PSHE education and safeguarding — a ‘compelling case’
PSHE education’s role in keeping children safe and supporting them to seek help when necessary
The Department for Education (DfE) recognised PSHE education’s importance to safeguarding when introducing statutory RSHE in 2020, providing the rational that:
‘Given the increasing concerns around child sexual abuse and exploitation and the growing risks associated with growing up in a digital world, there is a particularly compelling case to act in relation to pupil safety’.
This is because the evidence is clear regarding PSHE education’s role in keeping children safe and supporting them to seek help when necessary. We’ve highlighted some of this evidence in a new ‘PSHE education and safeguarding’ briefing alongside key considerations for ensuring safe, effective practice (these include the need for regular curriculum time, trained teachers and ensuring age and developmentally appropriate provision).
The briefing was published to complement our 2023 Spring conference, which had a core safeguarding theme and welcomed contributions from policing, leading academics working in gender based violence and Everyday Sexism’s Laura Bates alongside a range of practical workshops. We are now making it available to all members as it may prove useful when outlining PSHE education’s key safeguarding remit to SLT, colleagues, governors and parents.
The briefing also links to useful guidance – including a new guide from the centre of expertise on child sexual abuse (CSA) that will help inform effective responses from schools to concerns about harmful sexual behaviour as well as our research and guidance on safeguarding risks associated with online pornography.
