How to present safeguarding referrals to Ofsted

What Ofsted will ask and look for 

By 8am on the day of inspection, you’ll need to have given Ofsted a list of referrals made to your designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and those that were subsequently referred to your local authority (LA), along with brief details of the resolution(s).  

This is set out in paragraph 82 of the School Inspection Handbook. 

For a small number of these pupils, inspectors will check how the referral was made and the thoroughness of the follow-up (see paragraph 244 of the inspection handbook linked above). 

To show Ofsted your safeguarding arrangements are effective, you’ll need to: 

• Retain a record of safeguarding referrals 
• Demonstrate that you’ve promptly taken any agreed action following the referral, in order to protect the pupil from further harm 

An Ofsted representative answered the following questions for