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Safe Child Guide
Post-16 Provider Safeguarding Guide
Free resource from safechildguide.com
A four-page guide covering safeguarding in post-16 settings, where students are often treated as adults despite remaining minors. Topics include: the continuing application of safeguarding legislation to 16 and 17 year olds, how to balance confidentiality and information sharing for older students, specific risks for post-16 students including exploitation, coercive relationships, and online harms, and the Designated Safeguarding Lead's role in a college or sixth-form context. References Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) and relevant DfE guidance.
Suitable for: schools
Age range: 17-plus years
Post-16 Provider Safeguarding Guide
For sixth forms, FE colleges, and training providers. Safeguarding duties continue beyond age 16. This guide summarises your key responsibilities.
Legal Framework for Post-16
KCSIE applies to all institutions with learners under 18, including sixth forms and FE
All staff must have safeguarding training appropriate to their role
A nominated DSL or safeguarding lead must be in place and accessible
Safer recruitment procedures (including DBS checks) apply to all staff
18-year-old learners may still be vulnerable — adult safeguarding procedures may apply
Prevent Duty
Prevent duty applies to all post-16 providers in scope of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015
All staff must complete Prevent awareness training (online: at least every 3 years)
Referrals to the Channel programme are made via the local authority or police
Concerns about radicalisation or extremism must be reported to the DSL/safeguarding lead immediately
Online Safety for Post-16
An Acceptable Use Policy must cover all learner and staff device and network use
Network filtering and monitoring must be age-appropriate and proportionate
Staff must not use personal social media to communicate with learners under 18
Online safety education should address topics relevant to this age group (e.g. sexting, image-based abuse, financial fraud)
Student Mental Health
Pastoral support systems must be visible and accessible to all learners
Staff should be familiar with the signs of mental health crisis and know how to refer
Online harm (e.g. self-harm content, exploitation) must be treated as a safeguarding concern
Mental health/wellbeing lead: ___________________________ Contact: ___________________________
Reporting Structure
Safeguarding lead / DSL: ___________________________ Contact: ___________________________
Deputy safeguarding lead: ___________________________
Principal / CEO: ___________________________
LADO (allegations against staff): ___________________________
Local Authority Children's Services: ___________________________
Prevent single point of contact (SPOC): ___________________________
Printed from safechildguide.com — Free child safety resources
Last reviewed: 2026-04-15