Gaining pupil voice

'Keeping Children Safe in Education (opens new window)' states:

"Where there is a safeguarding concern, governing bodies, proprietors and school or college leaders should ensure the child's wishes and feelings are taken into account when determining what action to take and what services to provide."

DSLs should encourage a culture of listening to children and taking account of their wishes and feelings, among all staff, in any measures the school or college may put in place to protect them.

There are a variety of different ways that educational settings can gain pupil voice. This can be on an individual basis when safeguarding concerns are raised, via pupil perception surveys with questions related to safety and wellbeing or views more generally through student councils or ambassadors.

The Norfolk Signs of Safety and Family Network Approach (opens new window) has been adopted by Norfolk County Council and the Norfolk Safeguarding Children Partnership (opens new window) (NSCP) as the core philosophy for working with children and families across Norfolk.

Signs of Safety has a number of tools for gaining the voice of children, to advocate for them in meetings and conferences, and to share their lived experience so appropriate decisions can be made to safeguard them.

Understanding pupil perceptions are important to enhance a comprehensive view of safety within education settings and wider the community. Surveys and questionnaires should be adapted according to the needs of pupils and can focus on specific areas of safeguarding practice e.g., trusted adults, reporting concerns and sexual harassment. Analysis of pupils' responses should be used to identify areas for development and evidence strengths alongside other quality assurance activities. The outcomes should be collated and the findings shared with Governors or Trustees, staff, pupils and parents/carers.