Safeguarding procedures for external speakers in educational settings

FAO: Designated Safeguarding Leads, Headteachers , 11 March 2025 09:44

Through hosting external speakers, education settings provide a safe space for pupils to engage with a variety of issues and hear and debate different perspectives. Education settings have a responsibility to ensure that the people they invite to speak are suitable and that all safeguarding procedures are followed. When inviting speakers, settings are reminded of the following:

• Keeping Children Safe in Education is the statutory guidance that all settings must have regard to when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. When inviting speakers, schools should be conscious of the safeguarding requirements in the guidance. 

• Paragraph 192 of the Prevent Duty guidance makes clear that as part of their safeguarding policies, schools should 'set out clear protocols for ensuring that any visiting speakers whether invited by staff or pupils themselves are suitable and appropriately supervised.'

 Key points to remember

One-off events have limited impact on long-term learning and wellbeing. Comprehensive RSHE education programs are needed to develop essential skills like decision-making and communication. Visits should enrich these programs and not be standalone events.

Avoid shock, fear, and guilt: Engaging visitors should avoid using shock tactics, guilt, or highly emotional content. Such approaches can backfire, making risky behaviours seem exciting or preventing effective learning. Extreme examples can cause disassociation or re-traumatise vulnerable pupils.
Avoid instructional content or inspiring risky behaviours: Visitors should not inadvertently teach or glamorise risky behaviours. Careful consideration is needed to ensure sessions do not provide harmful details or role models for unhealthy behaviours.
Avoid bias: Lesson content should avoid political indoctrination and inappropriate bias. RSHE education should reflect the setting's ethos, promote healthy behaviours, and encourage neutral exploration of issues. Teachers should vet visitors to prevent exposure to extremist or offensive content and ensure balanced presentations.
Use active learning strategies: The teacher should manage the learning, not the visitor. Sessions should be interactive, encouraging pupil engagement through questions and activities rather than lectures.
Adhere to school policies: Safeguarding protocols must be shared and followed, and Part 3 of Keeping Children Safe in Education gives guidance on any appropriate safer recruitment checks which should be undertaken. Staff should always be present to ensure child protection and manage behaviour and safety.