Safeguarding in the New Ofsted Framework 2025
With the introduction of the new inspection framework in November 2025, schools across England are preparing for significant changes that will reshape how they're evaluated. One of the most important developments is the enhanced focus on Safeguarding as a critical evaluation area – a change that reflects the growing recognition that keeping children safe is the absolute foundation of effective education.
What's Changed in Ofsted's 2025 Framework?
Ofsted has completely overhauled its inspection approach, replacing the traditional School Inspection Handbook with new toolkits and inspection guidance. The most significant changes include:
- 9 distinct evaluation areas (replacing the previous 4 judgement areas)
- New 5-point grading system with clearer expectations
- Enhanced Safeguarding evaluation with more rigorous requirements
- All changes take effect from 10th November 2025
Understanding Safeguarding as an Enhanced Evaluation Area
What Does This Mean for Your School?
The Safeguarding evaluation area builds upon previous frameworks but with significantly enhanced expectations and more detailed scrutiny. While safeguarding has always been fundamental to Ofsted inspections, the 2025 framework places even greater emphasis on the effectiveness of safeguarding systems, culture and outcomes.
This enhanced focus recognises that safeguarding is not just about having policies in place, but about creating a culture where children feel safe, are kept safe, and know how to keep themselves safe. Research consistently shows that pupils who feel secure and protected are better able to learn, develop and reach their full potential.
What Are the Key Areas Ofsted Will Evaluate?
Schools can expect evaluation across several core areas:
- Safeguarding Culture and Leadership
Including how well leaders create and maintain a strong safeguarding culture, the effectiveness of governance oversight, and how safeguarding permeates all aspects of school life.
- Systems and Processes
Including the robustness of safeguarding procedures, record-keeping and information sharing, staff recruitment and vetting processes, and multi-agency working arrangements.
- Staff Knowledge and Training
Including how well all staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities, the quality and frequency of safeguarding training, and staff confidence in identifying and responding to concerns.
- Early Help and Intervention
Including how effectively schools identify pupils who may need support, the quality of early help provision, and partnership working with families and external agencies.
- Pupil Safety and Wellbeing
Including pupils' understanding of how to keep safe, the effectiveness of safety education, and evidence that pupils feel safe and know who to turn to for help.
Meeting the 'Expected Standard': What Do Schools Need to Know?
Ofsted expects most schools to achieve at least an 'Expected Standard' rating in each evaluation area. For Safeguarding, this means:
- Having robust systems and processes that are consistently implemented
- Demonstrating that pupils are safe and feel safe
- Showing evidence of effective early identification and intervention
- Meeting all statutory safeguarding requirements without exception
Schools should focus on getting the basics right before aiming for higher gradings. However, it's important to note that safeguarding weaknesses can significantly impact overall inspection outcomes.
What Preparation Steps Can Our School Take?
1. Update Staff and Governors
Ensure your staff team and governing body/trustees are up to date on the changes to the Ofsted Framework for Safeguarding.
Share the enhanced expectations clearly so everyone understands their crucial role in keeping children safe and can demonstrate the school's comprehensive approach during inspection.
2. Conduct a Self-Evaluation
Use the evaluation criteria to assess your current provision. Take time to consider:
- What evidence do you have for each safeguarding area?
- Where are your strengths and potential vulnerabilities?
- How do you currently measure safeguarding effectiveness?
- Do all staff feel confident in their safeguarding responsibilities?
Consider conducting a comprehensive safeguarding audit that covers leadership, systems, training, early help, and pupil outcomes using the new framework structure.
3. Review Your Policies and Procedures
Ensure your policies align with the enhanced framework expectations:
- Child protection and safeguarding policy (updated with latest statutory guidance)
- Staff code of conduct and behaviour policies
- Recruitment and selection procedures including safer recruitment practices
- Online safety policies and digital safeguarding measures
- Whistleblowing procedures and low-level concerns processes
4. Gather and Organise Evidence
Start collecting evidence that demonstrates safeguarding effectiveness:
- Staff training records and competency assessments
- Pupil voice surveys about feeling safe and knowing who to trust
- Safeguarding case studies showing effective intervention (anonymised)
- Multi-agency working examples and communication records
- Evidence of safeguarding culture in day-to-day school operations
- Records of safeguarding governance and leadership oversight
Don't wait until November – begin your preparation now, and remember that effective safeguarding underpins success across all other evaluation areas.