Safeguarding Questions You May Be Asked in a School Interview and How To Answer Them

In this blog, you will learn:

• Safeguarding questions you may be asked in a school interview.
• How to best answer safeguarding questions.
• Where the latest education jobs are and how to apply for them. 

Preparing for a school interview can feel daunting, especially when it comes to safeguarding questions. However, with the right preparation there is nothing to worry about. Safeguarding is extremely important within schools and interviewers need to be confident that you understand its importance, know how to put safeguarding into practice, and that you can handle safeguarding situations appropriately.

To help, we’ve put together this guide to uncover safeguarding questions you may be asked in a school interview. You’ll discover expert advice on how to answer the safeguarding questions to increase your chances of securing the job. 

Safeguarding questions you may be asked in a school interview

Safeguarding questions you may be asked in a school interview:

• What does safeguarding mean to you? 
• Can you give an example of a situation where you had to report a safeguarding concern? How did you handle it?
• What steps would you take if a child disclosed something concerning to you?
• How do you ensure that your interactions with students remain professional?
• How would you handle a situation where you suspect a colleague is not following safeguarding procedures?
• How do you keep yourself updated on current safeguarding legislation and best practices?
• Can you explain the difference between a safeguarding concern and a child protection issue?

What does safeguarding mean to you?

A hiring manager may ask you this question to assess how well you understand safeguarding and how confidently you can articulate its importance in practice. This question allows the hiring manager to explore your understanding of the core principles of safeguarding and whether it aligns with the school’s values and statutory requirements. 

Safeguarding is crucial in a school setting, so the hiring manager will want to ensure you fully understand its meaning and recognise it as a whole-school responsibility to protect children and ensure they are safe.

How to answer this question

In your answer, go beyond a textbook definition and show that you understand safeguarding in real, practical terms. You could reference the six principles of safeguarding and explain how they apply in a school context. 

For instance, you could discuss the importance of recognising early warning signs, maintaining professional boundaries and knowing how to handle concerns appropriately. 

Can you give an example of a situation where you had to report a safeguarding concern? How did you handle it?

An interviewer may ask you this question to see how well you handled a safeguarding concern and if you followed correct procedures. A school will want to ensure that their staff know how to appropriately deal with a safeguarding concern so this is an important question they will ask. 

They want to know that you can act calmly, document clearly and escalate concerns appropriately, always putting the child's safety first. 

How to answer this question

When answering this question, pick an example that shows you followed safeguarding procedures correctly and with professionalism. Start by briefly describing the concern, without going into confidential details, so the interviewer understands the context, then explain the actions you took. 

Your actions might have included listening carefully, recording facts accurately and immediately reporting it to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. It’s not your job to investigate the safeguarding concern. However, it is your responsibility to escalate the concern to the right person and follow correct procedures. You should explain that you understand this in your answer. 

Finally, explain what you learned from the experience as this shows not only that you handled the situation appropriately, but also that you are committed to improving your safeguarding practice.

What steps would you take if a child disclosed something concerning to you?

You may be asked this question in an interview so the hiring manager can see that you understand the difference between listening with empathy and following correct safeguarding procedures. 

Schools need to trust that their staff will respond to a concern correctly by escalating the disclosure to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. 

How to answer this question

In your response, outline that you would listen to the child carefully and take what they say seriously without showing a shocked expression. You should make it clear that you would not promise confidentiality, you wouldn't ask any leading questions and that you would reassure the child that they have done the right thing in telling you. 

Additionally, mention that you would record what they have told you accurately in their own words and that you would report the concern to the Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately. 

How do you ensure that your interactions with students remain professional?

This question may be asked to assess your understanding of professional boundaries and your ability to build positive relationships with students in an appropriate way. 

Your answer will show the hiring manager whether you understand the importance of safeguarding in every interaction and that you can model respectful, professional behaviour at all times. 

How to answer this question

When answering this question, outline the steps you take to maintain professionalism such as treating all pupils the same, setting clear boundaries and avoiding favouritism. You might also note that you maintain a professional demeanor in online interactions and don’t connect with students on social media or personal accounts. 

A strong response will demonstrate that you are an approachable staff member who adheres to strict safeguarding guidelines and understands boundaries.

How would you handle a situation where you suspect a colleague is not following safeguarding procedures?

A hiring manager may ask you this question to see how you would respond if you noticed poor practice within the school. Safeguarding is a whole school responsibility and schools need to trust that their staff would act and report if they suspected a colleague was not following safeguarding procedures. 

How to answer this question

When answering, mention that you would always follow the schools safeguarding policy and raise your concern to the Designated Safeguarding Lead following correct procedures. Make it clear that you would not overlook the situation, but you would refrain from confronting the colleague directly to prevent escalation. 

It's also important to highlight your understanding of the need to act professionally and to document any concerns clearly. If you have previously encountered a situation where a colleague did not adhere to safeguarding procedures, consider sharing that experience with the hiring manager as a real life example.

How do you keep yourself updated on current safeguarding legislation and best practices?

As safeguarding is constantly evolving, an interviewer may ask you this question to check if you take responsibility for keeping your safeguarding knowledge up to date. 

Schools want staff who are proactive about staying informed on the latest practices. They want to know that you are committed to maintaining the best safeguarding practices to ensure student safety and respond effectively to any new requirements.

How to answer this question

When responding to this question, delve into the specific ways that you keep your safeguarding knowledge up to date. This might include completing online courses, reviewing updates from statutory guidance like ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ and subscribing to relevant newsletters. 

To stand out, you could also explain that you make safeguarding a continuous priority by staying alert to policy changes and reflecting on how they impact your practice. Not only does this demonstrate your commitment to improving your safeguarding expertise but also highlights your commitment to professional development.

Can you explain the difference between a safeguarding concern and a child protection issue?

You may get asked this question in a school interview to demonstrate that you understand the difference between a general safeguarding concern and a more serious child protection issue. 

A safeguarding concern may indicate an early warning sign that requires monitoring, while a child protection issue suggests that a child is already experiencing harm. 

A hiring manager may also ask this question to test your understanding of safeguarding terminology as well as your ability to identify when a concern needs immediate attention.

How to answer this question

When responding, clearly define what a safeguarding concern is and what constitutes a child protection issue, providing examples. A safeguarding concern might include situations like poor attendance or noticeable changes in a child's behavior. While these may not pose an immediate risk, they still require monitoring. 

A child protection issue however, arises when a child is in significant danger and urgent action is needed to ensure they are safe. It’s important to show that you would take both cases seriously and follow school policies and procedures accordingly. 

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