The organisations that can be named are listed in the Child Safeguarding Practice Review and Relevant Agency (England) Regulations 2018, and schools and colleges are among them (KCSIE 2026, paragraph 134 and footnote 32). Working Together 2026 says the lead safeguarding partners should set out in their published arrangements which organisations they require to work with them (paragraph 71), and should give careful consideration to naming all local schools, colleges and early years settings (paragraph 80).
KCSIE paragraph 135 says it is expected that safeguarding partners will name schools and colleges. Once named, a school must act in accordance with the arrangements. In practice that means following local procedures, sharing information and data when asked, taking part in local reviews and responding to safeguarding audits (Working Together, paragraphs 74 and 83).
Being a relevant agency is not the same as being a safeguarding partner. The partners lead and are accountable; relevant agencies co-operate. Schools are often represented at operational level through education sub-groups and DSL forums, and Working Together expects an education representative at strategic level too (paragraphs 81 and 82).
Section 2 of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 will add designated education and childcare agencies to local arrangements, but it is only in force so far for making regulations.