Safeguarding governor visit and section 175 audit template

A free checklist and visit report for the link governor and the DSL, built on the board’s duties in Keeping children safe in education 2026.

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Local authority format first. Many local authorities and trusts publish their own section 175 audit and ask schools to return it. If yours does, use theirs, and use this as a prompt list for visits.

Free template · pupilprotect.co.uk/tools

Safeguarding governor visit and section 175 self-review

School: ______________________________

Don’t write the names of pupils, or of staff involved in concerns or allegations, on this form. Record numbers, initials and roles only, so the report can go to the full board.

For the link governor for safeguarding and the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) to fill in together, on a visit or as the annual section 175 self-review. Tick one answer for each check, note the evidence you saw (a document, a record, a conversation), and give each gap an action, an owner and a date. If your local authority or trust requires its own section 175 audit format, use that instead and treat this as a prompt list.

Visit details

Type of reviewTermly link visitAnnual section 175 self-reviewFollow-up visit
School		Date of visit
Governor (name and role)		Met with (names and roles)
Focus of this visit, and actions followed up from the last visit

1. Leadership and governance

What to check	Answer	Evidence seen	Action, owner and date
The board has a senior board-level lead for safeguarding.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 86	YesPartlyNo
Every governor or trustee had safeguarding and child protection training, including online safety, at induction, and it is updated regularly. Dates are recorded.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 87	YesPartlyNo
The board gets regular safeguarding reports (numbers and trends, no names) and challenges and tests them.KCSIE 2026, paragraphs 84 and 87	YesPartlyNo
The board has arrangements in place to make sure the school’s functions are carried out with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils.Education Act 2002, section 175(2); KCSIE 2026, paragraph 84	YesPartlyNo

2. Policies

What to check	Answer	Evidence seen	Action, owner and date
Child protection policy reviewed in the last 12 months, updated if needed, and approved by the board. Date of review: ________KCSIE 2026, paragraph 123	YesPartlyNo
Child protection policy published on the school website (or available by other means).KCSIE 2026, paragraph 123	YesPartlyNo
The policy reflects the local multi-agency safeguarding arrangements and the local criteria for action.KCSIE 2026, paragraphs 123 and 137	YesPartlyNo
The policy covers child-on-child abuse, online safety (including filtering and monitoring) and children with SEND.KCSIE 2026, paragraphs 123, 169, 193 and 249	YesPartlyNo
Behaviour policy in place, including measures to prevent bullying (including cyberbullying, prejudice-based and discriminatory bullying).KCSIE 2026, paragraph 123	YesPartlyNo
Staff code of conduct covers low-level concerns, allegations, whistleblowing, acceptable use of technology (including mobile devices), staff-pupil relationships and social media.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 123	YesPartlyNo
Online safety approach set out in the child protection policy (or a linked online safety policy).KCSIE 2026, paragraph 169	YesPartlyNo

3. The designated safeguarding lead

DSL (name and role)		Last DSL training (date)
Deputy DSLs (names)		Last deputy training (dates)
DSL and deputies’ Prevent awareness training (dates)		Time given to the role (for example, hours a week)

What to check	Answer	Evidence seen	Action, owner and date
The DSL is a senior member of the leadership team, and the role (including online safety and understanding filtering and monitoring) is in their job description.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 127	YesPartlyNo
The DSL has the status, authority, time, funding, training, resources and support to do the role.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 128	YesPartlyNo
There are cover arrangements for when the DSL is away, so concerns are still received and acted on without delay.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 129	YesPartlyNo
Deputies are trained to the same standard as the DSL.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 130	YesPartlyNo
DSL and deputy training updated at least every two years, plus Prevent awareness training.KCSIE 2026, Annex B	YesPartlyNo

4. Staff training and induction

What to check	Answer	Evidence seen	Action, owner and date
Staff who work directly with children have read at least Part one of KCSIE 2026; other staff have read Part one too. Confirmations are recorded.KCSIE 2026, “School and college staff” (before Part one)	YesPartlyNo
New staff get the child protection policy, behaviour policy, staff code of conduct, Part one and the DSL’s identity at induction.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 124	YesPartlyNo
All staff had safeguarding and child protection training at induction, including online safety and their role in filtering and monitoring.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 153	YesPartlyNo
All staff get safeguarding updates at least once a year. Date of the last whole-staff update: ________KCSIE 2026, paragraph 154	YesPartlyNo
Staff have a chance to contribute to safeguarding arrangements and the child protection policy.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 155	YesPartlyNo
Temporary staff, volunteers and contractors get proportionate safeguarding information.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 125	YesPartlyNo

5. Single central record: sample check

Choose a few people across different groups (teacher, support staff, supply, volunteer, governor). Tick each check that is recorded with a date. Write N/A where a check doesn’t apply to the role. Use initials and roles only.

