PSHE Association welcomes proposed changes to statutory safeguarding guidance

The PSHE Association welcomes the government’s consultation on proposed changes to its statutory safeguarding guidance for schools and colleges, ‘Keeping children safe in education’, which opened today. Proposed changes include a greater focus on schools ensuring that pupils are taught how to stay safe both online and offline, a role emphasised in the Association’s recent ‘curriculum for life’ report, which set out the case for statutory status for PSHE education.

The consultation on the proposed changes is open until 16 February. The PSHE Association will be making a submission while continuing to make the case for statutory PSHE education.  

PSHE Association Chief Executive Joe Hayman said:

“The world our children are growing up in offers huge possibilities but significant risks too and the school curriculum should prepare them for that world. This aim is exactly what PSHE education is designed to achieve, emphasising the key skills and characteristics – such as resilience, critical thinking and the ability to manage risk – which pupils need if they are to thrive in a changing world.

We welcome the government’s proposals to strengthen statutory safeguarding guidance in relation to teaching and learning and look forward to contributing through the consultation process. At the same time, we will continue to make the case for statutory status for PSHE education so that all pupils are guaranteed a curriculum which prepares them for life.”