Universal Safeguarding Benchmark Report 2026/2027
What is Universal Safeguarding?
Universal Safeguarding™ is CPOMS’ framework for treating safeguarding in schools as a whole-setting system, not just a pupil-focused compliance task. It brings together people, processes, systems and information to give schools a fuller view of risk and wellbeing — helping them move from reacting to individual concerns towards earlier, more proactive intervention.
Introduction
Safeguarding responsibilities are growing, but how well do your current systems and processes actually work? CPOMS partnered with Censuswide to survey 200 safeguarding leads across UK schools, creating the first national benchmark for Universal Safeguarding™ covering demand, workforce confidence, operational processes, data maturity and multi-agency working.
The results show a sector that’s committed and resilient, with most schools identifying concerns before they reach crisis point. Yet capacity pressures, agency coordination and data insight remain persistent challenges.
What’s in the Report
Key insights and safeguarding trends Learn which welfare concerns and child protection risks are the most prevalent across the country.
Prevalent challenges in safeguarding practice Get a clear picture of how day-to-day barriers impact safeguarding from inter-agency communication to managing referrals.
12 month priorities for schools Get practical, benchmarked priorities from strengthening data systems to improving inter-agency communication, to focus your safeguarding investment over the year ahead.