Initials and role	Identity	Enhanced DBS	Barred list	Prohibition	Overseas	Qualifications	Right to work	Section 128

What to check	Answer	Evidence seen	Action, owner and date
The record covers all staff, including agency and third-party supply staff (even for one day) and salaried trainee teachers.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 348	YesPartlyNo
Each required check is recorded with the date it was completed.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 350	YesPartlyNo
Written confirmation from agencies and third parties that they have done the same checks.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 364	YesPartlyNo
Section 128 checks recorded for those in management positions (independent schools and academies), and done for governors.KCSIE 2026, paragraphs 350 and 393	YesPartlyNo

6. Safer recruitment

What to check	Answer	Evidence seen	Action, owner and date
At least one person on every interview panel has completed safer recruitment training. Names and dates: ________KCSIE 2026, paragraph 289 (required for maintained schools by the School Staffing (England) Regulations 2009)	YesPartlyNo
Everyone involved in recruitment has had appropriate safer recruitment training.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 288	YesPartlyNo
Safer recruitment policy in place, embedded and effective.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 126	YesPartlyNo
Recent appointment checked: at least two people shortlisted, online search considered, references taken before interview where possible.KCSIE 2026, paragraphs 300 to 303	YesPartlyNo

7. Low-level concerns and allegations about adults

Look at numbers and process only. Don’t ask for names.

What to check	Answer	Evidence seen	Action, owner and date
There is a procedure for low-level concerns about adults (including supply staff, volunteers and contractors), set out in the staff code of conduct.KCSIE 2026, paragraphs 188 and 513	YesPartlyNo
Low-level concerns are recorded in writing and reviewed for patterns.KCSIE 2026, paragraphs 520 and 522	YesPartlyNo
There is a procedure for allegations that may meet the harm threshold, with advice from the local authority designated officer (LADO).KCSIE 2026, paragraphs 189 and 442	YesPartlyNo
Governors know that the chair of governors is the case manager if an allegation is made about the headteacher.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 440	YesPartlyNo
There is a procedure to refer to the Disclosure and Barring Service (a legal duty) and to consider a Teaching Regulation Agency referral.KCSIE 2026, paragraphs 190 and 191	YesPartlyNo

8. Filtering and monitoring

Date of last annual review		Senior leader responsible

What to check	Answer	Evidence seen	Action, owner and date
Roles and responsibilities for filtering and monitoring are assigned, including a senior leader and a governor.DfE filtering and monitoring standards, standard 1; KCSIE 2026, paragraph 175	YesPartlyNo
The effectiveness of filtering and monitoring has been reviewed this academic year by the senior leader responsible, with the DSL and IT support, and the review is recorded.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 173; DfE standard 2	YesPartlyNo
Filtering checks are done on all internet-connected devices in all relevant locations, and recorded (when, who, what was tested, actions).KCSIE 2026, paragraph 173; DfE standard 2	YesPartlyNo
Filtering blocks harmful and inappropriate content without unreasonably affecting teaching and learning (no “over-blocking”).KCSIE 2026, paragraphs 163 and 175; DfE standard 3	YesPartlyNo
Monitoring strategies meet the school’s safeguarding needs, and staff know how to report and escalate concerns.KCSIE 2026, paragraphs 173 and 175; DfE standard 4	YesPartlyNo
The board has reviewed the standards with IT staff and providers.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 177	YesPartlyNo

9. Online safety

What to check	Answer	Evidence seen	Action, owner and date
Online safety runs through the safeguarding approach: policies, curriculum, staff training, the DSL’s role and work with parents.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 166	YesPartlyNo
An annual review of the approach to online safety, with a risk assessment of the risks pupils face, has been considered.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 181	YesPartlyNo
Parents are told what systems the school uses to filter and monitor online use, and what their children are asked to do online.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 172	YesPartlyNo
The school is mobile phone-free by default during the school day.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 170	YesPartlyNo
Cyber security measures considered in line with the DfE cyber security standards.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 178	YesPartlyNo

