Documents and details of how to respond can be found here

The consultation document explains a number of proposed changes to the existing statutory guidance. These include:

• Changes to the “Summary” to reinforce the importance of Part One as a starting point for all staff in schools and colleges to read and understand;

• Increasing the focus on the importance of a child centred and coordinated approach to safeguarding;

• Emphasising further the role that individual staff play in safeguarding and the fact it is everyone’s responsibility;

• Highlighting the importance of early help and how it sits in the wider safeguarding system;

• Highlighting the importance of data sharing;

• Clarification on the role of the designated safeguarding lead and cover for the role;

• A new section to cover online safety;

• Aligning and clarifying training requirements for the designated safeguarding lead and staff;

• Updating the inspection section to reflect the Ofsted framework; and

• A new section covering children with special educational needs and disabilities

The consultation closes on 16 February 2016.