Annual audit: safeguarding children in education

The Hampshire safeguarding children partnership (HSCP) uses the annual audit return to ensure that all educational establishments in Hampshire are meeting their requirements under statutory guidance

Under section 14B of the Children Act 2004, the local safeguarding children partnership (LSCP) can require a school or college to supply information so that the LSCP can perform its quality assurance function.

Audit tool

The audit tool is for internal use only and provides the basis for answers to the annual response. All the questions are based on national or local guidance which can be found in the audit guidance document.

The tool can be completed by the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) by themselves or with the governor, management committee member or proprietor with a safeguarding lead.

The audit tool may have minor changes from previous versions, so please be aware of this before completing it.

Present the audit tool

Present the audit tool to the relevant accountable body (governing body, management committee or board) with the findings evidenced. The accountable body may find the audit guidance document useful to understand why the question is important and why it has been asked.

Once the audit has been presented agree the development areas for the provision and what action will be taken to address any gaps.

Audit return

The annual audit runs from 31 May to 30 September every year.

The audit return form should be completed by 30 September.

Once the form is completed, you will receive a submission number confirming that the form has been received.

Next steps after the audit

Following the completion of the audit, the progress against action plan should be reviewed by the appropriate body, as part of the ‘challenge’ function that they hold.

The data is collected and reported back to the local safeguarding children partnership and reflected in the annual plan.

Any questions or issues raised in the audit return will receive a response.