New ‘Keeping children safe in out-of-school settings’ guidance published

The DfE has published a new voluntary code of safeguarding practice for out-of-school settings. The guidance, published in October, was created following a consultation last year, and has been produced in collaboration with other stakeholders, including Ofsted and the Charity Commission.

The guidance is for organisations or individuals who provide community activities, tuition or after-school clubs for children, such as tutors, music lessons, sports training, as well as any other activity for children that take place without their parents’ supervision provided by any provider that is not a school or college. The guidance may therefore be relevant for those schools that permit third party providers, such as holiday clubs, to operate on site outside school hours.

The non-statutory guidance is intended to support these providers with safeguarding matters, including advice as to what policies and procedures providers should have in place for health and safety, safeguarding and child protection, staff suitability, and governance. There is also specific guidance for parents to assist in choosing a safer setting for their child.

Following the guidance is not compulsory for out of school providers, but is instead considered best practice. Schools should, of course, continue to comply with its legal obligations, including those set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education 2020 at all times.

The full guidance can be accessed here.