Safeguarding in schools: Essential knowledge for supply teaching staff

Safeguarding in schools is everyone’s responsibility. Every adult who comes into contact with children and their families has a vital role to play in protecting their welfare. This responsibility applies equally to permanent staff, visitors, and supply teachers.

For supply teachers, safeguarding can feel more complex. You may be unfamiliar with school systems, pupils, and procedures. However, the expectation remains the same. This guide explains what safeguarding in schools means, why it is essential, and the legal responsibilities supply teachers must uphold.

This blog aligns with key safeguarding training principles, including those covered in professional development videos such as the My-Progression safeguarding series and wider continuous professional development for teachers.

What is safeguarding in schools

Safeguarding in schools refers to the actions taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. It is a broad and proactive approach that places the child at the centre of all practice.

A child-centred approach means considering, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child. Safeguarding applies to every child, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Further practical examples of safeguarding concerns and good practice can be found in the NSPCC safeguarding guidance for schools.

What safeguarding includes

Safeguarding in schools includes:

• Providing help and support to meet a child’s needs as soon as concerns emerge

• Protecting children from abuse and maltreatment, including online harm

• Preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development

• Ensuring children grow up in safe and effective care environments

• Taking action so all children can achieve the best possible outcomes

Safeguarding is not limited to serious incidents. It includes everyday actions that create safe, supportive learning environments.

Safeguarding and child protection

Safeguarding and child protection are closely linked but not the same.

Safeguarding is the overarching duty to promote welfare and prevent harm for all children.
Child protection is a specific part of safeguarding and focuses on children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm.

Child protection procedures explain how concerns should be reported and managed. Supply teachers are not expected to investigate concerns, but they are expected to recognise them and act appropriately.

Do supply teachers have the same safeguarding responsibilities?

Yes. Supply teachers have exactly the same safeguarding responsibilities as permanent members of staff.

In some ways, safeguarding can be more challenging for supply teachers because you may:

• Work across multiple schools

• Encounter different safeguarding policies and procedures

• Have limited time to build relationships with pupils

• Need to act quickly in unfamiliar settings

Despite this, it remains your responsibility to stay up to date with safeguarding legislation and to act on any concerns immediately. Practical guidance on managing these expectations can also be found in advice on becoming a successful supply teacher.

Safeguarding policies in schools

Every school is legally required to have safeguarding and child protection policies in place. These policies exist to ensure that all children are protected from harm and that staff understand their responsibilities.

As a supply teacher, you should make it a priority to:

• Locate the school’s safeguarding policy

• Understand how to report concerns

• Know who the Designated Safeguarding Lead is

Some schools will ask you to read and sign safeguarding documentation. Others may provide summaries, badges, or posters. If safeguarding procedures are not made clear on arrival, you must ask.

The role of the designated safeguarding lead

Every school has a Designated Safeguarding Lead, sometimes referred to as a DSL, DSO, or DSP. In primary schools, this role is often held by the Headteacher.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead is responsible for managing safeguarding concerns and child protection processes.

When working as a supply teacher, you should ensure you know:

• Who the Designated Safeguarding Lead is

• How to contact them

• How to report concerns correctly

If you have a concern, you must report it directly. Never assume someone else will pass information on for you.

What safeguarding looks like in practice

Safeguarding in schools relies on awareness, professionalism, and action.

For supply teachers, this means:

• Being alert to signs that a child may be at risk

• Responding calmly and appropriately to disclosures

• Recording and reporting concerns promptly

If a child shares something with you, your role is to listen, reassure them that they have done the right thing, and pass the information on according to school procedures.

Confidentiality and information sharing

Safeguarding concerns should not be kept confidential. While information should only be shared with appropriate professionals, a child’s safety must always come first.

Online safeguarding and keeping children safe

Safeguarding in schools also includes protecting children from online harm. Supply teachers should be aware that online safety is a key part of safeguarding expectations under KCSIE 2025 safeguarding requirements.

Why safeguarding in schools matters

Safeguarding exists because failures to act can have devastating consequences. History has shown that when professionals do not share concerns or take responsibility, children can suffer serious harm.

Child abuse remains more common than many people realise, and many children experience harm in silence. As education professionals, supply teachers may notice changes in behaviour, appearance, or emotional wellbeing, even during short placements.

Safeguarding in schools relies on shared responsibility, as outlined in the Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance, which emphasises early identification, information sharing, and prompt action.

Legal responsibility to safeguard children

Safeguarding is both a moral and legal responsibility.

Under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, every child has fundamental rights, including the right to protection from abuse, the right to education, and the right to be heard.

As a teacher working in schools, you act as a representative of the state. Failing to safeguard children in your care means failing to uphold these rights.

Safeguarding starts with you

Safeguarding in schools relies on every adult doing their part. For supply teachers, this means staying informed, asking questions, and acting when concerns arise.

Even short-term roles matter. Even small concerns matter. Safeguarding is not optional. It is a core part of your professional responsibility.