A number schools, trusts and local authorities approached us recently regarding safeguarding evaluation and auditing. Whilst some have existing frameworks that we have uploaded to the platform, others have requested a template that can be adapted for their individual context.
We are grateful to Lara Hall, Director of School Improvement at LiFE Multi Academy Trust, who has generously adapted LiFE’s safeguarding evaluation for wider use. As a long-term users of the EMS platform, Lara and her colleagues at LiFE have developed several high-quality evaluations, which are now embedded in their school improvement processes.
LiFE’s safeguarding evaluation is no different. A comprehensive evaluation covering 18 focus areas including governance, training and reporting, the evaluation is designed to complement statutory audits and external reviews. Lara explains:
“This safeguarding evaluation has been developed to support schools in reflecting on their safeguarding culture, systems and practice. It brings together current expectations from Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025), the Ofsted inspection framework and wider statutory guidance, and is designed to help leaders identify strengths and areas for development. Schools may adapt the statements to reflect their own context and provision. This document is not intended to replace any statutory safeguarding audit or external review; instead, it complements those processes by promoting a culture of continuous improvement and ensuring that safeguarding remains a shared, whole‑school responsibility.”
We would like to extend our thanks to Lara and the team at LiFE, and hope the schools, trusts and LAs we work with find this evaluation template a valuable addition to the platform.
