Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance was issued to schools on the discharge of child safeguarding responsibilities at a time of remote learning in (a) 2020 and (b) 2021.

During the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, the department produced revised safeguarding guidance in a very short timescale, as a proportionate response intended to help schools and colleges with the discharge of their safeguarding responsibilities. The guidance included, amongst other things, matters such as the importance of schools and colleges reviewing and revising their child protection policies and the role and responsibilities of the designated safeguarding lead (and deputies).

We have always been clear throughout the COVID-19 outbreak that schools and colleges must continue to have regard to the statutory safeguarding guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people, both online and offline. The revised KCSIE, which came into force on 1 September 2021 has been strengthened to give online safety greater prominence and provide extra support for schools and colleges to keep their students safe. It is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2.

It includes a dedicated collection of resources to support safe remote education, virtual lessons and live streaming, as well as signposting parents and carers to help on keeping their children and young people safe.

To support schools and colleges in meeting remote education expectations, our Get Help With Remote Education page provides a one-stop-shop for teachers and leaders, signposting the support package available. This is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-help-with-remote-education. This includes information on issues such as safeguarding, statutory duties and expectations. In particular the Safeguarding and remote education during COVID-19 guidance provides guidance on how to follow safeguarding procedures when planning remote education strategies and teaching remotely during the COVID-19 outbreak. It is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/safeguarding-and-remote-education-during-coronavirus-covid-19.