After-school and breakfast clubs give children valuable opportunities to develop in a supportive environment outside the classroom. From sports groups and Scouts to after-school childcare and extra-curricular activities, these clubs provide dependable care for families who rely on trusted provision beyond standard school hours.
Those running these clubs should understand, this comes with an ongoing responsibility to maintain strong safeguarding standards. Reviews by the Department for Education have highlighted the potential risks that can arise when governance and oversight are inconsistent.
Risks in Out-of-School Settings
Many out-of-school settings operate independently of formal regulation, which means schools and organisers must be proactive in ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place. Under Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), schools remain responsible for verifying that any third-party providers or volunteers are suitable to work with children. This includes conducting enhanced DBS checks, maintaining accurate records, and embedding safer recruitment practices throughout every stage of engagement.
Schools are now expected to have clear agreements in place that set out safeguarding responsibilities and confirm how providers will follow school policies. Regular communication between safeguarding leads and external organisers is also vital to ensure that any concerns are addressed and that accountability is maintained.
Strengthening Safeguarding Through Checks
Enhanced DBS checks are a statutory requirement for anyone working or volunteering in roles that involve close contact with children. This gives employers access to information such as spent and unspent convictions, cautions and any relevant police-held records that may help make informed safeguarding decisions. Where a role involves regulated activity , an enhanced check with barred list is required, confirming whether an individual appears on the Children’s Barred List and is legally prohibited from this type of work.
To support these checks, digital identity verification provides a secure way to confirm an applicant’s identity and reduce the risk of falsified documents entering the process. Social media screening can add an additional layer of insight by running a series of consistent and extensive online searches. The check will highlight publicly accessible content that may indicate behaviour or attitudes inconsistent with safeguarding expectations. When combined, these measures give schools stronger foundations for decision-making and help identify individuals who may pose a risk before they gain access to children.
DDC work alongside schools, academies, and out-of-school activities providers to support safer recruitment and uphold compliance across all education environments. This comes with a clear focus on providing the systems and expertise needed to maintain effective safeguarding in every setting where children spend time.
Safeguarding does not stop at the end of the school day – it depends on due diligence and a shared commitment to keeping every child safe, wherever they learn.
