Section 175 Safeguarding Audit – January 2026

This year’s S175 link is now open. Schools are asked to ensure they have returned their completed Section 175 to DCC no later than 13^th February 2026.

The purpose of this audit is for the Local Authority to provide evidence under S175 of the 2002 Education act, that all schools, including maintained, academies, independent or any who are registered with the Department for Education are fulfilling their statutory safeguarding responsibilities. In essence, this directly links to the requirements within Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE).

The audit should be completed by the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), or in their absence the Deputy DSL. Schools are encouraged to see this as an excellent opportunity to undertake an annual audit of safeguarding across the setting, identifying any areas that the setting may decide to develop further to be included in wider school development or improvement plans.

Involving the Safeguarding Governor in completing this audit is appropriate. The DSL should report the completion of this audit and any areas for development to their governing board.