A Whole-School Approach to Digital Safeguarding

A best practice checklist

This checklist is designed to help leaders and designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) across schools, multi-academy trusts and further education colleges take a step back and assess what's working, what's missing, and where to focus next.

Aligned to KCSIE 2026, it gives you a structured way to review your current digital safeguarding provision: section by section, at your own pace.

Select a section below to get started

Need input from other staff members to answer certain questions? Simply click the "Copy link" button and you can share the checklist (including any progress made) with someone else in your setting. Note: When they're done, they'll need to copy their link and send it back to you, otherwise their answers won't appear on your version.

Your Recommendations

Based on your answers, here's where to focus next. Sections are ordered by priority — expand any row to see the areas to develop.

How to close the gaps in your digital safeguarding

The checklist you've just completed reflects how much is now expected of a setting's digital safeguarding: annual filtering and monitoring reviews, a clear approach to AI, updated staff training and regular check-ins with parents.

Smoothwall supports schools, colleges and MATs across all these areas, through technology and expert-led support. We help you keep pace with the online risks students face, and act sooner when concerns arise.

Human-moderated monitoring

Smoothwall Monitor uses real human insight to quickly flag students who may be at risk online and give your safeguarding team the context they need to step in early.

100% real-time content filtering

Smoothwall Filter analyses online content in real time, including new AI-generated sources, and blocks harmful material before it reaches students, so they can explore and learn freely.

Parental / staff engagement and education

Smoothwall Online Safety Hub gives your wider community practical resources, guides and how-tos on online safety. Share them so parents, carers and staff feel confident having the conversations that matter.

Training for your school / college / MAT

Our dedicated team delivers up-to-date training on student digital safeguarding - virtually or in person. Training is shaped around your setting's needs, helping your community feel confident on all aspects of digital safety.

See how you can close the gaps.

Select the areas you'd like to speak to us about, and we'll be in touch to arrange a date and time that works best for you. We'll show you how they work, how they might compare to what you have at the moment and answer any questions you may have.