managers must have sufficient knowledge and understanding of their roles in the safeguarding arrangements of the school and in local multi-agency safeguarding partnerships. This Part of the report considers the role of training in ensuring that safeguarding responsibilities are properly understood and carried out by school staff, leaders and management, and also examines the adequacy of current training requirements for school staff, governors and proprietors.

2. Schools have a responsibility to ensure that children receive age-appropriate information and guidance to develop their understanding of safeguarding issues, such as awareness of inappropriate behaviour and how to report concerns. Evidence from schools, professionals engaged in safeguarding and relevant statutory bodies emphasised the need for pupils to have good-quality personal, social and health education (PSHE) and relationships and sex education (RSE) to raise their awareness and to help them stay safe. This Part looks at current requirements for schools in England to teach these subjects (now called ‘relationships, sex and health education’ or RSHE) and the effectiveness of this provision in safeguarding children, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities.