21 Safeguarding Interview Questions for Teachers (UK 2023)

When it comes to an interview for a teacher position, you should expect to be asked a few questions about safeguarding.

This is because safeguarding is such an important issue in schools, and employers want to make sure that their employees are fully prepared to deal with any safeguarding issues that might come up.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and it starts with creating a safe and supportive environment for all children.

21 Safeguarding Interview Questions for Teachers

1. How do you ensure that all students in your class feel safe and included?

2. What would you do if you were concerned that a student in your class was being bullied or abused?

3. How do you deal with disruptive or challenging behaviour in your classroom?

4. What would you do if you saw a student being bullied by another student?

5. How would you handle a situation where a student discloses abuse or neglect to you?

6. What are your thoughts on physical punishment as a form of discipline?

7. What would you do if you suspected that a student in your class was being abused or neglected at home?

8. How do you create a safe and supportive classroom environment for all students?

9. What are your thoughts on students using social media platforms?

10. How do you deal with students who display aggressive or violent behaviour?

11. What are your thoughts on student privacy and confidentiality?

12. What are your plans for continued professional development in the area of safeguarding?

13. How do you ensure that safeguarding is a priority in your school?

14. How do you engage with parents and carers on the issue of safeguarding?

15. What are your thoughts on the role of technology in safeguarding?

16. How do you ensure that safeguarding is embedded in your school’s culture?

17. What are your plans for dealing with any safeguarding concerns that may arise in the future?

18. How do you think the issue of safeguarding should be addressed in teacher training?

19. What are your thoughts on the role of the police in safeguarding?

20. How do you ensure that safeguarding is always at the forefront of your mind?

21. How do you think schools can work better with other agencies to safeguard students?

See Also: Common teacher interview questions and answers.

How to Answer Safeguarding Interview Questions for Teachers

If you’re not sure about how to answer these types of questions, don’t worry, we’ll give you some top tips on how to answer safeguarding interview questions so that you can show your potential employer that you’re the right person for the job.

1. Be prepared

The first thing you need to do if you want to ace your safeguarding interview questions is to be prepared. Make sure you know what safeguarding is and what the key principles are.

You should also familiarise yourself with your school’s safeguarding policy so that you can refer to it if necessary.

2. Show that you’re knowledgeable

When you’re answering safeguarding questions in an interview, it’s important to show that you know what you’re talking about. This means using the correct terminology and being able to explain the key concepts clearly.

If you can demonstrate that you have a good understanding of safeguarding, it will show your potential employer that you’re serious about the issue and that you’ll be able to deal with any safeguarding issues that might come up in your role.

3. Give specific examples

When you’re answering safeguarding interview questions, it’s also a good idea to give specific examples of how you would deal with certain situations.

For example, if you’re asked how you would deal with a child who discloses abuse, you could talk about the steps you would take to ensure that the child was kept safe and received the support they needed.

Giving specific examples will show your interviewer that you’ve thought about the issue and that you’re prepared to deal with it should the need arise.

4. Be enthusiastic

Finally, when you’re answering safeguarding interview questions, it’s important to be enthusiastic about the role. Show that you’re passionate about keeping children safe and that you want to make a difference in your role.

This will demonstrate to your potential employer that you’re the right person for the job and that you’ll be committed to safeguarding in your new role.

Keep in mind:

Safeguarding is a preventative measure; it is designed to protect people before they are harmed. It is important to remember that safeguarding is not just about protecting people from physical harm; it is also about protecting them from emotional, financial, sexual, and other forms of harm.

Safeguarding throughout the United Kingdom is governed by the Education Act of 2002 and supervised by OFSTED.

You should research the rules of the local education authority before applying for a teaching job and become familiar with how they specifically refer to your role as a teacher.

See Also: Safeguarding in schools interview questions and answers

Wrapping up

By following these tips, you should be able to answer safeguarding interview questions confidently and show your potential employer that you’re the right person for the job.

When you respond to a safeguarding interview question, reply with confidence. Be decisive regarding the actions you would take. It’s also important to remain quietly composed and avoid displaying anger over any specific safeguarding topic.

Interviewers are usually looking for teachers who remain calm but determined when dealing with emotive issues.

Remember, safeguarding is an important issue, and by demonstrating your knowledge and commitment to it in your interview, you’ll give yourself the best chance of securing the teaching position you want.