10. Attendance and children missing education

What to check	Answer	Evidence seen	Action, owner and date
There are safeguarding arrangements for children absent from education, particularly on repeat occasions or for long periods.KCSIE 2026, paragraphs 123 and 221	YesPartlyNo
The school works with the local authority where absence suggests a safeguarding concern, and tells the local authority when a pupil is removed from the admission register.KCSIE 2026, paragraphs 221 and 223	YesPartlyNo
More than one emergency contact is held for each pupil where reasonably possible.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 126	YesPartlyNo
The school knows where every pupil in alternative provision is, has written confirmation of the provider’s staff checks, and reviews each placement at least every half term.KCSIE 2026, paragraphs 211 and 213	YesPartlyNo

11. Children with SEND, and looked-after children

What to check	Answer	Evidence seen	Action, owner and date
The child protection policy reflects the extra barriers to recognising abuse in children with SEND or certain health conditions.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 249	YesPartlyNo
The DSL and SENCO work closely together on concerns about children with SEND.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 250	YesPartlyNo
A designated teacher for looked-after and previously looked-after children is appointed and trained (a requirement for maintained schools and academies).KCSIE 2026, paragraph 239	YesPartlyNo
Staff have the skills to keep looked-after and previously looked-after children safe, and the DSL holds each child’s social worker and Virtual School Head details.KCSIE 2026, paragraphs 235 to 238	YesPartlyNo
The DSL knows which children have a social worker and uses this in decisions.KCSIE 2026, paragraphs 218 and 219	YesPartlyNo

12. The curriculum: RSHE and teaching about safeguarding

What to check	Answer	Evidence seen	Action, owner and date
Pupils are taught how to keep themselves and others safe, including online, tailored to children with SEND and other vulnerabilities.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 158	YesPartlyNo
Relationships (and sex) and health education follows the statutory guidance revised for September 2026.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 159	YesPartlyNo
A planned RSHE programme in timetabled lessons covers consent, healthy relationships, sexual harassment and online harms.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 160	YesPartlyNo
Staff training on online safety is joined up with curriculum planning.KCSIE 2026, paragraph 156	YesPartlyNo

13. Ofsted readiness: safeguarding met or not met

Under Ofsted’s renewed framework, inspectors grade safeguarding as “met” or “not met” against the safeguarding standards in the school inspection toolkit. These checks follow the toolkit’s description of “met”. Ofsted says it doesn’t need documents made specially for an inspection.

What to check	Answer	Evidence seen	Action, owner and date
Leaders and governors have strategic oversight of all aspects of safeguarding, and an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.Ofsted school inspection toolkit, “Grading safeguarding”	YesPartlyNo
Pupils are kept safe and feel safe, their voices are heard, and pupils and parents know who to go to for support.Ofsted toolkit, “Grading safeguarding”	YesPartlyNo
Leaders learn from safeguarding cases and incidents, are open to challenge and keep policies and processes under review.Ofsted toolkit, “Grading safeguarding”	YesPartlyNo
Leaders know where pupils are when they aren’t on the school site, including absent pupils and those in alternative provision.Ofsted toolkit, “Grading safeguarding”	YesPartlyNo
Leaders meet the statutory requirements for safer recruitment, reporting, referrals, record-keeping and the Prevent duty.Ofsted toolkit, “Grading safeguarding”	YesPartlyNo
Child-on-child violence, and allegations about adults, are handled swiftly and in line with local authority procedures.Ofsted toolkit, “Grading safeguarding”; KCSIE 2026, paragraph 193	YesPartlyNo

Summary

What is working well

What needs to improve

Anything the full board needs to know or decide

Actions

Action	Owner	By when	Done (date)

Signatures

Governor signature		Date
DSL signature		Date
Headteacher signature		Date
Report to the full board on (date)		Date of next visit

Based on Keeping children safe in education 2026 (DfE), section 175 of the Education Act 2002, the DfE filtering and monitoring standards and Ofsted’s school inspection toolkit, checked 20 October 2026. Free template from Pupil Protect: pupilprotect.co.uk/tools. If your local authority or trust requires its own section 175 audit format, use that. Guidance, not legal advice.

What the board must do, and where it comes from

Every check on the template comes from the law, the statutory guidance or Ofsted’s published toolkit. Each check gives its paragraph reference.

This is guidance, not legal advice. Your local authority’s or trust’s requirements, and your local safeguarding partnership’s procedures, come first.

