Keeping Children Safe at School: A Guide for Parents

Schools and the Duty to Safeguard

Schools are not just places of learning: they are legally and ethically required to play an active role in the safeguarding and welfare of the children in their care. In most countries, schools have statutory duties around child protection, bullying prevention, and the promotion of pupil welfare. Understanding what schools are required to do, and what you can reasonably expect, helps parents engage with schools more effectively when concerns arise.

Every school should have a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or equivalent: a senior member of staff with specific training in child protection who coordinates the school safeguarding approach. This person should be identifiable to parents and children. If you have a safeguarding concern about your child, the DSL is usually the appropriate first contact.

Communicating Concerns to School

Many parents feel uncertain about how to raise concerns with school. They may worry about being seen as difficult, or fear that raising a concern will make things worse for their child. In practice, schools generally welcome parental engagement, and concerns raised early are almost always easier to address than those raised after a situation has escalated.

When communicating a concern:

• Put serious concerns in writing, even if you begin with a phone call or in-person conversation. Written records create accountability and help ensure concerns are not forgotten.
• Be specific. Describe the behaviour or incident, the date and context, what your child told you, and any witnesses. Vague concerns are harder for schools to investigate.
• Follow up. If you do not receive a response within a reasonable time, chase it. Ask what actions are being taken and what the timeline is.
• Escalate if necessary. If you are not satisfied with the school response, most school systems have an established escalation path: to the headteacher, governing body or board of trustees, and ultimately to the relevant education authority or regulatory body in your country.

Bullying at School

Bullying remains one of the most common concerns parents raise about school safety. Most schools have an anti-bullying policy that should be accessible to parents. If your child is experiencing bullying:

• Listen to your child fully before deciding on a response. Their account of what is happening and how it is affecting them should shape what you do next.
• Keep a record: dates, incidents, who was involved, and any witnesses. This documentation is important if the school needs to investigate.
• Contact the school promptly. Do not wait to see if it resolves itself. Bullying that goes unaddressed typically escalates.
• Ask what specific actions will be taken and when you will receive an update.
• If the bullying involves a criminal element (serious physical assault, theft, sexual harassment), consider whether to report to police as well as the school.

Talking to Children About School Safety

Children feel safer at school when they know what to do if something worrying happens. Conversations worth having:

• Who at school can they tell if something happens? (teacher, DSL, school nurse, counsellor)
• It is always okay to tell an adult about something that worries them, even if it feels small
• They will not be in trouble for telling, even if they were involved in something that went wrong
• You can always talk to a parent about anything that happens at school, without fear

Creating this culture of openness at home means your child is far more likely to tell you if something goes wrong at school rather than carrying the worry alone.

School Refusal and Anxiety

School refusal, when a child consistently avoids or refuses to attend school due to emotional distress, is distinct from truancy and requires a different response. It is often underpinned by anxiety, depression, social difficulties, or experiences of bullying or other negative school experiences.

If your child is resistant to attending school, take it seriously and investigate the underlying cause rather than simply applying pressure to attend. Speak to the school, speak to your child, and seek support from your family doctor if attendance difficulties persist. Early intervention is significantly more effective than waiting for the situation to become entrenched.

Online Safety at School

Most schools provide internet access and use digital tools extensively. Schools should have internet filtering and monitoring in place, acceptable use policies for children, and digital literacy education as part of the curriculum. Ask your child school what specific measures they have in place.

However, children have access to devices outside school hours that are not subject to school filtering. The conversations and safeguards you put in place at home remain equally important alongside what the school provides.

When to Escalate Beyond the School

Most concerns can and should be resolved within the school. However, if the school does not respond adequately to a safeguarding concern, or if you believe a child is at risk of harm, you have the right to contact child protection services directly. You do not need the school permission to do this. If a child is in immediate danger, contact emergency services without delay.