A safeguarding staff board can be so much more than a static display of policies and contact names. When used well, it becomes a living part of school life; a place where safeguarding stays visible, relevant and genuinely interesting for staff. The key is to make it dynamic, interactive and owned by everyone, rather than something that fades into the background.
This topic has come up in supervision with a number of clients recently, and everyone agrees that interactivity is the key to making a safeguarding board successful. When staff are invited to get involved, reflect and contribute, the board stops being something they walk past and starts being something they engage with.
We see some really good examples of safeguarding boards in schools during audits and visits, and the ones that stand out are always those that include questions and prompts for staff to think about, or that clearly look like they have been updated recently. A board that feels alive and current sends a powerful message that safeguarding is an active, everyday priority. One of our favourite little touches was a mirror placed nearby with the message “You are looking at the person responsible for safeguarding” — a simple but powerful reminder that safeguarding shouldn’t be confined to one area on a wall, but is everyone’s responsibility wherever they are.
Engaging staff effectively means making the board interactive. Instead of simply posting information, try asking questions or setting challenges. A weekly safeguarding question or short scenario such as “What would you do if…?” encourages staff to think actively about their responses and reinforces good practice. A quick quiz or a QR code that links to a short video or training update can all help make safeguarding feel more relevant.
Another way to bring energy to your safeguarding board is to keep it dynamic. Change it up regularly with new themes, seasonal focuses or updates that reflect current issues. You might highlight online safety one month and mental health the next, or share reminders about attendance and neglect during key times of the year. Even small design updates, such as new colours or layouts, can draw attention and keep the board fresh.
Crucially, the most effective safeguarding boards give staff a sense of ownership. When people feel they can contribute, they are much more likely to read and engage. Rotating responsibility for updating the board each term, or inviting staff to suggest questions, themes or resources, helps make it a shared space. You could even include a feedback box where colleagues can drop ideas or queries anonymously. Small touches like that can make a big difference. We see so many schools incorporating this into their classrooms, so why not the staffroom too?
It is also worth thinking about where the board is located. The best place is somewhere people naturally gather, such as the staffroom or near the photocopier. Make sure it is well lit, easy to read and uncluttered. Short, clear text, colour coding and visual icons make the information more accessible and inviting.
Ultimately, your safeguarding board should be more than a box tick. It should feel like an ongoing conversation, a reminder that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, every day. When the board evolves alongside the school’s needs and reflects the voices of the people who use it, it becomes a genuine part of your safeguarding culture.
Keep it current, keep it interactive, and most importantly, keep it owned by your staff. When people feel involved, they will naturally want to stop, read and contribute. That is when your safeguarding board stops being a noticeboard and starts being a community resource, a real reflection of your school’s shared commitment to keeping children safe.
If anyone has top tips or examples of effective boards, we would love to hear them. You can share your ideas in our online community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3167295756754880.