The legal duty: section 175
Section 175(2) of the Education Act 2002 says the governing body of a maintained school must make arrangements to make sure its functions are carried out with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its pupils, and must have regard to the Secretary of State’s guidance (Keeping children safe in education). Academy trusts and independent schools have the same kind of duty under the Independent School Standards. That is why the yearly self-review is often called a “section 175 audit”.
Education Act 2002, section 175(2) and (4); KCSIE 2026, paragraph 84 and footnote 21
The board leads, tests and challenges
Governing bodies and proprietors have strategic leadership responsibility for safeguarding. They should have a senior board-level lead, and every governor and trustee should have safeguarding and child protection training, including online safety, at induction, updated regularly, so they can challenge and test that policies and procedures work.
KCSIE 2026, Part two, paragraphs 84, 86 and 87
Policies reviewed every year and published
The child protection policy should be reviewed at least once a year, updated if needed and published on the school website. The school also needs a behaviour policy with anti-bullying measures and a staff code of conduct that covers low-level concerns, allegations and whistleblowing.
KCSIE 2026, Part two, paragraph 123
A senior DSL with the time and training to do the job
The DSL should be a senior leader, with the role in their job description, and the time, funding, training and support to carry it out. Deputies are trained to the same standard. DSL training is updated at least every two years, alongside Prevent awareness training, and there should be cover when the DSL is away.
KCSIE 2026, paragraphs 127 to 130; Annex B
Training for all staff, at induction and every year
All staff get safeguarding and child protection training at induction, including online safety and their part in filtering and monitoring, with updates at least once a year. Staff who work directly with children read at least Part one of KCSIE.
KCSIE 2026, paragraphs 153 and 154
Safer recruitment and the single central record
In maintained schools, at least one person on each interview panel must have completed safer recruitment training. The single central record must show each required check and the date it was done, for all staff including agency and supply staff.
KCSIE 2026, paragraphs 288, 289, 348 and 350
Filtering and monitoring reviewed every academic year
The board should make sure filtering and monitoring are in place and reviewed at least once every academic year, by the senior leader responsible with the DSL and IT support, with checks on all devices and a record kept. The DfE standards ask the board to name a senior leader and a governor as responsible.
KCSIE 2026, paragraphs 173 and 175; DfE filtering and monitoring standards 1 and 2
Ofsted grades safeguarding as met or not met
Under Ofsted’s renewed framework, safeguarding is graded “met” or “not met” against the safeguarding standards in the school inspection toolkit, which come from KCSIE and Working together. “Met” includes strategic oversight by leaders and governors, pupils who are safe and feel safe, and leaders who meet the statutory requirements for safer recruitment, referrals, record-keeping and Prevent.
Ofsted state-funded school inspection toolkit (v2.0, for use from 7 September 2026), “Grading safeguarding”

Pupil Protect does much of this from your records

In Safeguard, readiness checks against KCSIE and the inspection handbook are measured from your records, and the section 175 audit has 8 sections, 3 of them filled in from your records. Link governors keep private visit notes and share them with the board once they’re free of pupil names, with suggested questions from the data. Staff keeps the single central record, with a printable copy for inspection.

See compliance and governors in Safeguard · See the single central record in Staff

Questions about governor visits and section 175 audits

What is a section 175 safeguarding audit?

A yearly self-review of how a school meets its safeguarding duties. Section 175 of the Education Act 2002 requires the governing body of a maintained school to make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of its pupils, having regard to Keeping children safe in education. Many local authorities ask schools to complete their own section 175 audit format and return it; if yours does, use that. This template works as a prompt list or as a format for schools that don’t have one.

What should a safeguarding governor check on a visit?

That the child protection policy has been reviewed in the last year and published; that the DSL and deputies are trained and have time for the role; that staff training and induction are up to date; a sample of the single central record; that interview panels include someone trained in safer recruitment; how low-level concerns and allegations are handled; the annual filtering and monitoring review; attendance and children missing education; support for children with SEND and looked-after children; and how pupils are taught to keep safe. Look at numbers and processes, not pupils’ names.

Do school governors need safeguarding training?

Yes. Keeping children safe in education 2026 (paragraph 87) says all governors and trustees should get safeguarding and child protection training, including online safety, at induction, and that it should be updated regularly.

How often should filtering and monitoring be reviewed?

At least once every academic year. KCSIE 2026 (paragraph 173) says the review is carried out by the senior leader responsible for filtering and monitoring, with the DSL and IT support, and should include checks that filtering works on all internet-connected devices, with a record kept. Review sooner if a new risk is found or technology changes.

How does Ofsted judge safeguarding now?

Under the renewed inspection framework, Ofsted grades safeguarding as “met” or “not met” against the safeguarding standards in its school inspection toolkit. Ofsted says it doesn’t need leaders to produce documents specially for an inspection.

Sources

Checked 20 October 2026.

Paragraph numbers are from the 2026 edition of Keeping children safe in education. Audit formats written for an earlier edition may give different numbers.

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