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Government Report Identifies Multiple Safeguarding Risks At Out-Of-School Settings

A new report released by the Department for Education (DfE) on out-of-school settings (OOSS) has identified multiple risks to children's safety in such settings. OOSS include sports clubs, tuition centres, uniformed youth groups, and other educational supplementary services that millions of children attend every week in England.

The report revealed a range of issues management and staff need to take into account to protect children. These range from unfavourable premises and unchecked staff to verbal abuse, physical chastisement, inappropriate sexual behaviour, grooming, reports of child sexual abuse, and even danger from convicted sex offenders. In addition, many of the settings have no obligation to notify anyone of their existence and are entirely unregulated under education and childcare law.

Immediate Action Needed

The DfE has acknowledged the seriousness of the findings, and accepted that better oversight is needed to ensure the safety of children attending these out-of-school settings. The Local Government Association (LGA), meanwhile, is calling for councils to be given greater powers to oversee and regulate these settings, including being able to shut down illegal schools. Councils also need to have the powers and resources to intervene whenever necessary.

Louise Gittins, chair of the LGA's children and young people board, said: "Most out-of-school settings provide safe, positive and enjoyable environments for children and play a key role in advancing their learning and development. However, parents and carers sending their children to an OOSS will rightly expect that they are subject to the appropriate regulation as seen in schools or childcare providers."

Abigail Gill, associate head of policy and public affairs at the NSPCC children's charity, added: "All children should be able to enjoy extracurricular activities with the same degree of safety they have in school or childcare settings. Unfortunately, this report demonstrates a clear disconnect in terms of safeguarding between educational services and out-of-school settings."

Government Response

In response to the report, the DfE has promised to work with the children's commissioner for England, safeguarding partners, and parent groups to draw up proposals to improve safeguarding. These could include more information sharing between educational and law enforcement agencies, as well as council-run registration and compliance requirements for OOSS.

The DfE has also announced that it will be launching a consultation later this year, refreshing guidance for parents, and supporting councils to make full use of their existing legal powers. A spokesperson for the department said: "After-school clubs and other out-of-school settings provide a range of stimulating and enriching opportunities for children, and the vast majority take place in a safe environment."

The report serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding and education services working in unison to protect children. With millions of kids attending out-of-school activities every week, it is essential that the government takes steps to ensure they are kept as safe and secure as possible.