Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfE) and Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework set out that providers must train all staff to understand their safeguarding policy and procedures, and ensure that they have up to date knowledge of safeguarding issues.
Training must enable staff to identify signs of possible abuse and neglect at the earliest opportunity, and to respond in a timely and appropriate way. In addition, Ofsted requires settings to have clear and effective arrangements for staff development and training on child protection.
To assist settings in meeting the above requirements we, in partnership with the Essex Safeguarding Children Board (ESCB), have introduced a framework for safeguarding training and also a range of resources to support settings in delivering this. This new framework includes the ESCB training levels (available on their Learning and Development page) and the following:
How to access and deliver each training level:
All staff in the EYFS sector should access Level 1 training. This provides a basic understanding of safeguarding. It is best practice for settings to have this as part of the induction process for all new staff.
In this section:
All staff in the early years setting must undertake Level 2 training.
New staff should receive this training as part of their induction – this should be undertaken as soon as practicably possible after employment. Level 2 training must be repeated annually for all staff and updates to the training should be undertaken throughout the year. We have collated resources below to support with this requirement.
This can be done in 3 ways:
Below are a number of resources to support the delivery of Level 2 training within your own setting. There are a mixture of presentations, online learning courses and case studies.
The Essex Education Safeguarding Team offer an online training session to support the Lead (Safeguarding) Practitioner if they decide to deliver Level 2 training in-house. To access the training, search for ‘Safeguarding Level 2 training presentations for early years - Train the Trainer’ on Education Essex Online.
Structuring and planning level 2 training
The 'Keeping Children Safe in Early Years' presentation below is the main Level 2 training presentation for all staff. We recommend that this is delivered annually to all staff and as part of the induction process for new staff.
To ensure that updates are provided regularly to staff through the academic year, the Lead (Safeguarding) Practitioner may want to plan a training schedule for all staff - a template that can be used to so this is below.
This should include a range of subject specific topics such as FGM, Prevent, and online safety. These update sessions could be delivered during staff meetings, at specific safeguarding training sessions, via the completion of online courses and via e-bulletins.
These videos from Children & Families may also be useful to complement your staff training programme:
Gov.uk has commissioned new Prevent Duty Training. The training includes 4 sub-courses:
To ensure that updates are provided regularly to staff through the academic year, the Lead Practitioner may want to plan a training schedule for all staff.
Settings may wish to provide their staff with a certificate once they have completed the ECC Level 2 training, to evidence that they have accessed it.
In this section:
All Lead (Safeguarding) Practitioners, Deputy Lead (Safeguarding) Practitioners and Childminders must undertake full Level 3 training every 2 years. During those 2 years, they must also update their knowledge and skills at regular intervals. This may include attending additional training on safeguarding issues as part of their Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
The EYFS statutory framework for group and school- based providers / childminders (DfE 2024) states that in every setting, a practitioner (or in the case of childminders the childminder) must be designated to take lead responsibility for safeguarding children.
The lead practitioner is responsible for liaison with local statutory children's services agencies, and with the LSP (Local Safeguarding Partners). All practitioners must be alert to any issues of concern in the child’s life at home or elsewhere.
There is a further requirement for these safeguarding leads to undertake training to ensure they have the appropriate knowledge and skills for the role, and that this should be updated at least every two years and meet the requirements and any advice from local safeguarding partners.
The Essex Safeguarding Children Board (ESCB) sets out the requirements for safeguarding training at all levels. The training for safeguarding leads is categorised as Level 3, and settings are able to access this from a provider of their choice. Lead Practitioners are responsible for checking the suitability of their chosen courses, to ensure it meets all requirements.
Essex County Council is this year launching its own Level 3 training offer for Lead Practitioners and deputies. This training will be delivered by the Essex Education Safeguarding Team and will provide participants with the opportunity to explore their safeguarding role in the context of case studies and discussion. The session will include any national and local developments to ensure the content is current and relevant, and it will support safeguarding leads in:
Prevent awareness training: The Lead (Safeguarding) Practitioner/Childminder should undertake Prevent awareness training. Details of The Home Office training are within the Level 2 section above. The Educate Against Hate website also provides resources and training materials. Please note, WRAP training is not currently offered and currently no replacement has been announced.
To meet the training requirements, as well as undertaking Level 3 training every 2 years, the Lead (Safeguarding) Practitioner/Childminder must update their knowledge and skills at regular intervals. This may be via e-bulletins, meeting with other Lead (Safeguarding) Practitioners/Childminders and by accessing CPD courses. The courses may be a mixture of subject specific courses and 'refresher' courses and can be accessed by any provider.
The Lead (Safeguarding) Practitioner/Childminder should keep a CPD training log to evidence the training undertaken to support their role.
Please see some options for CPD opportunities below:
ECC Early Years Safeguarding Briefings: Attending the Safeguarding briefings run by the Education Safeguarding Team form part of a Lead (Safeguarding) Practitioners/Childminders CPD and provide an opportunity to speak with other The Lead (Safeguarding) Practitioners/Childminders if the face to face option is chosen. Upcoming forum dates and details on how to book can be found on the Education Essex Online.
Training courses: The Education Safeguarding Team 'Safeguarding bulletins' sign-post to various training opportunities from other providers, as well as any subject specific training sessions run by the team. Copies of previous bulletins can be accessed here and details of up-coming training events can be accessed on the Education Essex Online.