In this episode of Everyone’s Business, Steve and Anna start to discuss the complex area which is the safeguarding of adults in education. This episode focusses on adults who have just turned 18 and are still in secondary school, FE colleges specifically those providing education for disabled adults and adults with special educational needs, and young adults in higher education. The overarching theme throughout this podcast is how little specific guidance and policy there is for safeguarding in adults in education – this is in stark contrast to the rigorous and frequently reviewed policies that safeguard children.

Steve and Anna ask what is the difference between safeguarding children in education as opposed to adults? How should an educational institution go about safeguarding when there is such a wide range of different needs, capacities and indeed ages in those they are educating? What should an educational institution do while investigating safeguarding concerns, specifically when this occurs between students? This podcast by two experienced barristers in the field starts to open up the conversation on this complex field which lacks detailed guidance for institutions to follow.